Masters of Music in Canada: Top Universities, Admission, Cost, Scholarships and Scope
Masters of Music in CanadaAre you eager to study abroad with a Masters of Music program in Canada? Masters of Music in Canada lasts for 1 to 4 years. The top universities that provide Masters in Music in Canada are McGill University, University of British Columbia, York University, University of Montreal, and University of Alberta. Admission to Masters of Music in Canada involves a GPA of about 3.0 score or 83 to 86%, 6.5 or more in IELTS, 2 to 3 LORs, a Statement of Intent, as well as a portfolio.
The fees or cost of this course in the top universities are within the range of 6,700-19,500 CAD (₹4,23,440-₹12,31,425). Program Scholarships for Foreign Students (PBEEE), International Graduate Tuition Award are some of the scholarships provided by Canadian universities to fund graduate students, whether they are domestic or international, for studying Masters of Music.
The course provides a scope for the students to choose from myriad specializations of Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Composition, Music Education, Popular music, Performance, etc. Students after pursuing Masters of Music in Canada have the scope to get jobs related to Music Insights Analyst, Music Teacher, Music Professor, Music Therapists, etc. The average salary of the students after completing Masters of Music in Canada is 47,500 CAD (₹29,99,625).
Masters of Music in Canada: Details
Music is considered one of the most challenging professions globally. In this regard, the table below highlights the details of Masters of Music in Canada.
Particulars | Details |
Course | Masters of Music in Canada |
Duration | 1 to 4 years |
Top universities | McGill University, University of Montreal, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, York University |
Average cost | 6,700-19,500 CAD (₹4,23,440-₹12,31,425) |
Intake seasons | February, March, August, September, December |
Masters of Music in Canada - Important Dates and Events
To pursue Masters of Music in Canada, you must look into the important dates and events that come along with the application process for this course.
Masters of Music in Canada: Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities
The application deadlines for the top universities providing Masters of Music in Canada are listed to help the students get admitted to this course.
University | Course | Start and end dates of the application (Deadline) |
McGill University | Master of Music (MMus) | By 1 Dec, 2025 |
University of British Columbia | Master of Music (MMus) | 10 Sep, 2024 - 1 Dec, 2024 for Canadian and international applicants for Sep, 2025 (Closed currently) |
University of Montreal | Master in Music |
|
University of Alberta | Master of Music | By 1 March |
York University | Master of Arts in Music | Closed for the upcoming year |
University of Calgary | Master of Music | 15 January for international and Canadian, and permanent citizens |
Masters of Music in Canada: Visa Application Timeline
The application timeline for a Canadian student visa differs based on the intake as well as the particular institution. The visa should be applied for by international students after receiving their letter of acceptance.
Masters of Music in Canada: Fees
The tuition fees, living costs, and financial aid opportunities are significant to be understood by the students for pursuing Masters of Music in Canada.
Tuition Fees: The tuition fees of the top universities offering Masters of Music in Canada are different, which are specified below.
University | Tuition fees |
McGill University | 11,650 CAD (₹7,35,548) |
University of British Columbia | 5,626.02 CAD (₹3,55,215) for Canadian citizens 9,883.98 CAD (₹6,24,204) for international citizens |
University of Montreal |
|
University of Alberta | 8,880 CAD (₹5,61,072) |
York University | 19,500 CAD (₹12,31,425) for first year |
University of Calgary | 8,200 CAD (₹5,17,830) |
Living Costs
The table shows the primary living costs in Canada that can give an idea to the students for planning a sample monthly budget, although this varies from one location to another.
Particulars | Living costs |
Utilities and Rent | 600 CAD (₹37,878) |
Transportation | 80 CAD (₹5,051) |
Food | 350 CAD (₹22,096) |
Internet and Phone | 75 CAD (₹4,735) |
Miscellaneous | 200 CAD (₹12,626) |
Total | 1,305 CAD (₹82,421) |
Financial Aid Opportunities: Various opportunities for financial aid are available for international students who pursue Masters of Music in Canada, which include scholarships, assistantships, bursaries, as well as government funding programs.
Why Choose a Masters of Music in Canada?
There are a variety of reasons that provide interest to the students to study Masters of Music in Canada.
Career benefits: Studying Masters of Music in Canada provides a lot of scope and opportunities, as some of the leading music stars and pop artists come from Canada. Graduates from this course get the benefits to explore opportunities for performance, musicology, composition, and other related fields.
