Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Music is conditional on:

• successful completion of high school exams, a vocational qualification, a diploma from another secondary school of general education, a certificate of other education with an equivalent general nature;
• passing an admission exam.

The requirement for completion of secondary education and vocational secondary education may be waived in exceptional circumstances if the candidate demonstrates an outstanding musical talent.

Language

For admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Music, candidates who are not native speakers of Italian must present a certificate proving that their level of Italian language is at least B2 according to the Common European Framework for Modern Languages. (Celi3 level, http://www.cvcl.it) Students who are native speakers of French, German or English, or students who can demonstrate a level of B2 language proficiency in one of these languages according to the Common European Framework for Modern Languages, may apply for exemption from this rule. They must, however, demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge of the Italian language and reach Celi3 level by the end of their first year of study. Most courses are taught in Italian although, depending on the nationality of the students and/or musicians present during practical exercises, the use of other languages (French, German, English) is widely accepted. Classes delivered by guests may also take place in the languages specified above. Students can also attend language courses as part of SUPSI programmes (and Italian courses at the CSI). Written work is accepted in any of the three official languages (Italian, French, German) or in English.

All required documents must be uploaded by 31 March. Access to the applications portal is possible in one of the following ways:

• as soon as you fill in the application form (automatic redirect);
• by clicking the link received by email with the pre-registration data;
• by heading to applications.conservatorio.ch and login in with the access credentials provided via email.

Once all documents will be uploaded, it is necessary to confirm the application by clicking on “Submit dossier” at the bottom of the page.

Incomplete applications will not be evaluated (applications which are incomplete on 31 March). The University of Music reserves the right to ask for further documents (e.g. translations or certificates), should it find any of the documents in the application dossier to be lacking in clarity or comprehensibility, with particular attention to the diplomas.

The following documents must be uploaded to the applications portal:

• ID or passport: the copy must be readable and both personal information and expiration date of the document must be clearly visible.
• Access diploma to university studies: the access diploma is the High School diploma (or equivalent). Candidates who are sitting their diploma exams (high school) in the current academic year should attach a self-certification that the qualification will be obtained by the start of the academic year being applied for.
• Other musical diplomas: if available.
• Curriculum vitae et studiorum: by points, not in prose.
• Motivation letter: in which candidates state the motives that inspired them to choose the study programme they are applying to.
• Language level certifications: B2 CEFR certificate for Italian.
• Confirmation of payment: those who decide to pay for the application fee via bank transfer, should upload a copy of the transfer confirmation.

Deadline: 31 March

The application fee of CHF 100.- (plus transaction costs), can be paid in any of the following ways:

• Online payment with a credit card or PayPal account, through the applications portal. In this case it is not necessary to upload a transaction receipt in the portal.
• Payment by bank transfer. In this case, a copy of the transaction receipt must be uploaded to the applications portal. All information necessary for the transfer are available in the Fees and Charges page on our website, under the "Payment details section.

Deadline: 31 March

The Conservatoire offers scholarships to admissions applicants and to its own students. Candidates interested in obtaining financial support can find all relevant information on our website, at the page dedicated to Scholarships.

Admission examinations are structured as follow:

1. a practical test (audition);
2. a theory test to assess listening and harmony skills;
3. an interview.

Further information on the different tests can be found in the section "Practical information on admission tests".

The admission examinations take place in April at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland). The presence of all candidates in Lugano for the live audition is of fundamental importance, as it guarantees a complete, careful and as objective as possible evaluation for admission.

However, in some particular cases (e.g. for travel from non-European countries, or for proven health reasons, as in the case of subjects considered at risk), candidates may contact the Academic Services office (servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) no later than March 15 to coordinate the way in which possible online admissions exams may take place.

A. Details of the practical test (audition)

The practical test (audition), is structured as follows:

1. Candidates must be present in front of the audition room at the established time, as indicated in the invitation letter. For instrumental classes that receive a considerable amount of applications, candidates may be grouped in different time slots, each of which lasting for 2 to 3 hours. In any case, candidates must be present in front of the audition room at the established time, and wait for their audition turn.
2. It is standard practice for the admissions commission to hear candidates in this order:
   1. by study programme, starting with BA candidates, followed by candidates to the MA in Pedagogy, in Performance, and in Specialized Music Performance;
   2. in alphabetical order within each study programme;

The admissions commission reserves the right to establish a different order.

