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

The candidates for the Bachelor of Arts must have a secondary school qualification, a professional university degree, a specialist music degree or a qualification deemed to be equivalent.  To find out more: https://www.hes-so.ch/la-hes-so/etudier-a-la-hes-so/admissions/admissions-en-bachelor. Under certain conditions, the HEM may waive this requirement if the student demonstrates outstanding musical talent.

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 and a test in general musical training (completed remotely).

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
Admission application online form 2025-2026

Deadline for all the subjects: 1st March 2025
Deadline for video recordings : 17 March 2025 (at 12:00 noon sharp)

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that March 1st is a Saturday. The administration is closed, so the admissions department will not be able to answer your questions. If necessary, please contact us no later than 4pm on Friday 28 February. 

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 (secondary school qualification, Baccalaureat, Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife, General Certificate of Education, Kotogakko, etc.) with all the interim, annual and final grades of the last three years;
  • 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;
  • proof that the admissions tax (CHF 80.-) 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.
Practical examination

The list of repertoires demanded for the practical exam, by subject, may be accessed in the repertoire of tests. Candidates must enclose with their admissions pack a list of the works that are going to be performed during the instrumental or vocal test, in compliance with the required repertoires.

Check the admissions tests timetable for 2025-2026 :

Regulations

Rules and regulations are available in french only