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 Berklee. 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.
Important note: All auditions and interviews are scheduled in Central European Time (CET).
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 a professional that you have worked or collaborated with who can convey your musical strengths and skills. Recommendations should not be done by friends or peers, rather a professor or someone that you have reported to professionally. The letter must be written in English and signed by your recommender. 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: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 standardized English tests listed below. Your results must 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 introducing yourself and describing the reason why you want to be part of the program, and what you hope to gain from it. Please expand on your statement of purpose and use this as a chance for us to get to know you, beyond what we read on paper or see/hear in your art. Take advantage of the opportunity to let your personality shine through and be as natural as possible. 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.Please do not submit the materials as separate links. Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links properly embedded and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public/unlisted so that we can view them.
Download the Portfolio Sample
* 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. You may include slides or any visual aids that would help to convey your ideas. 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.Please do not submit the materials as separate links. Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links properly embedded and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public/unlisted so that we can view them.
Download the Portfolio Sample
*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 presenting one original idea for a product, a service or any initiative to introduce innovation or to solve a problem in the world of music and entertainment; the video should also demonstrate your capacity to think creatively and to develop a compelling communication narrative. Your video should be a maximum of one minute and should be uploaded to Youtube as unlisted.Please do not submit the materials as separate links. Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links properly embedded and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public/unlisted so that we can view them
Download the Portfolio Sample
* 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 projects you feel passionate about, and that you would like to develop as part of your Culminating Experience (thesis) project. Each description should be as specific as possible and should include how each project will foster your academic, artistic, musical, and professional growth through Berklee and beyond. You may include slides or any visual aids that would help to convey your ideas. Keep in mind that you should not talk about projects that you have already completed. This video is a chance for us to get to know you beyond what we read on paper or see/hear in your art, so take advantage of the opportunity to let your personality shine through. 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)Please do not submit the materials as separate links. Your program specific materials should be organized in one PDF document with all links properly embedded and sections clearly labeled. If including links to YouTube, Spotify, or other, make sure they are public/unlisted so that we can view them.
Download the Portfolio Sample
* 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 Berklee Valencia Admissions Office.
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, 2022
- Admissions decisions issued by December 15, 2022
Regular Action
- Application deadline: January 15, 2023
- Admissions decisions issued by March 15, 2023
Extended Action
- Application deadline: March 10, 2023
- Admissions decisions issued by April 20, 2023
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 2022 for Early Action applicants, and from the end of January through the beginning of March 2023 for Regular Action applicants.
Important note: All interviews are scheduled in Central European Time (CET).
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.
The board of admissions wants to gain a better understanding of your professional and career goals once you obtain your graduate degree. In addition, consideration will be given to why you want to pursue graduate studies in music and what you hope to gain from your participation in this program.
3. Why Berklee?
Berklee is a leader in music education and holds a strong international reputation. Consideration will be given to what aspects of the Berklee model appeal to you and why you decided to apply to Berklee for your 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. Consideration will be given to how you will 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 2022 for Early Action applicants, and from the end of January through the beginning of March 2023 for Regular Action applicants. Your interview will take place at the same time as your audition.To see information about the interview click here.
Important note: All auditions and interviews are scheduled in Central European Time (CET).
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*, do not connect to your audition on a mobile device or tablet;
- 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
Q: When is the application deadline? Generally, there are two application deadlines: early action and regular action. Applicants who choose to apply by the early action deadline will be notified of their admittance decision several months before those who apply by the regular action deadline. This is the only difference between early and regular action. Check the exact application deadlines here.
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: Can I apply to two graduate programs at Berklee Valencia in the same year? Applicants must choose one master’s degree program on the application. Admissions will only review one master’s application per person, per year. Our graduate programs are specifically designed for the entire one-year experience, so you will be enrolled full time in the program to which you are accepted. If you want to apply for two master’s degrees on the same Berklee campus, you will need to do that separately in different academic years.
Q: Can I reapply after an unsuccessful admission? If you are not initially admitted to a graduate program, you may not reapply until the following year. All applicants who reapply are required to complete a new online application, pay the application fee, and submit updated relevant supporting materials.
Q: Can I apply for an application fee waiver? We only offer fee waivers to Berklee alumni. To be considered a Berklee alumni, one must have completed a minimum of 12 credits, or one entire semester, at Berklee in one of the following:
- Diploma, undergraduate or graduate degree programs, or
- Completion of a Berklee Online professional or master certificate
If you meet the above mentioned requirements, you can request a waiver in your Berklee Valencia graduate application. Note that this does not include any of the special programs at Berklee, such as the Five-Week Summer Performance Program.
Q: How can I prepare for my application? We recommend that you start by reviewing the program information and curriculum as well as the list of required materials. If you feel like you need some extra skills or experience before applying, we encourage you to 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, or colleague, for example) read over your application materials. Meet with a private instructor to work on audition songs.
Q: I have an undergraduate degree from Berklee. Is there a special process to apply to the graduate program? The process is the same as for any other applicant. However, Berklee alumni can request a waiver for the $150 application fee through the online process. Please specify your Berklee email, Berklee ID, and date of birth, in order to be able to find you in the system. Applicants who graduated from or are currently studying at Berklee College of Music do not need to submit their official transcripts as we are able to access this information internally. To be considered a Berklee alum, one must have completed a minimum of 12 credits, or one entire semester, at Berklee in one of the following:
- Diploma, undergraduate, or graduate degree programs, or
- Completion of a Berklee Online professional or master certificate
Q: Is there an English language requirement? Graduate applicants who speak English as a second language must have either successfully completed their undergraduate studies at an English-speaking university or must submit results from an approved English certification institution. Refer to the English Exam information for minimum test scores accepted in each program on the How to Apply page.
Q: What if my English exam doesn’t meet the minimum score? If your English exam doesn’t meet the minimum score requirement, we still encourage you to submit it with the rest of your supporting materials as a placeholder. The Office of Graduate Admissions will review all your documents and inform you if you need to retake the exam and resubmit updated exam results.
Q: I have submitted my application. How can I check my application status? Log in to your online portal to check the status of your application and supporting materials. When materials are received they will be highlighted in green within your portal. Please allow for several days for the materials to be processed: if some items are still highlighted in red several days after you submitted them it may mean that they have not been received and should be sent in to the Admissions office as soon as possible.
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: Do you offer scholarships? We offer a limited number of merit- and need-based scholarships to students accepted to graduate programs on the Valencia campus. Applicants need to apply for a scholarship through a form they will fill out. The Berklee Graduate Scholarship Application will appear in the Next Steps section of your online portal once you submit your program application.
Scholarship awards vary and the maximum award can amount to 50 percent of the tuition. Find more information about scholarships here. We also encourage you to consider additional financial sources and to research and apply to any external scholarship, grant, or loans as outside financial opportunities can also be used to finance your master's degree.
Q: Are the Valencia campus graduate programs accredited in the U.S.? All graduate programs at Berklee’s campus in Valencia, Spain, are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.), which is internationally recognized as an authority on educational quality. More information can be found here.
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