Fine and performing arts: every university, ranked
Music at Dalhousie University
BMus (Bachelor of Music) · Fountain School of Performing Arts, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences · Halifax campus
What average do you need for Dalhousie Music?
For an applicant from a high school in Ontario. Dalhousie works out your average its own way; the finder does that for you.
Majors or options chosen later: General BMus, Composition, Musicology, Performance, Popular Musics.
What courses do you need?
Dalhousie's own list for Ontario high school applicants.
- One of
- ENG4U English or ETS4U Studies in Literature or NBEU4U Contemporary Aboriginal Voices (code as Dalhousie prints it) or EAE4U Anglais
Is there a supplementary application?
Extra steps beyond marks, with the school's deadlines. Miss a required one and the application is not considered.
- Required
- Audition for Applied Study: prepared performance on instrument or voice, plus music theory and aural skills assessments, keyboard skills test and sight-reading (scheduled through the Dalhousie undergraduate application; video auditions possible)
- Optional
- Composition applicants starting composition in first year: portfolio of works, 300 to 500 word essay on creative and career goals, interview with composition faculty, plus the diagnostic tests
How much does Dalhousie Music cost?
For a student from Ontario (the out-of-province rate), at this year's prices.
- Tuition
- $9,000 first year, $36,100 in all
- Student fees
- $1,300 to $2,000 first year, $5,000 to $7,900 in all
- Residence and meals
- $15,600 first yearFirst year
- Rent after first year
- $32,900 in allHalf a two-bedroom in Halifax, $914 a month
What do fine and performing arts graduates earn?
Statistics Canada publishes pay by field for each province's graduates, not by school. Figures are for Nova Scotia bachelor's graduates, the class of 2022 two years after and the class of 2019 five years after, in 2024 dollars.
What careers does Dalhousie Music lead to?
Careers people reach through this field, each with its pay, training and what the work is like.
- Graphic DesignerLogos, websites, packaging, apps. A portfolio matters more than a diploma.$65kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- MusicianPlay or sing for money. Almost everyone does it by stacking gigs, teaching and session work together.$33kTypical pay2 to 10 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- ActorFilm, TV (television), theatre, voice and commercials. Good money per day of work, and most people do not get many days.$50kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- AnimatorYou make drawings and models move, frame by frame, for films, series and games.$65kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- ArchivistDecide what records survive and make them findable. Quiet work with long consequences.$82kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- AuthorYou write books and long pieces for a living, usually alongside other writing work that pays the bills.$77kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
Where else can you study fine and performing arts?
The same field at other universities, with what each says it takes.
| Program | School says | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| MusicAcadia, Nova Scotia | Minimum overall average 70% plus audition; competitive, no published cut-off | $10,986 |
| Acting for the TheatreConcordia, Quebec | High school: C+ (Ontario 67 to 69% on Concordia's scale) | $12,986 |
| AdvertisingOCAD U, Ontario | Minimum overall average of 70% | $8,082 |
| Applied ArtsUNB, New Brunswick | Minimum admission average 65%; meeting it does not guarantee admission | $9,189 |
| ArtULethbridge, Alberta | General admission minimum: 65% average on five Grade 12 courses (no competitive average published) | $6,822 |
| Art dramatiqueMoncton, New Brunswick | Minimum average of 70% over the five admission courses (French at least 65%, the others at least 60%); meeting it does not guarantee a place in a limited program | $8,601 |
| Art Education: Visual ArtsConcordia, Quebec | High school: C+ (Ontario 67 to 69% on Concordia's scale) | $12,986 |
| Art History and Curatorial StudiesURegina, Saskatchewan | 65% average required (ENG4U plus three approved 4U/4M courses) | $8,888 |
If you don't get in
Routes the data shows: like programs that ask for less, and college programs with a transfer agreement into this one.
- Asks for less
- Music at Concordia: High school: C+ (Ontario 67 to 69% on Concordia's scale)
- Music at Algoma: Min. Avg. 65%
- Bachelor of Music at MacEwan: Competitive; no average range published; 65% overall is the minimum, and the audition is the main criterion
Where these numbers come from
- Admission average: dal.ca (opens in a new tab) (dal.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Courses: dal.ca (opens in a new tab) (dal.ca (opens in a new tab) ; dal.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Tuition: dal.ca (opens in a new tab) (dal.ca (opens in a new tab) ; cdn.dal.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Residence: dal.ca (opens in a new tab) (dal.ca (opens in a new tab) ; dal.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Pay by field: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
How every figure in this part of the site is sourced, and the check of every link.
Careerhelp is not affiliated with Dalhousie University. Requirements and averages change every year: check the school's page before you apply.