Bachelor of Arts in Music

The music major at UC Davis provides a specialized, intimate experience. Your professors and lecturers are active researchers and performing musicians, who regularly have works performed, published and recorded around the globe. Students work closely with prominent artists-in-residence who give concerts throughout their year-long tenure. You'll also have the chance to perform with our symphony orchestra, band, chorus, world music ensembles, and a variety of smaller ensembles. The music program provides an excellent grounding in music theory, history, composition and performance. Approximately one-half of your college coursework will be in music, including two to three years of music theory, two years of music history and participation in performing groups. At the upper division level, you will focus on a special interest such as composition, history, theory, ethnomusicology or performance.

The department encourages students to pursue a portion of their studies abroad. In close collaboration with their undergraduate advisors, students plan a course of study abroad that complements their coursework at Davis. UC Davis Music Majors have completed upper division coursework at EAP partner institutions in Australia, England, France, Germany, and Italy, Music faculty members lead summer programs in Argentina, Austria, and France.

To be considered for freshman admission, you must complete secondary school, earn good grades in academic subjects, and receive a certificate of completion that grants you admission to university-level studies in your country.
prospective students must be on track to earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and meet all UC freshman admission requirements.
Score 24 or higher on the ACT English Language Arts (ELA)
Score 31 or higher on Writing and Language in the SAT
Score 3, 4 or 5 on the AP examination in English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition
Score 6 or 7 on an IB Standard Level examination in English (Language A only)
Score 5, 6 or 7 on an IB Higher Level examination in English (Language A only)
IELTS - Score 6.5 or higher
TOEFL iBT - Minimum score of 80 or better