Music

Diploma: Diploma

Location: Broadway

International students admissibility: Accepts International Students

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A female violinist in a black dress plays the violin while seated in an empty auditorium. A male violinist is seen in the background playing his instrument, also seated.

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Overview

Launch your career in music and music-related professions by learning from some of Canada’s finest performers, composers, and producers. Audition and specialize in any genre including classical, jazz, contemporary, and electronic music.

Tuition $7,369
Credential Diploma
Length 2 years
Hours Full-time
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
Tuition $33,536
Credential Diploma
Length 2 years
Hours Full-time
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
PGWP Not listed as eligible

What to expect

  • Monday to Friday daytime classes
  • Occasional evening or weekend rehearsals or performances
  • Classroom instruction
  • Individual instruction
  • Lab activities
  • Rehearsals
  • Regular jury performances
  • Outreach activities
  • Public performances
  • Assignments
  • Quizzes and exams
The Music Diploma is a full-time program. Most classes are scheduled Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 16:30, but evenings and weekends will sometimes be required for rehearsals, performances and other activities. A combination of classroom instruction, lab activities, rehearsals, performances, and outreach activities will be included in the program.

What you will learn

  • Perform/compose in solo and ensemble contexts in one or many idioms.
  • Demonstrate critical awareness and the ability to self-evaluate, think and listen critically about core concepts of musicianship.
  • Demonstrate awareness of historical and contemporary styles and practices in academic, practical skills and other performance contexts.
  • Meet or exceed standards of musical literacy appropriate at a second-year level of instruction.
  • Demonstrate successful mastery of vocal, instrumental and/or compositional performance techniques.
  • Promote themselves as professionals in the music industry and related professions.

Program duration and maximum time for completion

The Music Diploma is a two-year, four-term program.  Maximum time for completion is five years.

Admission requirements

Program-specific

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
  1. Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent
Note: Applicants who have not graduated from high school may still be considered, with permission from the Music Department Leader. 2. English 12 or Communications 12 with a pass, or equivalent. MUSIC REQUIREMENTS Note: Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held from February through May. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to Preparatory Music Theory 1 & 2 (MUSC 1013 and MUSC 1033), and Preparatory Musicianship 1 & 2 (MUSC 1011 and MUSC 1031).  Students who are accepted at the audition but who require upgrading of theory and musicianship may register concurrently in the recommended preparatory courses (MUSC 1011, 1013, MUSC 1031 and MUSC 1033). Students may also register for the other preparatory-level courses (MUSC 1010, 1030, 1054, 1064) and the following diploma-level courses: MUSC 1305, MUSC 1319, and MUSC 2490 (instructor permission and available space required.  Students will be wait-listed until available space and instructor permission are confirmed). ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent Please note all English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Music Department is located at the Broadway Campus on the 3rd floor. Applications, along with transcripts and all supporting documents, will be accepted by VCC between November 1st and April 1st. An entrance audition or interview will be scheduled once all required documents are received. Applications received after April 1st will be considered subject to space availability.

Learn more about VCC's academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended considerations

  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Outstanding potential in area of specialization
  • Strongly motivated and proven ability to work to deadlines
  • Good organizational skills
  • Basic computer, word processing, and music notation software skills

Program availability

Fall 2027

Program start date Diploma
Status Open
Application opens Oct 1, 2026
Application deadline Jun 1, 2027

Fall 2027

Program start date Sep
Status Open
Application opens Oct 1, 2026

Courses

Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some evenings and weekends may be required for rehearsals, performances and other activities.

A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader.

 

 

