Apply to Degree Programs Requirements
When you apply to the Faculty of Music you will need to meet both academic and music requirements. The audition, interview, and other applicable portfolio submissions are key elements in admission decisions for the various music programs. The record of academic achievement is also a critical part of the admission decision.
Academic Requirements
If your first language is not English, you may need to provide an English language test.
Ontario Applicants
All Ontario high school students must be eligible to receive, or have already received, the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
You must also present 6 Grade 12 U or M courses, including ENG4U. The "out of school" component of Grade 12 U/M co-op courses will not be accepted for admission purposes.
Applicants from other provinces/territories
Admission requirements depend on where you went to school and your level of education. See the University Admissions & Outreach requirements page to review provincial high school, International Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, and Canadian home school academic admission requirements.
General grade guidelines
If you are currently enrolled in secondary school a provisional admission decision will be based on your final results from last year and your mid-year results in the current year.
U of T will make conditional offers of admission on the basis of your available Grade 11 and 12 (or equivalent) marks; this assessment is possible provided your record shows that you are enrolled in all required Grade 12 (or equivalent) courses. If a Grade 12 mark in a prerequisite subject is not available, we will use the mark in the corresponding Grade 11 course. You must submit all required documents by the published document deadline for your program(s) of interest. The admission cut-off average for Music typically varies between 78% and 82%, depending on the year; the mean for admission ranges from 83% and 88%. If you have repeated courses, the Faculty of Music reserves the right to consider the grade achieved on the first attempt, especially in English.
If you are currently a university or college student or you have completed post-secondary studies, please visit University Admissions & Outreach - requirements page for information regarding the academic requirements for you.
- Admission consideration is based on your overall academic record and your most recent annual average. Competitive students normally have a solid ‘B’ average in their university studies. Some programs require higher standing.
- Program prerequisites must be met at either the senior high school or university level.
If your first language is not English, you may need to provide an English language test.
The University of Toronto reserves the right to determine whether a qualification granted by a secondary or other institution meets the standards for admission to University of Toronto programs.
English language requirements
International students may need to take an English Language Test and/or be required to present proof of English facility.
If you are musically admissible but do not meet the English facility requirements, the Faculty of Music may recommend you to the International Foundation Program.
International high school
If you are applying from a country outside of Canada please see the International High School page for details on academic requirements. You can also review the minimum admissions requirements for your relevant country of educational system in the International Admissions Requirements.
All applicants are required to present a senior-level/Grade 12 English course for admission consideration. Other prerequisite courses must be presented at the senior/Grade 12 equivalent level.
International university or college
If you have attended or are attending a recognized international university or college please see the University Admissions & Outreach website for information on academic requirements.
You will be considered for admission based on your post-secondary studies and your most recent annual average, although we will review your entire academic record. Program area prerequisites must be met at, or beyond, the minimum level required for admission from your educational system.
You are considered a mature student if you are over 18 and have never completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or its equivalent and do not meet the university’s established requirements for direct entry admission. If you meet these criteria, you may request consideration for admission as a non-matriculant.
Prospective students who do not meet the published academic admission requirements may qualify for admission through either the Academic Bridging Program, or the Transitional Year Program. Candidates who have already attempted degree studies are not eligible for these programs.
The Academic Bridging Program is intended for Canadian citizens/permanent residents/protected persons (convention refugees) who do not hold the published admission requirements to qualify for degree studies.
The Transitional Year Programme (TYP) is designed for those who could not finish high school because of financial constraints, family difficulties or other circumstances beyond their control. It is a one-year, full-time program that fulfills the academic requirements for admission into the Faculty of Music.
Candidates attempting either of these options are still required to audition/interview as part of the application process.
Music Requirements
All applicants must demonstrate musical proficiency on a primary instrument within an audition setting.
You may audition on any standard orchestral instrument, classical guitar, free bass accordion, harpsichord, piano, organ, voice, or any standard jazz instrument. The audition will also include musical skills tests such as aural skills and sight reading.
The interview component will assess your general knowledge of music styles/form and provide an opportunity to share your experiences and goals with the panel.
Classical audition requirements
You will be required to audition on your major instrument with pieces prepared in the classical Western-art style. The audition repertoire requirements vary based on both the instrument and the program of application, so please review these carefully.
The guidelines indicate the level of difficulty expected in the repertoire, based on the program of application. Note that we use the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) grade levels as guides, however, we do not require that any practical RCM exams are completed. Bachelor of Music programs require between RCM Grade 7 to Grade 9 repertoire, while Bachelor of Music in Performance and Artist Diploma programs require between RCM Grade 9 to ARCT repertoire for the audition. Please look specifically at your instrument to determine the minimum performance level you should prepare for your audition.
