Master of Arts Music

The School of Music offers the Master of Music (MMus) and the MA in Music. There are two streams: one in performance, the other being musical research.

Performance studies are offered in piano, voice, orchestral instruments, and guitar.

The School of Music participates in collaborative programs in Feminist and Gender Studies and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the master's level (MA only).

The School also offers two graduate diplomas, one in piano pedagogy research and another in orchestral studies.

The programs operates within the general framework of the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Candidates are required to have one of the following:

• A BMus.
• A four-year honours BA in music.
• A four-year BA with a major in music.
• Or an equivalent degree or diploma.

A 75 percent (B+) average is required for the undergraduate degree or diploma. If the degree is from a conservatory, it is deemed equivalent if so indicated on the transcript, or if the total course work is equivalent, to a four-year BA, and includes the equivalent of 6 units in music history and 6 units in music theory. In addition, applicants must perform an audition or submit an example of writing from undergraduate work in music history or music theory. The choice of evaluation depends on whether the student wishes to pursue the performance stream or the musicology/theory stream. Applicants may be asked to take placement tests in music history, music theory or aural skills. If remedial work is necessary, deficiencies must be remedied by the end of the first year.

Candidates are admitted either to the MMus or the MA. A student who has successfully completed the requirements of the MMus degree may, instead of accepting the MMus, become a candidate for the MA with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.