Where Did Sam Ryder Go To College?

Sam Ryder is a singer and guitarist who rose to fame after sharing cover songs on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic. His incredibly high vocals and guitar skills earned him over 12 million followers on TikTok and kickstarted his professional music career.

But before Sam became an internet sensation and pop star, he was just a regular college student trying to figure out his path. So where exactly did Sam Ryder go to college?

Sam Ryder’s Pre-College Years

Sam Ryder was born on October 24, 1989 in Essex, England. He became interested in music at a young age, teaching himself to play guitar as a teenager. Ryder played in local bands and worked odd jobs to get by. After graduating from high school in 2008, Sam knew he wanted to pursue music, but also wanted to get a college education.

Sam Ryder Attends the Academy of Contemporary Music

In 2008, at age 19, Sam Ryder enrolled in the Academy of Contemporary Music, a music college with campuses in Guildford and London. The ACM offered both university diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in subjects like music performance, music business, music production, and songwriting.

Ryder chose to study a university diploma program in guitar at ACM’s Guildford campus. The one year diploma program focused on contemporary guitar styles, music theory, technique, and ensemble playing. Sam honed his skills as a guitarist and musician at ACM before leaving after one year to focus fully on his budding music career.

Why Sam Ryder Chose ACM

There are a few key reasons why Sam Ryder chose to attend the Academy of Contemporary Music for college:

• Specialized music programs: ACM offered focused one-year diploma and three-year bachelor’s programs specifically in contemporary popular music genres and the music industry.
• Hands-on training: ACM had a practical approach with lots of live playing, studio time, and gig opportunities for students.
• Location: ACM’s campus in Guildford was close to Sam’s hometown in Essex, allowing him to attend college near home.
• Facilities and technology: The Academy had state-of-the-art studios and music tech for students.
• Renowned faculty: ACM’s teachers included professional musicians known in the industry.

For an aspiring guitarist like Sam Ryder, ACM offered the perfect blend of music training, connections, and convenience right out of high school.

Sam Ryder’s College Experience & Path After ACM

During his year at the Academy of Contemporary Music, Sam was able to hone his skills as a guitarist and performer. He had access to studios to practice and record, and likely performed live shows with other students.

However, Sam did not complete the full diploma program. He left ACM after one year to start pursuing his music career full-time. After leaving college in 2009, Sam played in local bands, did session guitar work, and taught guitar lessons.

It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that Sam’s music career finally took off, after he started sharing cover songs on TikTok and gaining millions of followers. The rest is history!

While Sam Ryder’s time at the Academy of Contemporary Music was short, it gave him formal training and connections right out of high school to help launch his eventual success. ACM set Sam on his path to become the viral singer-guitarist he is today.

Conclusion

In summary, British viral sensation Sam Ryder spent a year studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music before leaving to pursue his professional music career. ACM allowed Sam to hone his skills as a contemporary guitarist right out of high school.

Although his college experience was short, the hands-on training in guitar, music theory, and performance that Sam Ryder received at ACM helped prepare him for his future fame on TikTok. The connections and experience he built during his year at music college gave Sam the foundation to share his incredible talents with the world.

While Sam Ryder did not technically graduate from college, his time at the Academy of Contemporary Music was an important step on his path to pop stardom. His college choice aligned perfectly with his musical passions and talents.

Ultimately, Sam’s massive success today is thanks in part to the music education and training he received as a college student before he took the world by storm.

FAQ About Sam Ryder and College

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Sam Ryder’s college background:

Did Sam Ryder graduate from college?

No, Sam Ryder did not graduate from college. He attended the Academy of Contemporary Music for one year from 2008-2009, but did not complete his full university diploma program. Ryder left ACM after a year to focus on his music career.

What degree did Sam Ryder get from college?

Sam did not earn a degree from ACM. He was enrolled in the school’s one-year university diploma program in guitar, but exited after a single year of study.

Since he did not finish the full diploma program, Sam did not obtain a degree from the Academy of Contemporary Music.

Why did Sam Ryder drop out of college?

According to reports, Sam left ACM after a year in order to fully devote himself to his budding music career.

As a guitarist and singer passionate about contemporary pop/rock music, he was eager to start gaining real-world experience playing gigs and making connections. Dropping out allowed Sam to focus completely on his goals as a musician.

Did Sam Ryder attend university or college?

Yes, Sam Ryder attended the Academy of Contemporary Music, which is a music college offering both university diploma and bachelor’s degree programs.

So while he did not attend a traditional university, Sam Ryder pursued post-secondary education at a specialized college for contemporary musicians.

What did Sam Ryder study in college?

At the Academy of Contemporary Music, Sam Ryder studied contemporary guitar. He was enrolled specifically in ACM’s one-year university diploma program for guitarists. This program focused on contemporary popular music genres and styles, music theory, guitar technique, and live ensemble performance.

Is the Academy of Contemporary Music a university?

No, ACM is a music college, not a university. It offers university diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in music subjects, but is not categorized as a university. ACM focuses solely on contemporary popular music education at a college level.