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

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

48 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Music Composition View 42 other PhDs in Music Composition in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

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

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

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.

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

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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.

About