Introduction
Berklee College of Music seeks focused, motivated, innovative, and above all, passionately creative students with excellent academic and professional backgrounds who can contribute skills that will benefit their graduate program and class.
Our Graduate Board of Admissions thoroughly reviews each application, considering every aspect of an applicant's strengths. Our audition and interview process, along with our holistic evaluation of each applicant, provides us with a wealth of information to assess each applicant’s ability to succeed at Berkleedi. It is recommended that applicants begin the admissions process as early as possible to ensure enrollment into the desired academic year. All graduate programs on the Valencia campus begin in September and are completed in one year (fall, spring, and summer).
Each applicant is allowed to submit one graduate application per admissions cycle. Applicants not admitted to a graduate program may not reapply until the following year.
Graduate Admissions Process
Application and Fee
Submit your completed online graduate application with your supporting materials, and pay the $150 non-refundable application fee. Review the How to Apply section to see the steps needed to complete the application. The application fee is waived for Berklee alumni.
Audition and Interview
Once you have submitted your completed application and all supporting materials, the Graduate Board of Admissions will issue audition and interview invitations to selected applicants.
This experience is an integral part of the final selection process for our graduate programs. It is designed to show your strengths and helps us assess your aptitude and ability to succeed in Berklee’s highly charged and dynamic environment.
Applicants to the Master of Music in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) selected to move on to this stage are required to do both an audition and interview. Click to learn more about the audition and the interview process.
All other master's degree applicants selected to move on to this stage are required to do only an interview. Auditions are not required for the Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business; the Master of Music in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games; or the Master of Music in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation. Click to learn more about the interview process.
Final Decision
Once the selected applicants have fulfilled all the requirements, the Graduate Board of Admissions will evaluate applicants based on the completed application, supporting materials, and the audition and/or interview. You will be notified by email of your admissions status by the notification deadline.
Entrance Requirements
Each master's degree has specific entrance requirements. Open each section below to discover the requirements for your program.
Master of Music in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration)Entrance Requirements
Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree in music. Bachelor's degrees in other disciplines will be considered, provided the student demonstrates a high degree of musicianship. Applicants should demonstrate strong working knowledge of harmony, leadership qualities, sequencing skills, ensemble experience, motivation, intellectual curiosity, and the promise of great achievement in their area of study.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for highly skilled and creative instrumentalists and vocalists from all styles of contemporary music who wish to develop their performance career further while also immersing themselves in the recorded production process and experience.
Ideal candidates will:
- Enter the program with a very advanced level of instrumental or vocal technique and musical skill;
- Desire to expand their experience through further exploration of familiar and new styles including fusions of genres;
- Be deeply motivated to learn and apply strategies for recorded music production (including the preproduction, recording, and mixing processes) to their craft, with a focus on artistic identity and intent; and
- Demonstrate a strong interest in learning and applying new performance technology, electroacoustic instruments, and video into their live and recorded performances.
Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music BusinessEntrance Requirements
Global entertainment and music business applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate leadership, motivation, intellectual curiosity, and promise of great achievement in their area of study.
Who We Are Looking For
We seek focused, motivated, creative candidates with excellent academic and professional backgrounds who can contribute skills that will benefit the program.
Ideal candidates want to:
- Explore advanced concepts and models in the global music industry;
- Apply managerial and/or entrepreneurial skills to existing entertainment and music business environments;
- Lead and influence the direction of the profession as visionaries, executives, and entrepreneurs; and
- Gain a thorough understanding of the elements of a successful enterprise.
Ideal candidates should demonstrate:
- Professional goals of working at an executive/managerial level in a company or creating a business/organization;
- Prior academic success;
- Prior knowledge in business;
- Good understanding of the current situation of the entertainment industry and technology; and
- Leadership in professional and/or academic environments.
Up to 40 students can take part in the Global Entertainment and Music Business program each year.
Master of Music in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation Entrance Requirements
Music production, technology, and innovation applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree in music while demonstrating technological proficiency, musical excellence in performance and/or composition, leadership, motivation, intellectual curiosity, and promise of great achievement in their area of study. Bachelor's degrees in other disciplines will be considered, provided the student demonstrates a high degree of musicianship.
Who We Are Looking For
We seek open-minded, ambitious musicians who want to leverage technology in pursuit of their artistic vision and career goals.
Ideal candidates want to:
- Gain cutting-edge skills in music technology;
- Apply new inspiration and possibilities to their artistic endeavors;
- Implement the principles of innovation to their craft and careers;
- Focus on developing and implementing new and emerging music technologies; and
- Shape the future of music.
