Music
Overview
Launch your career in music and music-related professions by learning from some of Canada’s finest performers, composers, and producers. Audition and specialize in any genre including classical, jazz, contemporary, and electronic music.
| Tuition | $7,224 |
|---|---|
| Credential | Diploma |
| Length | 2 years |
| Hours | Full-time |
| Delivery | Class-based |
| Campus | Broadway |
| Tuition | $32,879 |
|---|---|
| Credential | Diploma |
| Length | 2 years |
| Hours | Full-time |
| Delivery | Class-based |
| Campus | Broadway |
| PGWP | Not listed as eligible |
What to expect
- Monday to Friday daytime classes
- Occasional evening or weekend rehearsals or performances
- Classroom instruction
- Individual instruction
- Lab activities
- Rehearsals
- Regular jury performances
- Outreach activities
- Public performances
- Assignments
- Quizzes and exams
The Music Diploma is a full-time program. Most classes are scheduled Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 16:30, but evenings and weekends will sometimes be required for rehearsals, performances and other activities.
A combination of classroom instruction, lab activities, rehearsals, performances, and outreach activities will be included in the program.
What you will learn
- Perform/compose in solo and ensemble contexts in one or many idioms.
- Demonstrate critical awareness and the ability to self-evaluate, think and listen critically about core concepts of musicianship.
- Demonstrate awareness of historical and contemporary styles and practices in academic, practical skills and other performance contexts.
- Meet or exceed standards of musical literacy appropriate at a second-year level of instruction.
- Demonstrate successful mastery of vocal, instrumental and/or compositional performance techniques.
- Promote themselves as professionals in the music industry and related professions.
Program duration and maximum time for completion
The Music Diploma is a two-year, four-term program. Maximum time for completion is five years.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
- Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent
Note: Applicants who have not graduated from high school may still be considered, with permission from the Music Department Leader.
2. English 12 or Communications 12 with a pass, or equivalent.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
- Successful audition in major performance area. See the VCC Music Application and Audition Requirements for details.
- Submit the Supplemental Application form
Note: Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held from February through May. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to Preparatory Music Theory 1 & 2 (MUSC 1013 and MUSC 1033), and Preparatory Musicianship 1 & 2 (MUSC 1011 and MUSC 1031). Students who are accepted at the audition but who require upgrading of theory and musicianship may register concurrently in the recommended preparatory courses (MUSC 1011, 1013, MUSC 1031 and MUSC 1033). Students may also register for the other preparatory-level courses (MUSC 1010, 1030, 1054, 1064) and the following diploma-level courses: MUSC 1305, MUSC 1319, and MUSC 2490 (instructor permission and available space required. Students will be wait-listed until available space and instructor permission are confirmed).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent
Please note all English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Music Department is located at the Broadway Campus on the 3rd floor. Applications, along with transcripts and all supporting documents, will be accepted by VCC between November 1st and April 1st. An entrance audition or interview will be scheduled once all required documents are received. Applications received after April 1st will be considered subject to space availability.
Learn more about VCC's academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended considerations
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
- Outstanding potential in area of specialization
- Strongly motivated and proven ability to work to deadlines
- Good organizational skills
- Basic computer, word processing, and music notation software skills
Program availability
Fall 2027 |
|
|---|---|
| Program start date | |
| Status | Open |
| Application opens | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | Jun 1, 2027 |
Fall 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Program start date | Sep |
| Status | Closed |
| Application opens | Oct 1, 2025 |
Courses
The average course load is 15.0 credits per semester. Students may not register for more than 18.0 credits without written permission from the Music Department Leader.
A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader. Normally, students taking fewer than 9 credits in a term will not be entitled to individual instruction. In exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to register for individual instruction with fewer than 9 credits total. However, in order for such an exception to apply, the student must have previously completed all academic and skills-course requirements for the term of individual instruction in which they are registering.
