First Year Abroad

• PI-XXX
• 2 credits

Private instruction courses are assigned based on instrument and level.

• EN-XXX
• 1 credit

Ensembles are assigned based on instrument and style interest.

• PW-111
• 4 credits

This course is a study of popular music. This study begins with the aural analysis of contemporary songs, including bass motion, chord function, and aspects of the rhythm section. It leads to understanding the bass line, harmony, and rhythmic structure of these songs and creation of original pieces in major key and Aeolian mode (natural minor). Keyboard exercises, written homework assignments, and laptop computer drills provide extensive practice in musical and notational elements. Students learn to read and write major and natural minor scales in all keys and learn triads and seventh chords diatonic to those scales. The course provides exposure to chromatic variations on major key harmony: the principles of secondary dominants and modal interchange are studied in limited situations to add color and variety to diatonic harmony. These activities will decode the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic language of most of contemporary popular music and set the stage for a detailed study of more complex and chromatic music in Harmony 2, 3, and 4.

• ET-111
• 2 credits

Students develop basic ear training skills through performance and dictation. They study melodies, intervals, harmony, and solfege in major keys, as well as basic rhythms in the most common meters.

• MTEC-111
• 2 credits

This course introduces the fundamentals of music technology geared to the needs of today's professional musician. One of the most significant challenges facing musicians today is mastering the skills required to continually adapt to a changing technology base. Musicians today must understand and be prepared for the fact that this technology base is moving more rapidly than it can be assimilated. The course topics will give an overview of all aspects of the current technology with the primary goal of enabling students to make intelligent decisions in evaluating future technological needs.

• LENG-111
• 3 credits

In this course, students explore the writing process as a tool of thinking and a mode of exploration. Students develop academic writing and expository prose techniques for creating clear and coherent papers. The course covers a wide range of skills necessary for college-level work including sentence-level issues, theses, paragraph structure, organization, form, and style. A focus will be placed on writing styles appropriate to audience and purpose. In addition, the process of writing and revision will be emphasized during the course. Students develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate, utilize, and cite primary and secondary printed and electronic sources. Students begin to cultivate a strong, individual, and creative voice by developing oral communication skills for a variety of settings.

• LENS-109
• 2 credits

This seminar’s unique focus is on the city of Valencia and on the experience of studying abroad. Students explore Valencia including their immediate surroundings, and learn how historical and contemporary issues inform the city and its citizens. In addition, students learn about Berklee and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Students engage in activities with the goal of reflecting on the study abroad experience in order to increase their intercultural and interpersonal skills and foster personal growth. This course creates a safe, reflective space for discourse and debate. It gives students tools to put their own and their classmates’ beliefs and values in context, and explore their own biases. Students draw upon their skills and concerns as artists to reach for an informed, nuanced, and open-minded grasp of connections among a city, its people, history, and culture.

• LSPN-161 - Introductory Spanish 1 (3 credits)
• LSPN-262 - Introductory Spanish 2 (3 credits)
• LSPN-363 - Intermediate Spanish 1 (3 credits)
• LSPN-464 - Intermediate Spanish 2 (3 credits)

• PI-XXX
• 2 credits

Private instruction courses are assigned based on instrument and level.

• EN-XX
• 1 credit

Ensembles are assigned based on instrument and style interest.

• AR-111
• 2 credit(s)

In this practical course students work on the musical concepts of melody, rhythm, harmony and form as applied to the principles and techniques of writing and arranging for the rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, basic percussion) and a lead-line in a solo instrument, two horns (trumpet, alto or tenor sax) or voice. Students learn the conceptualization process of combining individual components to create a musically satisfying arrangement. Study of various contemporary musical styles and musical concepts that comprise them, including writing from the "bottom up" (groove-driven) and "top down" (working with a melody in a lead instrument or voice). Writing assignments will incorporate combinations of acoustic, electronic and/or MIDI instruments. The course includes a fast-pace overview of the fundamental concepts of music notation such as imaginary bar line, transposition, and rhythmic notation.

• HR-112
• 2 credit(s)

• ET-112
• 2 credit(s)

• CM-211
• 2 credit(s)

This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of harmonic analysis, melody writing and harmonization within a functional tonal context originating from the common practice period, with emphasis on voice leading, melodic writing, and figured bass. The student will understand the musical grammar of tonal composition, and through weekly composition assignments will gain an enhanced understanding of its relation and application to present day styles.