Ideal candidates should demonstrate:
- Excellent musicianship;
- Facility with technology;
- Success in both artistic and academic settings;
- A strong work ethic, including prior accomplishment; and
- The motivation to make massive progress in one year.
Master of Music in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games Entrance Requirements
Applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in music composition, electronic music production, or film scoring. Outstanding musicians with bachelor's degrees in performance or other disciplines, who have a strong background in songwriting or composition, will also be considered.
Who We Are Looking For
We seek focused, motivated, innovative, and, above all, passionately creative candidates with excellent academic and/or professional backgrounds. Additional study and/or work experience in the following areas will be helpful but is not required: interactive scoring techniques, conducting to picture, basic music editing skills, and project collaboration. Prospective students do not need to have extensive direct experience working with live orchestras.
Ideal candidates will:
- Demonstrate a strong compositional foundation from their studies and/or professional experience;
- Possess the ability to notate one’s ideas competently, follow an orchestral score, and conceive material in an orchestral context; and
- Exhibit passion for musical storytelling and a demonstrated aptitude for visual music.
Up to 40 students can take part in the Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games program each year.
How to Apply
The Graduate Board of Admissions will only evaluate complete applications. Review the information below to ensure you have submitted all requirements.
Submit Online Application
Complete all required sections in the application, and upload your statement of purpose, resume, and program-specific portfolio to the application. You will then be able to pay the $150 non-refundable application fee and submit your completed online graduate application. If you are a Berklee alumnus (including Boston Conservatory, and Berklee Online)you may be eligible for a fee waiver.
Submit Required Supporting Materials
Apart from the materials you will upload to your application directly, there are several other materials all graduate applicants are required to submit to support their application. Your resume, statement of purpose, and other program specific materials must be in PDF format.
Statement of purpose
This is your chance to tell us all about you, your musical journey, and why you would like to pursue a master’s degree program at Berklee College of Music (must be in English between 400-500 words).
One letter of recommendation You will be able to request a letter of recommendation directly from your online application. The recommendation should come from someone you have worked or collaborated with who can convey your musical strengths and skills. The letter must be written in English. Your recommender will receive instructions on how to submit their recommendation by email.
Official Transcripts For applicants who attended university in the U.S. or Canada:- Via E-mail (Preferred Method)
We need the official transcripts from your undergraduate studies. Most institutions are able to provide transcripts electronically. Your institution should email these to admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu, but note we only accept documents sent via email if provided directly by the issuing institution. Do not submit transcripts for high school or other degrees. If admitted you will be required to submit a copy of your diploma from your college/university before enrolling at Berklee. - Via Mail (Alternative Method)
Please note that Berklee's Valencia campus is currently closed to outside visitors due to the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Due to this, we are not currently able to accept documents submitted via mail. If you are concerned about submitting your materials, please contact us for guidance at admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu.
For applicants who attended university outside the U.S. or Canada:
Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada must be evaluated by an approved third-party credential evaluation service. Berklee works closely with SpanTran and Educational Credential Evaluators, and we recommend their services. Please ask for a course-by-course evaluation.
The credential evaluation process can take several weeks to complete, and we strongly urge you to begin the process as early as possible. Your application will not be complete until we have received credential evaluation reports for all of your academic credentials. If admitted, you will be required to submit a copy of your bachelor degree diploma from your college/university before enrolling at Berklee.
Other documents, such as résumés, statement of purpose, and creative works must be uploaded to your application form before you submit it.
English exam If your first language is not English, you are required to submit one of the below standardized English tests. Your results can be emailed directly to admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu. Also see below for minimum score requirements.
Contemporary Performance Graduate Program Applicants
All Other Graduate Program Applicants
If you are finishing or have completed your bachelor's degree at an English-speaking university, this requirement may be waived.
Bachelor's degree diploma
If admitted, a copy of your diploma from your college/university will be required before enrolling at Berklee.
Submit Program Specific Supporting Materials
Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games Provide a link to a self-produced video describing one to three possible ideas for your Culminating Experience (thesis) project that may be of interest to you. Each description should be as specific as possible and include how each project will foster your academic, artistic, musical, and professional growth. Your video should be a maximum of three minutes.To support your application also provide three video files of original compositions for picture. Submit the three corresponding scores for the original compositions. Each file should not exceed two minutes. If you have not had the opportunity to score a film or video project, you may extract clips from existing films and television shows via a number of available applications, import them to your music sequencing program, and create original compositions for the purposes of this application.Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public so that we can view them.
* We will not download materials. Do not share materials via WeTransfer, DropBox, Google Drive, or other platforms.
Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration)Provide a link to a self-produced video describing one to three possible ideas for your Culminating Experience (thesis) project that may be of interest to you. Each description should be as specific as possible and include how each project will foster your academic, artistic, musical, and professional growth. Your video should be a maximum of three minutes.To support your application also provide links for three recent performances (at least one video), with a short description of your role in each.Optionally you may also include the link of your artist webpage or Facebook page, or one page artistic biography.Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public so that we can view them.
* We will not download materials. Do not share materials via WeTransfer, DropBox, Google Drive, or other platforms.
Global Entertainment and Music Business Provide a link to a self-produced video discussing the current state of the music and entertainment industry and opportunities that interest you; and describe one to three possible ideas for your Culminating Experience (thesis) project that may be of interest to you. Each description should be as specific as possible and include how each project will foster your academic, artistic, musical, and professional growth. Your video should be a maximum of three minutes.Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public so that we can view them.
* We will not download materials. Do not share materials via WeTransfer, DropBox, Google Drive, or other platforms.
Music Production, Technology, and InnovationProvide a link to a self-produced video describing three possible ideas for your Culminating Experience (thesis) project that may be of interest to you. Each description should be as specific as possible and include how each project will foster your academic, artistic, musical, and professional growth. Your video should be a maximum of three minutes.To support your application also provide three recorded musical projects, audio or video files of your work, including a short description of your role in each projectOptionally, you can also submit the corresponding scores to your music, if available (not required).Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public so that we can view them.
* We will not download materials. Do not share materials via WeTransfer, DropBox, Google Drive, or other platforms.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Valencia Admissions Office at admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu.
Application Deadlines
To be considered for admission by our Graduate Board of Admissions, we must receive your completed application and all supporting documents by 11:59p.m. (eastern standard time) on the deadline.
The only difference between early and regular action is that early action applicants will be notified of their admissions decision several months before regular action applicants, giving them priority to reserve their place in the program and additional time to plan for the upcoming year. If you have any questions about early or regular action, contact admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu.
Early Action
- Application deadline: November 1, 2020
- Admissions decisions issued by December 15, 2020
Regular Action
- Application deadline: January 15, 2021
- Admissions decisions issued by March 15, 2021
Extended Action
- Application deadline: March 15, 2021
- Admissions decisions issued by April 30, 2021
Applications received after the posted deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any questions related to your application can be sent to admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu.
Review of the applications will begin shortly before the deadlines.
Scholarship Application deadlines are different from the Program Application deadlines. For further information about Scholarships click here.
Please note these decision dates are not offered for the contemporary performance (global jazz concentration) program, held on the Boston campus.
Interviews
Required for All Graduate Applicants
The interview experience is an integral part of the selection process for our master’s degree programs. It is designed to show your strengths and helps us assess your aptitude and ability to succeed in Berklee’s highly charged and dynamic environment. An interview is required for entry into all of our graduate programs; applicants to the contemporary performance (production concentration) program must also complete an audition.
Interview Dates
Once your application is complete and submitted, the Graduate Board of Admissions will review your application and contact you if you are selected to continue on in the admissions process. Interviews will be held online from mid-November through the beginning of December 2020 for Early Action applicants, and from the end of January through the beginning of March 2021 for Regular Action applicants.
Interview Question Areas
The interviewer will use the information provided on your application as the foundation for this discussion. Depending on the graduate program you are applying to, you may be asked technical or field-based questions during the interview. Come prepared to highlight your strengths and share your creative aspirations. There are four primary areas of discussion in the interview:
There are four primary areas of discussion in the interview:
1. Preparation to begin study at Berklee.
In addition to each candidate's musical preparation to meet the rigors of our curriculum, consideration will be given to your understanding of Berklee's history and mission and your affiliation with Berklee's open and inclusive approach to music, including the self-discipline needed for excellence, the empathy required of music-making, and the openness and inquisitiveness essential to creativity.
2. Professional/career goals.
Why have you chosen music as the primary focus of your graduate education? What outcomes are expected as a result of your attending Berklee? Do you have a clear idea of career goals beyond a master’s degree?
3. Why Berklee?
In researching your options for pursuing an education in music, what aspects of the Berklee model are most appealing to you? What are your motivations behind applying to Berklee for a master’s degree?
4. What will you bring?
In selecting our entering class, the board of admissions must identify how each admitted student will contribute to the quality of our community. How will you contribute to the Berklee network and improve the quality of the Berklee experience for all?
Auditions
Special note about auditions
Selected contemporary performance applicants will be required to complete both an audition and interview. The audition and interview will happen simultaneously during your scheduled time. All other master's degree applicants selected to move on to this stage are required to do an interview only.
