PhD History and Theory of Music at University of California, Irvine

Programme overview

This program is currently not admitting students. Contact the School of the Arts for more information. The Ph.D. in History and Theory of Music is unique and combines both historical musicology and music theory and analysis to offer a Ph.D. program with a particular emphasis on music theory and analysis, critical theory, and the aesthetics and philosophy of music.

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

What you will study

The program seeks students with a strong academic foundation, excellent writing skills, and a desire to develop a research idea into an original thesis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

This program is currently not admitting students. Contact the School of the Arts for more information. Applicants are normally expected to have earned an undergraduate degree with a major in music (B.A. or B.Mus.) and to possess strong analytical and writing skills. Applicants whose undergraduate major was in a subject other than music but who can demonstrate a strong background in music are otherwise qualified may also be considered. The online application and all supporting materials must be received by December 1. Supporting materials must include: A personal statement of the applicant's experiences, primary interests, and career goals Two samples of academic writing on historical and/or analytical music topics, demonstrating writing and critical thinking skills Results of the GRE exam, taken within the last five years Three letters of recommendation

Domestic applicants: USD 13,722 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition (resident rate) from the standard Graduate/Credential Student Fees schedule for state-supported graduate degree programmes; the page does not list programmes by name, so this is the standard graduate band. Tuition line only; excludes Stud Source

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://grad.uci.edu/admissions/

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