Music Courses in India: Types, Admission, Eligibility, Career Opportunities and Salary
Music is a form of self-expression and an integral part of human life. It has the power to uplift spirits and calm the mind.
The music industry in India is vast and full of opportunities. From music directors to composers to singers, the industry offers lucrative job roles to passionate youngsters.
Anyone can sing songs or enjoy music. However, it requires formal education and proper training to make a mark in this dynamic industry.
Short-term music courses include diploma and certificate courses. Whereas, long-term courses in music include undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Undertaking these courses from an ideal music college in India can strengthen theoretical understanding of music and develop practical skills.
This blog post is curated to give you a glimpse into the best music courses in India. Meanwhile, you can understand the type of course, eligibility requirements, career opportunities and salary structure of jobs in the music industry.
About Music Courses in India
India is considered a land of culture and diversity. Each culture is known for its set of music. This music defines their identity, emotions, values, and roots.
But what exactly is music? Well, music is defined as a vocal or instrument or both combined. It is created to express emotions, seek harmony, and peace. The demand for music among people will never go down.
India’s music industry is expanding fast. It is creating numerous jobs for singers, composers, music directors, and other related professionals. If you are passionate about making a career in the music industry, you can take music education in the form of undergraduate, postgraduate or a diploma course.
Good music colleges in Delhi NCR lay emphasis on offering well-equipped, and in-demand music courses after 12th to young musicians.
Overview of Music Courses
| Highlights | Details |
| Name of the Course | Music Courses |
| Type of Courses | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, and Short-term Certifications |
| Courses Duration | Undergraduate Courses: 3 yearsPostgraduate Courses: 2 yearsDiploma Course: 1 yearsShort-term Certification: 03 months |
| Courses Admission | Direct/ Merit Based or Entrance Exams |
| Average Fees for Music Courses | 2 Lakh to 6 Lakh [ can vary based on the type of college or type of course] |
| Job Opportunities after Music Courses | Musician, Singer, Music Teacher, Band Artist, Sound Engineer, Event Performer, Studio Assistant. |
Why Study Music?
Studying music is not just limited to singing or playing an instrument. It is about developing creative skills and building a strong foundation on music related subjects. With the advent of digital streaming platforms, demand for talented people in the music industry has increased.
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Digital platforms and the entertainment industry are creating a pool of opportunities for young musicians. That’s why studying music has become necessary. Undergraduate programs like music production courses offer in-depth training in understanding the creative and technical aspects of music making.
You can enrol in a desired music course and start your journey towards making a flourishing career in this field.
Also Read: Top 10 Popular Types of Music Genres You Should Explore in 2026
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Ignite Your Ambitions- Seize the Opportunity for a Free Career Counseling Session.Admission Process of Music Courses in India
Getting admission into music courses in India requires checking their eligibility criteria, talent assessment, and entrance exam procedures. It’s vital to note that the eligibility criteria can vary from college to college [ government or private ].
Hence, you should do proper research before finalizing a college for getting admission in a music course. Colleges like AAFT Delhi follow a holistic approach to give admission to candidates for various undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Step-by-Step Admission Process
- Admission Form
Students can fill online or offline admission forms. The online admission form can be filled by going to a college’s website.
- Academic Screening
Colleges check eligibility requirements for each course on the basis of marks obtained in 10+2.
- Entrance Exams
Some music colleges in India may ask you to appear for the entrance exams as a part of their selection process.
- Personal Interview
Personal interviews are conducted to screen candidates and evaluate their understanding and interest in music. These interviews are an ideal way to test candidates’ knowledge.
- Final Selection
After the final selection round, candidates confirm their admissions by paying course fees for undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma courses.
Check the Eligibility Criteria of Music Courses After 12th
Though more weightage is given to a candidate’s talent in music education, checking the eligibility criteria of each course is crucial. The eligibility criteria of these courses is simpler and easy to follow. You can check the eligibility requirements for undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses.
For Undergraduate Music Courses
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 under any stream with a minimum 50% aggregate marks.
- Many institutes hire candidates on the basis of entrance exams. So, you need to check the entrance exam criteria.
For Postgraduate Music Courses
- Bachelor’s degree in music or a related undergraduate degree with music as honours or a subject, with a minimum 50% and above marks.
- Check if the institute is taking an entrance exam to enrol candidates for master degree courses.
For Diploma or Short-term Music Courses
- 10th or 12th pass in any stream under a recognised board with a minimum 50% and above marks.
- Most music institutes conduct entrance exams and have a minimum cut off percentage.
Music Entrance Exams
Entrance exams for music courses test candidates on the basis of their core music knowledge and understanding. These exams test practical skills, music aptitude, and theoretical knowledge of students.
Certain reputed music colleges ask students to appear for entrance exams to enrol in a music course in India. Some of the popular entrance exams for music courses are in the form of Common Entrance Tests [ CET ]. These tests are applicable for both undergraduate and postgraduate music courses.
Some of the Common Entrance Test [ CET ] for undergraduate and postgraduate programs include, DUET, BHU PET, BMI University Lucknow Entrance Exams, and Bangalore University Entrance Exams.
Music Course Fees in India
Music course fees in government colleges are less as compared to private colleges. Similarly, the fee for diploma or short-term music courses is less than undergraduate or postgraduate courses.
| Course Name | Average Fees |
| Undergraduate Music Courses | 1 Lakh to 5 Lakhs |
| Postgraduate Music Courses | 1.13K – 3 Lakhs |
| Diploma Courses in Music | 5K – 30K |
| Short-term Certifications | 10K – 15K |
Types of Music Courses in India
Music courses are quite in-demand. These courses alongside cinema courses help students gain recognition in the music and entertainment industry.