The average course load is 15.0 credits per semester. Students may not register for more than 18.0 credits without written permission from the Music Department Leader. A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader. Normally, students taking fewer than 9 credits in a term will not be entitled to individual instruction. In exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to register for individual instruction with fewer than 9 credits total. However, in order for such an exception to apply, the student must have previously completed all academic and skills-course requirements for the term of individual instruction in which they are registering. Note that the Music Diploma requires a minimum of 60 credits for graduation.
Plan of Study Grid
Term One Credits
MUSC 1301 Musicianship 1 3
MUSC 1303 Theory and Practice of Music 1 3
MUSC 1104 Performance Techniques 1 1
MUSC 1305 Music in Context 1 3
MUSC 1319 Music and Media 1 1.5
MUSC 1310 Individual Instruction 1 2
MUSC 2490 Performance Ensemble 1.5
Credits 15
Term Two
MUSC 1401 Musicianship 2 3
MUSC 1403 Theory and Practice of Music 2 3
MUSC 1204 Performance Techniques 2 1
MUSC 1405 Music in Context 2 3
MUSC 1419 Music and Media 2 1.5
MUSC 1410 Individual Instruction 2 2
MUSC 2490 Performance Ensemble 1 1.5
Credits 15
Term Three
MUSC 2301 Musicianship 3 3
MUSC 2303 Theory and Practice of Music 3 3
MUSC 2104 Performance Techniques 3 1
MUSC 2305
or MUSC 2304 or MUSC 2317
 Musicology 1 2
or Electronic Music 1 or Improvisation 1
 3
MUSC 2307 Social Media for the Self-employed Musician 1.5
MUSC 2310 Individual Instruction 3 2
MUSC 2490 Performance Ensemble 1 1.5
Credits 15
Term Four
MUSC 2401 Musicianship 4 3
MUSC 2403 Theory and Practice of Music 4 3
MUSC 2204 Performance Techniques 4 1
MUSC 2405
or MUSC 2404 or MUSC 2417
 Musicology 2 2
or Electronic Music 2 or Improvisation 2
 3
MUSC 2407 Career Opportunities for Musicians 1 1.5
MUSC 2410 Individual Instruction 4 2
MUSC 2490 Performance Ensemble 1 1.5
Credits 15
Total Credits 60
1

 ”Performance Ensemble” is repeatable for credit.  Students require 4 terms (6 cr.) of “Performance Ensemble” to graduate.  Students may participate in any VCC ensemble (or community ensemble as approved by the Department Head), subject to audition and/or entrance requirements.

2

 Students enrol in two terms of Musicology OR Electronic Music OR Jazz Improvisation

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and costs

Application fee $36
Tuition $7,369 Term 1 - $1,869
Term 2 - $1,869
Term 3 - $1,816
Term 4 - $1,816
Student union $296
College initiative $185
Materials $168 not including textbooks
Campus resource $295
Medical and dental $570 Explore medical insurance options
U-Pass $670 Get your student transit pass
Graduation $45
Total $13,160

Books and Supplies

Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.

In addition to the total fees above, other surcharge fees will apply:

  • $738 surcharge – private instruction (major)
  • $387 surcharge – private instruction (minor) – elective credit

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit.

Refund policies vary for domestic and international students. Review the applicable policy for eligibility, deadlines, and refund amounts.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Technical requirement

General technology requirements for online learning

Tuition deposits are usually payable within three weeks after an offer is issued. The amount listed on this page is based on the first-term estimate. Refer to your offer for the exact amount required to accept an offer – either First-Term Estimate or First-Year Estimate.

Tuition deposit $11,500 $10,000 non-refundable
Application fee $145
Tuition $33,536
Student union $296
College initiative $194
Materials $177 not including textbooks
Campus resource $336
Medical and dental $570 Explore medical insurance options
Temporary medical insurance $149
U-Pass $670 Get your student transit pass
Graduation $45
Total $39,747

Books and Supplies

Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit.

Refund policies vary for domestic and international students. Review the applicable policy for eligibility, deadlines, and refund amounts.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Technical requirement

General technology requirements for online learning

How to apply

Audition Information:
See the Application and Audition Requirements – Music Diploma and Music Prep Certificate for audition instructions and submit the Music Supplemental Application form. If you complete all steps by one of the deadlines below, you will be invited to the next scheduled audition interview date. Auditions take place by video submission and online interview.

Contact [email protected] for questions about the application process and audition dates.

Deadline to apply, submit audition video, and complete theory assessment for Fall 2027: 
  • December 16 audition – deadline is December 2
  • January 27 audition – deadline is January 13
  • February 24 audition – deadline is February 10
  • March 24 audition – deadline is March 10
  • April 21 audition – deadline is April 7
  • May 11 audition – deadline is April 27
  • May 24 audition – deadline is May 10
  • May 25 audition – deadline is May 11

Ready to apply?

Online

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.

Mail

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

International students

Apply to VCC international programs online. Check the availability status for your desired program and intake before applying.

Contact us

Program information

For questions about Music programs email us at [email protected]

Advising services

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: [email protected]

Advising services for International students

[email protected]

Do you have any questions?

Application process for domestic students
Application process for international students
Frequently asked questions

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples who have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial.