If you’ve been dreaming of turning your music passion into a career, now you can! Because UAE students can now study songwriting, music production, performance and more without leaving Dubai. A new three-year Bachelor of Music programme is opening its doors this September. And the best part, it comes with scholarships worth up to AED 50,000! If this sounds like your dream course, then here are all the details, from what you’ll study to application dates and more!
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A New Music Degree Has Arrived In Dubai
SAE University College is launching a three-year, full-time Bachelor of Music programme in Dubai. If you want to pursue this degree, the first intake begins in September 2026. The institution says it is the first accredited Bachelor of Music degree of its kind in Dubai. This gives aspiring musicians, producers and songwriters the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while building practical industry experience. Applications are currently open for the September 2026 intake. However, if you still need time to think it over, additional intakes are planned for February and May 2027.
The launch comes as the UAE continues to grow its creative industries. Under the UAE National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries, the country aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP to 5% by 2031. And that’s not all! According to figures shared by SAE University College, the regional music industry is expanding too, with recorded music revenues across the Middle East and North Africa rising by 15.2% in 2025.
What Will Students Study?
Now, this isn’t a degree that keeps students stuck behind textbooks. The programme combines academic learning with hands-on training. Students will also have creative projects and industry-focused experience. Students will cover subjects including:
- Songwriting
- Electronic music production
- Studio production
- Live performance
- Stagecraft
- Creative musicianship
- Music business
- Entrepreneurship
The course is designed to help students build a professional portfolio during their studies, with a major industry project forming part of the programme. They will also have access to professional recording studios, music equipment and industry-standard software.
And to ensure students gain practical experience, they will work alongside academics and experienced professionals while developing their creative and technical skills. The programme has also been developed with industry partners, including Melody House and Muzikminds, as well as music producer and songwriter Miklos Malek.
The Big Q – Where Can This Degree Take You
The first question you think of when you start a degree is: What are your opportunities with this course? A music degree can open doors far beyond performing on stage. Graduates can pursue careers in music production, songwriting, composition, artist development, audio engineering, live performance, music supervision, entertainment and content creation.
The programme also focuses on the business side of the industry. So students are given exposure to areas such as entrepreneurship and the music business. The combination of creative, technical and commercial skills could be particularly useful. This is as the modern music industry continues to evolve across digital platforms, live entertainment and content creation.
Planning To Pursue This Course? Here’s When You Can Apply
Applications are now open for the September 2026 intake. Students who are not ready to start this September will have more opportunities, with further intakes scheduled for February and May 2027. It’s important to remember that this programme is aimed at students looking to develop their creative skills while also gaining practical experience and an accredited qualification in Dubai.
And There’s More! Scholarships & How Much Are They Worth
Here’s the part prospective students will want to know. SAE’s eligible applicants can apply for scholarships worth up to AED 50,000. The scholarships will help provide financial support to students pursuing the new Bachelor of Music degree. With applications already open, students interested in music production, songwriting, performance, or the wider creative industries may want to check the admission and scholarship requirements early. And for aspiring musicians who have always wanted to turn their creative skills into a career, the city’s newest music degree could be worth putting on your playlist!
If a career in music has been sitting on your wish list, this could be your cue to take up that course! Check the programme and scholarship requirements, and get your application ready! And as always, keep Gulf Buzz on your radar for more education, career and opportunity updates!
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