Apply to the master’s programme in Conducting
Admissions guide to the 2.5-year programme in Orchestral Conducting, Wind Orchestra Conducting, and Choral Conducting.
There are three main subjects in the Conducting programme: orchestral conducting, wind orchestra conducting, and choral conducting. In addition, wind orchestra conducting has two options: a general option and a programme for military orchestra conducting (tuition only in Finnish and Swedish, please see the admissions guides in Finnish or Swedish by changing the website’s language settings).
Admissions schedule 2024
- Application period: Send your application in Studyinfo portal between 3 January 2024 8 am EET and 17 January 2024 3 pm EET
- Submit required attachments and possible advance assignments at latest 24 January 2024 3 pm EET
- Sibelius Academy confirms your eligibility to apply at latest 1 March 2024
- Orchestral conducting: second stage 13–14 May 2024
- Wind orchestra conducting: second stage 10–11 May 2024
- Choral conducting: second and third stage 2–3 May 2024
- Applicants demonstrating their language skills with a language skills certificate: Submit your test result certificate at latest 17 May 2024 3 pm EEST
- Sibelius Academy publishes admissions results 31 May 2024
- Confirm your study place at latest 11 July 2024 3 pm EEST:
- Officially accept your study place
- Register for the academic year
- Conditionally admitted applicants: Submit the required degree certificate
- Students who are required to pay tuition fees: Pay your tuition fee
- Waiting list procedure ends 30 July 2024 3 pm EEST
- New students’ studies begin in August 2024
Who can apply?
A person with the background education required for the degree programme in question and sufficient language skills may apply for studies.
In addition, a person who completes the required background education after the end of the application period, but no later than 11 July 2024 at 3 pm EEST is eligible to apply. In that case, the admission decision is conditional until the applicant submits a certificate of the completed degree or other studies required for eligibility. If the applicant fails to submit the certificate by said deadline, the study place will be cancelled.
The Sibelius Academy may, at its discretion, also accept a temporary certificate issued by the educational institution if it indicates that the applicant has completed all studies required for the degree and will receive the degree certificate later.
Sibelius Academy will check every applicant’s eligibility before the entrance examination.
Students are admitted to the Sibelius Academy based on their performance in the entrance examination. Certificate-based admissions or quotas for first-time applicants are not in place.
Master’s degree (2.5 years)
A person who has completed at least one of the following is eligible to apply:
- A lower university degree in music (Bachelor)
- A university of applied sciences degree in music
- A foreign degree or qualification in music that provides eligibility for corresponding higher education studies in the awarding country
- A lower university degree in another field and, additionally, higher education studies in music.
The Sibelius Academy may require that a person admitted to study towards a master’s degree complete complementary studies of a scope equivalent to a maximum of one year of studies in addition to the minimum number of ECTS credits required by the degree programme in order for them to attain the skills required in the training. In principle, complementary studies must be completed in the first year of study, and they must be included in the student’s personal study plan. The applicant is informed of the complementary studies required of them in connection with the admission decision. Such complementary studies must be mentioned in the programme’s admissions proposal.
Exceptions to eligibility
The applicant cannot apply for both 5.5-year and 2.5-year programmes of a single major subject or main instrument in the same year. However, if the applicant submits an application to both programmes, the Sibelius Academy will
- take account of the application for the 2.5-year programme if the applicant is eligible for it, or
- take account of the application for the 5.5-year programme if the applicant is not eligible for the 2.5-year programme.
If the applicant has completed a higher education degree at the Sibelius Academy, they cannot apply for the same degree programme, major subject or main instrument again.
The student admission for bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes applies to applicants who do not have a valid right to study at Uniarts Helsinki at the beginning of the applied right to study, with the exception of persons who have the vice rector’s permission to complete two degrees simultaneously. A degree student registered at Uniarts Helsinki may apply for a change of right to study within the Sibelius Academy or between academies. There are separate instructions for applying for a change of the right to study and for applying for a permission to complete two degrees simultaneously. More information on the rule of one study right can be found here.
