Graduate Music Admissions
UNCSA offers Master of Music (M.M.) graduate degrees and Professional Artist Certificates (PAC) in the School of Music in several instruments of study. To apply, complete the online application and upload the required application documents and recordings. Admission is based on a combination of artistic and academic merits.
| Application Dates and Deadlines | |
|---|---|
|
Early Application Date |
Monday, November 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
| Application Deadline | Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Early Application Date
Provides an opportunity for candidates to complete the application process early and receive a decision prior to the new year. Applicants must submit the following by November 3, 2025:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- required application documents
- recordings included in the program's audition requirements
- if an early decision is desired, audition no later than December 6, 2025
Select programs prescreen applicants to determine if a live audition or interview will be conducted. For these programs, faculty offers or declines interviews based on the submitted application and required pre-screen materials.
Qualifying applicants will be notified and invited to schedule an audition for faculty.
Application Deadline
Applicants must submit the following in order to meet the January 15, 2026 deadline:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- required application documents
- recordings included in the program's audition requirements
Select programs prescreen applicants to determine if a live audition or interview will be conducted. For these programs, faculty offers or declines interviews based on the submitted application and required pre-screen materials.
Qualifying applicants will be notified and invited to schedule an audition for faculty.
Auditions
Applicants who meet the deadline—and advance past prescreening, if required—will be contacted by Admissions with instructions for scheduling an audition. Audition scheduling begins November 4, 2025.
Auditions for the 2026-2027 academic year are held in person on the UNCSA campus. Because audition slots are limited, applicants are advised to keep multiple dates available until they receive their confirmed audition date. In person auditions are strongly encouraged, but applicants unable to travel to the UNCSA campus for an audition may reach out to their Admissions Counselor to request a live virtual audition.
At our auditions for the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute scheduled to take place in Chicago, there may be audition spots available for applicants to other UNCSA School of Music programs. Applicants to other School of Music programs who audition at this site are recorded for later assessment by the appropriate faculty.
Instrumental
| Audition Dates | Location |
|
UNCSA 1533 South Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 |
Applicants who audition in Chicago are recorded for later assessment by the appropriate faculty. |
Location provided upon registration. |
Composition
| Audition Dates | Location |
|
UNCSA 1533 South Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 |
A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, (Voice):
|
Application Deadline |
December 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Application Deadline
Applicants must submit the following in order to meet the December 1, 2025 deadline:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- required application documents
- additional required materials
Graduate Voice applicants should review the A. J. Fletcher Opera Institute Audition Process for the complete application procedures.
Auditions
On-Campus
| Audition Dates | Location |
|
UNCSA 1533 South Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 |
Off-campus (Chicago, IL)
| Audition Date | Location |
|
Location provided upon registration. |
Admissions Criteria
Prerequisites
Applicants for the graduate division in the School of Music should have completed or be scheduled for completion of a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts degree with a music focus (or the equivalent if the institution is located outside of the United States).
Applicants to the Professional Artist Certificate program should have completed or be scheduled for completion of a Master of Music or Master of Arts with a music focus in the intended area of concentration (or the equivalent if the institution is located outside of the United States).
Test Scores (International Applicants)
International Applicants
International applicants are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. Minimum
score requirements for international students are:
- TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 100
Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents
- Complete the online application.
- Pay your Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for
international applicants or non-resident aliens. Application fees are non-refundable.
Payment Options- Online: Follow payment at the end of the application or on your Admissions Portal.
- Check or Money Order (through a U.S. bank): Make payable to "UNCSA" and include your full legal name. Mail your payment and fully legible name of the applicant to the Office of Admissions.
- International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay your application fee online through an international bank or pay by check or money order through a U.S. bank as listed above.
- Upload all Required Application Documents prior to your listed application deadline.
Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Design & Production, Filmmaking, and Music), a completed second application and fee is required.