Applicants to the Master of Music in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) selected to move on to this stage are required to do both an audition and interview simultaneously. The audition is an integral part of the graduate admissions process for contemporary performance (production concentration) applicants and is designed to help you show your strengths while helping us assess your talent and potential to succeed at Berklee.
Audition Process
Once you have submitted your completed application and all supporting materials, the Graduate Board of Admissions will issue an audition and interview invitation to selected applicants. Auditions and interviews will be held online from mid-November through the beginning of December 2020 for Early Action applicants, and from the end of January through the beginning of March 2021 for Regular Action applicants. Your interview will take place at the same time as your audition. To see information about the interview click here.
Make sure to double check your internet connectivity and any technology you are using for your online audition and interview. We recommend you test your connection with another user on the platform and ensure yourself plenty of time to accommodate any technology issues or setup.
The audition staff will be looking primarily at quality of sound, interpretation/style, intonation, stage presence, rhythm, musicality, preparation, and quality of improvisation. The audition staff may ask you to demonstrate other musical or technical abilities depending on your unique strengths. The audition and interview will be approximately 20-30 minutes long and may consist of the four parts outlined below.
Part one: Prepared Piece Your prepared piece should demonstrate significant understanding of musicality, expression, phrasing, appropriate articulation, excellent intonation and tonal quality, clarity of articulation or enunciation of notes (and lyrics for vocalists), and should be performed in a manner that is appropriate for the style of the piece.
Berklee embraces and values all music styles, so you should prepare a piece that you are comfortable with and that displays your strengths as a musician. It should be approximately three to five minutes in length and should be in any style that demonstrates your instrumental proficiency and your overall musicianship. Here are some guidelines that may help when selecting your prepared piece:
- You might choose a tune from a well-known artist or band (in any style).
- You might choose a jazz or blues standard tune (which may include rhythm changes) to which you have the option of adding your own improvisation.
- You might choose a composition from the instrumental/voice repertoire or a movement, sonata, concerto, or etude.
- You might choose a transcription of a well-known artist's solo.
If composing or songwriting is your primary focus, you may choose to play an original piece that showcases your individual style. However, the original piece should be no longer than three minutes, and you should also prepare a second piece drawing on the guidelines above.
If you require accompaniment for your prepared piece, you may bring an accompanist, or a play-along device such as a phone or laptop. It is not recommended to use the original tracks of artists or bands as play-a-longs.
Part two: Sight Reading
While sight-reading, you should display strong accuracy of rhythm, pitch, and tone in order to achieve an interpretation that conveys musical substance with phrasing and expression appropriate to the style of the example provided.
Part three: Improvisation
We would like to hear you improvise over a short progression to gauge where you are in your development. Your prepared piece may also include improvisation, but it is not required.
Part four: Melodic and Rhythmic Play Back
You will be asked to participate in call-and-response exercises. The audition team will play short rhythms and melodies. For melodic playback, if you are an instrumentalist, you will be expected to sing it back and play it on your instrument, and if you are a vocalist, you will sing back melodies in diatonic and non-diatonic formats (chromatic lines in one- or two-bar phrases, in various styles). For rhythmic playback, tracks and rhythms will be supplied and you will be expected to reproduce syncopated examples in genres such as swing, funk, Afro 6/8, or samba.
We recognize it is common for applicants to have imbalances in their playing abilities, and we realize that applicants may not have advanced skills in improvisation, reading, or ear training. We take a holistic approach in our evaluation process; each component of the audition helps the audition team assess your overall abilities as a musician and your potential for success at the graduate program level.
Audition Location Options
Auditions and interviews will be held online. Selected applicants will receive invitations and further instructions on how to connect for the online audition and interview.
Online Audition For the online audition and interview, you must have:
- completed and submitted the application and paid the $150 application fee;
- been invited to participate in an audition and interview to the graduate program;
- access to a private room where you can participate without interruption;
- access to a computer with internet connection and audio/video capability that meets the system requirements*;
- access to a set of headphones for use during the interview. Headphones-only will not work for the playing portion of the audition but are helpful to have for the interview;
- you must have speakers (other than laptop speakers) for playback of audition materials. This is so your playing will blend acoustically with the sound of the speakers and be transmitted through the microphone;
- access to all instruments and accompaniment you need to participate.
*See the specific system requirements for online auditions.
FAQs
If you have questions related to the opening of the campus in fall 2021 and the hybrid model that will be applied to all programs at that time, check the Fall 2021 Frequently Asked Questions section.
