SAE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LAUNCHES DUBAI’S FIRST ACCREDITED BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE

SAE University College has announced the launch of Dubai’s first accredited Bachelor of Music degree, offering aspiring musicians, producers, songwriters and music entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised qualification without leaving the city.

Launching in September 2026, the full-time programme will run for three years and has been designed around the realities of today’s rapidly evolving global music industry, combining creative development with technical training, entrepreneurship and practical industry experience.

Applications are now open for the September intake, with additional intakes scheduled for February and May 2027. SAE University College is also offering scholarships of up to AED 50,000 to support aspiring music students.

The programme arrives as the UAE continues to invest heavily in its cultural and creative sectors.

Under the UAE National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries, the country aims to increase the sector’s contribution to 5% of GDP by 2031. The wider regional music industry is also experiencing significant growth, with recorded music revenues across the Middle East and North Africa increasing by 15.2% in 2025.

SAE University College hopes the new degree will help develop homegrown talent capable of supporting this expanding creative ecosystem while preparing graduates to compete internationally.

Rather than focusing solely on traditional music education, the Bachelor of Music programme covers multiple areas of the contemporary industry.

Students will study songwriting, electronic music production, studio production, stagecraft, live performance, creative musicianship, entrepreneurship and music business, providing an understanding of both the creative and commercial sides of building a career in music.

Project-based learning will form a major part of the course, with students developing professional portfolios throughout their studies and completing a significant industry project designed to provide real-world workplace experience.

Students will have access to SAE University College’s professional-standard studios, equipment and software while learning from experienced academics and music professionals.

The programme has also been developed alongside industry partners including Melody House and Muzikminds, as well as internationally recognised Hungarian-American songwriter, producer, artist and television personality Miklos Malek.

These collaborations are intended to ensure students develop skills relevant to the current music business while building professional connections before graduating.

Speaking about the launch, Jan Horn, Managing Director of SAE University College Dubai, said the UAE’s emergence as a major creative hub is increasing demand for highly skilled professionals.

“The UAE has established itself as one of the world’s most exciting creative economies and as that sector continues to grow, so does the demand for highly skilled creative professionals,” he said.

Horn added that the programme will allow aspiring musicians to develop their abilities, make industry connections and pursue international careers from Dubai, with students collaborating, producing and performing while building professional portfolios throughout the degree.

Zubin Aroz, Head of Department – Music at SAE University College Dubai, highlighted the increasingly entrepreneurial and technology-led nature of modern music careers.

“Music has never been more entrepreneurial or technology-driven than it is today,” he said, adding that the programme aims to help students find their creative voice while developing the technical expertise and professional confidence required to build sustainable careers.

Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers across music production, songwriting, composition, artist development, audio engineering, live performance, music supervision, entertainment, content creation and music business.

The programme also reflects the increasingly blurred boundaries between music, technology, entertainment and digital content, giving students broader creative and commercial skills that can be applied across the UAE’s growing creative economy.

With Dubai continuing to develop as a destination for international artists, festivals, nightlife and music businesses, the launch marks a significant addition to the city’s music education landscape and gives the next generation of UAE-based talent another pathway into the global industry.

Applications for the September 2026 intake are now open, with scholarships of up to AED 50,000 available to eligible applicants.

For more information and applications, visit SAE University College Dubai’s Bachelor of Music programme.