Online Music Study: What to Verify

Music is taught through one-to-one lessons, ensembles and live performance, which are the parts hardest to move online. So "online" in a programme's description can mean very different things. This guide helps you separate fully online study from programmes that are partly remote, or only offer a remote audition. It does not rank online against campus study, and it does not say any particular programme is suitable for you. Browse the site's online music programmes for listings, then verify each point below.

Online study is not the same as an online audition

Several schools allow virtual auditions without offering online degrees. Codarts Rotterdam says candidates abroad may take the practical exam in Rotterdam or online via Teams, but its page describes an audition choice, not an online degree, and it adds that conducting auditions are held only in Rotterdam. Cleveland Institute of Music says audition days can be virtual or in person, but some applicants must audition in person in Cleveland. UW-Madison says its auditions for 2026-27 are hybrid. A remote audition tells you about the application, not about where you will study. For more on audition formats, see prescreening versus final auditions.

One example of a fully online offer

Berklee's online degree page describes its degrees as fully online, with study possible part-time or full-time. According to that page, no residency is required, though students may choose a semester abroad at Berklee's Valencia campus, and attendance at commencement in Boston is not required. It lists a Bachelor of Arts with 12 concentrations and master's degrees in areas such as music production, music business, songwriting and film scoring. It states that applicants must be proficient in English, that there are no specific GPA, test score or class-rank requirements, and that the page does not mention an audition or portfolio; graduate requirements are on a separate page. This is one school's statement on one page; other programmes will differ, and the page itself notes that tuition and fees can change.

The point is not that this model suits everyone, but that a fully online claim should be stated plainly on the school's page. If a page only says "online options" or "flexible", treat the programme as not fully online until you have confirmation.

What to verify before you apply

Use the following list when you read any programme.

Delivery of lessons. Is the principal-study lesson one-to-one, in a group, pre-recorded or live? How many lessons per term, and who teaches them? Some instruments depend on in-person work, so ask whether your instrument or voice is offered.

Ensembles and performance. Are there online ensembles or recorded projects, or is ensemble work in person? What replaces performance if you are remote?

Recitals and assessments. Where is the final recital or juried exam held? Can it be recorded, or must you travel?

Live sessions and time zones. Are classes synchronous? Which time zone is used and what is the attendance expectation? If the programme is asynchronous, how are deadlines handled?

Residencies. Does the programme require on-campus periods? Berklee's page says none are required for its online degrees; other schools may have residencies, so ask for dates and costs.

Equipment and software. Berklee's degree page lists no required equipment or software for degree programmes, while saying that for courses, books, hardware and software are purchased separately unless stated, and some courses have extra fees. Ask for the specific list: microphone, interface, camera, digital audio workstation, notation software, instrument.

Enrolment restrictions. Can students in your country enrol? Some schools restrict enrolment by location or by visa status. Ask in writing and check the school's own page.

Admission requirements. Does the programme require an audition or portfolio, as most campus performance degrees do? Berklee's page does not mention one, while other programmes might. Read preparing for auditions if yours does.

Award and recognition. Is the online award the same as the campus award, and who awards it? If you need the qualification for teaching, therapy or doctoral study, check what the receiving body accepts; see music education and teaching qualifications and certificates, diplomas and degrees.

Do not assume "fully online" from a few remote modules

Programmes can combine online modules, a remote audition, recorded submissions and in-person lessons. If some courses are remote but lessons, ensembles or assessments are on campus, the programme is blended, with travel and accommodation implications. If the page states a residency, a visit for the final exam, or required attendance at events, treat it as a requirement. If it does not say, ask admissions and keep the reply.

Costs of online study

Berklee's page lists undergraduate tuition starting at $63,000 for 120 credits and graduate tuition starting at $34,988 for 36 credits, with an example of about $14,790 per year for 10 courses a year, and says the $1,575 per-credit figure applies to certificates and courses rather than degrees. It also gives limits on transfer credits (up to 60 for undergraduate degrees) and prior learning credits (up to 30 toward the BA). Treat figures as examples from one page and check the current schedule. Online does not remove costs: equipment, software, internet access and, in some cases, travel for assessments remain. See costs beyond tuition.

Visas and location

If a programme is genuinely online and you study from home, you may not need a student visa to the school's country. If it needs any on-campus period, check the official immigration page for that country; see studying music abroad. Rules change, and this site cannot confirm them.

Next steps

Shortlist two or three programmes, write the checklist above as a table, and ask each school to fill in the blanks. Start with the site's online music programmes and compare against campus options through choosing a music school. Our methodology explains how we label delivery mode and when we last checked.