Overview

The Music and an Outside Field (Composition Emphasis) at Indiana University Bloomington offers a unique undergraduate pathway for students who wish to balance professional musical training with diverse academic interests. This programme is designed to foster creative excellence while providing the flexibility to pursue a secondary field of study outside of the traditional music curriculum.

Students benefit from being part of a world-class artistic community where they can develop their unique compositional voice. The curriculum ensures that graduates are not only skilled creators but also versatile thinkers capable of applying their musical expertise across various professional landscapes and industries.

Why Music and an Outside Field (Composition Emphasis) at Indiana University Bloomington?

The department consistently ranks among the premier programmes globally, offering an environment where creativity and academic rigour coexist. Students have access to the unparalleled performing resources of the Jacobs School of Music, ensuring that their original works are brought to life by some of the finest student musicians in the world.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the rotating faculty system. Each year, students engage in private weekly lessons with a different faculty member, gaining exposure to a wide range of aesthetic viewpoints and technical insights. This approach ensures a broad perspective on contemporary composition and professional practice.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 42294 per year
National fee: USD 42294 per year
Local fee: USD 12142 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum focuses on developing a professional portfolio through rigorous coursework and practical performance opportunities. Modules may include:

Composition
Electronic and Computer Music
Music Scoring for Visual Media
Chamber Music
Large Ensemble Performance
Composition Recital

Careers with Music and an Outside Field (Composition Emphasis)

Graduates are prepared for a diverse range of professional paths by building a substantial portfolio of scores and high-quality recordings during their residency. The programme equips students with the experience needed to interact with professionals across the music industry and related fields.

The combination of a composition emphasis with an outside field allows for unique career trajectories in areas such as media production, arts administration, and interdisciplinary research. Many alumni continue their journey by entering competitive graduate programmes or establishing themselves as independent composers and creative consultants.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music

Music Theory and Literature

Musical Skills

History and Literature of Music

Equivalent honors courses

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-12 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-02 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Bloomington, United States

Disciplines

Music Music Composition View 312 other Bachelors 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

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

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

Completed online application

Common Application essay or Apply IU 200-400 word IU-specific essay

Academic records

Demonstration of English proficiency

Financial documents

Application fee or waiver

SAT or ACT exam scores (optional)

Letters of recommendation (optional)

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

42294 USD / year

≈ 42294 USD / year
Out-of-State

42294 USD / year

≈ 42294 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12142 USD / year

≈ 12142 USD / year

Living costs

Bloomington

United States

1071 - 1733 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 Music and an Outside Field (Composition Emphasis).

Available Scholarships

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

About

Overview

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

Living costs

Bloomington

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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