Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance

• Apply through SøknadsWeb and submit the Specification form within 15 December.
• Check the study's admission requirements - see ''Admission requirements to Master in Music Performance''
• All necessary documents and the Specification form must be submitted within the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated for admission. For more information, please see below.
• When you have submitted an application in Søknadweb, you can find the link to the Specification form in the application receipt. The link can also be found in the confirmation e-mail sent from Søknadsweb.
• All applicants applying to our music performance studies must go through 2 rounds of auditions (applicants resident outside of Scandinavia - read the section "For applicants from outside of Scandinavia" below)
  • Round 1: By video evaluation.
  • Round 2: Physical entrance exam in week 10 on campus Bjergsted in Stavanger.
    NB! Round 2 is only for applicants who pass round 1.
• Applicants who have sucessfully submitted the Specification form will shortly after the application deadline receive an e-mail with information on how to submit the audition video. All applicants will also be asked to share a review of the submitted video material, in addition to share information regarding audition programme for round 1 and planned audition programme and music scores for a possible round 2.
• Deadline for sharing the video is 15. January.
• Start planning video recording early. The audition programme for Round 1 and Round 2 must comply with established repertoire requirements. Read more about repertoire requirements, as well as specifications for video submission in the articles ''Audition programme - Master in Music Performance'' and ''Round 1 - Audition video''.
• The result of the evaluation for round 1 will be shared by e-mail in January/February.
• If you pass Round 1, you will be invited by e-mail to the entrance exam as Round 2 on our campus in Stavanger in week 10 (exemption applies to applicants from outside of Scandinavia)
• Round 2 - Entrance exam: Will consist of an audition and an interview with an academic committee and a representative from the study administration. Read more about round 2 in the article ''Round 2 - Entrance exam week 10''.
• The result of your application will be published in Søknadsweb no later than the end of week 11.

Incomplete applications will be not be considered for evaluation and will be withdrawn from the application system.

Who can apply for Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance?

The study programme is taught in English and is open for all applicants as long as you meet the admission requirements. Please see the article ''Admission requirements to Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance'' for detailed information regarding admission requirements. Applicants with a Norwegian identification number or lives in one of the Nordic countries must apply via local admission as a local applicant. Applicants who lives outside of the Nordic countries must apply via local admission as an international applicant.

You can apply for the fields of classical, jazz/improvisation and conducting.

Applicants resident outside of Norway, Sweden or Denmark can submit the entire repertoire requirement on video. If you pass round 1, you will be invited to a digital interview in week 10 as round 2.

Please note! Applicants with citizenship outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fee.

Application documents - What to upload in Søknadsweb?

• Final transcript and final diploma from your higher secondary education
• Diploma - Upload the final diploma from your bachelor degree
• Transcript of record - Upload the official transcript of records from your bachelor degree
• Diploma - Upload the final diploma from your master degree
• Transcript of record - Upload the official transcript of records from your master degree
• Copy of passport - The passport must be valid at the time of application
• Documentation of proof of English proficiency
  *If you plan on taking the language test after the application deadline, please upload a copy of your test registration receipt with ETS TOEFL/IELTS Academic/PTE Academic/Cambridge English Qualifications as a PDF to Søknadsweb within the application deadline
• Documentation of Financing (only required for non-EU/EEA applicants) - for more information, please see here

If the documentation is not in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or English, it must be officially translated into English. Both translations and originals must be uploaded in the same PDF file.

If you have not yet graduated:

Please upload a confirmation from your place of study stating completion of bachelor degree during the spring semester together with a preliminary transcript.

File format:

We want you to use the PDF file format. All attachments you upload should be a picture of your original documents (do not scan copies). A check of the original diploma may be initiated at the beginning of the term.

Important notes:

By applying to the University of Stavanger you agree to allow the University of Stavanger to verify the authenticity of your documentation. The University of Stavanger maintains the right to contact governments, agencies, institutions and associations in order to verify your documentation.

In case it is not possible to verify your documents, your application may be rejected. Submission of fraudulent documents is illegal, and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

NB! Random selection and verification of education documents may happen during the semester start.

Specification form - What to submit?

