All Applicants
Applicants for any program must first apply for admission to the University of California either as a freshman, transfer, international, or graduate student.
Undergraduate Admissions
Students applying to UCSB as a Bachelor of Music (BM) major are required to successfully perform an entrance audition. The entrance auditions happen every year at the end of January/beginning of February for incoming freshman and transfer students. For students looking to enter in Fall 2019 the audition dates can be found on the audition page.
The Department of Music auditions and the UCSB application are separate processes. Admission to UCSB is determined by the Office of Admissions. The audition in the Music Department will determine whether or not you are suitable for the Bachelor of Music program, or lessons with Faculty, and is contingent on the Office of Admission's decision on your UCSB application. A successful audition does not mean admission to the University has been granted.
Students interested in a Bachelor of Art (BA) or a Minor are not required to audition or send in additional information to the music department during their UC application phase. If you are intending to do the Bachelor of Art or another degree on campus, and would like to take lessons in one of our faculty studios, you may consider auditioning in January/February, or contacting the instructor for your preferred instrument to meet the instructor, inquire about lessons and space in the studio.
Accepted UCSB students may also audition for performance classes once on campus in the Fall. Auditions for individual lessons, ensembles and other performance classes typically happen during the pre-instructional activities days of Fall quarter.
Students interested in minoring in music can declare their minor once they arrive at UCSB by visiting the Undergraduate Advisor in the Music Department.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions!
Application Deadlines
Graduate Admissions
Graduate students may pursue advanced degrees in music scholarship and performance. We offer a Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Musicology, and Theory. In addition, we offer a Master of Music (MM) in Piano Accompanying, Woodwinds and Brass, Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, and Voice. A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) is offered in Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, Horn, and Voice. A PhD is offered with optional emphases in European Medieval Studies and Feminist Studies. Graduate students work closely with faculty members in their specific area of expertise. The UCSB Department of Music supports and encourages students who wish to do graduate-level work in both performance and academic areas. Students may either pursue multiple degree objectives, or combine high-level course work or performance opportunities with the degree program of their choice.