Overview

Over eight semesters, while completing Composition major of Berklee College of Music’s core music curriculum, you’ll receive opportunities to work with a diverse community of musicians, distinguished faculty, industry professionals, and world-class visiting artists.

Composition majors study contemporary composition approaches, analysis, orchestration, harmony, counterpoint, and music history. The composition program prepares a composer to enter the contemporary music field by building strong fundamentals, developing their own individual compositional voice, and interacting with the vibrant and vast contemporary concert music field of today.

Key facts:

Majors can choose from a variety of internationally recognized composition faculty for individual composition lessons. Most classes in the major utilize composition as a learning tool, giving students robust opportunities to develop their writing skills. While deeply knowledgeable in regard to historical trends and techniques of the 16th–21st centuries, composition faculty embrace contemporary practices and diverse styles and approaches. The student will demonstrate mastery of these skills and concepts by completing a portfolio of scores that include (but are not limited to) solo, chamber, vocal, and orchestral music.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Private Instruction

Ensemble

Music Application and Theory

Ear Training

The Composer's Toolkit: Shaping Sound in Time

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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IELTS

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Music Music Composition View 2679 other Bachelors in Music 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

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application Form

Supporting Materials. Official transcripts from any high schools and colleges you’ve attended. If you are applying to the Bachelor of Arts program, you also must send a portfolio consisting of a résumé and cover letter.

Audition and Interview

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

52440 USD / year

≈ 52440 USD / year
Out-of-State

52440 USD / year

≈ 52440 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

52440 USD / year

≈ 52440 USD / year

Additional Details

Summer: $22,900

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 Bachelor'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

Overview

Key facts:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Boston

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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