Language requirements
The languages of tuition in the Conducting programme are Finnish, Swedish, and English. You must demonstrate your language proficiency in one of the above-mentioned languages by the given deadline. However, the majority of group tuition at the Sibelius Academy is provided in Finnish or English.
How to apply
Submit your application in the spring’s first joint application period from 3 to 17 January 2024 by 3pm EET in the Studyinfo portal.
Click here to read instruction on how to fill the application form. Please note that you do not need to register in Studyinfo portal before completing the application form.
Submit the supporting documents and any advance assignments in accordance with the instructions provided.
Supporting documents
Submit the supporting documents via the Studyinfo portal as PDF files by 3pm EET on 24 January 2024. If the documents are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English, append a translation by an authorised translator into one of these languages.
Documents required from all applicants:
- Degree certificate of the background education and a transcript of study records
If you complete your degree after the end of the application period, it is adequate to submit the degree certificate by 3pm EEST on 11 July 2024. However, all applicants must submit a transcript of records during the application period.
In case of a foreign degree, the Sibelius Academy may request clarification on the degree’s status within the awarding country’s education system.
- Certificate demonstrating language proficiency
If you demonstrate your language proficiency based on your previous studies, the degree certificate or its appendix must clearly indicate the language in which the degree was completed. The degree demonstrating language proficiency must be completed by 3pm EEST on 11 July 2024.
You will NOT need to submit a certificate of your prior education (degree certificate, transcript of records) or language proficiency if they are based on one of the following:
- You have completed the Finnish matriculation examination in 1990 or later.
- You have completed a Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification in 2017 or later.
- You have completed a Finnish further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification in 2018 or later.
In the above cases, we will receive your information from the electronic qualification register. If necessary, the Sibelius Academy will ask you for further information by e-mail.
Applicants applying for an entrance examination which includes sections that are organized remotely or by video recording shall also be required to:
- Official proof of identity
Append a copy of your passport, EU identity card or Finnish driving licence to your application.
Applicants to programmes organised in English are also required to submit:
- A document exempting from tuition fees
If you apply to study in English, you will be liable to pay tuition fees unless you submit a document indicating that you are exempt. For more information on tuition fees, see Tuition fees and scholarships.
Refugees, persons in a refugee-like situation and asylum seekers:
If you are unable to submit documentary evidence of your degree, you may still be deemed eligible to apply. Submit a reliable report on the completed degree that grants you eligibility to apply and an additional report explaining why the documents are not available. In addition, submit an official decision on your refugee status (asylum decision or residence permit based on protection, or a proof that such an application is pending). Submit the required documents by email to the Admissions Office by 24 January 2024 3pm EET. The Sibelius Academy will make a decision on your eligibility based on the submitted report. Applicants with refugee status must provide proof of their language skills required for the studies in one of the ways specified in the selection criteria (in Language requirements).
Advance assignments
Any advance assignments are mentioned in the target programme’s admissions criteria. The advance assignments must be submitted as attachments to the application.
The advance assignments must clearly state the applicant’s name and the programme to which they relate. Do not submit any other advance assignments than the ones requested. Upload the materials to the Studyinfo portal as early as possible. Large files may take several hours to upload.
Entrance examinations
You can be invited to the entrance examinations if:
- you have submitted an electronic application form and the required attachments at Studyinfo portal, and
- Sibelius Academy deems you eligible based on the submitted documents.
The implementation of the entrance examinations for each programme is described in the programme’s admission criteria. The entrance examination schedules of separate programmes may overlap. If the applicant has applied for multiple programmes, they must choose which examinations they attend in case of overlaps.
A programme’s entrance examination may consist of several phases and contain multiple sub-tests. If the applicant fails to pass all the compulsory sub-tests for the entrance examination or the applicant’s entrance examinations do not meet the requirements set for them, they cannot be admitted as a student.
