Admission for the Master of Arts at the Haute école de musique de Genève takes place on a competitive basis.

Candidates for the Master of Arts must possess a Bachelor’s degree in music or a first-cycle qualification in tertiary studies in music that is deemed equivalent (university degree, HEM diploma, diploma from a conservatoire or a recognised university).

Candidates must submit an admission pack by the deadline stated. Candidates taking an admission test remotely must send their video recording by the deadline stated. If the admission pack is complete and admissible, they will receive confirmation by email. Candidates taking an admission test in person will be invited to the test if their admission pack is complete and admissible. This stage is followed by an admissions interview. Some areas of study or options for the Master of Arts also require a 2nd test. The results of the various admissions tests are forwarded to the admissions commission, which takes a final decision.

In the case of exams taken in person, candidates will receive a written invitation indicating the time and place, and the contact details of the designated accompanist. Candidates must contact the designated accompanist in order to send the repertoire played to them. Only the designated accompanist is authorised to accompany the candidates during the test.

Candidates who are admitted to more than one school in French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Neuchâtel, Lausanne, Fribourg or Sion) have until 31 May to choose which site they wish to study at.

Admission pack

The pack that needs to be submitted for registration for the Master’s degree differs depending on whether the candidate is already registered at the HEM, or the application comes from a new candidate, who is not yet registered. In both cases, the date for returning the pack is the same.

New candidate for entry to the HEM

Admission application online form 2024-2025

Deadline for all the subjects: 1st March 2024

The admission pack is put together, using the following documents, which must be enclosed with the online form:

  • a letter stating your motivations for these studies and your professional aims;
  • a CV, which must state the following information in particular: general studies (final school exams, Baccalaureat, university studies, etc.), musical studies, professional activities;
  • a portrait-style photo;
  • a copy of the identity card and Swiss residence permit, if applicable;
  • a list of the repertoire worked on during the studies;
  • a copy of the certificate granting access to higher education (final school exams, Baccalaureat, Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife, General Certificate of Education, Kotogakko, etc.);
  • a copy of the first-cycle qualification (bachelor’s degree, university degree, etc.);
  • a copy of the diplomas in music studies already obtained, and the grades awarded;
  • a list of the works that will be performed during the instrumental or vocal test, in compliance with the repertoires demanded;
  • proof that the admissions tax has been paid.  

One pack must be filled in for each admissible student.

Recommendations for filling the online form

  • Stage 1: By the start of February, fill in all the information required and gather together all the documents to be enclosed with the application for registration, and number the documents in a suitable format.
  • Stage 2: In February, put all the mandatory and additional documents together in one bundle and pay the admissions tax. 
  • Stage 3: Complete the operation by clicking on “confirm” between now and 1st March. Until this has been done, the form has not been transmitted and the application has not been sent.  An email confirming receipt is automatically sent when the form has been submitted. 

Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology

For the master’s degree in ethnomusicology, the admissions application form ‘Master’s degree in ethnomusicology 2024-2025’ must be sent, once it is duly filled in, dated and signed.

Students already registered at the HEM

This form, along with the list of documents to be provided, are also available on the school’s intranet.

Practical examination

The list of repertoires required for the practical examination, by discipline, is available on the test repertoire.
Candidates must enclose with their application a list of the works to be performed during the instrumental or vocal test, in compliance with the required repertoires.

Consult the calendar for the 2024-2025 admission tests

Regulations

Rules and regulations are available in french only