PhD Musicology at University of California, Los Angeles

Programme overview

The graduate program in Musicology offers courses leading to the MA and PhD degrees. It is designed to equip students to pursue careers not only in teaching but also in other areas that require bibliographical skills and training in research methodologies. The department offers teaching and research assistantships each year for qualified students.

Faculty: Herb Alpert School of Music | Department: Musicology | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Areas of study: The department offers the M.A. degree in the field of historical musicology. Degrees in composition, performance, and ethnomusicology are offered through other departments. The M.A. course requirements consist of ten courses (44 units) at the 200 level. These courses are Musicology 200A, 200B, 200C, M201, and six different offerings from Musicology 248. Students may substitute 252, up to one seminar in Ethnomusicology, and up to two approved courses from other departments at UCLA for Musicology 248, with permission. All ten courses applied to the degree, except M201, must be taken for a letter grade.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Application deadline: December 1, 2026. GRE: General (recommended but not required). Letters of recommendation: 3, from former instructors and/or professionals with whom the applicant has worked. In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a letter describing their background of study and stating reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in musicology, and submit two to three writing samples that demonstrate sound scholarship, intellectual vigor, and the ability to analyze musical and cultural complexities. An M.A. degree may be earned while completing requirements for the Ph.D. Applicants who have already earned an M.A. in musicology or music history should submit their M.A. thesis, if possible.

Most graduate departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following fall term.

Graduate application fee: $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all other applicants; deadlines are set by each programme, mostly in November and early December for the following fall.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/

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