Guitarists started it. The school opened in 1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology and grew into Musicians Institute, a contemporary music college on Hollywood Boulevard. Students study guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, and also audio engineering, songwriting and music business. Teaching is practical, with ensembles, recording sessions and live shows every term.
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Official website: mi.edu
1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology
Private contemporary music college
Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
$30,000 – $38,000
International students, full-time programmes, approximate
$20,000 – $26,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on mi.edu before you apply.
Associate of Arts in Guitar Performance
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Bachelor of Music in Performance
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
Audio Engineering Certificate
CertificateDuration
12 Months
Intake
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of Arts in Music Business
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Performance training on guitar, bass, drums, keys and vocals.
Recording studios and a concert venue on campus.
Four start dates a year.
Graduates work as session players, touring musicians, audio engineers and producers.
Music business students move into labels, publishing and artist management in Los Angeles.
Degree graduates may qualify for OPT to work in the US after study.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus is on Hollywood Boulevard, near the Walk of Fame and the Metro B Line. Clubs and rehearsal rooms are all around.
Los Angeles is huge and car-heavy, and rent in Hollywood is steep. Many students share apartments in nearby neighbourhoods and rely on the Metro.
Form I-20 issued by Musicians Institute
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Admissions are rolling for each quarter. International students should apply at least three to four months before the start date to allow time for the audition, I-20 and visa interview.
Programmes start four times a year: January, April, July and October.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Musicians Institute issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Guitar performance, the Bachelor of Music, audio engineering and music business are popular. Performance applicants take an audition, often by video, and everyone needs a secondary school diploma and English test results.
Musicians Institute offers some scholarships, including audition-based awards. Ask admissions which ones international students can apply for.
