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 the full year (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 10, 2024 to add or drop courses for the fall semester without fee penalty.
I am having trouble adding MUHL 186, MUTH 150 and MUIN courses
MUHL 186: This course comprises of a Lecture and a Tutorial. You must select both Lecture and Tutorial when adding this course on Minerva.
MUTH 150: You must first complete a theory placement exam before you can add this course. This course comprises of a Lecture, Tutorial and Laboratory. You must select all three required components when adding this course on Minerva.
MUIN courses: You cannot register MUIN courses on Minerva. The Department of Performance adds the MUIN course (such as MUIN 180, MUIN 181, MUIN 280, etc.) to your records after you have submitted a practical instruction request. See Practical Instruction (MUIN) below for detail.
The course I would like to register is full or has a program restriction. What should I do?
If it is a required course for BMus or LMus, submit a Course Permit/Override Form to seek permission to register.
If it is a course offered by another faculty, such as Arts or Science, contact the administering unit which offers the course to seek permission to register.
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. See Tuition and Funding if you have more questions about fees and scholarship payments.
Registration opens
When?
Scholarship recipients: |
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All other students: |
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Minerva is our online registration tool. You must register for at least one course by Wednesday, 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? This instructional video shows you how to use Minerva to register for courses.
Required Courses
Click on your program to access a sample study plan:
Course Categories
There are four main course categories for music students. Each course category has a specific registration procedure and deadline.
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Practical Instruction (MUIN courses)
- Also known as private lessons for your instrument, including voice. These private lessons are designated by MUIN 180 & 181 in the first year if you are a U0 student, or MUIN 280 & 281 if you are a U1 student.
- 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: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
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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 between June 10 and July 5, 2024 for those who are seeking advanced standing/transfer credits 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.
Where can I find my sample study plan?
The sample study plan for all Bachelor of Music programs is located in the tab labelled “Four-year study plan” in the program welcome page.
e.g. The “four-year study plan” for B.Mus. Orchestral Instruments program is located under “Program Structure”.
- 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.
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Electives
You may have room to take one ore more electives in your first year at McGill. An elective is a course in a subject other than the major requirement for your program. A list of electives a music student can take is found here.
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Ensembles (MUEN courses)
- Depending on the ensemble, you may be required to first pass an audition in late August before you can register.
- Most ensemble assignments are done for the full year (fall and winter semesters) through one audition at the beginning of the academic year.
- Consult the Ensemble website for a list of ensembles you may take based on your admitted program and instrument.
