Music (MMus, 1.5 Years or 3 Semesters)

The minimum general requirement for admission to the post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor Degree from a recognised university.

Audition and Interview

The MMus audition on the applicant’s primary study instrument will consist of three to four pieces that exhibit contrasting style periods (as appropriate to the instrument), tempi, and expressive and technical demands. The entire audition program should be no less than twenty minutes and should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to handle large musical works.

At the time of the audition, applicants will be interviewed by the MMus faculty and should be prepared to answer questions related to:

• Personal reflection on their past artistic and educational experiences;
• Their reasons for pursuing the MMus degree;
• How they expect the MMus degree to help them to fulfil their artistic and professional goals.

The audition repertoire will vary according to each applicant’s instrument but should generally reflect the standard of the final recital of a Bachelor’s degree in Performance or Performance Studies. Below are two indicative examples of acceptable MMus audition programs. These are provided for illustrative purposes and actual audition programs must be approved in advance by the MMus Program Coordinator and the relevant instrument instructor.

Indicative Examples of MMus Audition Programs

Classical Piano

• J. S. Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp major, from WTC I
• Beethoven, Sonata in B-flat major, Op. 22, 1st movement
• Chopin, Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor, Op. 39
• Debussy, Pagodes & Soirée dans Grenade, from Estampes

Violin

• Technical solo composition by Dont, Gaviniès, or Paganini
• Two contrasting movements from a solo work by J. S. Bach
• One fast and one slow movement from any Classical or Romantic concerto or solo chamber work

English Language Proficiency

Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present a minimum TOEFL score 550 and above, or Computer-based TOEFL score of 213 and above, or Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score 79-80 and above, or GCSE (or GCE) English Language “O” Level of “C” or above or IELTS of 6.5 and above or Cambridge Exams (First Certificate with Grade B and above, as well as Proficiency with Grade C and above or a score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the University English Placement Test. The University offers English courses at various levels to help students reach the required standard for admission to a graduate program.