Global exposure: The vibrant and diverse music scene, a small class setting, utilisation of the kaleidoscope, critical tools, and world-renowned universities provide global exposure to the students for enhancing their skills in music.
Networking: Students, after completing this course, get networking opportunities in terms of professional music organizations, community events, and university music departments.
Masters of Music in Canada: Qualification
To study Masters of Music in Canada, students have to fulfill certain requirements that are.
- Required degrees/Academic performance: A bachelor’s degree in the relevant field and a 3.0 GPA or 83 to 86% are required to be obtained by students applying for this course.
- English proficiency: The English proficiency of the international students should be evaluated by obtaining a good score on the IELTS exam.
Masters of Music in Canada: Eligibility Criteria – Category-wise
The eligibility criteria for students studying Masters of Music in Canada, in terms of language test scores, application requirements, SOP, LOR, and Resume in top universities, are provided.
Language test scores: 6.5 or equivalent in IELTS and 80 to 100 for TOEFL-iBT should be scored by international students, although this varies by university.
Masters of Music in Canada: Application Requirements
The application requirements for top universities to offer Masters of Music in Canada are.
- Official transcripts of a bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline
- 3.0 from 4.0 GPA or 83 to 86%
- Portfolio
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) in Canada or Statement of Intent
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Portfolios/Screening material/Auditions/List of repertoires
- IELTS with 6.5 or equivalent for the English language proficiency proof
Masters of Music in Canada: SOP, LOR, and Resume
An SOP should show the passion of students for music, their academic along with their professional background and aspirations for the career, and the reason behind it. Moreover, LORs from professionals or professors should be provided to attest to the musical abilities of students. Additionally, a well-designed resume should highlight the musical experience, achievements, and skills of the students.
Masters of Music in Canada: University-Specific Admission Steps
The admission steps for the top universities for studying Masters of Music in Canada are.
University | Admission steps | Application documents |
McGill University |
| 2 LORs, CV, Personal statement, List of repertoires, Screening material |
University of British Columbia |
| Live screening video, SOP, Portfolio |
University of Montreal | A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is needed | - |
University of Alberta | A bachelor’s degree with 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA from the University of Alberta or equivalent qualification, along with standing from a reputed institution | Statement of Intent, 3 LORs, CV, Composition portfolio |
York University | A graduate from a reputed university with a B standing and a 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA | Statement of Intent, 3 LORs, Updated resume, 2 samples of scholarly writing |
University of Calgary | 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA in the last 2 years of full-time study of a bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent | 2 LORs, Statement of Intent, Live audition or portfolio, or essay on Music Education |
Top Masters of Music Entrance Exams for Canada
The top entrance exams for showcasing English proficiency of international students of Masters of Music in Canada are IELTS and TOEFL.
Masters of Music in Canada: IELTS/TOEFL Tips
The tips for IELTS/TOEFL exams to help the students prepare well are.
- Practice with the sample questions from official test providers such as TOEFL or IELTS
- Gain knowledge about the scoring criteria
- Practice reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills
- Effective time management
- Look for feedback on performance
Masters of Music in Canada: Cutoff
The cutoff for Masters of Music in Canada in terms of IELTS and TOEFL scores varies from one university to another.
Masters of Music in Canada: IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs
Students are required to fulfill the required criteria or cutoff in IELTS and TOEFL exams for their proficiency in English.
University | IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs |
McGill University |
|
University of British Columbia |
|
University of Montreal | - |
University of Alberta |
|
York University | 7.5 or higher in IELTS |
University of Calgary |
|
Masters of Music in Canada: Syllabus
The syllabus of Masters of Music in Canadian universities depends on the specializations.
Masters of Music in Canada: Specializations
The core courses of the top universities in Canada offering Masters of Music are presented below.
University | Specializations |
McGill University | - |
University of British Columbia | Conducting, Composition, Harpsichord, Guitar, Historical performance practice, Orchestral instrument performance, Opera, Piano, Organ, Voice |
University of Montreal | Performance, Jazz and Composition |
University of Alberta | Composition, Choral Conducting |
York University | Musicology, Composition, Ethnomusicology, Popular music, and Jazz |
University of Calgary | Composition, Music Education, Conducting, Sonic Arts, and Performance |
Top Universities/Colleges for Masters of Music in Canada
The top universities that offer Masters of Music in Canada are provided with their rankings in QS.
Public universities | QS rankings (World university rankings) |
McGill University | 27 |
University of British Columbia | 40 |
University of Montreal | 168 |
University of Alberta | =94 |
York University | 169 |
University of Calgary | 211 |
Masters of Music in Canada vs Masters of Music in India
Masters of Music in Canada and India provide various opportunities to the students, and they are different.
Particulars | Canada | India |
Period | 1-4 years | 2 years |
Fees | 6,700-19,500 CAD (₹4,23,440-₹12,31,425) | ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 for distance education |
International exposure | International curriculum, diverse culture, diverse peer groups, exposure to Western music techniques | Less global input prioritises Indian classical as well as regional music traditions |
Job opportunities | Opportunities in teaching, orchestras, cultural institutions, and film internationally | Teaching and performing in cultural events along with the music/film industries in the Indian market |
Masters of Music in Canada: Scholarships
Universities in Canada focus on supporting international and domestic graduate students through scholarships, bursaries, fellowships, assistantships, etc.
Masters of Music in Canada: Scholarship Deadline for 2025
Below is a tabulation regarding the scholarships, their application requirements, awards, and deadlines by the Canadian universities.
Scholarship type | Application requirements | Award | University | Deadline |
International Tuition Award | Considered automatically | 3,200 CAD (₹2,02,016) | University of British Columbia | - |
International Graduate Tuition Award | Automatically considered | 3000 CAD (₹1,89,390) | University of Calgary | - |
Academic Excellence Fund | Actively registered full-time and part-time Masters and doctoral students are considered | 2,000 CAD (₹1,26,260) | York University | 30 Oct, 28 Feb, and 30 June before 11:59 PM |
Scope After Masters of Music in Canada
After pursuing Masters of Music in Canada, students get to be involved in myriad musical genres such as classical, contemporary repertoires, jazz, electronic, and digital music applications, and traditional world music. The studies can combine classroom and studio work with music arrangement and composition classes to complete music history as well as theory studies. The yearly salary package for a graduate student with Masters of Music in Canada varies between 25,000-70,000 CAD (₹15,87,000-₹44,43,600).
Title of jobs | Average salary (CAD) | Average salary for Indian students (₹) |
Music Insights Analyst | 70,000 | 44,19,100 |
Music Teacher | 60,000 | 37,87,800 |
Music Professor | 1,50,000 | 94,69,500 |
Music Therapist | 67,000 | 42,30,710 |
Music Production Manager | 88,000 | 55,56,000 |
Stage Technician | 100,000 | 63,13,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: What is the average cost required for studying Masters of Music in Canada?
Ans: The cost to study Masters of Music in Canada varies depending on the university in which the applicant is enrolled. The cost of studying Masters of Music on an average basis in Canadian top universities ranges between 6,700-19,500 CAD (₹4,23,440-₹12,31,425). However, this range is the tuition fees provided by the universities for this course.
Ques: What are the top universities located in Canada that offer Masters of Music in Canada?
Ans: The universities in Canada that provide Masters of Music are University of Montreal, University of Alberta, McGill University, University of British Columbia, York University, and University of Calgary. These universities are renowned for offering various specializations under Masters of Music in Canada in performance, conducting, and composition with international faculty experience.
Ques: What are the various types of Masters of Music in Canada?
Ans: There are two categories of degrees in terms of Masters of Music in Canada such as Master of Music (MMus) and Master of Arts (MA). After knowing the types of the degrees, students get the opportunity to choose from different specializations that include Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Musicology, Performance, Composition, and Popular Music. etc.
Ques: What is the scope after studying Masters of Music in Canada?
Ans: After completing Masters of Music in Canada, students get a varied scope to excel in their career in music. Graduates of MA or MMus can have the roles of music insights analysts, music teachers, music therapists, stage technicians, music production managers, music professors, etc. They might also work as composers, performers, sound designers or in the arts administration.
Ques: What is the salary package of jobs related to Masters of Music in Canada?
Ans: The annual salary package for a graduate student who has completed Masters of Music in Canada ranges between 25,000-70,000 CAD (₹15,87,000-₹44,43,600). However, the salaries of the graduate students pursuing Masters of Music in Canada differ by role, location, experience, and specialization within the education, performance, or production sectors.