The Sibelius Academy will send applicants instructions for participation in entrance examinations in the entrance examination invitation. The exact times for individual entrance examinations are confirmed at the latest in the morning of the entrance examination day. Individual examination times cannot be changed except for compelling reasons not attributable to the applicant. Such reasons include the matriculation examination (or a corresponding event) and an accident or sudden illness (a medical certificate is required). In such cases, the examination time can only be rescheduled within the limits of the Entrance Examination Board’s working timetables.
The entrance examination is a closed event attended by the applicant, the Entrance Examination Board and the agreed assistants (for example, an accompanist, a training choir, a board assistant or the applicant’s assistant). Entrance examinations may not be recorded.
If you wish to cancel your participation in the entrance examination, notify the Sibelius Academy Admissions Office by email as soon as possible.
Individual arrangements in the entrance examination
If you require individual arrangements in the entrance examination because of a sensory or physical disability or other corresponding reason, more information on individual arrangements can be found here.
Orchestral Conducting entrance examination
The entrance examination consists of two stages. The first stage will be carried out remotely by video and the second on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
First stage: Advance assignment
Submit a conducting demonstration as a video recording via the Studyinfo portal by 24 January 2024, 3pm EET (Finnish time). In the video, conduct an ensemble comprising of at least 5 musicians. The conducting demonstration must be of high technical and artistic level and not older than 12 months. The demonstration must present both rehearsing and conducting, and it must be shot from the direction of the orchestra so that the conductor and some of the musicians can be seen. Any language may be used in the rehearsal.
Based on the scores given for the first stage, the Board will invite some of the applicants to the second stage of the entrance examination. Information on the results of the first stage will be sent by email.
Second stage
The second stage of the entrance examination includes the following sub-tests:
- Music theory, prima vista, and aural skills test
- Test in conducting
- Audition in your main instrument
- Interview
The second stage will be held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 13 and 14 May 2024.
Music theory, prima vista, and aural skills test
The test includes melodic dictation, prima vista assignment, and analysis assignments. The aural skills test contains a group test and a short individual test.
The examiner will give the Board their assessment of the applicant’s suitability for conducting studies. The Board will take the assessment into account as part of its overall assessment.
Test in conducting with an orchestra (about 20 min / applicant)
In the examination you will be conducting repertoire determined in advance. The Entrance Examination Board will ask you to conduct an extract and rehearse the orchestra. The Board will evaluate your musical skills, rehearsing and communicating skills, and development potential.
The repertoire and music scores will be sent to the applicants at latest 3 weeks before the entrance examination.
Main instrument audition and partiture playing demonstration
Perform on your main instrument a work or part of a work of your choice (approximately 15 min) that you consider demonstrates your skills as an instrumentalist or a singer to the Board. This performance must be unaccompanied. The Board will take the audition into account as part of its overall assessment. You must specify the instrument used in the main instrument audition on the application form during the application period.
The applicant may perform the main instrument audition on one of the following instruments:
- Classical-Romantic symphony orchestra instruments and related period instruments
- saxophone
- euphonium
- recorder
- vibraphone
- marimba
- percussion instruments (a combination of timpani (including tuning) + triangle and/or bass drum and/or cymbals)
- piano
- classical solo voice (lied or opera)
- classical guitar.
In addition, give a demonstration of partiture playing by piano according to the instructions given in the invitation to the entrance examination.
Interview (20 min)
Based on their conducting demonstration and main instrument audition, some applicants will be invited to an interview in Finnish or English.
Wind Orchestra Conducting entrance examination
The entrance examination consists of two stages. The first stage will be carried out remotely by video and the second on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
First stage: Advance assignment
Submit a conducting demonstration as a video recording via the Studyinfo portal by 24 January 2024, 3pm EET (Finnish time). The conducting demonstration must be at least 10 minutes long and at most 12 months old on the due date of the application. If you do not have the possibility to conduct a wind ensemble, you may submit a conducting recording in which you conduct two pianos or some other kind of ensemble or orchestra. The video must be shot from the viewpoint of the ensemble or orchestra or pianists so that both the conductor and (at least some of) the musicians are visible in the frame.
Based on the scores given for the first stage, the Board will invite some of the applicants to the second stage of the entrance examination. Information on the results of the first stage will be sent by email.
