All applicants must sit diagnostic placement examinations in Theory, Musicianship (Ear Training), Music History, Keyboard Proficiency, and, for Jazz majors, Jazz Materials, in order to determine their course levels. General placement/advanced standing examinations will be given during the entire weekend prior to the beginning of classes in September. Jazz Materials and Jazz Keyboard Proficiency placement exams are given on the first day of class.

First-year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program who have completed the Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (Diplôme d'études collégiales) in a Music concentration or equivalent, or students transferring from other universities or colleges, and who have completed a course in the history of Western music, with a grade of C or better, will be exempted from the first-year Western Musical Traditions requirement (MUHL 186).

First-year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program with a Major in Jazz Performance who have completed the Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (Diplôme d'études collégiales) in a Jazz concentration or equivalent, or students transferring from other universities or colleges, and who have completed a course in the history of Jazz, with a grade of C or better, will be exempted from the first-year Jazz History Survey requirement (MUJZ 187).

Students accepted into either the Licentiate Diploma (L.Mus.) or the Artist Diploma, who have completed the degree of Bachelor of Music at a Canadian or American university (or the equivalent elsewhere) within the preceding three (3) years will not be required to sit the Music Placement Examinations and will be exempted from required Theory, Musicianship, and Music History, Literature, or Performance Practice courses. Should such students wish to avail themselves of the diagnostic service that the Music Placement Examinations provide, they may sit them—without, however, being bound by the recommendation generated from their results. Nevertheless, should great difficulties arise in a specific class because of lack of adequate preparation, the Chair of the Department of Music Research, upon the advice of the instructor, reserves the right to counsel the student to undertake studies at a lower level.