Music at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Arts in Music. Take your singing, constant jamming, dreams of concert halls, or any other way you express yourself musically and study in a program that offers flexibility to follow your passions. You'll be able to perform in one of our music ensembles and have access to instruction in more than 20 types of instruments. Balance your study of performance, music theory, and music history with classes on the relationship between music and technology, gender, and peace. Available in the regular system of study or the co-op system.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

About 40% of the classes you’ll take will be Music courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo. Sample upper-year courses include Conducting 1, Soundtracks: Music in Film, Music and Technology, Aesthetics of Music.

Career pathways

Waterloo Music graduates often pursue careers in music, teaching, and marketing. They often work in arts schools, entertainment companies, and theatres.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%); Admission average: High 70s; Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business. How to apply: Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Music as your major at the end of first year. Auditions are not required to declare a Music major. Students electing to register for a Music studio course or pursue the Performance Specialization must arrange for an audition during the first week of class. (Normally, a level of performance equivalent to about Grade Eight standing at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto is expected for admission to Music studio. Non-western musical instruments will also be considered at the discretion of the Department.)

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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