If you are applying for more than one classical music program on the same instrument, only one audition is required; if one of your program choices is performance, you must prepare audition materials based on the performance repertoire guidelines.
Full Classical Audition Requirements page
Jazz audition/interview
You will be required to demonstrate proficiency on your major instrument with pieces prepared in the jazz style. Prior to attending an official audition, you must submit a pre-screening recording demonstrating your skill. Based on review of the pre-screening recordings, select applicants will be invited for the official audition/interview.
At the official audition you will be asked to perform three tunes of varying styles including improvisation within; specific details vary by instrument. A list of pre-approved is available.
All applicants must meet theory prerequisite requirements to ensure success in the first-year theory core. Submission instructions are found under Applying.
Classical applicants: Advanced rudiments required
You must demonstrate proficiency in advanced rudiments concepts equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 8 Theory, or an acceptable equivalent, with a 60% or higher. Alternatively, you may choose to write the U of T Music Classical Entrance Theory Exam. While basic harmony or its equivalent is not an admission requirement, prospective students are encouraged to study basic harmony to ensure a smooth transition into the first year theory core.
Classical rudiments materials include:
- Alto/Bass/Tenor/Treble Clefs
- All major and minor scales; names of degrees of the scale (tonic, supertonic, etc.)
- Time signatures, time values of notes and rests
- Key signatures and accidentals
- Intervals (above & below a given note) and their inversions, including compound intervals and enharmonic equivalents
- Keys in which given intervals may be found
- Keys in which given chords may be found
- Basic musical terms & signs
- Dominant seventh chord & inversions
- Cadences (perfect, plagal & imperfect)
- Transposition of a given melody
- Figured bass symbols for triads and seventh chords
U of T Music designated acceptable equivalents for RCM Level 8 Theory:
- ABRSM Grade 5 Theory
- AP Theory, including written exam with a grade of 4 or higher
U of T Music designated acceptable equivalents for RCM Level 9 Harmony
- ABRSM Grade 8 Theory
- AP Music Theory, including written exam with a grade of 4 or higher
- One-year of post-secondary theory classes
Jazz applicants: U of T Music Entrance Theory Exam required
You must demonstrate proficiency in Jazz theory materials determined by the U of T Jazz Entrance Theory Exam. Exemption is available for students who have successfully completed jazz theory courses at the post-secondary level (based on official transcripts).
Jazz theory materials includes:
- Alto/Bass/Tenor/Treble Clefs
- All major and minor scales; names of degrees of the scale
- Time signatures, time values of notes and rests
- Key signatures and accidentals
- Intervals (above & below a given note) and their inversions, including compound intervals and enharmonic equivalents
- Transposition of a given melody including chords
- The recognition and construction of various time signatures
- Identify four-part chords, including their extension, quality and function
- Scales: Major, harmonic minor, melodic minor and their modes; may include altered, diminished and blues
- The construction and analysis of melodic and harmonic progression using Roman numerals and chord symbols.
- Basic questions designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of fundamental jazz repertoire and the idiom as a whole
Keyboard proficiency is not an admission requirement for non-keyboard instrumentalists/vocalists, however piano skills at a Grade 3 (RCM) or equivalent level will help students in their studies. Keyboard Skills courses are included in the first-year curriculum for those without prior piano experience.
Admission into composition within first-year is available through the Direct-Entry Composition program. This option is recommended for applicants who can demonstrate a significant commitment to music creation using traditional or contemporary Western-art music techniques.
To be considered for Direct-Entry Composition, you will need to submit a portfolio of recent compositions that includes the following:
- Scores for at least four works totaling at least 15 minutes in duration, written for a variety of ensembles. This must exclude popular and commercial music, except as an addendum.
- Demonstration of significant recent compositional activity and a willingness to explore and be challenged
- Use of various methods of pitch organization, rhythmic structure, and motivic/thematic development
- Use of accurate notation
- Optional: You are welcome to submit recordings of performances of your works. In the case of electroacoustic works, a score is not necessary. Recordings of non-electroacoustic works submitted without a score will not be considered. A work for acoustic instruments recorded from a live or studio performance is not considered electroacoustic music.
At the interview, you will be expected to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of repertoire, including recent compositions
- Substantial insight into the music you have listened to and/or performed
- Strong ability in ear training and music theory
Submission of composition portfolios are due February 1; if your portfolio is not received by the deadline, you will be considered for the Exploratory Year of the Bachelor of Music.
Have a question?
The Faculty of Music Admissions Office is available to assist you with questions you may have regarding requirements or the application process.