Music is a challenging profession to pursue worldwide. No degree or piece of paper will make it any simpler. Music lovers must be competent to accomplish, generate content, attract an audience, and promote themselves.
Depending on the chosen area, a master's degree in music in Canada could take 1 to 4 years to finish. The average cost of pursuing a master's degree in music at a Canadian university ranges from 18,000 CAD to 70,000 CAD.
Music Performance, Instrumental, Music Education, Music Composition, Music Entrepreneurship, Music Technology, Music Therapy are some of the areas studied and pursued in Masters in Music.
Music graduates can work as music therapists, teachers, promoters and entrepreneurs, music technicians, and professional musicians. In Canada, the average annual salary for a musician can range from 40,950 CAD – 75,000 CAD.
Some Common areas of specialisation for students who pursue this degree in Canada's best universities are:
- Sound engineering and music production
- Music technology.
- Music education
- Musicology.
- Music therapy
- Studio Sound Engineering.
Follow this post and read to the conclusion to learn everything a student needs to know about studying in Canada for a Master of Music.
Why study Master of Music in Canada?
Benefits of studying Master of Music in Canada:
- Living costs are lower than in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
- Diversity: on campus, there is the opportunity to interact with students from all over the world.
- The multicultural setting teaches kids to think beyond the box and exposes them to new ideas and perspectives.
- Canada provides degrees that are internationally recognized.
- ROI: Compared to other popular destinations, Canada offers a cheaper education despite hosting several elite universities with superb facilities and faculty.
- Job opportunities: Canadian universities provide overseas students with various opportunities in the performing arts field.
- Graduates in music have careers as professional musicians, music therapists, music educators, music promoters and business owners, and music technologists.
Top Universities for Master of Music in Canada
Because Canadian institutions frequently place first in global rankings, academic excellence and high standards of education are two of the primary factors that make Canada one of the most sought-after study destinations in the world for pursuing music degrees.
Some of the top universities are listed below with QS world ranking 2022.
Rank (2022) |
University |
26 |
University of Toronto |
27 |
McGill University |
46 |
University of British Columbia |
111 |
University of Montreal |
126 |
University of Alberta |
170 |
Western University |
230 |
University of Ottawa |
235 |
University of Calgary |
298 |
Simon Fraser University |
Master of Music in Canada: Tuition fees for international students
Some of the top universities for master in music in Canada with fees are listed below:
University |
Program |
Duration |
Tuition (Annual) CAD |
University of Toronto |
Master of Art (MA) in Musicology |
3 years |
$36,150 |
McGill University |
Master of Art (MA) in Music-Musicology (thesis) |
2 years |
$17,962 |
University of British Columbia |
M.A in Music-Emphasis Musicology |
2 years |
$9,313.92 |
University of Montreal |
Master of Music (M.Mus.) |
2 years |
$11,386.03 / trimester |
University of Alberta |
Master of Music (M.Mus.) |
1/2 years |
$8,700.00 |
Western University |
Master of Music (M.Mus.) |
2 years |
$12,656 (6,328*2) |
University of Ottawa |
Master of Music (M.Mus.) |
2 years |
$8,573.03 (2 or fewer terms) |
Simon Fraser University |
Master of Music (M.Mus.) |
2 years |
$11,681.64 (1,946.94*6 term) total |
Master of Music in Canada: Academic Requirements
The University of Toronto
- The undergrad degree or diploma requires a 75 percent (B+) average.
- A Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with a final-year average grade point average of mid-B or above, or an equivalent program and grade point average from another accredited university.
- Two letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's professional accomplishments and promise.
- English Language Requirements:
- TOEFL: I received a score of 93/12022 on the writing and speaking portions.
- PTE Marks - 7/9 in IELTS A minimum of 6.5 for each component.
Top Music University in Canada
McGill University
- A bachelor's in Music Education degree, or equivalent, from a McGill-recognized university.
- An overall grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, or a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the previous two years of full-time study.
- English Language requirements:
- TOEFL: 86/120, with at least 20 in each of the four component scores
- IELTS: 6.5/9 overall.
- GRE: There is no precise cutoff for the GRE; all applicants must take the test.
University of British Columbia
- The candidate must have a B.Mus., B.S., or B.A. degree.
- A music major is recommended, with courses in World Music Cultures and intensive examination of various world locations.
- Prior to applying, students having Bachelor's degrees in these areas are urged to examine this program and review its requirements.
- A solid foundation in performance and/or fieldwork is advantageous.
- TOEFL: 100/120, 22 in reading, hearing, and writing, and 21 in speaking.
- IELTS: 7/9 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component
University of Montreal (UdeM)
- A Bachelor of Music degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution is required.
- A degree of bachelor's in musicology, or an equivalent degree, from a McGill-approved university.
- An overall grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, or a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in your most recent two years of continuous studies.
- IELTS: a band score of 6.5 or higher is required (Academic module).
