Develop your skills as a composer in a conservatory-like setting, working closely with our faculty of internationally recognized composers. Specialize in traditional composition, electronic composition, composing for film, or music theatre. You will be actively involved in the performance of your work, collaborating with composers, musicians, and other artists at NYU and throughout New York City.
You’ll complete course work in music research, music history/literature, and music composition. Through elective courses, you may tailor your curriculum toward your specific interests and musical goals. Elective courses include Scoring Techniques, Advanced Instrumental Conducting, and Advanced Computer Music: Synthesis and Composition.
Performance Opportunities
You'll be actively involved in the scheduling and performance of your own works, in concerts and readings by NYU performance groups in residence and school performing ensembles, as well as chamber groups hired for composition concerts.
You will also have countless opportunities to collaborate with performers, dancers, actors, and multimedia applications. Within our department, there are very active collaborations with the Music Technology, Jazz Studies, and Instrumental and Vocal Performance programs. In addition, we regularly collaborate with musicians and other artists in New York City.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development
383 Lafayette Street,
New York,
10003, United States
You must have the equivalent of a four-year US bachelor's degree to be considered for admission.
If your native language is not English, you must submit results from one of the following English proficiency exams: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic.
Test of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TOEFL): Scores are valid for two years from the date taken. Successful candidates score a 100 on the Internet based exam or 600 on the paper based exam.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Official scores are valid for two years from the date taken. Successful candidates achieve a band score of 7.
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic): Official scores are valid for two years from the date taken. Successful candidates score a 68 to 70.
Application Deadline: Fall - January 6
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
A degree from NYU is evidence of an inquiring mind and rigorous work ethic, setting graduates in good stead when making decisions about the future.
