Overview

Key facts:

All members of the Composition faculty at Carnegie Mellon University are professional composers, who share the creative evolution of their own works with their students in a master/apprentice relationship. Students compose works for all types of instrumental and vocal groupings.
The School of Music’s Contemporary Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and the School’s resident string quartet provide performance and reading opportunities of new student works. Each spring, the quartet holds a string quartet competition of student works. All entries are presented in a public reading session; the winning composition is then performed and recorded by the quartet.
In their senior year, composition majors compose an orchestral piece to be performed and recorded by the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic. Each year the renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra also presents a public reading of student orchestral pieces from Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne University, and University of Pittsburgh.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music Theory
Studio
Music History
Major Ensemble
General Studies Courses
Eurhythmics
Keyboard Studies
Solfege

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

135

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TOEFL^® IBT

102

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

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Credits

386 alternative credits

Carnegie Mellon courses are measured in units rather than credits or credit hours

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Pittsburgh, United States

Disciplines

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

135

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

102

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

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

Review the academic requirements and guidelines through the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Review the audition/portfolio requirements for your program of study.
Complete the Common Application. *please note that applicants to School of Music programs do not need to complete a SlideRoom Art Supplement.
Complete the School of Music Online Application.
The School of Music Online Application will ask all applicants for a music resume, repertoire list, and a 500-word personal statement (this can be the same as your CommonApp, if it is music related).
Submit one letter of recommendation from a private teacher or conductor online through the School of Music application (this is separate from recommendations required by the Office of Undergraduate Admission). Music recommendation letters must be received by January 4.

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

67020 USD / year

≈ 67020 USD / year
Out-of-State

67020 USD / year

≈ 67020 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

67020 USD / year

≈ 67020 USD / year

Living costs

Pittsburgh

United States

1148 - 1944 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

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

Living costs

Pittsburgh

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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