The information and program qualifications related to the Music Theory and Composition Master of Arts Program, under the Department of Musicology and Music Theory of the Graduate School, are summarized below.
Information About The Program
The field of Music Theory is based on research, analysis, generating new theoretical models and evaluating them within systematic methodologies. On the other hand Composition creates new pieces within available resources. Having theoretical knowledge – both historical and current - about compositional techniques and strategies also play a crucial role in the interpretive and creating processes. In this respect it is required to have a graduate level education of Music Theory in an association with various Compositional techniques. Music Theory and Composition Graduate Program within ITU Social Sciences Institute aims to educate individuals that are specialized in music theory as well as composition.
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Registration Requirements
Application Term : Previous Term / 2024-2025 Spring Semester
Application Requirements (For T.C Nationality) ALES is not required. Undergraduate GPA must be minimum 2.75/4 (70.83/100). Candidates must upload the following documents specified in the application requirements to the system: (1) Portfolio: A pdf file which includes the candidate\\´s curriculum vitae and an online link to the content of the portfolio containing the candidate\\´s works must be uploaded to the relevant field in the application interface. Portfolio content: For those working in the field of theory, theoretical academic studies and undergraduate graduation work; for those working in the field of composition, scores and recordings, if any, of at least three works in various instrumentation and undergraduate graduation thesis/project. The link must be active until the end of the interview period.
(2) Letter of Intent: Candidates must upload 1 (one) letter of intent from a faculty member they want to work with in the programme. (The letter of intent can be uploaded in pdf format to the required document section in the application system).
(3) Two reference letters.
(4) A letter of intent about the reason for applying to the programme and the subject they want to study.
The date, time and place of the written exam and interview will be notified to the e-mail addresses of all applicants. It is compulsory to attend the written exam and the interview
Candidates\\´ requests to take the exam other than the days and times announced for the written exam and interview will not be accepted.
Quota (For T.C Nationality): 15
Application Requirements (For International Students) ALES is not required. Undergraduate GPA must be minimum 2.75/4 (70.83/100). Candidates must upload the following documents specified in the application requirements to the system: (1) Portfolio: A pdf file which includes the candidate\\´s curriculum vitae and an online link to the content of the portfolio containing the candidate\\´s works must be uploaded to the relevant field in the application interface. Portfolio content: For those working in the field of theory, theoretical academic studies and undergraduate graduation work; for those working in the field of composition, scores and recordings, if any, of at least three works in various instrumentation and undergraduate graduation thesis/project. The link must be active until the end of the interview period.
(2) Letter of Intent: Candidates must upload 1 (one) letter of intent from a faculty member they want to work with in the programme. (The letter of intent can be uploaded in pdf format to the required document section in the application system).
(3) Two reference letters.
(4) A letter of intent about the reason for applying to the programme and the subject they want to study.
The date, time and place of the written exam and interview will be notified to the e-mail addresses of all applicants. It is compulsory to attend the written exam and the interview
Candidates\\´ requests to take the exam other than the days and times announced for the written exam and interview will not be accepted.
Quota (For International Students): 5
Transfer Quota : 2
Application Page Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles
Application requirements, application dates, and quotas are updated in real-time from the Application System.
MasterBee
English Proficiency
Regulations and Guidelines
Academic Calendar
Course Plans
Course Schedules
Course Adjustment and Exemption Procedures
Program Educational Objectives
Purposes of Program
1. Graduates of the program are prefered in the areas of music theory, music production and music arranging.
2. Graduates have many opportunities to follow a career in the sub-fields of music theory and its applications including musical composition at the universities and institutions related to the area.
3. Graduates advance in their careers of music creation by researching, analysing, founding new theories, and systematically combining these with music theory and compositional processes.
4. Graduates foster Turkish musical culture by creating new Works.
5. Graduates develop ownership of the theoretical and methodical advances that the Turkish music needs.
6. Graduates contribute to the music theory literature in Turkish by translating international resources.
7. Graduates undertake important duties in analysing current musical data and creating new musical output with the help of their knowledge of current music theory and history.
Measurement and Evaluation
Evaluating Student Success
The student success is evaluated considering Articles 56, 57, 58, and 59 of the Istanbul Technical University Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles.
ARTICLE 56 - Before the enrollment for the courses begins, the faculty member who offers the course informs the Program Executive Committee about the types, number and contribution percentage to the final grade of the studies within the semester, as well as requirements for a right to take the semester final exam. These requirements shall be finalized by approval of the Program Executive Committee and approval of the chair of the department, who declares them to the student and informs the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 57 - A student may appeal the final grade of a course within one week following the announcement of the grades. Appeals must be submitted to the Graduate School in writing. The relevant faculty member shall re-evaluate the student's success status and submit the result to the Graduate School within one week. Appeals not submitted within the prescribed time frame shall not be considered by the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 58 - Courses in graduate programs shall be evaluated according to the following grading system.
| Grade Description |
Grade |
Scale |
| Excellent |
AA |
4.00 |
| Very good plus |
BA+ |
3.75 |
| Very good |
BA |
3.50 |
| Good plus |
BB+ |
3.25 |
| Good |
BB |
3.00 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB+ |
2.75 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB |
2.50 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC+ |
2.25 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC |
2.00 |
| Fail |
FF |
0.00 |
| Fail(No Exam) |
VF |
0.00 |
ARTICLE 59 - Students who wish to improve their cumulative grade point average may retake courses during the course-taking period. The most recent grade will be counted for the repeated courses.
Internship
There is no internship in this program.
Graduation Requirements
They are indicated under the Graduate Education Act of Istanbul Technical University – Rules of the Senate, Bullet No. 3
Bullet No. 3
a) In order to complete a graduate program the GPA should be at least 3.00, the seminar and the dissertation should be completed succesfully. It is indicated under the Graduate Education Act of Istanbul Technical University
b) The students who complete their classes, the seminar and the dissertation succesfully may graduate sooner
c) In the cases of failure of classes or meeting up the graduatution criteria in due time, the procedures leading to termination of education are followed according to “Graduate Education Act” issued by the Institution of Higher Education dated 20.04.2016.
The Awarded Degree and Title
Degree : Master of Arts Title : -
Program Employment Opportunities
Graduates can work as specialized and reputable employees nationwide and internationally in academic and artistic institutions (Universities, Instititions, Ensembles of the Ministry of Culture, State Theatres, State Opera and Ballet, Presidential Orchestra and City Orchestras, Various Institutions which has Scientific Certification Programs) and in the areas that belongs to the independent music industry such as cinema, theatre and dance.
Number of Graduates
Graduate Statistics
| Year | Number of Graduates |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
Program Outcomes
P.O.1 To develop his/her own knowledge on music theory and composition in line with this and concieve the interaction with other disciplines.
P.O.2 As a professional, to apply academical knowledge, to interpret the different datas from other disciplines, to compose newly approaches, to solve the problems in the field by means of the research methods.
P.O.3 To perform a work individually, to be leader for the solving problems during the process, to develop newly strategical approaches and taking the charge for the solutions.
P.O.4 To be able to critically evaluate and guide the knowledge and skills of the level of expertise gained in the field.
P.O.5 To transfer his/her own studies to the national or international groups of people by supporting with the recent trends in music theory and composition technological abilities
P.O.6 Using a foreign language at least at the level of the European Language Portfolio B2, to be able to communicate verbally or in writing, and to use the communication technology at advanced level with the computer software at the level required by the field
P.O.7 To inspect and teach in the process of collection, interpretation, application and publishing datas in the field, with respect to the social, scientific, cultural and ethical values.
P.O.8 In thesis programs, transferring their studies in written, verbal and / or visual form on international platforms in their field
Program Coordinator
Head of the Department
Links