Music

The Department of Music at Bilkent University offers a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to cultivate well-rounded musicians with strong technical skills, artistic sensitivity, and a deep understanding of musical heritage and contemporary practices. The bachelor's degree in Music provides students with rigorous training in performance, music theory, composition, musicology, and ethnomusicology, fostering both practical and scholarly expertise. Students have the opportunity to work with distinguished faculty members who are active performers, composers, and researchers, offering personalized mentorship and diverse perspectives. The curriculum combines classical training with innovative approaches, encouraging students to explore various genres, styles, and cultural contexts of music. Facilities include state-of-the-art practice rooms, recording studios, and performance venues, enabling students to develop their skills in performance and production. Throughout their studies, students participate in numerous concerts, recitals, workshops, and masterclasses, gaining invaluable stage experience. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and offers elective courses in related fields such as technology, psychology, and cultural studies, enriching students' understanding of the multifaceted nature of music. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in performance, education, composition, musicology, arts administration, and other fields within the music industry. The department encourages active engagement with local and international musical communities, providing opportunities for internships, exchanges, and collaborative projects. With a curriculum that balances tradition and innovation, the Music undergraduate program at Bilkent University aims to develop versatile musicians capable of contributing creatively and critically to the evolving landscape of global music.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline 2014-2015 Academic Year Spring Semester, beginning on 2 February 2015, will be open between 15 October - 15 December 2014; 2015-2016 Academic Year Fall Semester, beginning in mid-September 2015, will be open between 15 October 2014 - 16 July 2015 Tuition fee

• USD 13950 Year (International)

The annual tuition for international students beginning their program in September 2014 is 13,950 US Dollars (includes 8% VAT). Tuition fees are collected in two equal installments at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Tuition fees are payable in US Dollars only.

Start date February,September 2015 Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time Intensity Flexible More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

FIRST YEAR

Autumn Semester

Course Name

• English and Composition I
• Orientation
• Department Seminar I
• Composition I
• Orchestration I
• Techniques and Materials of Tonal Music I
• History of Western Music I
• Ear Training I
• Keyboard Skills I

Spring Semester

Course Name

• English and Composition II
• Concert/Recital I
• Department Seminar II
• Composition II
• Orchestration II
• Techniques and Materials of Tonal Music II
• History of Western Music II
• Ear Training II
• Keyboard Skills II

SECOND YEAR

Autumn Semester

Course Name

• Collegiate Activities Program I
• History of Civilization I
• Department Seminar III
• Composition III
• Orchestration III
• Techniques and Materials of Tonal Music III
• History of Western Music III
• Ear Training III
• Keyboard Skills III

Spring Semester

Course Name

• Collegiate Activities Program II
• History of Civilization II
• Concert/Recital II
• Department Seminar IV
• Composition IV
• Orchestration IV
• Techniques and Materials of Tonal Music IV
• History of Western Music IV
• Ear Training IV
• Keyboard Skills IV

THIRD YEAR

Autumn Semester

Course Name

• Department Seminar V
• Composition V
• Score Reading I
• Polyphony and Fugue
• Form and Analysis I
• History of 20th Century Music
• Elective Language

Spring Semester

Course Name

• History of Turkey
• Concert/Recital III
• Department Seminar VI
• Composition VI
• Score Reading II
• Post - Tonal Music I
• Form and Analysis II
• Conducting I
• Traditional Turkish Music and Divan Music
• Elective Language

FOURTH YEAR

Autumn Semester

Course Name

• Department Seminar VII
• Composition VII
• Score Reading III
• Post - Tonal Music II
• Conducting II
• Contemporary Turkish Music
• Turkish I
• Elective
• Elective Language

Spring Semester

Course Name

• Graduation Project Concert
• Department Seminar VIII
• Composition VIII
• Score Reading IV
• Turkish II
• Electives (2)
• Elective Language

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 87

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

International students, who had graduated or are expecting to graduate from a High School equivalent to Turkish High Schools in Turkey, can apply to Bilkent University. All International applicants who are applying for full-time undergraduate degree programs are required to fill out the following application form at:

Online Application Form

The applications for:

• 2014-2015 Academic Year Spring Semester, beginning on 2 February 2015, will be open between 15 October - 15 December 2014
• 2015-2016 Academic Year Fall Semester, beginning in mid-September 2015, will be open between 15 October 2014 - 16 July 2015

How to complete your online application:

Step 1: Obtain a login ID and password

Step 2: Fill out the personal information part and upload the personal information page of your passport.