• Personalia - name, address, phone etc.
• CV - information about your musical and educational career
• Motivation letter
• Description of PDM project

Description of the desired PDM project

A description of your PDM project must be shared in the Specification form. If you are invited to a digital interview in week 10, the PDM project will be one of the topics during the conversation. The theme for the PDM project is in principle completely optional, and can for instance be linked to a special repertoire, a composer, an era, a tradition, or other interesting compilations.

If you are resident outside of Norway, Danmark or Sweeden, you can choose to combine audition Round 1 and audition Round 2 (you will be asked in Specification form), this will allow you to avoid extra travel and related expences. For percussion and conducting - read below.

You will have to submit a video with your complete audition programme in Round 1. Parts of the audition programme must be recorded with an accompanist/band.

If the admission committee finds your video audition eligible for further evalution and you pass Round 1, you will be invited to a digital interview as Round 2 (without a new audition) in week 10.

The committee that evaluates your interview in Round 2 is the same one that evaluated your video in Round 1, in addition there will be a representative from the study administration. More spesific information will be shared in the invitation e-mail in February.

This information applies to all fields, except conducting and percussion.

Exceptions:

Conducting: you have to be physically present at campus Bjergsted for the Round 2 audition and interview.

Percussion: you can submit a new supplementary video for Round 2 with a set repertoire, instead of attendance in week 10. The supplementary video must be delivered no later than February 20. The video recording can be no older than 3 years old. The admission representative will send you another email with information on how to submit video 2 at the beginning of February.

Achieved master degree

In order to be admitted to Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance (60 ECTS) a completed Master Degree in Music Performance (120 ECTS) is required.

Language requirement

As a general requirement for admission to Master in Music Performance, all applicants must document proficiency in English on advanced level through an international test, recognized by the University of Stavanger. UiS does not offer any preparatory courses in English. Please see english language requirements for detailed information regarding required score.

Exceptions for language requirements are made on the basis of the dean's decision.

Pass the audition - round 1 and round 2

You must be found qualified by the professional committee in order to be considered for admission to our faculty.

Who are offered admission?

The head of the departments and the dean makes an overall decision from the committee's final evaluation after the entrance exam. Final admission is decided by the dean of Faculty of Performing Arts.

See supplementary rules for admission in the admission regulations in the article further down.

No guidelines have been given for repertoire / programme for the Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance, but the audition programme must be approximately 20-30 minutes long, where the level is expected to be very high. The audition programme must contain different styles and genres that are relevant to your main instrument, and be representative in relation to your choice of specialized project / PDM project.

Round 1 - Video recording:

The deadline to submit the video is 15. January.

Record at least 15-minutes from your total 20-30-minute audition programme. For detailed information regarding how to share your video etc., please see the article below called ''Round 1 - Audition video''. 

Round 2 - Entrance exam:

Prepare the entire audition programme, including what was performed in the video. The repertoire is performed with an accompanist in week 10. Read more about the entrance exam in the article below called ''Round 2 - Entrance exam week 10''.

Applicants resident outside of Norway, Sweden or Denmark can submit the entire repertoire requirement on 20-30-minutes. If you pass round 1, you will be invited to a digital interview in week 10 as round 2.

There are spesific guidelines for the repertoire/audition prorgamme for both round 1 and round 2 for the main instrument ''percussion''.

Choice of repertoire

For the auditions, you can choose between two different selections of repertoire: orchestral or soloist based. You must select one of the parts. The choice will guide the academic content in your study programme. The repertoire focus will not have consequences for any other parts of the study programme. The applicants for either of repertoire choices shall, in the event of admission, carry out ordinary study: participate in orchestral projects, soloist assignments and chamber music, as well as performing ordinary exam repertoire.

Round 1

The deadline to submit the video is 15 January.

Soloist oriented repertoire:

Recording must include at least 2 solo pieces.
Total lenght: minimum 10 minutes.

Orchestral repertoire:

Recording must include 4 orchestral excerpt + 2 studies.
Study pieces can be from typical orchestra rehearsals.

You will find important information about video recording under "Round 1 - Audition video" below.

Round 2 - Entrance exam:

It is a physical entrance exam in week 10 on campus Bjergsted in Stavanger.
NB: Applicants resident outside of Scandinavia - read the section "For applicants from outside of Scandinavia" above.
If you wish, parts of Round 2 can be performed with an accompanist.

