Graduate Admissions
Continue your studies in music
Join a thriving community of students pursuing advanced degrees in the musical arts. This page contains everything you need to know about admission requirements, the application process and timeline, and funding opportunities in the School of Music. If you have any questions, please contact James Doing.
Applications for Fall 2027 open on September 2. Applications for the new Music Education Summer Master’s Program also open on September 2.
Application process
The information and documents on this page will be updated no later than September 2 for the Summer/Fall 2027 application cycle. Applications will be due no later than December 1, 2026.
See the School of Music Graduate Application Guide for reference. Additional information can be found below.
Contact James Doing to tour our facilities and discuss the application process. You’re also welcome to contact our faculty to request a meeting or a sample lesson.
Essential information
Please review these items before starting the application. These items will be updated no later than September 2 for the Summer/Fall 2027 application cycle.
Visit the Areas of Study page to learn more about requirements for each area.
Before being invited to audition, MM and DMA applicants will be prescreened based on their submitted portfolio. See the “Requirements by Area of Study” tab for portfolio guidelines.
- Candidates in Jazz, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, and Woodwinds will audition on one of our general Graduate Audition Days.
- Brass & Conducting auditions are scheduled and organized independently by the area faculty.
- No audition is required for candidates in Composition, Musicology, and Music Education.
International students are a large and important part of our graduate student community. Please review the following policies before submitting your application:
1) Non-native speakers must submit an English proficiency score.
Unless eligible for an exemption according to the criteria stated below, students must provide a valid test score (TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo) meeting the minimum scores set by the Graduate School. This test score is due on Monday, December 1, along with the rest of the application materials. The School of Music will strictly enforce this requirement before granting an audition.
Students may be eligible for an exemption if they can meet one of the following criteria:
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution.
• Hold a Master’s degree from a U.S. institution within the last 5 years.
• Bachelor’s degree was in a different country but instruction was exclusively in English.
• Completed at least 2 semesters of instruction at an exclusively English-language institution within the last 5 years, not including ESL.
2) All international students must complete the Financial Statement
If you are admitted to the Graduate School, you will be required to complete a Financial Statement showing possession of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses for one year (approximately $46,000). Click here for the current amount required.
Note: A 50% Teaching Assistantship or Fellowship in the School of Music will cover the entire amount required. A 33.4% Teaching Assistantship in the School of Music will cover about $43,000, leaving about $3,000, of which you must prove personal possession in order to finalize your admission.
All candidates for the graduate program will be considered for funding awards. Graduate funding comes in the form of a Teaching Assistantship or Fellowship.
You do not need to apply for funding as part of your general application. Upon admission, you will be invited to apply for available Teaching Assistantships in the School of Music.
Check back soon for admission statistics.
Admissions FAQ
If your question is not answered below or in the documents above, please contact James Doing. These items will be updated no later than September 2 for the Summer/Fall 2027 application cycle.
2027 application cycle dates will be added soon.
No, the GRE is not required for any of our graduate programs.
Open the Graduate Application Guide and review page 3: “How Do I Apply?”
You will upload an unofficial scan of your transcript or grade report to the initial application. This is all that we need for departmental purposes. Once you have been recommended for admission by the School of Music, the Graduate School will request an official transcript in order to finalize your admission. Please do not send any materials to the Graduate School until you have been requested to do so.
Log back into your Graduate School application to check the status of your letters.
The list you can see on your application status check is the same list that we see. Please do not inquire about the status of your letters. Inside the application, you will be able to send official reminders to any or all of your recommenders. They will receive a reminder email within 24 hours. You may also enter additional recommenders if you wish.
What if my letters are late?
Although your letters are technically due on December 1 along with the rest of your application, you will not be penalized for any delay on the part of your recommenders. However, be aware that faculty will begin reviewing application files shortly after December 1, so it is in your best interest to make sure your letters are submitted on time.
Your application will be reviewed by the faculty in your area of study. If you are required to complete an audition, you will receive a prescreening decision no later than December. If you are not required to complete an audition, your file will be reviewed over winter break. Admission/funding decisions will be made in early spring. All decisions will be issued via email to the address you provided in your application.
As you’re thinking of housing, tuition, and other costs associated with attending UW–Madison, please keep in mind that the School of Music charges facilities-related fees.