Step 3: Fill out the family Information part. All students who would like to be considered for partial tuition wavier recipients are recommended to fill out this part.

Step 4:REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Bilkent accepts the photocopies of exams/diplomas and certificates listed below for application. In the absence of national or international exams, high school graduation score can be evaluated for admission. Scanned copies of Turkish or English translation of the high school diploma and official transcript along with the explanation of the high school’s grading system should be submitted for application.

• - In the SAT I, a total score of at least 1000 out of 1600 (in the combined Critical Reading and Math Reasoning tests), depending on the department to which application is made.
• - In the General Certificate Education (GCE), including Cambridge International A Level, at least three A level scores, one of which is received in the particular subject area of the program applied for.
• - In the ACT examination, a minimum score of 24 in Mathematics, Science and Composite.
• - In the TQDK examination, a minimum score of 450 out of 700 in "Group II-III-IV" and a minimum score of 550 out of 700 in "Group I".
• - In the Baccalaureate Libanais examinations given in Lebanon, a diploma score of at least 14 in the Scientific Stream.
• - In the Tawjih examinations given in Jordan and Palestine, a minimum average of 85 points in all courses in the Scientific Stream.
• - In the West African Examinations Council - (International) Senior School Certificate examination (WAEC - SSCE), a maximum score of 2 in each of the six subjects, and a maximum total score of 9 from the same six subjects.
• - An International Baccalaureate diploma with a diploma score of at least 28 or higher up to 32 depending on the department to which application is made.
• - A French Baccalaureate diploma with a diploma score of at least 12.
• - ABITUR with a score of at least 4 and a minimum score of 5 out of 15 in the subjects related to the program applied for.
• - In the Libyan Al Shahada Al Thanawiya examination, a score of at least 195 in the Scientific Stream for Engineering and Science programs and at least 185 in the Social Sciences / Art Stream for other programs.
• - In the Gao Kao examination of the People's Republic of China, a score of at least 540 (It may vary according to the department applied for).
• - In Diploma Debirestan / Pisdanesgahi administered in Iran, with a score of at least 16 out of 20.
• - In the International University Test examination administered in Kazakhstan, a minimum score of 85 out of 100.
• - Gold, silver or bronze medals in the International Science Olympiads (*) recognized by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey):

* (IOI) The International Olympiad in Informatics
(IBO) The International Biology Olympiad
(IPhO) The International Physics Olympiad
(IChO) The International Chemistry Olympiad
(IMO) The International Mathematical Olympiad
(JBMO) Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad
(BMO) Balkan Mathematical Olympiad
(BOI) Balkan Olympiad in Informatics

Step 5: ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

As Bilkent is an English medium university, students are required to meet the language requirement to be able to pursue their studies in their departments. The language requirement can be met through the submission of an exam result meeting the minimum requirements in any of the following exams as outlined below:

• TOEFL iBT, a score of at least 87
• IELTS Academic, a score of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 scored in every section
• CAE, a grade of at least "C"
• FCE, a grade of at least "B"

External exam results are valid for two years. When students submit results for any of the exams mentioned above, Bilkent University School of English Language reserves the right to investigate these exam results for reliability purposes, the right to give an exam to students to check the validity of their exam results, and the right to not accept exam results that are considered to be suspicious.

If students cannot submit an exam result which meets the minimum requirements, they can take the COPE exam administered by Bilkent University after registration. Students, who cannot meet the minimum pass score in the COPE exam, will have to attend classes in the English Language Preparatory Program which is a one to two year program where they will receive 25-30 hours of classroom input every week.

PLEASE NOTE: The exam results must be sent to the university directly by the related institution. The exam results that are not sent to the university by the related institution will not be accepted.