Soloist oriented repertoire:

You will have to perform at least 2 solo pieces.
Total lenght: minimum 15 minutes.
NB: you can not perform the same pieces as you recorded and submitted in the video for Round 1.

Orchestral repertoire:

You will have to perform at least 12 orchestral excerpt + 1 study.
NB: you can not perform the same pieces as you recorded and submitted in the video for Round 1.

Read more about Round 2 under "Round 2 - Entrance exam week 10" below.
Applicants resident outside of Scandinavia - read the section "For applicants from outside of Scandinavia" above.

Suggested list for soloist oriented repertoire

The repertoire list is only indicative, not mandatory.

Snare drum:

• J. Delécluse: Study no. 9
• B. Lylloff: Århus Study no. 9
• J. Delécluse: Test-claire

Timpani:

• S. Monrad: Test for timpani
• J. Delécluse: Study no. 29
• E. Keune: Study no. 142

Marimba:

• J. S. Bach: A movement from one of the partitas or the sonatas for violin
• A. Lauro: Valse Venezolano No. 3
• J. Druckman: a movement from Reflections on the Nature of Water

Suggested list for orchestral repertoire

The repertoire list is only indicative, not mandatory.

Snare drum:

• N. Martinciow: Impressions or Tchik
• J. Delécluse: Test Claire
• S. Hodkinson: Kerberos
• A. Masson: Prim or Kim
• M. Markovitch: Tornado

Timpani:

• J. Delécluse: one of the studies from Vingt études
• J. Delécluse: study no. 29
• B. Cambreling: Thor
• A. Féron: Ta'wil
• T. Ishiyanagi: Rhythm Graduatiom
• E. Keune: Study 142
• S. Monrad: Test for timpanists

Marimba:

• P. Hurel: Loops 4
• J. S. Bach: Chaconne from 2nd partita for violin (D minor)
• K. Abe: Marimba d'amore
• A. Vinao: Khan variations
• J. Druckman: Reflections on the Nature of Water
• B. Mantovani: Moi, Jeu
• Y. Sueyoshi: Mirage

Vibraphone:

• G. Burton (trans.: Errol Rackipov): Chega De Saudade
• G. Pérotin: Étude 6
• P. Hurel: Loops 2
• P. Manoury: Solo de Vibraphone
• M. Matalon: Short stories
• Donatoni: Omar, 1st movement

Multi-setup:

• B. Giner: Satz
• M. Ishii: 13 drums
• K. Volans: She who sleeps with a small blanket
• Y. Xenakis: Rebons A and B
• D. Land: The anvil chorus

Round 1 - Video recording:

Video must be shared with the faculty within 15. January.

The video must include the following:

1. Conducting two works that have a contrasting musical character. Minimum 15 minutes
2. Recording of a rehersal lead by the applicant. Minimum 10 minutes
3. Main instrument. Optional repertoire, with or without accompaniment. If you perform more than one piece, recording of each single piece has to be unedited. The total repertoar shall be of approximately 10-15 minutes

Note:

• The conductor's hands and face should be clearly visible in the video
• The ensemble/ensembles should consist of mimimum five musicians on a professional level, alternatively consisting of amateurs or students at a high musical/technical level

Round 2 - Entrance exam:

Round 2 will consist of auditions in conducting, interview with a committee and a pracitcal test.

Conducting audition

Applicants will conduct a chamber ensemble consisting of strings, woodwind/brass and piano. The audition will consist of both rehersal and performance.

Repertoire:

• Aaron Copland: Appalachian spring (original score from 1944 for 13 musicians)
• Jean Sibelius: Valse triste

Interview/practical test:

A part of the interview will include a conversation about the repertoire for the conducted audition as well as a practical test that may contains the following:

• Aural (chords, melodies, rhythms, correction of played rhythms and pitches in relation to a score)
• Play a score on a piano
• Instrumentation and instrument knowledge: Scope, transposing and playing techniques (band and orchestral instruments)
• Repertoire insights (band and orchestra)
• Harmonic analysis
• Musical terminology

During the interview the applicant will talk about his/her objectives and motivation for the programme. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions to the admission committee and a representative from the administration.

