BA Music Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies (B.A.) balances musical studies in history, musicianship, theory, and performance. There are multiple tracks within the B.A. program that emphasize different areas and approaches to music.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Department of Music | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Preparation For The Major: MUS 3C, MUS 4A, MUS 5A, MUS 5B, MUS 12, MUS 17, MUS 8, MUS 20A, MUS 22D, MUS 22G, MUS 22M, MUS 22N, MUS 22O, MUS 22P; Upper-Division Major. MAJOR REGULATIONS PREREQUISITES Check the General Catalog for the prerequisites to all listed courses. Emphases offered: Ethnomusicology, Interdisciplinary Studies of Music, Western Art Music.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Arts management and production; Education; Ethnomusicology; Musicology; Music Theory; Composition. Top employers include Colleges and Universities, Administration in Symphonic Organizations, Research Companies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

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