Q: What is social life like? Despite being Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia maintains its small-town charm. There are several popular up-and-coming neighborhoods offering world-class restaurants, cafes, and discos. For late nights out on the town, the ancient El Carmen in the city center is popular. For dinner on an outdoor terrace, Ruzafa is a good bet. Nearby Canovas is also a great neighborhood to find good food. For ideas on where to start, check out the New York Times’ “36 Hours in Valencia, Spain,” or an older article in the same 36-hour series from Valencia in 2011, still very relevant.
Valencia is well-known for its musical richness, and has no shortage of venues that support live music indoors and out. Some local favorites have quickly become student favorites, such as Jimmy Glass Jazz Bar, Loco Club, Upper Club, Sala Matisse and Ubik Cafe. Check out this New York Times’ article “The Newest Sounds of Valencia,” highlighting Berklee’s presence in Valencia.
Q: What is the public transportation system like in Valencia? The EMT service is the public bus system in Valencia. There are numerous bus lines during the day, most of them with short waiting times.
Night buses do not run as regularly as day buses do and not all routes are offered during night shifts, so to get around the city by night we recommend our students do so by either taxis (6€ minimum evening fare) or using Valenbisi, the public bike system which you will have access to for less than 30€ a year.
The tram and metro services are provided by Metrovalencia. From Monday to Friday, it runs until approximately 23:30 - 00:00. On weekends it runs until 2:30 a.m.
Q: Do I need to know Spanish to live in Valencia? While you can get around the city without knowing Spanish, understanding at least the basics of the language is very helpful. We recommend getting familiar with some basic vocabulary. Duolingo is a language-learning application that can be downloaded to your phone for free and is very popular amongst Berklee Students in Valencia.
Q: What is the average rent I should expect to pay? Renting a two- or three-bedroom apartment nearby campus or in one of the areas recommended averages 400€ to 1,200€ per month (approximately, not including utilities). Usually, students prefer to share an apartment with other Berklee students rather than renting a room with non-Berklee people, but there are a number of agents offering either option. Renting as a group (two or three people) is normally cheaper than one-bedroom apartments.
Q: Can I do any of these graduate programs in Boston? There are four graduate programs delivered exclusively on the Valencia, Spain, campus including, Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business; Master of Music in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games; Master of Music in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration); and Master of Music in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation.
The Master of Music in Contemporary Performance (Global Jazz Concentration) is offered at the Boston campus. Further, Berklee Online also offers two online master's degrees; Master of Music in Music Production; Master of Arts in Music Business.
Q: How can I prepare for my application? If you feel like you need some extra skills or experience before applying, please browse our courses at Berklee Online. There are many courses, certificates, and degrees available to help you improve your skills. Have a fluent english speaker: friend, parent colleague, read over your application materials. Meet with a private instructor to work on audition songs.
Q: Can I work if I am not a resident in Spain? Your student visa allows you to work part time in a job that does not conflict with your class schedule. It also permits you to work full time for up to three months under the same conditions. However, the business that hires you must solicit permission from the government and many employers are reluctant to take this administrative step. Therefore, few foreign students receive legitimate job offers during their studies. Keep in mind that your program will be very intense and you will not have much time to work outside of your studies.
Learn more about visas and residency in Spain, in the visa FAQ section.
Q: Do I need health insurance? Berklee provides mandatory health insurance to all enrolled students, which is a part of the comprehensive fee, and cannot be waived. In order to obtain a student visa, you are required to have health insurance. We include a letter from the health insurance company in all acceptance packages for you to present at your visa appointment. Learn more about health insurance.
Q: What is the age range of students attending Berklee Valencia? The Valencia campus is very diverse by age, gender, and nationality. On average students attending a graduate program range between 22 and 36 years old. Applicants to the graduate program must already have completed their bachelor's degree, as well as meet other admissions requirements.
Q: Do I have to buy software? Each program has specific software requirements. There is a required software bundle that is mandatory and included in your first tuition bill. You will receive the software bundle at orientation.
Even if you already own some of the software, you will still be billed for the full bundle, which Berklee arranges for you at a very low cost. Enrolled students will receive the updated software information the summer prior to orientation. Depending on your program, there may be optional software that we recommend.
Q: Can I do the program part-time? The graduate programs are designed to be completed in one intensive year of full-time and in-person classes. Part-time programs are currently not available.
Q: Do you have undergraduate programs at the Valencia campus? Our Valencia campus currently offers two program options for undergraduate students. The Berklee Study Abroad program available only to students from Berklee’s Boston campus and a select number of partner schools, and the First Year Abroad program, which allows undergraduate students accepted to Berklee to complete their first year with the college abroad on the Valencia, Spain campus.