All applicants applying to the field of ''conducting'' and are invited to round 2, must attend the entrance exam in week 10 at Campus Bjergsted in order to be evaluated for admission.

The PDM programme has a comprehensive and versatile repertoire requirement for the main instrument. There aren't any spesific guidelines for the audition programme for the main instrument, but it is important that you choose the repertoire that you are most comfortable with and that highlights your musical level, regardless of which of the relevant genres it belongs to. What you have to show off is your uniqueness and personality as a musician. The programme may be self-composed, but must be representative and should be in relation to your desired area of specialization. It is assumed that the audition programme demonstrates skills in improvisation. All applicants must fill in an audition programme for 20-30 minutes.

Round 1 - Video recording:

Video must be shared with the faculty within 15. January.

Record at least 15-minutes from your total 20-30-minute audition programme. For detailed information regarding how to share your video etc., please see the article below called ''Round 1 - Audition video''.

Round 2 - Entrance exam:

Prepare the entire audition programme, including what was performed in the video. The repertoire is performed with a band in week 10. Read more about the entrance exam in the article below called ''Round 2 - Entrance exam week 10''.

Guidelines repertoire PDM: Jazz/improvisation

• The audition programme should be approx. 20 - 30 minutes long
• Round 1: send a recording of 15 minutes from your total audition programme
• Each recording (each song) should be delivered as a continuous, unedited recording that should not be more than 6 months old
• The video material must contain interaction. Exceptions can be made to this requirement if, for practical reasons, it is impossible to achieve interaction. If so, you must explain why it has not been possible
• The video material shall contain improvisation, so that you can clearly show your soloist and ensemble abilities. The extent of improvisation and the type of improvisation is up to yourself to decide, based on your musical profile and type of genre
• Together with the video material, you must submit music scores and you must submit a review of the audition programme for round 1 and round 2

Applicants resident outside of Norway, Sweden or Denmark can submit the entire repertoire requirement on 20-30-minutes. If you pass round 1, you will be invited to a digital interview in week 10 as round 2.

Sharing audition video:

A self-produced video of your audition for round 1 must be uploaded to YouTube and shared with the faculty by January 15. Applicants will shortly after the application deadline receive an e-mail with information on how to share the video link(s). All applicants will also be asked to share a review of the submitted video material, in addition to share information regarding audition programme for round 1 and planned audition programme and music scores for a possible round 2.

Round 1 - Video recording guidelines:

• Start recording yourself well in advance of the submission deadline
• It is allowed to deliver several different videos, for example, different works/pieces/songs can be recorded separately
• Each work/piece must be delivered in the form of an unedited recording (does not apply to conducting)
• The video should contain the entire audition programme for round 1 and comply with set repertoire requirements
• Length of audition programme can be found under repertoire requirements
• We do not accept audio files
• We only accept Youtube-links
• The audition video must be up to date and no older than 1 November, 2023

If you are applying to more than one instrument/field of study (for instance jazz and classical), you must submit two seperate videos with two seperate audition programmes.

Please note:

Remember to record yourself facing forward in order for us to see you play/sing/conduct. Be sure to check that the audio is ok and that you have uploaded the file to YouTube with the settings that give us rights to play it.

NB! There is no guarantee that all of your recorded video material will be viewed by the committee.

Applicants living outside of Scandinavia

Applicants resident outside of Scandinavia - read the section "For applicants from outside of Scandinavia" above.

Deadline for submitting video is 15 January.

The following information applies to applicants who have passed round 1.

Entrance exam in week 10:

If the committee finds your video audition eligible for further evaluation and you pass round 1, you will be invited to round 2 for the entrance exam in week 10 in Stavanger. The invitation to round 2 will be sent by e-mail in February.

Round 2 consists of an audition and an interview with an academic committee and a representative from the study administration. It is set aside 30 minutes for each applicant for the audition and the interview.

The committee that evaluates your entrance exam in round 2 is the same one that evaluated your video in round 1. During the interview, you will have the opportunity to explain your objective and motivation for the study programme, while at the same time you will have the opportunity to ask questions to both the teacher and the administration.

