BA Commercial Music at University of North Texas

Programme overview

The BA in Commercial Music is a liberal arts music degree focused on sound engineering, digital audio workstations, music business and entrepreneurship, and music industry workflows. It offers General, Commercial Music and Production, Music for Media, and Business of Commercial Music tracks.

Faculty: College of Music | Duration: 120 semester hours (36 advanced) | Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer | Study mode: full-time | Location: Denton, TX, United States

What you will study

Students study music theory, applied music, digital audio, music business and entrepreneurship within one of four tracks.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UNT freshman admission (university-wide, applies to the bachelor's programmes): guaranteed admission for applicants in the top 30% of their high school class, or with a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.25 or higher, or an unweighted GPA of 3.0+ in at least 12 dual-credit hours, or a 3.0+ unweighted GPA in high school core courses (4 years English, 4 years math, 4 years science, 3 years social science). UNT is test-score-optional; ACT 22 or SAT 1100 meets the test-score route to guaranteed admission. GED applicants need a minimum score of 165 on each exam (145-164 reviewed individually). International applicants must meet freshman criteria plus English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79 (tests before 21 Jan 2026; minimum 4 on the new scale for later tests), IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, PTE 53, Duolingo English Test 100, or an approved alternative such as citizenship in or secondary schooling in an approved English-speaking country; Medium of Instruction letters are not accepted. Deadlines: Fall July 31 (international July 15), Spring no specific deadline (international November 15), Summer 3-week session May 1 (international April 15). Application fee $75 (US citizens/residents), $85 (international). College of Music applicants must also apply separately through Acceptd (admission to the College of Music is contingent on UNT admission): $40 music application fee, three music recommenders, and an audition/portfolio review (live on campus or video); composition applicants also interview with faculty. Fall 2027 applications for the December live audition are due November 1, with preference for January/February dates given to applications received by December 1. Applicants apply to UNT first, then to the College of Music with a personal statement (300-500 words), a music portfolio of 3 streaming links to recordings with a comment for each, and a CV/resume. A subset of applicants is invited to a virtual or on-campus interview; decisions are based on academic record, application materials and interview.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for first-year applicants: Fall, Spring and Summer (3-week session).

First-year application deadlines: Fall July 31 (international July 15); Summer 3-week session May 1 (international April 15); Spring has no specific deadline for domestic applicants (international November 15). Apply and be admitted by March 1 to be considered for the UNT Excellence Scholarship.

Application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens/residents and $85 for international applicants, payable in U.S. dollars by credit card, money order or check, non-refundable. Apply through ApplyTexas or the Common Application. Test scores are optional (SAT/ACT).

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

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