Being the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States, the New England Conservatory of Music or NEC is home to almost 750 students. NEC offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in contemporary improvisation, composition, jazz, vocal pedagogy and more. NEC also offers doctoral, diploma and certificate programs. If you’re a music enthusiast then the New England Conservatory of Music can be the perfect choice for you. This blog gives you an insight into the New England Conservatory of Music Admissions.
Institution Name | New England Conservatory of Music |
Type | Private Music School |
Established | 1867 |
Location | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
Campus | Urban |
Academic Calendar | Semester-wise |
Acceptance Rate | 37% |
Graduation Rate | 80% |
This Blog Includes:
Programs offered- New England Conservatory of Music
Listed below are the types of programs offered at the New England Conservatory of Music:
- Undergraduate programs
- Graduate programs
- Doctoral degree
- Diploma
- Certificate program
Bachelor’s of Music
New England Conservatory of Music offers 4-year bachelor’s degree in music in the following majors:
- Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
- Composition
- Contemporary Improvisation
- Jazz Composition
- Jazz Performance
- Percussion
- Piano
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Guitar
- Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
- Vocal Performance
Masters of Music
New England Conservatory of Music offers 2-year masters degree in the following majors:
- Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
- Chamber Music for Piano
- Choral Conducting
- Collaborative Piano
- Composition
- Contemporary Improvisation
- Instrumental Conducting
- Jazz Composition
- Jazz Performance
- Musicology
- Music Theory
- Percussion
- Piano
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Guitar
- Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
- Vocal Pedagogy
- Vocal Performance
Graduate Diploma
New England Conservatory of Music offers a 2-year full-time diploma in the following majors:
- Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
- Chamber Music for Piano
- Choral Conducting
- Collaborative Piano
- Collaborative Piano with Vocal Specialization (Opera Emphasis)
- Composition
- Contemporary Improvisation
- Instrumental Conducting
- Jazz Composition
- Jazz Performance
- Percussion
- Piano
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Guitar
- Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
- Vocal Performance
Artist Diploma
The Artist Diploma is the highest-level performance designation offered at New England Conservatory of Music. It is a 2-year diploma program. The Artist Diploma is offered in the following:
- Artist Diploma in Opera
- Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting
- Artist Diploma in Instrumental Performance
Certificate Program
New England Conservatory of Music offers a 1-year certificate program that is designed at graduate level.
Doctor of Musical Arts
New England Conservatory of Music offers the doctoral program in Musical Arts, designed specifically for performer-scholars who possess the highest standards in their major area with proven accomplishments in musicology and music theory.
Dual Degree Programs- New England Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory of Music offers Dual Degree programs associated with top universities such as Harvard University and Tufts University.
Tufts/NEC Dual Degree Program (BA/BS + BM)
The Tufts/NEC dual degree program allows students to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree from NEC and a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences from Tufts University.
Harvard/NEC 5-Year AB + MM
The Harvard/NEC 5-Year AB+MM allows students to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College after 4 years, with an intensive 5th year as a graduate student at NEC to complete their Master of Music degree.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements for pursuing undergraduate and graduate level programs at New England Conservatory of Music are as mentioned below:
Bachelor’s of Music | A high school diploma or equivalent |
Master of Music | A bachelor’s degree or equivalent |
Graduate Diploma | A bachelor’s degree, undergraduate diploma, or equivalent |
You will be required to give a Live Audition after the completion of your application process at New England Conservatory of Music.
English Language Requirements
To pursue any program at the New England Conservatory of Music as an international student you must be able to prove your English Language Proficiency. The score requirements for admission to the programs are as mentioned below:
Undergraduate Programs | TOEFL iBT- 61 and above IELTS- 6.0 |
Graduate programs | TOEFL iBT- 79 and above IELTS- 6.5 |
Those who have completed a full-time degree program at a non-U.S. college or university where English is the language of instruction can request an exemption from the English Language Test Score requirement.
Join Leverage Live and Score high in English Proficiency Tests
Documents Required
Before starting with the application process at the New England Conservatory of Music, you must gather all the necessary documents required for the same. Here is a quick checklist for the documents required for admission:
- Unofficial Transcripts in English
- Short Essays
- Artistic Resume
- English Language Documentation
- Letter of Recommendation
- Audition Recordings
- Portfolio
How to apply?
Have you decided to study at the New England Conservatory of Music? Do you want to start with the application process now? Don’t worry we at Leverage Edu have made it easy for you. Start by contacting Leverage Edu at 1800 572 000 and our Student Counselors will help you start with the application process
From selecting your course through our trusted AI Course Finder to the submission of your application, the experts at Leverage Edu will help you with everything. Reach out to Leverage Edu now!
Fees and other Costs- New England Conservatory of Music
As an international student, you must be aware of the average amount to plan your study abroad journey accordingly. Here we’ve mentioned the fees and other costs required to study at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Application Fee
The application fee at the New England Conservatory of Music is $125 (INR 9,498) i.e. non-refundable. The fee should be paid online. If you wish to apply for more than one major/program, a separate application fee will be required for each major/program.
Tuition Fees
The table below mentions the average tuition fees for different programs. The fees mentioned below are subject to changes and can increase accordingly.
Degree | Tuition Fees | In INR |
Bachelor of Music, Undergraduate Diploma | $52,730 | 40,05,845 |
Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, Graduate Diploma, Artist Diploma | $52,730 | 40,05,845 |
Living Costs
Students pursuing Bachelor of Music and Undergraduate Diploma students are required to live on-campus Residence Hall for their first 4 semesters of enrollment at the New England Conservatory of Music. The average cost of an academic year for room and board facilities can cost you around $18,060 to $22,920 (INR 13,72,000 – INR 17,41,209). If you are planning to pursue a graduate program at NEC then you will have to stay off-campus as limited hall spaces are available for 3rd- and 4th-year undergraduates and graduate students. You should budget accordingly for housing, utilities, and food as a graduate student.
FAQs
The New England Conservatory of Music has an acceptance rate of 37% which means 37 out of 100 applications are accepted. Admissions are based on auditions and other requirements. If you are able to fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the school then you have a fair chance of getting admission. However, the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the New England Conservatory of Music is quite selective and only 8-12 are enrolled each year.
The New England Conservatory of Music offers two intakes, January and September.
Applications for September admission must be submitted by December 1.
Are you planning to study at the New England Conservatory of Music? Reach out to Leverage Edu experts for end-to-end assistance regarding your study abroad journey. Call us at 1800 57 2000 to book a FREE 30-minutes counselling session today