If you're a transfer student or a CEGEP graduate, you may be able to complete the program in 3 years instead of 4.
Which courses to take each year
This is a basic 4-year plan for students from high school with no advanced standing.
Program audit
You will receive a summary of exemption credits from placement exams, transfer credits, Advanced Placements (AP), etc, before you begin your first semester at the Schulich School of Music. You can access this information via a Program Audit (PA) customized for you. Visit the PA web page to learn more about how you can view your personalized program plan.
Meet with your academic advisor to review your program plan at least once a year.
Course load
You should normally register for 15-18 credits per term.
- Full-time course load: 12 credits or more
- Part-time course load: 11 credits or less
Language courses
- Complete these language courses before taking the corresponding diction courses: French (FRSL 207D), English (second language, CESL course), Italian (ITAL 205D) or German (GERM 202D). These language courses count as non-music and/or free electives.
- If you studied in a French immersion high school or a Québec CEGEP, you are exempted from FRSL (French Language) 207. You will not receive credit for this course.
- Take a placement test before registering in a French language course. Contact the French Language Centre for more information.
- Register for intensive language courses in the summer if you want to lessen your course load in Fall/Winter terms.
- Language and diction courses have limited enrolment. Register early!
Practical instruction and practical exams
- You must complete 3 practical exams (MUIN 282, 382 and 482) during your program. In some cases, you might take your exams at different times than what we suggest in our sample 4-year plan.
- Determine when to apply for these exams with your practical instruction teacher.
- For practical instruction registration details, visit Registration.Ìý
Sample year 1 course plan (with no course exemptions)
- You have the option to take placement exams in theory, musicianship and keyboard proficiency before school starts. Depending on the basis of admission and the placement test results, you may be exempt from music history (MUHL 186), first year theory (courses with MUTH prefixes) or musicianship/keyboard proficiency (courses with MUSP prefixes). To learn more about the course exemption criteria, see Placement Exams.
- If you choose not to write the placement tests, you will register for courses as presented in this sample first year course plan.
- If you are exempt from MUHL 186, you may consider taking an elective in the first semester.
- You must be proficient in English for all courses, especially Music History. Non-anglophone students should defer MUHL 186 until their second year and register for an English as Second Language (ESL) course in year 1. ESL courses can be accepted as non-music electives. Contact the Writing Centre for information on ESL course registration.
Winter term
Ensembles (MUEN 5xx)
One non-music elective (preferably a course to develop critical thinking and writing skills, such as psychology, philosophy, history, etc. before taking MUHL 286 in your 2nd or 3rd year)
Year 2 course plan
If you want to add a minor or second major to your program, apply in year 2.
Year 3 course plan
Fall term
MUSP 3xx upper-level musicianship
MUHL 3xx upper-level music history
MUPG xxx Complementary performance
Ensembles (MUEN 5xx)
One free elective
