Applications for the academic year 2016-2017 will open January 20th 2016.

Application deadline for Bachelor programmes in music is April 1st 2016.

Application deadline for Master in New Audiance and Innovative Practice (NAIP) and Master in Compostition is May 13th 2016.

Application form

The Department of Music seeks talented and creative individuals with a solid basic education and a primary knowledge of art. To qualify for consideration of admission, applicants must meet both general and specific requirements.

Important information for Master in Composition

  • Application deadline May 13 th 2016
  • Results of applications end of May
  • Application fee is ISK 5000
  • Tution fee is ISK 796.000 for the school-year 2016-2017.
  • The Autumn semester begins 22nd of August 2016
  • Teaching languages is English and Icelandic

Important information for Master in New Audiance and Innovative Practice (NAIP)

  • Application deadline April 1st 2016
  • Results of applications end of May
  • Application fee is ISK 5000
  • Tution fee is ISK 490.000 for the school-year 2016-17.
  • The Autumn semester begins 26 th of August 2016
  • Teaching languages is English and Icelandic

Admission in Master programme in Composition

An application is not valid until the Department of Music has received the following documents:

  • Successfully submitted electronic form
  • Signed print-out of the electronic form
  • Passport photo
  • Certified copy of school transcripts
  • CV
  • 2 letters of recommendation

Portfolio

Applicants for the Composition and the Music Education programme must put together a portfolio of their work, which they send in with their other application materials. 

The portfolio should include:

  • Work that demonstrates talent for independent artistic work and/or
  • Work that demonstrates talent for academic work

The work should reflect the student’s personality, main interests and what capacity s/he has for creative work and for presenting his/her work.  The work does not have to be fully complete or arranged.  Sketches, texts, writing samples, recordings and musical work can also be included.  In fact, any piece of work that in the student’s opinion will in some manner reflect his/her aspirations in a particular area and demonstrate the student’s ability to reach a goal can be included in the portfolio.

Admission in Master programme in New Audience and Innovative Practice (NAIP)

Information on how to apply to the programme can be found on the webpage of NAIP.
 

Important information for Bachelor programmes

  • Application deadline April 1st 2016
  • Results of applications end of May
  • Application fee is ISK 5000
  • Tution fee is ISK 490.000 for the school-year 2016-17.
  • The Autumn semester begins 22nd of August 2016.
  • Teaching languages is Icelandic
  • All applicants must attend theory exams and interviews/auditions in Iceland

Admission in Bachelor programmes

General requirements

Basic qualification for acceptance into the IAA is a secondary school exam (Icelandic stúdentspróf) or completion of an equivalent program. 

Applicants who do not meet these general requirements must demonstrate maturity and knowledge which can be evaluated as equivalent to the missing education. 

A detailed explanation must be enclosed with the application form.

Specific requirements

In addition to the general requirements, applicants must meet additional requirements regarding their knowledge of music.  The assessment criteria are that the applicant has completed a secondary level according to the national music school curriculum guide or the equivalent.

All those who meet the general requirements are invited to an evaluation exam in music theory, harmonic analysis and aural skills.

Admissions process

BMus and Diploma in Instrumental /Vocal Performance

  • Applications are evaluated on the basis of general requirements
  • Evaluation exam in Music Theory
  • Auditions (Instrumental/Vocal Performance)
  • Final results

BA  in Composition, Music Education and Communication and Church Music

  • Applications are evaluated on the basis of general requirements
  • Evaluation exam in Music Theory
  • Admissions committee evaluates the portfolio of the applicant
  • Interviews
  • Auditions for Organ (for the programme of Church Music)
  • Final Results

Auditions

Instrumental/Vocal Performance

Applicants for instrumental/vocal performance need to attend special auditions (see specific instruments below).  The total length shall not be less than 20 minutes.  Applicants are expected to demonstrate knowledge equivalent to at least the 7th grade of secondary music school.

Please, notice that students are expected to provide their accompaniment for the auditions.  International students can contact the department office for further information.

Piano students

  • One piece by J.S. Bach
  • One etude
  • 1st part of a classical sonata
  • A piece from the romantic or a later era (8-12 min.)

Strings students

  • One piece by J.S. Bach
  • One etude  (Paganini or equivalent for violins)
  • A major movement from a sonata
  • A major movement of a concert (the sonata and the concert should not be from the same era)

All or parts of the works must be performed without the use of sheet music.

Winds and brass

  • One etude
  • A movement from a sonata or a piece by a 20th century composer
  • A work of the student’s own choice

Flute students should additionally perform one piece by J.S.Bach or another Baroque composer.

Voice students

  • An aria from an oratory or cantata (Bach, Handel or the equivalent)
  • A non-Icelandic “Lied” from the 18th or 19th century
  • A non-Icelandic “Lied” from the 20th century
  • An Icelandic song
  • An aria from an opera

The repertoire shall be around 20 minutes long and each piece shall be sung in the original language.

BA degree in Composition

Applicants for the composition program must send in a portfolio with their application containing samples of their work.  The portfolio’s contents will be evaluated by the Admissions committee.  For further information about the contents, see below.

Students in a selected group will be called in for an interview in which the material they provided is reviewed and they get a chance to demonstrate their talent and knowledge in other fields of music.  Special emphasis is put on their ability to play an instrument.

BA degree in Music Education and Communication

Applicants for musical studies in music education and communication must send in a portfolio with their application containing samples of their written work and/or other work they believe will demonstrate their talent.  The portfolio’s contents will be evaluated by the Admissions committee.  For further information about the contents, see below.

Students in a selected group will be called in for an interview in which the material they provided is reviewed as well as their general professional intentions.  As part of the interview, the applicant must demonstrate an ability to sing or and/or play an instrument.  S/he is therefore expected to prepare a short repertoire (5-15 min.)

BA degree in Church Music

This study programme is a cooperative programme with the National Church’s Music School.  In addition to the Entrance Exam, the admission requirements for this programme is to have completed a Church Musicians Examination (from the National Church’s Music School in Iceland or an equivalent exam).