Composer
Write original music for concert halls, screen, games and advertising — from a single cue to a full score.
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- Typical pay
- €21k–€63k
- Usual education
- Conservatory or music degree
- Outlook
- Growing demand from streaming series, games and advertising; deadlines are tight and work is project based.
A day in the life
Read the brief or script, sketch themes at the piano or in a DAW, produce mockups, revise with the director, then deliver stems and score to the recording session.
Ways in
- Composition degree
- Assistant to a working composer
- Games and short film credits
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Artes
Portugal
Línguas e Humanidades
France
Bac technologique
Italy
Liceo classico / scienze umane
Netherlands
Profiel Cultuur & Maatschappij
Belgium
KSO – Artistic secondary
Skills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
BA/Título Superior in Music Performance
Conservatory training on your instrument or voice, with chamber music, theory and stage practice.
Many composers start on an instrument before switching.
Helpful school subjects: Instrument or voice, Harmony, Music history, Chamber music
BA/Título Superior in Composition
Writing for acoustic ensembles and screen, with orchestration, counterpoint and music technology.
Core degree for concert, screen and game writing.
Helpful school subjects: Composition, Orchestration, Counterpoint, Music technology