BMus Music Studies: Composition at Northwestern University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Music in Music Composition is a professional degree in a program described as vibrant and progressive, with three Student Composer Concerts a year and annual readings by large Bienen ensembles.

Faculty: Bienen School of Music | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

Upper-level courses include Phenomenology of Sound, Sound Installation Art, Contemporary Opera, Materials of Music Since 1945, Technology-Based Performance and Current Compositional Praxis, plus a weekly Composition Colloquium. Dual degrees, double majors and a music technology minor are options.

Official programme page

Application information

USD 71,802 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 (full-time $23,934 per quarter, fall/winter/spring); a single rate for all full-time undergraduate degree programmes; excludes room and board, student health, activity and athletics fees and health insurance. Source

Undergraduate terms run fall, winter and spring (quarter system); first-year applicants apply through Early Decision, Regular Decision or QuestBridge.

First-year deadlines for 2026-27: QuestBridge October 1, 2026; Early Decision November 1, 2026 (decisions December 2026); Regular Decision January 4, 2027 (decisions March 2027). Transfer: Early Decision March 1, 2027; Regular Decision April 1, 2027 (priority deadline for Bienen transfer applicants January 4, 2027).

Apply through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (QuestBridge for QuestBridge applicants). The nonrefundable application fee is $75 or a fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/

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