Fountain School of Performing Arts

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

MA in Musicology Requirements and Admission

MA Application Procedures

Admission to the program is granted to applicants with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and who demonstrate an outstanding capacity for research in music.  Candidates must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

All applicants must review the Faculty of Graduate Studies guidelines for admission.

In addition to the requirements and standards specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies:

  • applicants may be required to take a music theory or music history entrance exam, depending on the candidate's background (the expected theory and history background includes the standard courses in a Bachelor of Music program: two years of harmony, keyboard skills, aural skills and music history; counterpoint; and form and analysis);
  • applicants must demonstrate facility in one foreign language, normally but not necessarily German or French.  This can be satisfied with the completion of an intermediate level university language course.  Students lacking this background must complete the requirement before graduating, either by taking the appropriate courses, or by demonstrating proficiency through an examination.
  • all Canadian applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for a Master's scholarship through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.  In order to be nominated for a Master's level Killam fellowship, applicants have to have applied to SSHRC or, in the case of international applicants, its equivalent.  SSHRC applications and deadlines are administered in the first instance through your home university, usually through your Faculty of Graduate Studies or Office of Research Services. Please refer to those units for internal deadlines, which may be as early as October or November.  All applicants should clearly indicate whether or not they have applied for a SSHRC in their cover letter. 
  • Info for International Students found here.

Applications received by December 1 (for September admission) will be considered for university scholarships. 

The application should be completed online and the application fee remitted to the Registrar. 

All other materials must be sent directly to the Fountain School, either by email (musicgrd@dal.ca) or to the following address:

Fountain School of Performing Arts
GRADUATE STUDIES
Room 514, Dalhousie Arts Centre
6101 University Avenue
Halifax, NS  B3H 4R2  Canada

  • One copy of all university transcripts sent directly from your academic institution
  • Two confidential letters of reference (sent via our electronic reference system)
  • Two academic essays (or equivalent writing samples)
  • Current educational CV
  • A statement (not to exceed one page) that indicates background preparation and includes a research proposal for a prospective MA thesis project. This will enable us to assess research potential and plan for appropriate supervisory arrangements.

Questions about the application process can be directed to the Academic Program Assistant: musicgrd@dal.ca

Questions about the program should be directed to the Associate Director, Graduate Studies & Research: adresgrd@dal.ca