You can bet your bottom dollar that earning a degree in vocal performance abroad is much more than a bunch of jazz squares and scales. Whatever your niche, you will get ample studio time, make connections, and be well prepared for your career ahead.

At the undergraduate level, a variety of bachelor degrees offer a concentration in voice performance. The most common, a bachelor of music (BM) in vocal performance, prepares students for a career in classical performance, such as opera or as a professional recitalist, or vocal instruction (so you can be a coach on The Voice, too).

More and more music schools are also offering a BM in jazz vocals, popular music, and contemporary commercial music. A bachelor of arts (BA) in music enables students to pair their focus in voice with another area of study, such as foreign language, history, or business. Other undergraduate vocal performance degree options include a bachelor of music education for teaching in a school or choral setting, a bachelor of fine arts for musical theater, and a bachelor of music therapy for those interested in combining their vocal talents with science or medicine.

While many contemporary, education, and musical theater majors are ready for the stage right after their undergraduate years, graduate school is a great opportunity for those looking to build different skills and allow their voice to mature. Aspiring opera and classical singers, songwriters, and advanced educators often attend graduate school to enhance their career opportunities. Additionally, graduate students can work in the school as a professor’s assistant or private teacher to gain experience while paying their tuition.

If a four-year degree isn’t in your timeframe, a music academy will offer an accelerated vocal performance degree in two years. Unlike a university’s application process, which includes applying online and a potential interview, a music academy may also require an audition. A music academy prepares students for live performance, fosters connections with industry contacts, and provides ample touring experience.

No matter which academic route you take, a degree abroad in vocal performance will not only open doors to the green room, it will also make you a hirable “creative” for businesses of all kinds.