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Apply for the Master of Arts in Music Composition and Theory

· Application deadline: 20 February

· Entrance examinations in April, upon invitation.

· Application fee: CHF 100.-

 

Summary

To apply for the Master of Arts in Music Composition and Theory you must complete the following steps:

  • by 20 February: complete the online application form and upload the required documents on the registration portal;
  • take the entrance examinations in presence;
  • if admitted, confirm your registration by the deadline.

All the information you need to complete the admission process can be found on this page.

 

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts in Music Composition and Theory is conditional on:

  • successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Music or equivalent musical education;
  • passing an admission exam;

 

How to apply

The online application form can be access through the following link:

Online application form

 

Once you have completed the application form, you will need to upload the required documents to the applications portal. Precise instructions on how to access the applications portal are sent via email.

Required documents

The following documents must be uploaded to the applications portal:

  • confirmation of payment: those who decide to pay for the application fee via bank transfer, should upload a copy of the transfer confirmation.
  • copy of ID or passport, which must be readable with both personal information and expiration date of the document clearly visible.
  • copy of the Access diploma to university studies: for the Master of Arts, the access diploma is the Bachelor of Arts (or equivalent). Candidates who are sitting their diploma exams in the current academic year should attach a self-certification that the qualification will be obtained by the start of the academic year being applied for.
  • curriculum vitae et studiorum: in list format, not in prose.
  • motivation letter: in which candidates state the motives that inspired them to choose the study programme to which they are applying.

An application is considered complete if it includes all the required information.

Application fee

The application fee of CHF 100.- (plus transaction costs), can be paid in any of the following ways:

  • online payment with a credit card or PayPal account, through the applications portal. In this case it is not necessary to upload a transaction receipt in the portal;
  • payment by bank transfer. In this case, a copy of the transaction receipt must be uploaded to the applications portal. All information necessary for the transfer are available in the Fees and Charges page on our website, under the "Payment details section.

 

Admissions procedure

Admission examinations are structured as follow:

  • submission of a portfolio;
  • a written test;
  • an oral exam;
  • an interview.

Further information on the different tests can be found under “Frequently Asked Questions”.

 

Calendar for the live examinations

Candidates will receive timely invitations by email to the various examinations, which will take place in April.

 

The University School of Music reserves the right to make changes to the schedule of entrance examinations at any time.

Frequently asked questions

  • Submission of the portfolio

    The portfolio must contain own compositions, any orchestration work, any analytical work and must be presented to and discussed with the admission committee.

    Details of the written test

    The written test is design to verify the candidate’s competences in analysis and ear-training, and is structured as follows:

    • all candidates are called to sit the exam at the same moment (same date and time).
    • at the time of the examination, an appeal is made, and the written test is conducted.
    • the test has a maximum duration of 60 minutes.

    Details of the oral test and interview

    Once the written test will be finished, the order in which candidates will take the tests will be established. In general, alphabetical order is applied. The oral test and the interview take place during the same session and are evaluated by the same admissions commissions. They are structured as follows:

    • evaluation of the candidate’s competences in rhythmic and singed solfege.
    • discussion around the admission dossier (compositions).
    • questions on topics related to the candidate’s musical education, their future career goals, and their professional development, as well as on their knowledge around performance techniques and information technologies.

  • The Conservatoire has scholarships available for admissions candidates. Candidates interested in obtaining financial support can find all relevant information on our website, at the page dedicated to Scholarships.

  • Different rules apply according to the nationality of the candidates:

  • Candidates are invited to pay attention to the customs and import regulations established by the Federal Customs Administration, with regard to traveling with musical instruments. Information on this regard may be found on the website of the Federal Customs Administration. When leaving Switzerland, candidates must observe import regulations in their destination country.

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