• LENG-223
• 3 credits

Students Choose One Literature Course
Literature: Lorca and Hemingway
Federico García Lorca and Ernest Hemingway are two of the most internationally recognized literary and cultural figures of the 20th century. That is, not only are they viewed with great interest and even division and controversy in their birth countries of Spain and the United States respectively, but they continue to cast a long shadow across the globe and especially over the Atlantic. Furthermore, not only did each of these two compelling figures leave a deep footprint in the other´s country, but they were also influenced and greatly inspired by the socio-cultural patrimony of the other´s homeland. By studying and analyzing Lorca in America and Hemingway in Spain students will explore an inter-cultural journey that reaches the core of how many Spaniards view America and how many Americans view Spain to this day.

Literature: Music and Words
In this course, students explore different themes and genres within the field of literature, examining critical and creative thinking through literary analysis. Students apply the skills of synthesis, interpretation, and evaluation in writing and speaking about fiction, drama, poetry, creative nonfiction, and literary criticism. Students also explore concepts related to aesthetics such as beauty, rhythm, and sound; and concepts of literary analysis such as plot, point of view, character, tone, and style. Students complete analytical and creative writing assignments.

• 3 credits

Students have the option to choose one additional two-credit class from the list below.

• MB-211
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: None

An overview of business and legal issues of special concern to musicians and songwriters, with special emphasis on copyright law, recording and music publishing agreements, and relationships between artists and other parties, including managers, producers, and investors.

• MB-287
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: None

An in-depth study of the nature of human and electronic communication. Students write and edit a variety of business documents including cover letters, memos, reports, and proposals, among others, as well as practice extemporaneous speaking, presenting to a group, planning and running meetings, and supervising teams.

• MTI-304
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: MTEC-111

Live Sound and Stage Craft teaches students the ins and outs of setting up and operating sound reinforcement systems. Students develop knowledge of signal flow, mixing board operation, microphone choice and placement as well as strategies to avoid feedback. Weekly hands-on guided set up and operation of sound reinforcement systems help illustrate concepts and allow students to learn through the power of experience. This includes mixing from the stage while performing, mixing for other musicians for and from the FOH (front of house) position, as well as monitors. In addition, students acquire effective set up and stage management skills as well as the common communication protocol with other musicians and technicians in live sound reinforcement situations. Finally, implementation of adapted practices and systems for problematic spaces or venues is also explored. Students will also gain experience with basic lighting and video stagecraft systems.

• MTI-307
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: MTEC-111

This course explores topics in electronic production and live performance techniques related to modern electronic dance music production, sound design, arrangement, and performance. Students will generate content and create their own music while learning how to use Ableton Live Suite. Students will learn to analyze electronic music, and explore techniques for remixing, performing, and creating electronic music.

• MTI-308
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: ET-112 and HR-112

This is an 'in-the-box' project-based virtual production course. Students learn to produce short sound-alikes of fragments of contemporary hit records employing sequencing and virtual instruments. They also learn to produce a full acoustic band cover using virtual instruments and one live instrument and/or vocalist. Additionally they learn to produce short musical creations by chopping and editing audio, incorporating tempo mapping, elastic audio, Melodyne, looping, beat detective, and other manipulation tools. Students also learn the skills needed to edit and arrange music to picture.

Study abroad students outside of Berklee enrolling in this course must have requisite musical background. 

• MTI-309
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: MTEC-111

This course provides an introduction to the art and technology of creating music videos. Students learn the challenges and possibilities of representing music visually through the art of filmmaking. They explore the fundamental tools and techniques of music video production by reviewing and analyzing groundbreaking music videos. They also apply those techniques in the hands-on production of personal music videos.

• MTI-310
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: MTEC-111

An introduction to live electronic music performance and DJ skills, beginning with the use of the turntable as a musical instrument. Students will explore the culture and aesthetics of Hip-hop, turntablism, club DJs, radio, and mash-up DJs, and will master the following techniques: cueing, mixing, beat matching, beat extending, mash-ups, blending, and scratching (basic, scribble, laser, uzi, stab, cut, transformer, crab, chirp and flare). Students will create their own live mixes and present them as midterm and final performances.

