The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Music Composition is a continuing education specialization (post-diploma degree) aimed at musicians who wish to broaden their knowledge of different aspects of composition and to enhance their understanding of the profession through the use of adequate analytical instruments.
Tha main teacher is Nadir Vassena.
The duration of the course is 2 years (4 semesters).
Participants will receive 25 sixty-minute lessons per year from the composition teacher. Lessons may also be organized in intensive monthly sessions for those participants who have a busy professional or family life. Furthermore, participation to a selection of seminars/activities, as well as sitting the final exam is mandatory.
For their final exam, participants must submit a minimum of 3 compositions of their own targeting different instrumental ensembles and deliver a final lecture on their compositional process.
The course leads to the acquisition of 60 ECTS credits, divided as follows:
Admission is conditional on:
The 2-years programme costs CHF 9’500, which correspond to the following fees:
1) Admission procedure - by August 31
a) Fill in the online application form. The online application form can be completed by following this LINK
b) Upload the required documents to the applications portal:
1) Copy of ID or passport;
2) Copy of study qualifications;
3) Curriculum vitae;
4) Motivation letter;
5)Series of compositions of their own and, if desired, analytical work related to their work and/or their profession.
The University of Music reserves the right to invite candidates to an interview at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. Late applications can only be exceptionally accepted if places are available. Incomplete dossiers will not be taken into consideration. The University of Music may ask for further documents (e.g. translations or certificates), should it find any of the documents in the application dossier to be lacking in clarity or comprehensibility, with particular attention to the diplomas.
Access to the applications portal is possible in one of the following ways:
2) Enrolment
Candidates who are considered eligible will receive a letter of admission and a registration confirmation form by email. This form must be signed and returned both by email (to servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) and by post to the Segreteria didattica as instructed in the letter of admission.
Once the letter of confirmation of enrolment has been signed, the candidate is officially enrolled at the University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana for the first semester. Withdrawal from studies will only be possible from the second semester on.
Even in the case the student doesn’t attend any lesson at the Conservatorio, all fees for the first semester will have to be paid.
3) Matriculation
Enroled students are requested to come to the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana at the beginning of September for:
At the end of their studies, participants will obtain the title on condition that they:
The University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana is a state-recognised university school and is affiliated to the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The titles that it awards are recognised by the Federal Government according to the law (HEdA - September 30, 2011).
This title is not a professional qualification and does not qualify holders to teach in public schools in Switzerland.
The course is subject to the current Regulations of Studies of the University of Music. The University of Music reserves the right not to activate the course if the necessary conditions are not met.
Extension of the duration of studies: if their main instrument teachers agree, students can submit to the Head of Continuing Education a request of extension of the duration of studies for a maximum of 2 semesters (no semester splits are allowed). If the request is accepted, the University of music will invoice students the respected administrative fees and semester fees. The final exam fee is in any case invoiced only once at the end of the second year.
Repetition of the final exam: if students do not sit the final exam, or do not pass it successfully, they can ask to repeat it in a later session. Exam sessions are normally scheduled every six months. Students can request to postpone the final exam for one or a maximum of two consecutive semesters. For each postponed semester the University of Music will invoice students only the administrative fee.
Suspension of studies: in exceptional cases, and with the authorization of the Head of Continuing Education, students may request to temporarily suspend their studies for one or a maximum of two consecutive semesters. For each semester of suspension, the University of Music will invoice students only the administrative fee. The suspension request must be sent (by certified mail) to the Segreteria didattica, according to the deadlines listed below.
Withdrawal of studies: if students decide to withdraw from their studies, their request must be sent (by certified mail) the Segreteria didattica, according to the deadlines listed below.
Deadlines: suspension or withdrawal deadlines are:
If the deadline is not respected, students will be invoiced for all fees of the following semester.
servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch
Head of MAS in Music Composition
Nadir Vassena - nadir.vassena@conservatorio.ch
(Deadline applications 20.01.2025)
