STEP 1: UC Application

Undergraduate first year and junior transfer applicants begin the admissions process by completing the UC Application, which opens on August 1 and can be submitted from October 1 to November 30.

Only applicants who have indicated Global Jazz Studies as their first choice major for UCLA on the UC Application will be considered for admission to the major. UCLA does not consider alternate majors, nor are you allowed to enter as a double major student.

In order to be eligible for admission, applicants must meet all minimum academic eligibility requirements for admission to the University of California. You can find resources on the left hand side of this page for students of first year, transfer, or international status.

STEP 2: School of Music Supplemental Application

In addition to the UC application, applicants the School of Music are also required to submit the school’s supplemental application, which is housed on the Acceptd platform. When applying to the Global Jazz Studies major, applicants must also select a primary instrument. Primary instrument options include the following: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, string bass, piano, drums, voice, or other. Please note that the “other” category exists for those who wish to audition on non-traditional jazz instruments. Applicants audition on their primary instrument as part of the application process, and Global Jazz Studies majors receive individual instruction in their primary instrument and participate in ensembles with their primary instrument. The supplemental application includes the following components:

• Personal statement responses
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• Reference contact information for 2 teachers (preferably from an ensemble instructor or private teacher); please note that this is not a reference letter requirement, and we are just asking for contact information in case we do need to request additional information
• Prescreening videos (all instruments)
• Performance resume (optional)

The submission deadline for the Supplemental Application is Friday, December 4, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. Detailed supplemental application information can be found on the Acceptd website.

See here for prescreening and live audition repertoire requirements.

STEP 3: Auditions

If applicants successfully pass prescreening, they are invited to audition for our faculty. You will be notified of whether or not you will proceed in our admissions process in late December. If you are chosen to proceed in our final round audition/interview process, auditions will take place on January 22 and 29. If you are chosen to proceed to our final round, you will be notified with the audition/interview date for your specific instrument/program. Should you have questions ahead of time about specific studio interview dates, please email admissions@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu. For a complete list of audition dates separated by instrument and program, click here.

If you are not chosen to proceed in our final round audition/interview process, you will have two options: If you are not chosen to proceed in our final round audition/interview process, you will have two options: 1) withdraw your application completely; or 2) take no action and receive no offer of admission from UCLA. Auditions/interviews occur in late January.

Change of Major Application for Current UCLA Students

The Global Jazz Studies IDP only accepts applications from current UCLA students hoping to change into a School of Music major once per year, during Fall quarter. UCLA students cannot change majors to or add a double major in Global Jazz Studies at any other time or by any other process other than the annual admissions cycle. Admission is contingent not only on completing the same application and audition/interview process outlined for all first year or transfer applicants to the School of Music, but also by demonstrating that the degree can be completed within normative time (4 years for first year students or 2 years for Junior transfer students). In order to ensure completion all of the major requirements within the School of Music’s maximum allowable units, it is preferred that students have completed fewer than 90 units at the time of application. Applicants with more than 115 units (excluding AP and Art courses) are not likely to be approved.

All change of major students are required to submit the supplemental application via Acceptd and pay the $87.00 submission fee. As part of the application, you will be asked to upload a proposed degree plan. Current students need not reapply via the UC application, as they are already UCLA students. The deadline for the supplemental application is Friday, December 4, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. As Global Jazz Studies does prescreen, you will be notified in late December if you are chosen to move forward in the admissions process. If you do not pass prescreening, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful and you will be unable to change majors/add Global Jazz Studies as a double major.