If you're a transfer student or a CEGEP graduate, you may be able to complete the program in less than 3 years.
Which courses to take each year
This is a basic 3-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 aProgram 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 20-23 credits per term.
- Full-time course load: 12 credits or more
- Part-time course load: 11 credits or less
Practical instruction and practical exams
- You must complete 3 practical exams (MUIN 252, 352 and 452) during your program. In some cases, you might take your exams at different times than what we suggest in our sample 3-year plan.
- Determine when to apply for these exams with your practical instruction teacher.
- For practical instruction registration details, visit Registration.听
Sample year 1 course plan (with no course exemptions)
- You听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听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听for information on ESL course registration.
Fall term
- We recommend that you take this course even though it's not required. It covers useful topics such as injury prevention skills and wellness.
MUEN 5xx ensemble(s):听 2 credits
Winter term
- Before taking this course, you must demonstrate that you have passed an introductory-level (or higher) French language course.
MUEN 5xx ensemble(s): 2 credits
Year 2 course plan
Year 3 course plan
Fall term
- Before taking this course, you must demonstrate that you have passed an introductory-level (or higher) Italian language course.
MUSP 3xx upper-level musicianship: 2 credits
MUEN 5xx听ensemble(s): 2 credits
Winter term
- To spread these 8 credits over fall and winter: Instead of MUIN 452, take
- Before taking this course, you must demonstrate that you have passed an introductory-level (or higher) German language course.
MUPGxxx complementary performance: 1 credit
MUEN 5xx听ensemble(s): 2 credits