A student plays an instrument near a large window in a practice room.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Desautels Faculty of Music

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Bachelor of Music

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 4 years

  • 20+

    Student ensembles

  • 40

    Spacious, light-filled practice rooms

  • 1:5

    Ratio of faculty members to students

  • $600,000+

    Value of scholarships, bursaries and prizes awarded annually

Program details

The Bachelor of Music four-year program allows students to pursue a degree within the following concentrations: Performance, Composition, History, Education and General Music.

Expected duration: 4 years

For the first two years of study, all Bachelor of Music students follow the General program, which provides essential academic, performance and ensemble training. After the second year, students can choose to stay in the General program or they may move into one of the concentrations provided they meet the requirements.

Throughout the duration of the program, students can explore a wide range of elective courses; will receive individual lessons through Major Practical Study; and will participate in two ensembles each year. 

Bachelor of Music (General)

The BMus General program provides excellent preparation for a wide range of career paths. All Bachelor of Music students follow this program for the first two years of study. Many students choose to remain in the General program, where there is considerably more flexibility in elective courses in years three and four. 

Bachelor of Music (Composition)

Composition students develop their skills in composing music through projects with ensembles and solo performers as well as our state-of-the-art computer music studio, aided by award-winning composition professors. Students interested in Composition will normally do a Composition entrance audition. If a student wishes to transfer to Composition from another B. Music program or from the B. Jazz Studies, they must submit a portfolio of compositions and meet with the Associate Dean (undergraduate programs) and the Composition faculty to discuss their request. 

Bachelor of Music (History)

In the History concentration, students learn from dynamic scholars who are internationally respected for their research and publications. The areas covered by core and elective courses range from early music to 21st century popular genres. Students may apply to move into the History concentration at the end of second year if they have maintained minimum grades of B+ in specified courses. 

Bachelor of Music (Performance)

Students in the Performance concentration are mentored by outstanding artists whose teaching is informed by years of professional experience. Students may apply to move into the Performance concentration at the end of second year if they have maintained a satisfactory standing and receive the recommendation of the second-year jury panel.

Bachelor of Music (Music Education)

This innovative program provides a route for future music educators to complete an in-depth study of music and music education before moving on to a Bachelor of Education After Degree. Students choose one of four concentrations: Early/Middle Years, Choral, Instrumental, or Guitar/Strings and can use their electives for further study in music or to gain background in one of the other music education concentrations. 

Students are accepted into Music Education program in third year provided they are in good academic standing and have successfully completed MUSC 2100 (Introduction to Music Teaching and Learning) and MUSC 2460 (Conducting).

Sample course offerings

  • MUSC 1004: Introduction to Music in History 1 (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 1280: Musical Style and Structure 1 (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 2072: Jazz History 1 (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 2110: Music Theory 3 (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 3044: Renaissance Music History (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 3090: Introduction to Ethnomusicology (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 4130: History of Women in Music (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 4140: History of Canadian Music (3 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar

Admission requirements

The following are minimum academic requirements for entry into the BMus program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Direct entry applicants are those who have not attended a post-secondary institution or have completed fewer than 24 credit hours at a recognized university or college. Direct entry applicants require the following:

  • Manitoba high school graduation including 5 full credits at the Grade 12 level in courses designated S, G, U or C
  • A minimum 70% average over the following, with no less than 60% in each course:
    • English 40S
    • Mathematics 40S
    • Two academic 40S courses

 

Advanced entry applicants are those who have completed one year (24 credit hours) or more of studies in another faculty at the University of Manitoba or another recognized post-secondary institution.

Non-academic requirements

All applicants (Direct or Advanced Entry) must successfully pass the following non-academic requirements, in addition to the applicable academic requirements:

  • Audition
  • Theory entrance exam

Level of musicianship

Prospective students should have achieved a minimum level of musicianship and theory comparable to the Royal Conservatory of Music or Conservatory of Canada:

  • Grade 9 for strings
  • Grade 8 for piano
  • Grade 7 for voice, woodwinds and brass
  • Grade 6 for organ

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program

If you do not meet the requirements for Direct entry into the BMus program, your application will be automatically considered for admission to University 1. You do not have to reapply or pay a second application fee.

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $120

Step 1: Apply online

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the "Start or continue your application" button. The online application includes several parts: 

  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Two letters of recommendation from a music/band teacher, and/or private music instructor
  • A personal essay of 250-300 words which outlines your musical aspiration and plans to achieve them. 
  • Portfolio (For Composition applicants)
  • Proof of English Language proficiency (if applicable)
  • Transcripts

To be considered for Desautels Faculty of Music scholarships, applicants must meet the application deadline and audition during the advertised audition dates. Applicants will be notified 2-3 weeks after the application deadline to arrange their audition and interview.

Step 2: Audition

The audition may take up to 30 minutes. Whether you are auditioning in-person or by video recordings, the audition will involve:

  • performing up to 10-12 minutes of prepared music that fulfill the audition requirements specified by the area;
  • a brief interview covering a range of areas including your background and experience in music performance;
  • assessing aural and technical skills.

Accompanists: Vocal and instrumental pieces must be accompanied. Making arrangements for accompanists on the day of audition or video recording is the responsibility of the student.

Audition fee: Students auditioning in-persion must pay a $25 fee. This fee reserves the audition spot.  If an applicant auditions to more than one (1) instrument or voice, they must pay an additional $25 fee per audition. Payments must be made before the audition at the Music General office.

Composition audition and portfolio requirements

Portfolio

Submit a portfolio containing scores and recordings of your compositions. The portfolio should reflect your experience and interest as a composer, and, ideally, should cover range of instruments and creative approaches. There is no specific number of compositions that we require, but a typical portfolio contains around five pieces. Quality is more important than quantity, and you should not submit more than eight compositions (but normally not fewer than three).

Scores: We prefer scores to be submitted digitally; only pdf files are acceptable.

Recordings: Recordings of live performances are preferred. Computer simulations are acceptable, but should not replace available live recordings. (Regardless, we will not judge the quality of the performance on a recording, only the composition itself). If recordings are not available, you may submit only scores. If you submit an electroacoustic piece, a score may not be necessary. Recordings may be uploaded to an online site such as SoundCloud or equivalent, and should be submitted as either mp3 files or wav files.

Prepared performance

You must perform one or two short pieces, or sections of pieces, on your primary instrument or voice. Normally these are not your own compositions. This portion of the audition will be similar to an  instrumental audition, but shorter (5–7 minutes). Either or both of the pieces may be accompanied or unaccompanied.

Sight reading

There will be a short test to check your basic musicianship skills (sight-reading, rhythm and melody playback, interval singing, etc.).

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in composition.

Piano audition requirements

Audition pieces

Your audition should include:

  • Three pieces in contrasting styles (a minimum grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music).
  • At least one piece performed from memory.

Musicianship

There may be a short test to check your basic musicianship skills (sight-reading, rhythm and melody playback, interval singing, etc.).

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in piano performance.

String and guitar audition requirements

For all instruments and audition pieces, memorization preferred but not required.

Violin

  1. J.S. Bach: Any movement from Sonata or Partita for violin solo
  2. First movement, or second and third movements of any standard violin concerto
  3. Piece of own choice for violin solo or violin and piano

Viola

  1. J.S. Bach: Any movement from Sonata or Partita for violin solo, or any movement from Suite for cello solo.
  2. Any Baroque or Classical concerto, first movement
  3. Piece of your own choice for viola solo or viola and piano

Cello

  1. Prelude and Courante movement from the same J.S. Bach Solo Cello Suite, your choice
  2. Two movements from a standard cello concerto (i.e., Haydn C or D major, Dvorak, Schumann, Elgar, Shostakovich); Tchaikovsky Rococo variations (choose up to four variations to perform)
  3. A piece of your own choice for solo cello or cello sonata (no arrangements or transcriptions)

Double bass

  1. Two contrasting pieces of applicant’s choice
  2. Three orchestra excerpts: by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart or Strauss
  3. One major scale, one harmonic minor scale, one minor scale of your choice in two or three octaves

Sight-reading may be required.

Guitar

  1. One movement of a Baroque or Renaissance suite
  2. One movement of a Classical or Romantic major work (concerto, sonata, suite, etc.) for guitar
  3. One piece representing a 20th/21st century work for guitar

Voice audition requirements

Audition pieces

Your audition should include three contrasting pieces in at least two languages.

  • One of the pieces must be in English.
  • Two of the three pieces should be from the classical repertoire and one can be drawn from either the folk or musical theatre repertoire.

Sight reading

There may be a short test to check your basic musicianship skills (sight reading, rhythm and melody playback, interval singing, etc.).

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in vocal performance. 

Woodwinds, brass and percussion audition requirements

Woodwind

Perform two contrasting selections, at least one of which must be with piano accompaniment. (Approximately 10-12 minutes of music)

Brass

Perform two contrasting selections, at least one of which must be with piano accompaniment. (Approximately 10-12 minutes of music)

Percussion

Prepare three contrasting works on snare drum, keyboard percussion and timpani. Percussionists may, but are not required, to perform works with piano accompaniment.

Scales
  • Play any major scale.
  • Play a chromatic scale starting on any note.
Sight reading
  • Play a short piece at sight.
  • Speak rhythms at sight while clapping or tapping a steady beat.
Playback

Students play back a short melody after hearing it played.

Sing

Students sing O Canada, or another well-known song of the student’s choice.

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in performance. 

Step 3: Write the Theory Entrance exam

The Theory Entrance exam assesses competency in music rudiments and is usually written on the day of the audition. A grade of 70% or higher is required for admission to the Desautels Faculty of Music. Royal Conservatory Advanced Rudiments or equivalent is generally adequate preparation.

If you have successfully completed MUSC 1930 – Rudiments of Music at the University of Manitoba or the Theory Entrance Exam Preparation (TEEP) class through Prep Studies, you are exempted from writing theory exam on the day of your audition. TEEP exam results are only valid for a single admission year.

Notification of Decision

Decisions will be posted to the applicant's portal. Applicants must log in to their application portal to view the decision and to accept or decline their offer by the deadline date indicated in the letter. It is imperative that email accounts remain current and that emails and application portals are regularly checked.

Apply now

Includes the Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geological Sciences and Physical Geography programs.

Includes Bachelor of Health Sciences and Bachelor of Health Studies programs.

Includes Bachelor of Science degrees in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agroecology, Food Science and Human Nutritional Sciences.

Direct entry students are current high school students or people who have already graduated from high school but who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Advanced entry students are those who have already completed 24 or more credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Annual application deadlines - Canadian citizens & permanent residents

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October August 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September April 1

Annual application deadlines - International applicants

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October May 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May October 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September February 1

Start or continue your application 

Bachelor of Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Diploma in Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application for the BFA and diploma programs

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

To apply to the Inner City Social Work program, attend an information session at the William Norrie Centre. You will receive an application form at the information session. All information sessions are held in Room 126, William Norrie Centre.

Room 126 William Norrie Centre
485 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R2W 2M6 Canada
204-668-8160
Fax: 204-663-8857

All applicants need approval from the Faculty of Social Work – Inner City Selection Coordinator, Carla Kirkpatrick who can be reached at carla.kirkpatrick@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7364.

Admission requirements (PDF)

Annual application deadlines

Term Application deadline
Summer (May, part-time) February 1, 2024
Fall (September) March 1, 2024 

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October

January 15

Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)
Advanced entry Early November March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Program Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvD) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1
Environmental Design Architecture Master Preparation Option (ED AMP) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 15

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Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 1

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Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May/July) Advanced entry Early November June 1

Students who wish to enrol in Summer courses that start in May should apply by April 1.

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Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

The Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualifications (IEEQ) program has been temporarily suspended until 2025
For further information or questions, please contact Engineering at eng.info@umanitoba.ca.

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry *Suspended *Suspended

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Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November August 1
Winter (January) Early May November 1
Summer (May) Early November April 1

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Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: July 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: March 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: March 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November June 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 15

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Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

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Summer (May) Advanced entry – Track A Early November April 1
Advanced entry – Track B Early April August 1

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Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

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Winnipeg annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Winter (January)

Advanced entry

Domestic: Early May

International: Early February

Domestic: August 1

International: June 1

Summer (May) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July 

Domestic: December 1 Extended to December 15

International: October 1 Extended to December 15

 

The Pas and Thompson (UM/University College of the North) annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

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Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

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Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

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Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy: Degree Completion Program annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May September 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is available on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Type of applicant Type of entry Term Applications open Application deadline
First year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early September December 1
Upper year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early November June 30

Start or continue your application 

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November June 15

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and check their course availability prior to applying.

Applicants applying to the Summer term are recommended to apply a minimum of one month prior to the start of their classes. Summer session offers a number of different start dates based on course offerings.

Start or continue your application

 Annual direct entry application deadlines 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines 

 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November 

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November June 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

The BPRN program has been placed on a temporary suspension starting for the Fall 2019 intake.

Access students

Annual application deadline
Term Application deadline
Fall (September) March 1

Application form for Access students (PDF)

External students

Annual application deadline
Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your external student application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Audition and Theory Entrance exam dates

  Date
Interview February 12 - 23, 2024
Theory Entrance exam February 12 - 23, 2024

 

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Mailing address
Undergraduate Admissions
424 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
66 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

Office location
Room 424 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

Submit a question
Phone: 204-474-8808
Toll-free: 1-800-224-7713 ext 8808

Program inquiries

Desautels Faculty of Music
Room T319 
150 Dafoe Road West
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

music@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9310