• MP-114
• 1 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: MTEC-111

This online course focuses on developing critical listening skills with particular emphasis on analyzing recording and mix techniques in the context of the popular music mix. Topics include: acoustics of the critical listening environment; mix elements such as balances, panning, EQ, reverb, compression, delay and time-based effects; instrument identification; stylistic comparisons of recording and mix techniques. Listening analysis examples and concepts are reinforced through weekly critical listening assignments. A set of weekly audio ear training drills are also part of the class.

• MP-115
• 1 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: MTEC-111

This course represents a step-by-step approach to the essential elements of effective records. Using evaluation of demos, masters and commercial recordings, it takes students through an in-depth analysis and appraisal of the emotional effectiveness of recordings, with consideration for: artist identity, vision and intention; melody, lyrics, and song form; arrangement, performance, and mixing. Several student analysis projects are required.

• PMH-250
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: None

This course is for any musician interested in being more comfortable in their body and developing confidence through movement. The musician's first asset is their physical body and it is critical that performers develop a body language and awareness that allows them to fully deliver their artistic vision. This course fosters full-bodied expression through increased awareness of breath and alignment coupled with discovering one's full range of movement. Developing your senses including sight, touch, hearing and kinesthetic to enhance your overall performance skills. Communication, strength, stamina, wellness, intention, performance, and audition skills are developed thorugh movement disciplines that may include various dance forms, yoga or other somatic practices, games and improvisation. No previous dance or movement experience is required.

• ILPH-359
• 2 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: None

A lab focusing on rhythmic techniques and song styles of Brazilian music and their related percussion instruments. Development of performance skills through study of audio and video recordings as well as supervised ensemble playing. Note: ILPH-357 may be taken instead of this course.

• ISKB-211
• 1 credit(s)
• Prerequisites: PW-111

For non-piano principals. Comping, harmonic continuity. Triads, seventh chords, melody, and accompaniment. Standard song forms, blues.

Academically, nothing. The quality of the program, faculty, and staff are the same. Valencia does have a smaller student body than the Boston and is contained in one long building within the City of Arts and Sciences complex. The facilities and recording spaces are comparable to Boston.

Housing is a required cost, additional to tuition. For the cost breakdown of tuition fee and comprehensive fee*), please see our Tuition and Related Costs page. Note that the FYA information on this page is forthcoming, please continue to check this page.

*Charged per semester of attendance to all students for the cost of noncurricular facilities, programs, and services

You may begin your third semester in Boston as early as the summer immediately following your second semester in Valencia. However, if you require a visa to study in the United States, you must acquire it before coming to Boston. You may also choose to resume your studies in Boston in the fall.

During the end of your second semester, you will work with an advisor to declare a major before returning to the Boston campus.

We encourage you to select “yes” on the FYA opt-in portion of the application only if you are sincerely interested in the program and want to study in Valencia for your first year. If you have changed your mind and no longer want to be considered for FYA, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@berklee.edu or +1-617-747-2221 and tell us that you wish to opt out of FYA. Accepted First Year Abroad students will have up until the tuition deposit deadline of May 1 to confirm their starting campus.

No. Your acceptance to Berklee is in no way affected by your preference to start in Valencia or Boston.

Regardless of your campus preference, all undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship through the audition and interview process. You may read more about scholarships here.

No. The undergraduate audition and interview process for Boston and Valencia is the same. For more information, please visit the Audition and Interview section of our website.

You need to be a fluent English speaker to be considered for First Year Abroad. Please follow this link for information about required English levels for undergraduate program admission.

Yes! We highly encourage you to visit the Valencia campus and tour our facilities. Our admissions department runs our campus tours, and they are normally offered on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. The tour will typically last 45 minutes.

You may register for a campus tour via the tour calendar. Please note that all campus tours follow the current Covid-19 Related Safety Measures.

If you are not able to visit the Valencia campus in person, we recommend visiting this page to learn more about our facilities and reviewing our Flickr account to get familiar with our campus.

All applicants must go through the standard application process. To be considered for the First Year Abroad program, simply indicate “yes” to the relevant question within the application, along with an additional personal statement about your interest in the program.

Visit our how to apply page to learn how to start your application.