Curtis Institute of Music

Bachelor of Music (BMus)

Admission is by audition. Online application (connect.curtis.edu) requiring: unofficial transcript, addresses of teachers/schools, list of awards, one written essay + one video essay, repertoire list, at least one concert/recital program, two recommendations, optional SAT I. All applicants (except oboe) must submit prescreening recordings with application; live auditions in Philadelphia Feb–Mar. Repertoire varies by department. URL: https://www.curtis.edu/apply/applying/

Test scores NOT required for admission; required after acceptance for program placement. Non-native English speakers: TOEFL iBT minimum 79–80 (pre-2026) / 4 (post-2026); IELTS Academic minimum 6.5–7.0 in each area; Cambridge B2 First / C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 169. Home-version tests not accepted.

Tuition is free for all students — full-tuition scholarship. Annual value 2026-27: $55,995 (undergraduate). No tuition charged to any student.

December 10 (applications open mid-September; $75 late fee after deadline). Live auditions Feb–Mar; notification April 1; enrollment deposit due May 1 (undergrad).

Yes — auditions may consist of pre-recorded submissions, interviews, and in-person rounds

Master of Music (MMus) / Diploma / Post-Baccalaureate Diploma / Professional Studies Certificate in Opera

Same two-step apply + audition process. Required: bachelor's/equivalent transcript (MMus, Post-Bacc), official English test scores for non-native speakers, prescreening recordings (except oboe), essays, recommendations, repertoire list. URL: https://www.curtis.edu/apply/applying/

Non-native English speakers (grad): TOEFL iBT 79–80 (pre-2026) / 4 (post-2026); IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 each area; Cambridge 169. For placement purposes after acceptance.

Tuition free — full-tuition scholarship. Annual value 2026-27: $69,527 (graduate).

December 10 (enrollment deposit due April 15 for graduate students).

Yes — audition (pre-recorded, interview, in-person rounds)

All students receive merit-based full-tuition scholarships regardless of financial situation (no application required). 2026-27 value: $55,995 undergraduate / $69,527 graduate. Need-based financial aid available for living expenses. International students qualify. URL: https://www.curtis.edu/apply/financial-aid/

Academic Honesty Policy: plagiarism includes 'material generated wholly or in part through the use of artificial intelligence (unless specifically permitted for an assignment by an instructor)'. Undisclosed AI-generated work is academic dishonesty. URL: https://www.curtis.edu/learn/policies-2/academic-honesty/