Repertoire

There is no pre-established audition repertoire for any instrument. Anyway, the audition programme should comprise pieces from different time periods and styles for a minimum duration of at least 30 minutes. During the audition, the admissions commission may ask candidates to perform only part of the programme.

Piano accompanist

For all auditions (except for harp, guitar, cembalo, accordion, organ, percussions, and piano auditions), the University of Music (SUM) provides a professional piano accompanist. We remind candidates that:

• the secretary office must receive (by email, to servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) the list of pieces which will be performed during the audition so that it can be forwarded to the piano accompanists;
• candidates must bring to the audition the score for the piano accompanist;
• it is not possible to rehearse with the piano accompanist before the audition.

Candidates who wish to perform with their own piano accompanist, are required to inform the secretary office.

Warm-up room

The SUM provides a common warm-up room for all candidates. It is not possible to make further bookings for admission exams.

What to bring

• The scores for the piano accompanist (see above)
• Your own scores. We do not require any extra copies of the scores for the admissions commission.

The audition rooms will be equipped with all relevant instruments—according to the nature of the audition—i.e. harp, cembalo, organ, percussions, and pianos. Candidates for all percussion Majors must inform the secretary office about the required instrumentation for their auditions. Candidates for all harp Majors must coordinate with the secretary office the use of their own instruments for the audition.

B. Details of the theory test

The theory test, which consists of a written and an oral test, is held in Italian according to the following procedure:

1. all candidates are called to sit the exam at the same moment (same date and time);
2. at the time of the examination, an appeal is made and the written test is conducted. The written test has a duration of approximately 90 minutes. Examples of the written test are available on our website, at the Teaching materials page, under the voice “Esempio esame di ammissione”;
3. When the written test is concluded, the order in which candidates will be called for the oral test is established. Examples of the written test are available on our website, at the Teaching materials page, under the voice “Esempio esame di ammissione”. In general, the oral test lasts about 30 minutes.

Important note

Due to the nature of the theory test (structured in two different parts, a written and an oral one), candidates must reserve the whole day for the examination.

C. Details on the interview

At the end of the audition, candidates will be interviewed on topics related to their musical education, their future career goals, and their professional development.

Candidates receive an invitation to the various examinations by e-mail, with information on the date, time and location of each test. Candidates who do not take the admission examinations are automatically excluded from the selection process.

The presence of all candidates in Lugano for the live audition is of fundamental importance, as it guarantees a complete, careful and as objective as possible evaluation for admission.

However, in some particular cases (e.g. for travel from non-European countries, or for proven health reasons, as in the case of subjects considered at risk), candidates may contact the Academic Services office (servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) no later than March 15 to coordinate the way in which possible online admissions exams may take place.

Calendar of admission examinations:

The University School of Music reserves the right to make changes to the schedule of the examinations at any time.

Different rules apply according to the nationality of the candidates:

1. EU/EFTA citizens (link) do not need to get a visa for sitting admission examinations;
2. Citizens from all other countries must check the updated list of requisites on the portal of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). In many cases, candidates must request a visa to be able to come to Lugano for the admission exam. The visa may be requested to the Swiss embassy nearest to their place of residence.

Import regulations of musical instruments to Switzerland

Candidates are invited to pay attention to the customs and import regulations established by the Federal Customs Administration, with regard to traveling with musical instruments. Information on this regard may be found on the website of the Federal Customs Administration. When leaving Switzerland, candidates must observe import regulations in their destination country.

Candidates who pass all the admission examinations will receive a letter of admission and a registration confirmation form by ordinary post and by email. This form must be signed and returned to the Academic Services Office of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana as instructed in the letter of admission. Once registration has been confirmed, you will officially become a student at the Conservatorio. Registration confirmation is binding.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM