Overview

Education

A unique aspect of the Music - Composition and Music Technology program at Northwestern University is a cognate area requirement in a non-music field such as cultural studies, social sciences, learning sciences, humanities, arts, or communication studies. Each student pursues a major field of study in close consultation with a faculty advisor.

A year-long sequence of selected courses in Music Education, Musicology, Music Theory and Cognition, and Composition and Music Technology provides an interdisciplinary context for students in all specializations, with additional seminars and colloquia in each major as a foundation for advanced work.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Applied Composition

Materials of Music 1900-1947

Materials of Music Since 1945

Doctoral Recital

Graduate Review of Music History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-16 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

Credits

27 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Music Music Composition Music Performance View 50 other PhDs in Music Composition in United States

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Northwestern University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Admitted students must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree — or an equivalent non-U.S. degree — from a regionally accredited institution.

TGS will accept applications from international students with 3-year bachelor's degrees.

You may be considered for admission before you finish your undergraduate degree, but you must complete that degree before you enroll at Northwestern.

In general, to apply to The Graduate School (TGS), you will be required to:

Submit an application online.

Pay an online application fee by credit card.

Submit your Statement of Purpose.

Upload your transcript or academic record.

Submit your test scores (if required by your admitting program).

Upload two to three Letters of Recommendation.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

38508 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 19254 USD per semester during 48 months.
National

38508 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 19254 USD per semester during 48 months.
In-State

38508 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 19254 USD per semester during 48 months.

fees per quarter

Living costs for Evanston

1100 - 1500 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Music - Composition and Music Technology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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