Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The degree curriculum balances core musicianship — ear training, harmony, counterpoint and music theory — with ensemble performance, composition and studies in music history and ethnomusicology. Students can pursue specialised pathways in composition, performance, or music and technology, engaging with digital audio, interactive systems, signal processing and music programming. Practical work includes chamber and large ensemble participation, studio recording and production, and regular public performances.

Throughout the programme you will take a mix of departmental subjects and MIT elective courses, enabling cross‑disciplinary work with computer science, electrical engineering, media studies and the MIT Media Lab. Typical modules and subjects include:

• Core musicianship: aural skills, music theory and analysis
• Composition and arranging: techniques, workshops and portfolio development
• Performance: private lessons, chamber music, orchestral and contemporary ensembles
• Music technology: digital audio, studio practice, sound synthesis and interactive music systems
• Music history and ethnomusicology: Western and non‑Western traditions, research methods
• Capstone projects or senior thesis: composition projects, recitals, research or technology prototypes

Entry requirements

Admission to MIT is competitive and based on a holistic review of academic achievement, extracurricular commitment and personal qualities. Successful applicants typically present strong secondary‑school preparation in a broad academic curriculum, including quantitative subjects. Evidence of sustained musical accomplishment is important; this may be demonstrated through recordings, scores, a portfolio, awards or documented ensemble work.

Applicants interested in performance or composition should be prepared to submit recordings or scores and, in some cases, to participate in an audition or interview as part of the departmental review. Applicants should also provide thoughtful written materials that explain musical goals and how the applicant plans to use MIT’s interdisciplinary resources.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared for a wide range of careers that combine musical artistry, scholarship and technology. Typical career paths include professional performance, composition for concert, media or film, audio engineering and production, music software development, sound design, and academic research in musicology or ethnomusicology. Alumni also move into roles in arts administration, education, interactive media, game audio, and technology startups where musical and technical skills are valued.

The programme’s strong connections across MIT make it particularly suitable for students who want careers at the intersection of music and technology, such as building new musical interfaces, developing audio tools, or researching sound perception and cognition.

Why study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT provides a distinctive environment for music study because of its deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation. Students benefit from access to well‑equipped performance spaces, recording studios, and research labs, plus opportunities to work with faculty who are active composers, performers and scholars. Cross‑department partnerships allow music students to collaborate with engineers, computer scientists and media practitioners on ambitious creative and research projects.

Beyond facilities and faculty, the Institute’s culture encourages experimentation — combining rigorous musical training with technical skills and entrepreneurial thinking — preparing graduates to create new forms of musical practice and to pursue diverse professional paths.