Programs and Admissions > Graduate > - Entrance Exams

Entrance Exams

Students admitted to graduate programs may be required to take the School of Music placement examinations to determine possible deficiencies in theory and/or history and/or piano performance. These exams are administered just before the start of the Fall term.

Exemptions

If you have obtained a music degree from the UBC School of Music within the last three years, you are exempt from ALL entrance exams.
If your undergraduate degree has a major or concentration in a keyboard instrument and the degree program you are entering at the UBC School of Music requires you to take the piano entrance exam, you are exempt from it.

Exam guidelines:

history - proctored by Dr. Micznik: vera.micznik(at)ubc.ca
theory - proctored by Dr. Roeder: j.roeder(at)ubc.ca
piano - proctored by Dr. Dawson: terence.dawson(at)ubc.ca. Note: Graduate students whose major instrument during the undergraduate degree was not a Keyboard Instrument must pass the GRADUATE KEYBOARD PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION within the first year of their course of study. Entering first year students must attend this examination before commencing their first term of study. Any portion of the examination may be taken more than once, if necessary, during the first year of residency. If you hold a Royal Conservatory, Conservatory Canada or an equivalent examining board certificate of GRADE VI or higher - achieved within the past four years - you are exempt from this exam. (Proof is required.)

Do I need to take the entrance exam(s)?

Academic Programs

MA in Historical Musicology: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
MA in Music Theory: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
MA in Ethnomusicology: Entrance examinations are not required; click here for instructions regarding the transcription exercise accompanying the application.

PhD in Historical Musicology: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
PhD in Music Theory: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
PhD in Ethnomusicology: Entrance examinations are not required; click here for instructions regarding the transcription exercise accompanying the application.
Performance Programs

MMUS in Choral Conducting: Must complete piano entrance exam.
MMUS in Composition: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
MMUS in Guitar Performance: Must complete piano entrance exam.
MMUS in Opera Performance: Must complete piano entrance exam.
MMUS in Orchestral Instrument Performance: Must complete piano entrance exam.
MMUS in Organ Performance: Must complete piano entrance exam.
MMUS in Piano or Harpsichord Performance: None.
MMUS in Voice Performance: Must complete piano entrance exam.

DMA in Composition: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
DMA in Orchestral Instrument Performance: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
DMA in Piano Performance: Must complete history and theory entrance exams.
DMA in Voice Performance: Must complete history, theory and piano entrance exams.
What if I do not pass the exam(s)?

History Exam -- Students who do not pass this exam are required to either:
a) Resit portions of the exam at a future date; or,
b) May be required to audit undergraduate courses in history in order to fulfill the history entrance exam requirement. ***Audit in our definition means: REGISTER OFFICIALLY for the course as an "Audit," do all the work for the course (exams, papers, etc.), and get a minimum mark of 60%. Upon completion a note must be put in your file by the instructor and the Student Advisor notified.

Piano Exam -- Students will be advised by proctor of make-up requirements.

Theory Exam -- Students who do not pass this exam are required to either:
a) Resit portions of the exam at a future date; or,
b) May be required to audit undergraduate courses in theory in order to fulfill the theory entrance exam requirement. Auditing make-up courses for theory means NOT REGISTERING for the courses. Each theory make-up course instructor will determine and outline the coursework to be done by the student. Upon completion a note must be put in your file by the instructor and the Student Advisor notified.
Where and when are the exams?

The three exams are held on the Thursday and Friday immediately preceding Labour Day (the first Monday in September). Classes at UBC start the day after Labour Day. If you are not able to be on-campus at this time, please contact the relevant proctor(s) as noted above.

The University of British Columbia

Entrance Exams