Note that the Music Diploma requires a minimum of 60 credits for graduation.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 1301 | Musicianship 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 1303 | Theory and Practice of Music 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 1104 | Performance Techniques 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 1305 | Music in Context 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 1319 | Music and Media 1 | 1.5 |
| MUSC 1310 | Individual Instruction 1 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Two | ||
| MUSC 1401 | Musicianship 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 1403 | Theory and Practice of Music 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 1204 | Performance Techniques 2 | 1 |
| MUSC 1405 | Music in Context 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 1419 | Music and Media 2 | 1.5 |
| MUSC 1410 | Individual Instruction 2 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Three | ||
| MUSC 2301 | Musicianship 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 2303 | Theory and Practice of Music 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 2104 | Performance Techniques 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 2305 or MUSC 2304 or MUSC 2317 |
Musicology 1 2 or Electronic Music 1 or Improvisation 1 |
3 |
| MUSC 2307 | Social Media for the Self-employed Musician | 1.5 |
| MUSC 2310 | Individual Instruction 3 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Four | ||
| MUSC 2401 | Musicianship 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 2403 | Theory and Practice of Music 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 2204 | Performance Techniques 4 | 1 |
| MUSC 2405 or MUSC 2404 or MUSC 2417 |
Musicology 2 2 or Electronic Music 2 or Improvisation 2 |
3 |
| MUSC 2407 | Career Opportunities for Musicians 1 | 1.5 |
| MUSC 2410 | Individual Instruction 4 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
”Performance Ensemble” is repeatable for credit. Students require 4 terms (6 cr.) of “Performance Ensemble” to graduate. Students may participate in any VCC ensemble (or community ensemble as approved by the Department Head), subject to audition and/or entrance requirements.
- 2
Students enrol in two terms of Musicology OR Electronic Music OR Jazz Improvisation
This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and costs
| Application fee | $36 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,224 |
Year 1 - $1,833 Year 2 - $1,833 Year 3 - $1,780 Year 4 - $1,780 |
| Student union | $290 | |
| College initiative | $181 | |
| Materials | $165 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | $289 | |
| Medical and dental | $570 | Explore medical insurance options |
| U-Pass | $657 | Get your student transit pass |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $9,457 |
Books and Supplies
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
In addition to the total fees above, other surcharge fees will apply:
- $738 surcharge – private instruction (major)
- $387 surcharge – private instruction (minor) – elective credit
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit.
Refund policies vary for domestic and international students. Review the applicable policy for eligibility, deadlines, and refund amounts.
Need help with tuition?
Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.
Technical requirement
Tuition deposits are usually payable within three weeks after an offer is issued. The amount listed on this page is based on the first-term estimate. Refer to your offer for the exact amount required to accept an offer – either First-Term Estimate or First-Year Estimate.
| Tuition deposit | $11,500 | $10,000 non-refundable |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $145 | |
| Tuition | $32,879 | |
| Student union | $290 | |
| College initiative | $190 | |
| Campus resource | $329 | |
| Medical and dental | $570 | Explore medical insurance options |
| Temporary medical insurance | $149 | |
| U-Pass | $657 | Get your student transit pass |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $35,427 |
Books and Supplies
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit.
Refund policies vary for domestic and international students. Review the applicable policy for eligibility, deadlines, and refund amounts.
Need help with tuition?
Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.
Technical requirement
How to apply
Audition Information:
See the Application and Audition Requirements – Music Diploma and Music Prep Certificate for audition instructions and submit the Music Supplemental Application form. If you complete all steps by one of the deadlines below, you will be invited to the next scheduled audition interview date. Auditions take place by video submission and online interview.
Contact [email protected] for questions about the application process and audition dates.
Deadline to apply, submit audition video, and complete theory assessment for 2026:
- January 26 audition – deadline is January 12
- February 23 audition – deadline is February 9
- March 30 audition – deadline is March 16
- April 27 audition – deadline is April 13
- May 12 audition – deadline is April 28
- May 26 audition – deadline is May 12
- June 23 audition – deadline is June 12
- July 7 audition – deadline is June 26
International students
- January 29 audition – deadline is January 22
- February 26 audition – deadline is February 5
- March 26 audition – deadline is March 5
- April 23 audition – deadline is April 2
- May 5 audition – deadline is April 14
- May 28 audition – deadline is May 7
Ready to apply?
Online
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5
International students
Apply to VCC international programs online. Check the availability status for your desired program and intake before applying.
Contact us
Program information
<p>For questions about Music programs email us at [email protected]</p>
Advising services
Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: [email protected]
Advising services for International students
Do you have any questions?