Step 1: Connect
Contact our graduateadmissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (admissions staff) for more information about the program or for help applying.
Visit us or talk with our student ambassadors anytime 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 |
| September 15 | 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:
- An undergraduate degree or 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.
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:
- Online On# graduate application and application fees.
- Transcripts from each college/university-level institution that you have attended.
- Two letters of recommendation (if you are currently a McGill student, you are exempt).
- Personal statement: Describe your reasons for applying to the Graduate Diploma in Performance 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).
- 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).
- Your supervisor or teacher preference (optional).
- Proof of English language proficiency, if required.
- All applicants except jazz: 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).
- Jazz applicants:
- A list of 25-30 standard jazz tunes from performing repertoire (upload to Jazz Tunes Listing in the application: PDF format, maximum 2 MB) and two or three original compositions (upload to Jazz Compositions in the application: PDF format, maximum 10 MB).
- Screening material (video) is required, even if you are currently a McGill student. Prepare required repertoire (avi, mov, mp4 or wmv format).
- All classical voice types (including early music voice): screening material (video: avi, mov, mp4 or wmv format) is required. Prepare required repertoire. If you are currently a McGill student completing a music degree, you are exempt .
- Recorded video audition (only if you cannot attend a live audition).
Step 4: Apply online
By December 1st:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pay the $129.03 application fee and the $77.41 audition fee (both non-refundable).
- Upload your supporting material to your application.
- All classical voice types (including early voice): Upload your screening material by December 1 directly into your music portfolio (On# application)
- Arrange for submission of proof of English language proficiency to McGill, if required.
By December 15th:
- Upload your recorded video audition by December 15th to your music portfolio (On# application).
Step 5: Audition
If you are auditioning on-campus you will receive information on your audition in December or January. If you are a jazz or classical voice applicant, you will either be invited to audition at McGill University or you will be notified that your application to this program has not been approved.
While you wait for news, start preparing for on-campus auditions:
- Find out how to prepare
- Check your repertoire requirements
Step 6: Accept
Already auditioned and trying to track your application status? Newly admitted? Take the next steps.