Music courses after 12th introduce students to subjects like music theory, music fundamentals, history, instruments, and music culture. These subjects are studied in-depth to gain better knowledge of the dynamic industry. These courses focus on providing theoretical knowledge and practical training to students.
Undergraduate Music Courses
- Bachelor courses are offered to students after completion of 12th standard on any stream.
- Major subjects in undergraduate degree courses include, music theory, music history, music fundamentals, learning of instruments, basics of sound design, and other vital subjects.
- Students who are willing to make a long-term career in this field should opt for bachelor in music courses.
| Undergraduate Degrees in Music | Courses Duration | Subjects to Study |
| B.A. in Instruments [ Specialization in Indian and Classical Instruments ] | 3 years | Cultural history of classical and modern music, different music theories and composition |
| B.A. in Vocals [ Specialization in Indian/ Classical Vocal ] | 3 years | Core vocal elements, advanced vocal techniques |
| Bachelor of Performing Arts (Specialization in Music Production) | 3 years | Music composition, sound design, music theory, music production |
| B.Sc in Sound Design | 3 years | Knowing the art and science of sound, recording, and editing. |
Postgraduate Music Courses
- Master courses are pursued by students who are interested in taking higher studies.
- These advanced-level courses span across two years and cover all essential concepts of music.
- If you are also looking to enter the research field, you can opt for these courses.
| Postgraduate Degrees in Music | Course Duration | Subjects to Study |
| M.A. in Vocal | 2 years | Practice of voice training and vocal techniques across platforms. |
| Master of Performing Arts (Specialization in Music Production) | 2 years | Music production, recording, editing, and music mixing. |
Diploma Degree in Music
- Diploma courses primarily focus on practical skills requirements for a bright career in music. These skills include compositions, orchestration, and the practical implementation of historical knowledge.
- These courses are ideal for students who wish to upscale their skills and want a quick entry in this field.
| Diploma Courses in Music | Course Duration | Subjects to Study |
| Diploma in Music Production | 1 year | Audio recording and editing techniques, sound and stage production techniques |
| Diploma in Classical Vocal | 1 year | Comprehensive knowledge of classical and contemporary music, tabla and western instruments. |
Short-term Certifications in Music
- Certificate courses are short-term courses designed to impart knowledge and skills for various instruments, different types of courses, and music theories.
- If you want to continue your jobs and gain additional skills in short-time duration, these certifications are an ideal choice.
| Short-term Programs in Music | Course Duration | Subjects to Study |
| Certificate in Music Production | 3 Months | Digital audio workstations, sound design, music production |
| Certificate in Disc Jockey | 3 Months | Music mixing techniques, beatmatching and syncing, djing instrument |
| Certificate in Western Vocal | 3 Months | Understanding different types of pitches, correcting singing postures, learning vocal exercises |
Career Opportunities After Music Courses
After completing a music course, you can explore various job options on the basis of your qualification and capabilities. Some of the top job profiles after completing a music course in India are listed below. You can check these jobs and learn about their salary potential.
| Job Profiles | Key Roles | Average Annual Salary |
| Musician | Creating and performing music for various genres. | 3LPA – 3.4LPA [1] |
| Composers | Have knowledge of musical elements like rhythm and melody of the song | 3.9LPA – 4.3LPA [2] |
| Music Director | Select music to perform and work with actors and other artists | 4.5LPA – 5LPA [3] |
| Music Teacher | Teaching music and instruments related subject | 3.7LPA – 4.1LPA [4] |
| Sound Engineers | Use technical knowledge to produce and manipulate sound | 4.7LPA [5] |
Skills to Gain with a Music Course
Music courses in India are designed to provide comprehensive skills that extend beyond talent. Here are some of the top skills that you will gain after completing these courses.
Proficiency in Music Theory
With the help of music theory concepts like scales, chords, and intervals, you can build a successful music career.
Mastery of Instruments
Several music courses help students refine their skills in learning instruments. You can practice techniques and achieve precision.
Composition Techniques
Crafting compositions require adequate knowledge of various musical forms and genres.
Aural Skills Training
Developing keen listening abilities helps learn about pitch, rhythm, tonality and dynamics. These skills help improve your overall performance as a musician.
Also Read: 2026 Music Trends: Discover the Hottest Genres & How to Master Them
Choose AAFT School of Music
AAFT School of Music is known for its renowned music courses after 12th. These courses are designed with extensive industry curriculum, best-in-class training sessions and ideal internship opportunities.
These courses from industry mentors stand tall among the best music courses in India. You can get better job opportunities after completion of these courses. These job opportunities can be in the form of musicians, composers, singers, music teachers, and lyricists.
Music Courses in India FAQ
What is the scope of doing a music course in India?
The scope of doing a music course in India is vast. The music field unfolds a lot of job opportunities for aspiring music students. These jobs help you get lucrative salaries.
What are the subjects learned in a music course?
In a music course, you will learn key subjects such as music theory, music history, contemporary music, raga, instrumental music, and sound effects.
Can I enrol in a music course while continuing my studies?
Yes, you can enrol in a diploma music course or a short-term certificate course while continuing your studies.
What is a music production course?
A music production course is designed to teach you the art of creating, recoding, and mixing different types of music. This course helps equip creative and technical skills among students.
