Combined Music and Communication Program at Northwestern University

Programme overview

The dual degree programme lets students earn a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts in music plus a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Faculty: Bienen School of Music and School of Communication | Duration: 5 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

Students complete all requirements for both degrees; courses cannot double count between the communication major and the music major. For the BS, any of the School of Communication's six majors is available; for the BA, any major except human communication sciences. Theatre and radio/television/film cap enrollment at 100 per class.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Acceptance into the Bienen School of Music via audition is required; once approved, students may choose any Bienen School of Music major. Students must meet the Undergraduate Registration Requirement of at least 42 credits in 12 quarters at Northwestern. General undergraduate applicants: Common Application or Coalition with Scoir plus the Northwestern supplement and writing supplements; official secondary school transcripts and school report; one counselor recommendation and at least one teacher recommendation; SAT/ACT scores optional; $75 application fee or fee waiver. Applicants whose first or primary language is not English, or whose secondary schooling was not in English, submit Duolingo English Test, IELTS (including IELTS Indicator) or TOEFL iBT results. Deadlines: Early Decision Nov 1, 2026; Regular Decision Jan 4, 2027.

Requirements published at program group level.

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/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities