McGill.CA / Music / Programs / Graduate Artist Diploma / Admissions

Apply in 6 Steps: Graduate Artist Diploma

Already prepared? Go straight to On#, the graduate application form.

Step 1: Connect

  • Contact our graduateadmissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (admissions staff) for more information about the program or for help applying.
  • Visit or speak with  us at anytime for insights about the university and student life in Montreal.

1a. Find a supervisor or teacher

Explore Performance Department faculty profiles to find a supervisor or teacher before applying. Once you've found someone with whom you are interested in working, contact them to discuss your interests.

1b. Bookmark admission dates and deadlines

Application opens Deadline to apply for fall admission Admission decisions sent to applicants
October 1 December 1 (all applicants) late February to March

If you've missed the deadline, graduateadmissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (email our admissions staff). Late applications may be cancelled without refund and may not be considered for entrance scholarships/financial aid.

1c. Meet minimum admission requirements

Acceptance into this program is competitive and the final admissions decision rests with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office. To be considered, you should have:

  • A master's degree, doctoral degree or graduate diploma in music performance, or its equivalent, from a university recognized by McGill.
  • A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, or a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in your last two years of full-time studies.
  • Proficiency in English, the primary language of instruction at McGill.

If you have a very high performance level but you are missing the requisite degrees: You may be admitted to a combined two-year Graduate Diploma in Performance/Artist Diploma program if your audition meets certain standards. Apply to the Artist Diploma program directly if this is your goal and indicate this in your personal statement.

Step 2: Check costs and funding options

Find out about funding and financial aid opportunities, cost of living and tuition fees.

Step 3: Prepare application materials

You will need to submit the following when you apply:

  1. Online On# graduate application and application fees.
  2. Transcripts from each college/university-level institution that you have attended.
  3. Two letters of recommendation (if you are currently a McGill student, you are exempt).
  4. Personal statement: Describe your reasons for applying to the Artist Diploma program at McGill University. Include qualifications, qualities or circumstances that are significant. Outline your performance, research and professional goals, your expectations of the program and your perception of your own strengths and weaknesses (one page, PDF format, maximum size 5 MB).
  5. Curriculum Vitae (CV): An overview of your experience and other qualifications, including all of your music-related accomplishments, employment, academic credentials, publications, honours, awards, contributions and significant achievements (PDF format, maximum size 5 MB).
  6. Your supervisor or teacher preference (optional).
  7. Proof of English language proficiency, if required.
  8. A list of repertoire worked on during the past four years (indicate level to which pieces were prepared, e.g., performance standard, simple reading, reading plus some detailed work). Upload to Repertoire Listing in the application (PDF format, maximum 2 MB).
  9. Screening material is required for all classical voice applicants (including early music voice). Upload screening material by December 1st directly to your music portfolio (On# application).
  10. Recorded video audition (only if you cannot attend a live audition).

Step 4: Apply online

By December 1st:

  1. Get your supporting materials together. Please apply by December 1st and upload your documents by December 15th. Documents are uploaded after you file your application.
  2. If this is your first time using On# (McGill's online application form), create an account. You will be given a username and password for future use.
  3. Complete the graduate admission application HERE. During this stage, provide the names and valid institutional email addresses of the people providing your letters of recommendation. McGill will contact them directly. 
  4. Pay the $129.03 application fee and the $77.41 audition fee (both non-refundable).
  5. Upload your supporting material to your application.
  6. All classical voice types: Upload your screening material by December 1 directly into your music portfolio (On# application).
  7. Arrange for submission of proof of English language proficiency to McGill, if required.

By December 15th:

  • If you cannot participate in an on-campus audition, upload your recorded video audition by December 15.

Step 5: Audition

If you are auditioning on-campus you will receive information on your audition in December or January. If not auditioning on campus, recorded auditions are due December 15.

While you wait for news, start preparing for on-campus auditions:

Step 6: Accept

Already auditioned and trying to track your application status? Newly admitted? Take the next steps.

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