Application and admission process for the two-year Master’s Programme in Music Performance

Applications from outside the Nordic countries may choose between two different trial variants: physical audition and digital audition.

We encourage all our applicants to attend a physical audition if you have the opportunity. You must also state in the application form which variant you would like to apply with.er.

Below you will find detailed information about the different audition formats.

• Physical auditions – Week 8 (19–23 February)

  • The audition repertoire should have a duration of 30–45 minutes (approximately 25 minutes for singers).

  • The audition programme is generally of the applicant’s own choice. However, if you wish to perform with one of our accompanists, you must select from the repertoire listed under the tab “Repertoire requirements.”

• Video submission and digital interview

  • The audition repertoire should have a duration of 20–30 minutes.
    The repertoire is of the applicant’s own choice, but must include at least two works of contrasting style and character. Excerpts of works may be performed.

    • Please note: For applicants with classical piano as their main instrument, the audition programme must not include piano concertos.

  • The deadline for submitting video material is 15 January.
    General guidelines for video recording can be found here.

The following documentation must be submitted with the application:

Part 1) Søknadsweb

• Upload the required documents

  • Diploma/transcripts (scanned in colour).
    Diplomas in languages other than Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English must be accompanied by an authorised translation.

  • Repertoire list for the main instrument, documenting that you have studied works with a total duration of at least 360 minutes, of which at least 40 minutes must be chamber music.

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) providing an overview of your performance experience and artistic practice.

  • Project description (½–1 page).
    See the tab “Template for project description” for details on what to include.

  • Portrait photo of yourself.

  Part 2 – Supplementary form

  • Specify your audition repertoire and upload sheet music for the accompanist.

  • Applicants from outside the Nordic region must indicate their choice of audition format (on-site or digital).

  • Applicants who have chosen the digital audition must include their audition repertoire and a link to the video recording.

Important notice:
Make sure all required documentation is ready before you begin your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A link to the supplementary form can be found here, as well as in the confirmation e-mail from Søknadsweb.

The Master’s degree application must include the following

You must submit a project description of approximately ½–1 page.
The project description should outline your ideas for the topic of your Master’s project. The Master’s project is a performance-based artistic project intended to demonstrate independence, reflection, and artistic maturity in your musical practice.

The project should have a clearly defined focus and address key artistic questions related to your chosen topic. The description should indicate the repertoire you wish to work with and outline how you plan to carry out the project.

The draft project description is not binding, but may serve as a useful starting point for the Master’s work you will later undertake.

Suggested structure

1. Working title
The title of your project.

2. Description of topic or area of interest

• Why are you interested in this topic?

• How do you plan to carry out the project?

• What can you and others learn from the work?

3. Reflections on possible repertoire
List the repertoire you would like to work with as part of the project.

4. Project realisation
Which sources, professional environments, or academic/artistic mentors could support your work?
How do you envisage the form and content of the final artistic presentation?

Learn more about the repertoire requirements for the auditions.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent education, including a minimum of 80 ECTS credits in performance-related subjects.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a performance level equivalent to that of a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Performance from the Barratt Due Institute of Music or the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH).

English language proficiency

All international applicants, as well as applicants who have completed secondary education outside the Nordic countries, must document sufficient proficiency in English.

If you have completed seven years of English instruction in primary and secondary school and meet certain additional criteria listed in the GSU list, you fulfil the English language requirement. In such cases, you must submit a detailed transcript showing this.

You may also document your English proficiency in one of the following ways:

• English from Norwegian upper secondary school (140 hours), written and oral

• TOEFL: minimum score of 500 (paper-based) or 60 (internet-based)

• IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 5.0

• PTE Academic: minimum score of 51

• Cambridge ESOL Examinations: First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

The English requirement is also considered met if you have:

• a university degree in English language or English literature,

• completed at least one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States, with English as the language of instruction, or

• completed an English-taught Master’s degree.

All other regulations follow the provisions stated in the GSU list.

Regulations relating to Admission to Higher Education
The website is only in Norwegian, but can be translated using Google.

See the page with updated information about tuition fees for the upcoming academic year 2025/2026 here.

Please direct your questions to opptak@bdm.no.

We wish you the best of luck with your auditions!