- TOEFL: 86 overall, with a minimum of 20 in each of the four component scores.
University of Alberta
- Students must have a B.A. Honours in Music or B.Mus. degree, or an equivalent.
- Students without an Honours B.A. or B.Mus. degree are encouraged to apply.
- English language requirements:
- TOEFL: 100/120, with a minimum score of 20 in each section.
- Marks: 68/90 for PTE.
- IELTS: 7/9, with a minimum of 5.5 in each test band.
Western University
- A Bachelor of Music with a Music Theory specialty, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Music, or an equivalent degree.
- A one-page summary of your musical theory background, goals, and research interests.
- Two confidential letters of recommendation.
- English language Requirements:
- TOEFL: The minimum admissible score for the paper and pencil version is 550, the computer version is 213 and the internet version is 86, with no individual score lower than 20.
- IELTS: Minimum score is 6.5 out of 9.
University of Ottawa
- Applicants must have one of the following qualifications: A Bachelor of Music, A four-year honors bachelor's degree in music
- A four-year bachelor's degree with a major in music, or an equivalent degree or diploma.
- English Language Requirements:
- TOEFL: 92 with at least a 30 in each of the four components,
- PTE: 65 or higher and no part less than 60,
- IELTS: 6.5 overall score band
Simon Fraser University
- Bachelor's from SFU or its equivalent degree from another recognized school; and a cumulative grade average of at most 3.0 on a 4.33 range, or 3.33 on a 4.33 scale (B+) depending on the last 60 credits of undergraduate studies.
- All graduate work is also evaluated or submitted as proof, usually in the form of recommendations from authorised reviewers, of the applicant's capacity to pursue postgraduate researchers in expertise.
- English language requirements:
- TOEFL: 93/120, with a minimum of 20 in each category.
- PTE: 65/90, with a minimum of 60 in all categories.
- IELTS: 7/9, with a minimum of 6.5 in each section.
Master of Music in Canada : Scholarships
Different universities in Canada provide direct scholarships to international students seeking a Master's degree in Music. The scholarship amount granted by universities offering an MS in Music ranges from CAD 1000 to CAD 23,000.
Some colleges require an additional application in addition to the admission application, while others automatically evaluate students for scholarships.
A master's degree may be too expensive to pursue, especially in a costly nation like Canada. However, there are a lot of scholarships available to overseas students in Canada that could help to lessen the financial strain.
Students can look for a variety of financial aid options in addition to applying for Canadian scholarships for international students.
The following are some of Canada's most popular university-specific scholarships for overseas students.
University |
Scholarships/Award |
Details |
University of Toronto |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship |
CAD 18877.42 per annum |
McGill University |
Music Entrance Fellowship |
CAD 1258.49 to 30203.88 |
University of British Columbia |
Graduate Support Initiative Award |
Varies |
University of Montreal |
Scholarship of Excellence of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies |
Varies |
Simon Fraser University |
Graduate Dean's Entrance Scholarship (GDES) |
CAD 26428.39 per annum |
York University |
York Graduate Scholarship |
Varies |
University of Alberta |
Harry Farmer Graduate Scholarship in Music |
Varies |
University of Calgary |
Entrance Scholarships |
CAD 15101.94 to 44047.32 |
McMaster University |
Myra Baillie Academic Grant |
CAD 1258.49 |
Master of Music in Canada: Job Scope
A master's degree in music will introduce you to a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, classical, traditional world music, contemporary repertoires, and electronic and digital music applications. You'll combine classroom and studio work with composition and musical arrangement classes to complete your studies in music history and theory.
The annual salary of a musician in Canada ranges from 25,000 CAD to 70,000 CAD.
Job Title |
Average Salary CAD |
Music Insights Analyst |
CAD 70,000. |
Music Professors |
CAD 1,50,000 |
Music Teachers |
CAD 60,000 |
Music Therapists |
CAD 67,000 |
Music Production Manager |
CAD 88,000 |
Stage Technician |
CAD 100,000 |
|
Employers hiring Master of Music in Canada
Music Insights Analyst
- TikTok – Toronto
- Estimated: CAD 54,000 – CAD 73,000.
Assistant, Music Touring
- Creative Artists Agency (CAA) – Toronto
- Estimated: CAD 36,000 – CAD 52,000.
Music Industry Coach -remote
- Canadian Musicians Co-operative – Barrie
- Estimated: CAD 39,000 – CAD 56,000.
Music Co-Ordinator – education
- The world Academy of Music – Markham
- Estimated: CAD 36/per hour
Guitar Maker
- F Bass IC. Hamilton
- Estimated: CAD 20 -21/per hour
Instrumental music teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons
- International Music Academy — Stouffville
- Estimated: CAD 25 -31/per hour
Music Teacher - Upper School / Trainee
- Ridley College (Canada) — St. Catharine’s.
· Estimated: CAD 62,000 – CAD 81,000 a year.