Applicants resident outside of Norway, Sweden or Denmark:

If the committe finds your video audition eligible for further evalution and you pass round 1, you may be invited to a digital interview as round 2. The committee that evaluates your interview in round 2 is the same one that evaluated your video in round 1, in addition the a representative from the study administration. More spesific information will be shared in the invitation e-mail in February.

General information:

• The Faculty of Performing Arts and our campus Bjergsted are located just outside Stavanger city centre, in Bjergstedparken
• The auditions take place in the main building
• Orientation meetings are held in Eikenessalen every day in week 10, both at 09:00 and 13:00 - which orientation meeting to attend can be found in the invitation sent to you in February
• The orientation meeting is mandatory for all applicants invited to round 2
• There will be attendance registration in the foyer prior to each orientation meeting
• You can find your exact time for auditions with interviews in TimeEdit, the faculty's schedule system - the audition times are published at the end of week 9, but small changes may happen until the day of audition
• On the ground floor of the main building you will find several rooms for rehearsal
• The faculty offers accompanist/band to all auditions in round 2 as long as music scores are submitted within 15. January

Admission letter, Rejection letter or Waiting list letter will be published in SøknadsWeb under ''My applications''. You will receive an e-mail when the results are ready.

If you have any questions about your offer, refusal or waiting list place, you can send us an e-mail to music-dance@uis.no. Please notice: the faculty does not give out information regarding placement on the waiting list.

If you fail to submit a successful application to the faculty within the deadline, your application will be withdrawn from the system.

Remember to reply

If you are offered letter of admission or waiting list letter you must remember to reply ''Yes'' or ''No'' in SøknadsWeb within the mentioned deadline. Information regarding deadline is shared in the admission letter/waiting list letter.

Students from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who start their studies in autumn 2024 are required to pay tuition fees at the University of Stavanger. For more information regarding the tuition fee, please see here.

1. Scope and basis for the regulations

These regulations apply to admission to all study programmes in music performance at the Faculty of Performing Arts (UK), UiS based on the academic standards that apply to performing and creative music relating to Universities and University Colleges (The Universities and University Colleges Act), of 1 April 2005 § 3-6 item 7 and FOR-2007-01-31-173: Regulations on admission to higher education, and Regulations on admission to studies and courses at the University of Stavanger, of 18 October 2018 §1-1.

These regulations apply for admission to the following studies:

• One-year programme in music performance, 60 credits, advertised for Nordic countries
• Bachelor's Programme in Music Performance, 240 ECTS credits, advertised for Nordic countries
• Further education in music performance, 60 ECTS credits,advertised for Nordic countries and international
• Master's Programme in Music Performance, 120 ECTS, advertised for Nordic countries and international
• Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance, 60 ECTS, advertised for Nordic countries and international

Adopted by IR/IMD on 30 September 2008. Revised and adopted by the Quality Committee/ Department of Music and Dance 4 September 2012. Last revised and adopted by the Quality Committee/Faculty of Performing Arts on 23 October 2018.

2. Conceptual explanations

Main instrument: Applicants' primary performing instrument.

Main discipline: Instrument, vocals/song, composition.

Entrance exam: contains auditions, submitted documentation and interview.

Auditions/performing test: audition on main discipline.

3. Basis for admission

3.1 Applicants for a bachelor's degree in music performance/one-year programme in music performance must document their Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSK).

Alternatively, applicants from the age of 25, without documented Higher Education Entrance Qualifications, may request an assessment of their qualifications based on prior relevant experience. The applicant must reach the age of 25 in the year in which he/she applies for admission.

3.2 Applicants for a Master's degree in music performance must document completed lower degree studies in music, preferably a 3- or 4-year Bachelor's degree with instrumental training courses of at least 90 credits.

3.3 Applicants for Extension Studies in Music Performance must document completed lower degree programmes, preferably a 3- or 4-year Bachelor's Programme in Music Performance

3.4 Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance must document the completed master's degree in music performance.

3.5 The following language proficiency must be passed for admission to the individual study programme:

• One-year programme in music performance – Language proficiency in Norwegian/other Scandinavian languages must be passed in accordance with the UiS requirements/Samordna Opptak.
• Bachelor's programme in Music Performance – Language proficiency in Norwegian/other Scandinavian languages must be passed in accordance with the UiS requirements/Samordna Opptak.
• Further education in music performance – Language proficiency in English must be passed in accordance with the UiS requirements.
• Master's Programme in Music Performance – Language proficiency in English must be passed in accordance with the UiS requirements.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance – Language proficiency in English must be passed in accordance with the UiS requirements.

