Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces partnership with new Riyadh University of Arts

Guildhall School of Music & Drama today announces that it will be working in partnership with Riyadh University of Arts (RUA), the first university of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, to establish RUA’s new College of Music. 

Guildhall School will work with RUA to co-design a suite of programmes for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students at the university, as well as playing an advisory role in supporting the establishment of the new College of Music. Guildhall School is ranked in the top three in the world for Music by the QS World University Rankings 2025 and the collaboration will bring this globally recognised leadership in music education to RUA, supporting the university’s mission to build a world-class creative institution that grows cultural talent, cultivates international exchange and contributes to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and economic transformation. The agreement is part of a wider series of partnerships between Riyadh University of Arts and global institutions to co-design academic programmes, collaborate on research and expand cultural education opportunities; other UK higher education partners include the Royal College of Art and SOAS University of London. 

Arts Minister, Ian Murray, said: “Britain has so many of the world’s leading creative institutions, all showcasing our country’s shining talent and values. Working collaboratively and creatively with new people is one of the great strengths of our arts sector, and this partnership is a powerful reminder of that. The artists and musicians of tomorrow will be shaped by the courses that partnerships like this offer, and it’s excellent to see that students will benefit from the creative best of both Britain and Saudi Arabia thanks to this partnership.”

Professor Jonathan Vaughan, Principal, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, said: “This is an historic opportunity to support the introduction of high-quality music pedagogy and performance to young people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa region, further broadening educational horizons and professional aspirations for talented young people, and making a meaningful and lasting impact on music making in the region for generations to come. We know that music is a powerful enabler of communication across cultures, and this collaboration will facilitate cross-cultural exchange and the development of relationships between musicians across countries, reflecting Guildhall School’s commitment to enhancing our impact on a global scale.”

The Hon. Emily Benn, Chair, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, said: “For nearly 150 years, Guildhall School has been providing world-leading musical and creative education. This exciting collaboration with Riyadh University of Arts is the latest in a long and proud history of partnership with leading cultural institutions across the globe. We are very proud to play our part in facilitating greater cultural, educational and musical collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the UK, as we look forward to the UK-Saudi Year of Culture 2029. I for one can’t wait to see the creative output that will come from the future generations of students of RUA”. 

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation, said: “The City of London is a global hub for creativity, and we are proud to support our Guildhall School of Music & Drama as it shares our world-leading expertise internationally. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to foster cultural exchange, develop the next generation of musical talent, and strengthen the creative links between the UK and Saudi Arabia. It reflects our commitment to championing the arts as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and international collaboration.”

Ms. Noha Kattan, Deputy Minister of National Partnerships and Talent Development at the Ministry of Culture, said: “This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing excellence in arts education and strengthening the music sector in Saudi Arabia. Through Riyadh University of Arts, we are setting a high benchmark for nurturing creative talent by integrating rigorous academic standards with meaningful industry engagement. Collaborations with leading institutions such as Guildhall School of Music & Drama enable us to cultivate our musicians and artists, expand opportunities for professional growth, and support the sustainable development of a vibrant and globally competitive cultural ecosystem in the Kingdom.”

Professor Sir Steve Smith, UK Government International Education Champion and Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education, said: “I am delighted that Guildhall School of Music & Drama will be working in partnership with Riyadh University of Arts to support the establishment of RUA’s College of Music. The UK Government is committed to supporting partnerships in education and culture between our two Kingdoms. I am thrilled that Guildhall School will bring their world-leading expertise in music education to help further develop young talent in the Kingdom, joining the Royal College of Art and SOAS University of London in this exciting new venture.”

Riyadh University of Arts was announced in September 2025 as a cornerstone for creative education and cultural innovation in the region. The university aims to empower students with the knowledge, skills and vision needed to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s creative economy. The new university is scheduled to open later this year. Guildhall School will be working with RUA to develop the following programmes for the College of Music:

• Preparatory Music Programme
• BA Music
• BA Music Industries
• BA Music Education
• Associate Diploma Piano Technician
• Higher Diploma Music Teacher Training
• MA Music Education
• MA Music Performance/Composition
• MA Music Industry & Production
• DMus/PhD

Guildhall School will be one of a number of partners for RUA’s Colleges. In recent months, RUA announced partnerships between their College of Film and the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Cinematic Arts (SCA); between SOAS University of London and their College of Heritage and Civilization Studies; AMDA College of the Performing Art and RUA’s College of Theater and Performing Art; and between ESSEC Business School and RUA’s College of Cultural Management. A further agreement was signed with the Royal College of Art (RCA) and RUA’s College of Architecture and Design and College of Visual Arts and Photography in January 2026. 

Further details of RUA, its colleges and partnerships will be available on its official website when it launches shortly.