Overview

Our graduate program provides the disciplinary grounding, critical theoretical tools, methodological breadth and sense of engagement with the world needed to produce music scholars of the highest caliber.

We offer up to 5 years of full funding for graduate students (post-Bachelor or post-Master), and a customizable curriculum, including a combined concentration in Musicology and Ethnomusicology.

Features

The Musicology and Ethnomusicology program at Boston University is led by a vibrant, active, diverse, supportive, and inclusive Department, dedicated to a shared purpose and a field without walls between scholarship and performance.

Faculty expertise runs the gamut from the Middle Ages to popular music, from Indonesia to Japan, Africa, and the Americas, and from manuscript studies to oral traditions. Students are encouraged to search new vistas of inquiry and stretch themselves intellectually in a supportive and cooperative environment.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Renaissance Musical Geographies
World Music Ensemble: Balinese Gender Wayang
Early Music Study: Bach Chamber Music (Two-day Mini-course)
Music of Béla Bartók
Special Topics in Musicology: Performance Practice
Contemplating Ethnomusicology
Music & Violence
Bach's Passions and Their Interpretation
African-american Spirituals and Their Influence on Contemporary Art, Music, Literature, and Dance
Special Topics in Musicology: Sounding the Transpacific

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

64 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Ethnic Studies Musicology View 9 other PhDs in Ethnic Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

Entering students usually possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in music, with a background in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, or performance.

Complete the application for graduate admission to the College of Fine Arts.
Submit the non-refundable application fee of $95.
Three (3) academic letters of recommendation submitted through the online application.
Upload transcripts from all colleges and universities to your electronic application.
Personal statement uploaded in the application indicating the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate work, career objectives, and particular interest in BU.
Curriculum vitae.
Upload a research paper to your electronic application.
Optional: Submit GRE score.
No audition is required.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

33382 USD / year

≈ 33382 USD / year
Out-of-State

33382 USD / year

≈ 33382 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

33382 USD / year

≈ 33382 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

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 Musicology and Ethnomusicology.

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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