To apply for the Master of Arts in Music Composition and Theory you must complete the following steps:
All the information you need to complete the admission process can be found on this page.
Admission to the Master of Arts in Music Composition and Theory is conditional on:
The online application form can be completed by clicking the button below:
Once you have completed the application form, you will need to upload the required documents to the applications portal. Details on how to access the applications portal and the documents to be uploaded are given below.
Deadline: 20 March
All required documents must be uploaded by 20 March. Access to the applications portal is possible in one of the following ways:
Once all documents will be uploaded, it is necessary to confirm the application by clicking on “Submit dossier” at the bottom of the page.
Incomplete applications will not be evaluated (applications which are incomplete on 20 March). The University of Music reserves the right to 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.
The following documents must be uploaded to the applications portal:
Deadline: 20 March
The application fee of CHF 100.- (plus transaction costs), can be paid in any of the following ways:
Deadline: 20 March
The Conservatoire offers scholarships to admissions applicants and to its own students. Candidates interested in obtaining financial support can find all relevant information on our website, at the page dedicated to Scholarships.
Admission examinations are structured as follow:
Further information on the different tests can be found in the section "Practical information on admission tests".
The admission examinations take place in April at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland). The presence of all candidates in Lugano for the live audition is of fundamental importance, as it guarantees a complete, careful and as objective as possible evaluation for admission.
However, in some particular cases (e.g. for travel from non-European countries, or for proven health reasons, as in the case of subjects considered at risk), candidates may contact the Academic Services office (servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) no later than March 15 to coordinate the way in which possible online admissions exams may take place.
The portfolio must contain own compositions, any orchestration work, any analytical work and must be presented to and discussed with the admission committee.
The written test is design to verify the candidate’s competences in analysis and ear-training, and is structured as follows:
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:
Candidates receive an invitation to the various examinations by e-mail, with information on the date, time and location of each test. Candidates who do not take the admission examinations are automatically excluded from the selection process.
The admission examinations take place in April at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland). The presence of all candidates in Lugano is required as the live auditions are of fundamental importance in order to guarantee a complete, fair and objective evaluation. Only those who have completed the registration process by 20 March will be invited to take the admission exams.
Before the admission examinations in Lugano, candidates from non-EU countries can apply to receive feedback on their instrumental level by sending a video recording. This feedback may allow candidates to decide whether or not to sit the admission examinations in Lugano, but under no circumstances it replaces the admission examination as such. Candidates interested in receiving feedback on their instrumental level must submit their request by 20 February to the Secretariat by email (servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) and complete the online registration process. Links to the video recordings must then be uploaded to the applications portal no later than 23 February.
The University of Music reserves the right to make changes to the schedule of the examinations at any time.
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.
Candidates who pass all the admission examinations will receive a letter of admission and a registration confirmation form by ordinary post and by email. This form must be signed and returned to the Academic Services Office of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana as instructed in the letter of admission. Once registration has been confirmed, you will officially become a student at the Conservatorio. Registration confirmation is binding.
(Deadline applications 20.01.2025)
