McGill.CA / Music / Admissions / Undergraduate Admissions

Undergraduate Application Materials

You need to prepare the supporting materials described on this page.
After preparing your material, please refer to how to apply.

Online application form

Once you create an online account you can start applying. Note: if you are interested in applying to more than one program, you will need to return to your application and submit a new application for each program/faculty choice. If applying to more than one program, please note that each program may require distinct supporting materials.

Supporting materials for all music applicants

  1. Transcripts (NOTE: for applicants who are required to submit transcripts: at the time of application, unofficial transcripts are accepted. If admitted, official transcripts are required to be sent to McGill prior to the beginning of the Fall semester)
    • Self-Reported Grades: High School applicants from Canadian provinces and the United States must self-report their grade 11 and 12 marks through the designated are in your application. See instructions for applicants from high schools in Canada, and from the United States. Your self-reported grades will be submitted within your application portal.
    • Quebec CEGEP applicants: If you are currently or previous attended a CEGEP program, please enter your permanent code in your application. McGill will retrieve your CEGEP transcript from the Ministere de Education.
    • International High School students: you will upload your most recent transcript (the last two-three years). You will need to report and final or mid-year or predicated grades for the current year. If your transcript is not in English, please upload the original language and English translation. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded at the time of application review, however if accepted, you will need to request official documents to be sent to McGill.
    • Transfer (college/university) applicants: If you are currently attending or last attended a college (non-CEGEP) or university, you will need to upload transcripts. If you listed more than one institution attended, we will require transcripts from each school. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded at the time of application review, however if accepted, you will need to request official documents to be sent to McGill.
    • Home schooled applicants: You will need to upload material that covers curriculum, external exams (ACTs, SATs, etc.), reasons for home schooling and any grades obtained and any additional academic records.
  2. Audition material
    • If you cannot participate in on-campus audition, please prepare a recorded video audition. Video recordings are uploaded to your application portfolio. Please upload all pieces. You cannot go back into your portfolio and add pieces after the initial upload.
      • If applying to the Faculty Program (Music Studies) program, please refer to section below on material to include in your upload.
  3. Statement of Intent
    • In a few short sentences, tell us about yourself, your musical background and music career ambitions. Briefly describe why you chose to apply to our School and what made you decide that this is where you want to study. Upload to your application (PDF maximum one page)
  4. Music Background
    • You can use this to describe your musical experience (a musical resume). You can include the following: a summary of your music qualifications, list your musical experience, include education and certificates relevant to music and list key music skills and proficiencies (theory, etc.). Upload to your application (PDF one to three pages)
  5. Proof of English proficiency
    • If you have studied outside of North America, you may be required to demonstrate proficiency in English. Visit McGill's Applying website to find out if this applies to you.

Additional program-specific materials

Faculty Program (Music Studies)

If applying to this program, you must submit a recorded video portfolio (totalling approximately 15 minutes) which will include:

  1. Prepare a recorded personal introduction and tell us why you think this program is for you and what you hope to accomplish in this program (approx. 2-minute video)
  1. Prepare video-recorded examples of practical work in music. The content of the practical work will be determined by the selection of practical studies/or not in the first year. See below for more information.
  • You are not applying to Practical Studies: Portfolio material must include a minimum of two video-recorded contrasting examples of practical work in music which may include: a recorded vocal or instrumental performance (any instrument, or combination of instruments; any musical genre); a composition; a piece of electronic music.
  • Applying to Practical Studies: Portfolio material must include repertoire for classical and jazz instruments offered at the Schulich School of Music. Please consult the audition page for required repertoire for your instrument.

Composition

  • Written scores for 2 or 3 of your compositions. If you have recordings available of these compositions (mp3), you can also upload with scores. See How to Apply for submission details.
  • You can also provide other “composition-related” works like advanced harmony exercises, arrangements, orchestrations or papers written about composition (analysis, presentations, etc.).
  • Composition Statement: prepare a brief written statement (1-page) or recorded video (max 3-minutes), that covers the following: discuss your musical background and the compositions you have submitted in your portfolio. Your composition statement should be submitted with your composition material (option of written or video).
  • If you are not attending an on-campus audition and will be submitting a recorded audition, please upload your composition material and audition at the same time to your application portfolio. You cannot go back into your portfolio and add pieces after the initial upload.

Music Education

  • One music Education support letter of support. This is a letter in support of your application to the Music Education program and should include information on your potential as a music educator. This letter will be submitted directly to Undergraduate Admissions by your referee.

Non-degree Sound Recording qualifying year (for the M.Mus. program)

  • Please contact the Sound Recording Area Chair for further information if you are missing the necessary undergraduate prerequisites courses to apply to the MMus Sound Recording program.
  • On the application form, apply as an undergraduate non-degree special student.
  • In your statement of intent (in the online application form), describe your interest in pursuing undergraduate prerequisite classes in sound recording.
  • If available, provide sound recording demos with written descriptions by March 1st. See How to Apply for submission details.
  • Letters of recommendation are not required.
  • No audition is required.
  • An application fee will be charged.
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