BA Music at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The Department of Music provides many opportunities to students who wish to study music within a strong liberal arts curriculum. We foster creative endeavor and critical inquiry through courses, ensembles, and lessons on instruments or voice that explore music from a variety of perspectives. The B.A. requires at least 35 credit hours in music and at least 75 outside the major, with 120 total credit hours in the degree. Given the ample opportunity to explore the breadth of the University’s course offerings, many B.A. candidates seek minors in other fields or take on a second major.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Music | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Students may receive no more than 45 credit hours in music and must complete a minimum of 75 hours of coursework outside music, including all General Education requirements. Required courses include MUSC 120 Foundations in Music; MUSC 128 Improvisation Without Borders; MUSC 129 Aural-based Musicianship; MUSC 130 Tonal Musicianship Skills I; MUSC 131 Tonal Theory I (requires a grade of C or better); MUSC 132 Tonal Theory II.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level admission applies (not programme-specific): apply through UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Admissions; international applicants submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) unless they qualify for the waiver, and transcripts translated into English.

Domestic applicants: USD 7,230 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 in-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (NC resident rate, $3,615 per semester on the University Source

International applicants: USD 47,472 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 out-of-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (non-resident rate, $23,736 per semester on the Univ Source

First-year applicants apply for fall enrollment (fall 2027 entry); transfer applicants apply through the Common Application with decisions by April 30.

First-year Early Action (non-binding): application deadline October 15, decision by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all other applicants. Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, decision by March 31. Enrollment confirmation deadline for both is May 1. Apply through the Common Application. The non-refundable application fee is $85, with a fee waiver available. SAT or ACT scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; students below 2.8 must submit an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher.

Transfer applicants: application and fee or waiver due February 15; supporting materials and residency due March 15; decisions by April 30; enrollment confirmation by May 15. Apply through the Common Application; the non-refundable application fee is $85.

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

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