Newly Admitted Students Registration

questions and answers Answers to your questions

Am I a U0 or U1 student? What does it mean being a U0 or U1 student?

  • You are a U0 student if you are coming straight from high school. As a U0 student, it will likely take you four years to complete a bachelor degree.
  • You are a U1 student if you come from CEGEP, completed a diploma in French or International Baccalaureate, or transfer from another music conservatory, US college or university. If you are beginning your program as a U1 student, it is possible that you can complete the bachelor degree in three years based on the exemptions and transfer credits you receive.
  • All Licentiate in Music students enter as a U1 student. A licentiate student with no exemption will take three years to complete the licentiate program, or two years if they are exempt from core theory, musicianship and history courses.

Transfers credits

What kind of transfer credits can I receive?

Visit the “Transfer Credit” web page to learn about the type of transfer credits you may receive if:

  • you have completed a DEC from Cegep.
  • you have completed a French or International Baccalauréat.
  • you have completed Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
  • you are a transfer student from another US college, university or music conservatory.

Should I register for one semester only, or for the full year?

You should register for courses for both fall and winter semesters when registration opens in early June.

Many of the core courses are only offered once a year. Therefore, it is important that you register for courses for both semesters to ensure you are enrolled in the required courses for your first year at McGill. When you register for courses for the full year, you will receive two separate eBills with different payment deadlines. See Fees & Payments below for detail.


I am waiting for my placement exam and ensemble audition results. What should I register for meanwhile until I receive the results?

If you need to register full-time now to show proof of full-time enrollment, you may register for courses as shown on the 1st year plan shown on your program’s four year sample study plan.

You can make changes to registration after you have received the ensemble assignments and a summary of course exemptions and transfer credits. Students have until Tuesday, September 12, to add or drop courses for the fall semester without fee penalty.


Fees & Payments

Am I expected to pay for the full academic year in my first e-bill if I register for courses in both fall and winter semesters?

No, you will only be billed for your fall courses when you receive your first e-bill. You will receive a separate e-bill in early December for your winter courses.

Registration opens

calendar When?

Scholarship recipients:

  • Monday, June 5, if admitted from a Quebec CEGEP
  • Monday, June 12, if admitted from a high school or transferring from another university

All other students:

  • Wednesday, June 7, if admitted from a Quebec CEGEP
  • Wednesday, June 14, if transferring from another university or with advanced standing qualifications (ex.: Advanced Levels, Advanced Placements, French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, etc.), Special and Visiting Students
  • Thursday, June 15, if admitted from high school

Minerva is our online registration tool. You must register for at least one course by Monday, August 14 to avoid late registration fees (e.g. MUPD 135 for B.Mus. students or MUHL 186 for L.Mus. students).

The Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) is also a good tool you can use to build your weekly class schedule before adding courses on Minerva.

First time registering at McGill? See this instructional video (video will be available as of early June) about the steps to take when registering for first-year courses.

edit icon for course selection Required Courses

Click on your program to access a sample study plan:

  • B.Mus. sample 4-year study plan
  • L.Mus. sample 3-year study plan

Course Categories

There are four main course categories for music students. Each course category has a specific registration procedure and deadline.

For further questions about auditions, contact ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca

  1. Practical Instruction (MUIN courses)

    • Also known as private instrumental  or voice lessons
    • Available for registration via an online application request (and not through Minerva)
    • Will be added to your records by the Department of Performance once your application has been processed and you have registered for at least one course in the fall semester
    • Application request deadline: Monday, May 15, 2023
  2. Academic courses (theory, musicianship, music history)

    Theory and Musicianship:
    These courses generally do not have a performance element.

    Music History:
    An introductory music history course should be completed during your first year at Schulich.

    Placement exams will be offered online in July for those who are seeking advanced standing in theory and musicianship courses. Detail info about the placement tests is posted here.

    Language Proficiency
    If you are not confident in your English language skills, it is recommended to take an academic English course before registering for Western Musical Traditions (MUHL 186) or other humanities course(s). Recommended courses include Academic Skills (WCOM 295) or ESL Academic English 2 (WCOM 235) to improve writing and analytical skills before taking our music history (MUHL) courses. You must write a placement test before you can register for one of the WCOM courses. WCOM course(s) can be used as B.Mus. elective(s). WCOM placement test dates are found at McGill Writing Centre.

    • These courses are compulsory for newly-admitted and transfer students in B.Mus. or L.Mus. programs.
    • IMPORTANT: These courses provide a solid foundation in your development as a musician. You risk delaying your graduation if you fail to complete the required courses recommended in the sample study plan.
    • All new and transfer students admitted to a B.Mus. or L.Mus. program must register for theory (core courses with MUTH or MUJZ prefixes) and musicianship (core courses with MUSP or MUJZ prefixes) during their first year.
    • Western Musical Traditions (MUHL 186) for all B.Mus. and L.Mus. programs in the classical program. You will be exempt from MUHL 186 if you have successfully completed equivalent history courses from Cegep, a music conservatory or university. Those who have passed RCM Grade 10 history exam will also be exempt from MUHL 186. Detail exemption criteria from MUHL 186 is found on the placement exam website.
    • Jazz History Survey (MUJZ 187) for all B.Mus. Jazz Performance, B.Mus. Faculty – Jazz Concentration and L.Mus. Jazz Performance programs. You will be exempt from MUJZ 187 if you have successfully completed equivalent jazz history courses from Cegep, a music conservatory or university.
  3. Electives

    An elective is a course that is not part of your core curriculum. A list of typical electives a music student can take is found here.

  4. Ensembles (MUEN courses)

    • Verify the ensemble requirements on your program's web page and look over the ensemble descriptions and audition schedules. Audition information will be posted online as it becomes available.
    • All students must audition in order to be assigned in a large and/or small ensemble(s).
    • Chamber music ensembles (MUEN 560, jazz combos (MUEN 570 or MUEN 574) are assigned based on auditions.
    • IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to register for the ensemble(s) you have been assigned to by the add/drop deadline. Please ensure you have the correct Course Registration Number (CRN) when adding your assigned ensemble(s) on Minerva. You will be liable for a course section change fee if you made a registration error and request the Music Student Affairs Office to change section(s) on your behalf after the add/drop deadline.
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