An important decision like choosing a university degree, can be a bit of a struggle. An idealist would insist that anyone should study the subject they love. The choice may seem obvious to a person who really lives for music. Unfortunately, it is really not that simple. Is learning about music your number one priority or must this lead to a career? You might want to be a teacher of music? Think about what the best route to becoming a professional musician really is.

Not everyone regards the pursuit of a career in a given subject as most important. It is believed that society benefits from more informed and discerning people, whether they be professionals. Someone who is able to appreciate the art and differentiate music with true value and/or originality from that which has little merit. One could argue that this is enough and that society needs people who have this skill and knowledge. One must also be aware that many different positions can benefit from the skills and knowledge from a graduate of music. Unfortunately, people generally have their own opinions on the subject of music and are not interested in the view of the music graduate. As said by philosopher, Walter Pater, "All art aspires to the condition of music". One interpretation of this statement is that music can evoke a purely emotional response. Music appears to affect the listener in a deep way whether they have studied the piece or know anything about music theory. The immediate emotional evocation is the envy of other artistic mediums. The downside of this effect is that everyone makes themselves an advocate of the music of their taste and a critic of others. Many uninformed people form very strong opinions about music with very little merit and the educated, informed graduate of music can do nothing to convince them otherwise. Therefore, the superior knowledge of the music student is of no use in this case.

Different kinds of musicians arrive at their positions through different means. Many successful musicians in popular music gained a great deal from being a student in terms of the social opportunities, although their chosen subject was not music. A lot of popular musicians honed their music and formed relationships while at art school. A technical course on music production can be another route into the industry and to become an artist later.

Choose your degree according to what you want to achieve as a student and as a graduate. A degree in music is sure to open your mind but is no guarantee of a career as a musician. Likewise, a career in music can still happen after studying another subject at university.