QS world rankings for Performing Arts places four UK conservatoires in top 10

Hattie Fisk
Monday, April 11, 2022

The QS World University Rankings by Subject has awarded the Royal College of Music first place in its 2022 Performing Arts category.

An RCM school workshop with tutor Elsa Bradley(C)
An RCM school workshop with tutor Elsa Bradley(C)

Sara Platt (16)

QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) has published its 12th World University Rankings by Subject, ranking the Royal College of Music in first place (95) in the Performing Arts category. 

Four out of the top 10 ranked institutions are based in the UK. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD) is in fifth place (93.3), Guildhall School of Music and Drama is sixth (91.1), and the Royal Academy of Music is seventh (91).  

Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien in Austria achieved second place (94.9), with the Juilliard School in New York placed third (93.8) and Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in fourth (93.7). 

The top 10 institutions for performing arts are: 

  1. Royal College of Music, London
  2. University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien)
  3. The Juilliard School, New York
  4. Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMD de Paris), Paris
  5. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow 
  6. Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London
  7. Royal Academy of Music, London
  8. Norwegian Academy of Music, Norway
  9. Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia 
  10. Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong

The QS rankings measure the strength and quality of teaching, employability and the conservatoire’s international profile. In 2021, three UK-based conservatoires were placed in the top four of the rankings for Performing Arts. 

Speaking on being awarded first place, professor Colin Lawson, director of the Royal College of Music, said: ‘I am enormously proud of the entire RCM community. 

‘To be ranked as the global number one institution for performing arts reflects the dedicated work by the teaching staff, professors and professional services staff, all of whom work tirelessly to ensure that RCM students receive the best possible opportunities in an environment that closely mirrors the professional world. 

‘This result is testament to our ongoing commitment to our talented students who choose to study at this world-leading institution.’

The full list of rankings are available here.