BA Music at University of California, Irvine

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program provides students with a broad foundation in music studies, and its flexibility is especially well-suited for students who wish to pursue a second major, study abroad, or other curricular options. All B.A. students complete courses in theory, history, musicianship, keyboard skills, performance, composition/improvisation, and technology. In addition, B.A. students complete course requirements and a B.A. project in an area of emphasis, choosing from two options; 1) History and Theory of Music; or 2) Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology.

Faculty: Claire Trevor School of the Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: Irvine, CA, United States

What you will study

Through upper-division emphasis courses, which are often major-restricted with small enrollments, and through designing their original capstone B.A.

Official programme page

Application information

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for California residents entering Fall 2026 (Tuition Stability Plan, held flat for that entering class). Tuition line only; excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees and health insurance. Applies to all undergraduate majors. Nonresi Source

UCI operates on a quarter system (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer quarters). First-year and transfer applicants apply for Fall entry; the UC Application for fall 2027 admission is open for submission from October 1 to November 30.

UC Application submission period for fall 2027 admission and scholarships: October 1 to November 30 (application opens August 1). Application fee is $80 for domestic applicants and $95 for international and non-immigrant applicants, payable by credit card or by mail; fee waivers are available for up to four campuses for qualified students. UC Irvine does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.

Dance, B.Mus. and Arts applicants complete an audition/portfolio process, December 1 to January 31; Drama applicants may submit an optional portfolio or audition. Priority deadline for transfer and second baccalaureate applicants to submit the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) is January 31.

Graduate applications are submitted online through the UCI graduate application portal; the non-refundable application fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and lawful U.S. permanent residents and $155 for all other applicants. Deadlines are set by each programme. GRE is required by some programmes only; TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency is required of graduate applicants unless waived.

Apply through the official page: https://uci.edu/admissions/

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