3.6 Exceptions to language proficiency are granted on the basis of the dean's decision. Exceptions to language proficiency cannot be made for graduate studies.

3.7 Applications for approval/adaptation of other education must be made in accordance with the faculty's guidelines. Applications for approval are made via Digital Student Service desk. Further information can be found on the UK website. The application deadline for approval is 20 August in the year you start your studies.

4. Organization of the entrance exam in music performance

4.1 The entrance exam for music performance studies consist of two rounds. Both rounds are conducted on the basis of defined repertoire requirements published on the UK's website.

Round 1 consists of a self-produced video recording. Round 2 will be held at campus Bjergsted in Stavanger in week 10.

4.2 Applicants who have passed round 1 are invited to round 2 according to the scheduled schedule no later than week 8.

4.3 Round 2 consists of:

a) performance tests (main instrument and, if applicable, supporting instrument)
If there are many applicants for a main discipline, the test is discontinued over two days.

b) test in music theory/aural for bachelor applicants
The national test in music theory/hearing for bachelor applicants must be passed in the same year for which admission is sought.

c) interview

5. Academic commission

5.1 The academic commission for the individual main disciplines is appointed by the head of department and consists of at least two teachers, at least one of which shall represent the main discipline in which the applicant is auditioning for. The committee's representatives have the right to speak and vote. Student representatives, appointed by the student council at the Faculty, have the right to be present as an observer during the auditions, but do not have the right to comment.

5.2 The commission is responsible for:

1) assessment of qualifications and skills
2) ranking of applicants according (see point 6)

The Commission assesses the applicants as passed/not passed. The Commission then ranks applicants according to the results of the audtions and interviews within the main discipline and/or instrument group. The results are collected by the faculty's admissions office and presented to the heads of the departments and the dean. During the final decision meeting, the applicants will be found qualified/ineligible. The final decision is made by the Dean.

5.3  In the event of any auditions on a supporting instrument, the Committee will consider the applicant's audition as passed or not passed.

6. Ranking

6.1 Applicants are ranked according to criteria based on the commission's professional assessment.

7. Admissions procedure

7.1 The heads of departments and the Dean make an overall assessment of the applicants. Applicants are assessed as qualified/ineligible on the basis of submitted video material and other submitted application material, auditions during the admission week, interviews and the academic commission's assessments and rankings.

7.2 The heads of the departments recommends to the Dean admissions based on an overall assessment of the number of available study places and budgetary consequences. Final admissions are decided by the Dean.

The Dean determines admissions according to:

• assessment and ranking by the commission and heads of the departments.
• results from the theory and aural test (for bachelor applicants)
• Consideration of instrumental/vocal casts
• Other resource considerations

7.3 Qualified applicants are offered admission to the extent that there are available places on the applied programme. If the faculty has more qualified applicants than the admission framework indicates that we can offer, the applicants will be placed on a waiting list based on the commission's ranking list.

7.4 Applicants who are placed on a waiting list after the first admissions round will not automatically have priority over qualified applicants from the secondary admissions round.

7.5 If there are unfilled places available after the end of the primary admissions round, the head of department may decide to hold a secondary admissions round. (See point 10). Supplementary admissions can also be made by the head of department, with the final decision by the Dean.

7.6 Qualification for admission in a particular academic year does not grant qualification for future admission.

7.7 The admissions process is confidential and exempt from public disclosure.

8. Admissions follow-up

8.1 Applicants are informed of either an offer of admission to the program, placement on the waiting list or rejection.

8.2 If an applicant does not confirm an offer of admission within the given deadline, their place will be offered to another qualified applicant from the primary or secondary admissions round. The offer does not necessarily apply within the same main discipline. Applicants placed on the waiting list after the primary round must compete with applicants in the secondary round.

8.3 Students with admission who are on leave from performing art studies for one year or more will normally be required to complete a new main instrument audition to confirm their level.