• TOEFL should be sent directly from ETS to Bilkent University - CODE: 0620.
• IELTS should be sent directly from British Council to Bilkent University.

Step 6: List and rank your selected programs up to 5 choices. Please note that students who choose Graphic Design; Fine Arts and Music must take an aptitude test administered by the related faculties in August.

Step 7: Please write a 250-word statement of purpose describing your academic goals and reasons to study at Bilkent.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Bilkent University.

Funding

Scholarships for International Students

Prospective students who apply for financial assistance are evaluated according to their high school grades, their national and/or international exam scores, and other relevant academic criteria.

Qualified applicants are offered partial or full tuition waiver scholarships. Tuition waiver scholarships are awarded at five levels, ranging from 20% to 100% in increments of 20%. Accommodation scholarships are also available for a limited number of top students who are on full tuition waiver scholarship.

Students can benefit from scholarships for maximum of 2 years in the English Preparatory Program and for a maximum of 5 years in 4-year undergraduate programs.

Students on scholarship are required to take at least the minimum course load* specified for their department each semester (excluding any withdrawn courses**, GE100, GE251 and non-credit courses) and to maintain a minimum annual GPA of 2.00/4.00. (The annual GPA is calculated as a weighted average of Fall and Spring semester grades; courses taken in the optional Summer School are also included in calculation.) English Preparatory Program students are required to qualify to take the ECA or COPE exam at the end of each course or pass COPE by the end of the academic year. Scholarships of students who fail to meet these conditions will be decreased one level and cannot be restored even if the students improve their performance. If there are no Fall or Spring semester courses within the annual GPA, students with less than 2.00 are given a warning; if these students fail to meet the required conditions at the end of the following year, their scholarships will be decreased by two levels.

Students on accommodation scholarship are required to maintain a minimum annual GPA of 2. 50/4.00. Students who fail to meet this condition will loose their accommodation scholarship.
* The minimum course load depends on the department. This information can be found in SRS ( https://stars.bilkent.edu.tr/srs/ ) under "Information Card" and "lower limit".

** The number of withdraws is irrelevant, provided that students finish the semester with the minimum course load. If a student falls one course below the minimum course load by withdrawing a course, this is also possible provided that this situation occurs only once over the fall and spring semesters combined.

Merit Scholarship

At the end of each academic year, international students who have taken at least a minimum curriculum course load (excluding any additional courses, withdrawn courses, GE 100-250-251, non-credit courses and repeated courses in Spring, already taken in Fall semester) and attained an annual grade point average of 3.30 or above, as well as being in the top 5% of all the non-scholarship students in their program, may become eligible to receive a merit scholarship for the following academic year on top of any partial tuition waiver scholarship they may already have.

The Music program at Bilkent University offers a comprehensive undergraduate education designed to foster both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of music. The curriculum includes a diverse range of courses such as music theory, history of music, ear training, harmony, counterpoint, and performance. Students have the opportunity to develop proficiency in various instruments and voice, supported by state-of-the-art practice rooms and performance venues. The program emphasizes both classical and contemporary music genres, encouraging students to explore different styles and techniques.

Bilkent University’s Music program is led by experienced faculty members who are active performers and researchers, providing students with insights into professional practices and new developments in the field. The program also promotes active engagement through concerts, masterclasses, recitals, and workshops, enabling students to gain performance experience and build networks within the music community.

Furthermore, students have access to interdisciplinary courses, collaborating with departments such as the Faculty of Performing Arts and Design, and the Bilkent University Music Research Center. The university’s rich cultural environment, open to international exchange programs, enhances students’ exposure to global musical traditions and perspectives. The program prepares graduates for careers in performance, education, musicology, composition, and arts administration.

In addition to academic excellence, Bilkent University emphasizes innovative research, technology integration, and cultural engagement, making its Music program an ideal environment for aspiring musicians and scholars. State-of-the-art facilities, dedicated faculty, and an active performance schedule contribute to a vibrant campus life centered around music and the arts. Graduates are equipped with both the technical skills and artistic sensibility required for successful careers in various fields of music, while also being encouraged to contribute creatively and academically to the musical arts.