Overview

Composers work to attain a personal compositional aesthetic and the techniques to express it through sound, as well as a broad knowledge of contemporary and historical compositional practices and a mastery of analytic techniques for tonal and post-tonal music.

Students in this Composition program at Boston University develop the skills necessary to navigate the professional world, and the Center for Music presents them with an array of opportunities to hear diverse musical styles.

Features

A small department, the Composition & Theory program instills an open, collaborative, entrepreneurial sense both inside and outside the classroom.

Students join an international community of faculty and alumni who are music theorists, performers, conductors, and composers. This is an environment that encourages individual creative work and collaborative projects.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Graduate Composition
Seminar in Tonal Music
Seminar in Post-Tonal Music
Advanced Orchestration
Electronic/Computer Music
Doctoral Proseminar: Skills
Doctoral Proseminar: Analysis
Theory/Composition
Musicology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 84 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Duolingo English Test

120

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Credits

48 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

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

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Academic requirements

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

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete the application for graduate admission to the BU College of Fine Arts.
Submit the non-refundable application fee of $95.
Upload transcripts from all colleges and universities to your electronic application.
Two (2) letters of recommendation from music professionals/educators submitted via online.
Personal statement uploaded in the application indicating the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate work, including career objectives.
Current resume uploaded in the application.
Submit a prescreening portfolio online by December 1.
Applicants who pass the prescreening will be invited to interview with members of our Composition and Theory faculty.
A performance audition is not required for admission to graduate programs in composition.

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.

Get your student insurance now

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 Boston University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

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International

31944 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 31944 USD per year during 84 months.
National

31944 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 31944 USD per year during 84 months.
In-State

31944 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 31944 USD per year during 84 months.

Living costs for Boston

1560 - 3239 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 Composition.

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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