8.4. Reservations are made regarding the start of study programmes and courses

9. Postponed entrance exam

9.1 Applicants who due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances cannot attend the primary entrance exam at the stipulated time and place may apply for a postponed exam. The postponed entrance exam will normally be carried out in connection with the Faculty's secondary admissions round, if there are still available places in the program.

10. Secondary admissions round

10.1 A secondary entrance exam may be arranged if, after the primary entrance exam, there are available study places. The secondary entrance exam is arranged for applicants who did not have the opportunity to attend the primary exam, as well as for any new applicants (cf.  points 4 and 5).

10.2 Applicants who have undergone the primary entrance exam are not allowed to retake the exam during a secondary admissions round.

10.3 Admission of secondary applicants is decided by the Head of department and the Dean in accordance with the same procedure as mentioned in paragraph 7.

11. Video recording and digital interview as a basis for admission assessment round 2

11.1 A self-produced video recording in main dicipline with good sound and image quality, as well as a digital interview, may replace the in-person entrance exam for international applicants residing outside of Norway, Sweden or Denmark. This does not apply to applicants for conducting.

12. Admission of exchange students

12.1 International students who wish to study for a limited period through an exchange program are assessed academically by members of the faculty. An unedited video recording with good sound quality of the audition in the main discipline is attached to the application and is used as a basis for the admission of exchange students.

13. Right of appeal

13.1 Individual decisions made pursuant to these regulations may be appealed pursuant to sections 28-32 of the Public Administration Act. The deadline for appeal is 3 weeks from the day the admissions results are published, or 3 weeks after receipt of reasons given for the decision.

13.2 Appeals against individual decisions regarding admission to programs that are not included in the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (Samordna opptak) are considered by the Appeals Board of the University of Stavanger pursuant to Sections 5-1 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

13.3 Complaints about formal errors in the admissions process are first handled by the Faculty of Performing Arts. If the Faculty upholds the original decision, and the applicant chooses to continue the appeal, the appeal will be forwarded to the university's appeals board. Pursuant to Sections 28 and 29 of the Public Administration Act, decisions may be appealed in writing within 3 weeks of the date of receipt of notification of the decision. The appeal must be sent to the University of Stavanger.

Adopted by IR/IMD on 30 September 2008. Revised and adopted by the Quality Committee/ Department of Music and Dance on 4 September 2012, and by the Quality Committee/Faculty of Performing Arts on 23 October 2018. Last revised and adopted by the Study Portfolio Committee/Faculty of Performing Arts 18 October 2022.

Where there are linguistic differences the Norwegian version is the official version.

The Faculty of Performing Arts has different language requirements for its studies. The language requirements are based on the university's regulations, and must be passed no later than 1 July of the year for which admission is applied for.

For detailed information regarding how to meet and document English proficiency for the PDM programme in Music Performance, please see here.

The faculty has adopted exceptions for language requirements for certain studies, see § 3.6 of the admissions regulations for studies in music performance. This means that applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma programme in Music Performance, who do not pass the language test, can apply to have an interview on the basis of the submitted test results. Applications are sent by e-mail to music-dance@uis.no and the test results must be attached to the application. The application deadline for exceptions to the language requirement is 20 July.

On the basis of the dean's decision, applicants who pass the interview can be found eligible for admission.

Rules and regulations for interview:

• Admission officer organizes the interview (time, place etc.) together with the applicant and interview commission
• The interview commission consists of the head of the department, study coordinator and/or one person from the study administration
• Minimum score requirements 5,0 IELTS and 60 TOEFL. If the applicants test results are lower than this, then the applicant is not qualified for an interview
• As a rule, the applicant will be informed about the interview (time, place, general info about the interview etc.) no later than one week before the actual time of the interview
• Interview duration: minimum 15 minutes
• The applicant and the interview commission must have their webcam turned on
• The applicant must be clearly visible, and the sound must be good
• If the internet connection is unstable the interview must be rescheduled

What can you expect to be asked during the interview?

• Who are you - tell us about your hobbies, where are you from etc.
• Talk about yout favorite topic. Minimum 2 minutes without any interruptions.
• Do you have a person you look up to (within the field of music/dance/music production) and why
• Prepare 3 questions regarding Stavanger, the faculty and/or the studies

There may come additional questions during the interview.