Second stage
The second stage of the entrance examination includes the following sub-tests:
- Music theory and aural skills test
- Audition in your main instrument
- Score playing
- Test in conducting
- Interview
The second stage of the entrance examination will be held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 10 and 11 May 2024.
Music theory and aural skills test
The test includes assignments on prima vista, score analysis and listening. Preliminary material will be sent to the applicants if necessary. The aural skills test contains a group test (approximately 30 minutes) and a short individual test.
Audition in your main instrument, score playing, test in conducting, and interview
In their main instrument audition, the applicant will perform a solo piece of their choice with no accompaniment.
In the score playing test, the applicant plays a score on the piano (one or two staves simultaneously).
The test in conducting includes two rounds during which the applicant conducts pre-announced works. The Entrance Examination Board may select only part of the applicants for the second round and may also specify which works they wish applicants to conduct and rehearse. The repertoire and music scores are sent to the applicants by email at latest 3 weeks before the entrance examination.
In the interview the Board asks questions in Finnish or English to supplement and clarify your application.
Choral Conducting entrance examination
The first stage of the entrance examination consists of advance assignments completed remotely. The second and third stages are held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 2 and 3 May 2024.
First stage: Advance assignments
Submit the following advance assignments as a video recording via the Studyinfo portal by 24 January 2024, 3pm EET (Finnish time):
- Conducting demonstration (10 to 15 minutes). Conduct a choir consisting of at least 8 singers in your demonstration.
The conducting demonstration must be of high technical and artistic level at most 12 months old on the due date of the application. The applicant must indicate where and when the demonstration was recorded. In exceptional circumstances, the applicant may submit an older demonstration, but in this case must provide an explanation for why they could not submit a demonstration from the last 12 months prior to the application date. The demonstration must present both rehearsing and conducting, and it must be filmed from the direction of the choir so that the conductor can be seen facing the camera and some choir singers or the pianists must be visible.
The video can be recorded in several takes and more than one space. If you record the sections separately, combine them into a single file. Every section must be at least 4 minutes in length.
- A brief introduction of yourself (3 to 4 minutes). In this introduction, you must answer these questions:
- Why do you want to study at the Sibelius Academy?
- Why do you want to become a choir conductor?
- Where do you see yourself professionally ten years from now?
- Are you able to commit to full-time study and attendance at the Sibelius Academy for the duration of your studies?
Based on the scores given for the first stage, the Board will invite some of the applicants to the second stage of the entrance examination. Information on the results of the first stage will be sent by email.
Second stage
The second stage includes the following sub-tests:
- Music theory, aural skills, and analysis test. The test will be organised in a group setting and will last approximately 1.5 hours. The music theory, aural skills, and analysis test is for evaluating your ability to analyse music and to distinguish sounds and to test your musical memory. Your musical comprehension and score awareness will be tested with various assignments.
- A freely selected composition sung without accompaniment (3 to 5 minutes).
- A freely selected composition performed on an instrument (3 to 5 minutes). The Board recommends that the instrument used be a piano, but other instruments will also be accepted. If the instrument is something other than a piano, the applicant must bring the instrument to the test.
- Sight-reading and transposition test. In the test, you will be given assignments such as the following:
- Sight-singing
- Sight-reading a score
- Transposing a score
- Giving pitches using a tuning fork
- Test in choral conducting. Give a demonstration of conducting and rehearsing skills. During the test, you will be conducting the Sibelius Academy Vocal Ensemble. The works to be conducted will be sent to the applicants by e-mail no later than three weeks before the test.
Based on the scores given for the second stage, the Board will invite some of the applicants to the third stage of the entrance examination.
Third stage
The third stage of the entrance examination includes the following sub-tests:
- Test in choral conducting. Give a demonstration of conducting and rehearsing skills, conducting works sent in advance. During the test, you will be conducting the Sibelius Academy Vocal Ensemble. The works to be conducted will be sent to the applicants by e-mail no later than three weeks before the test.
- An interview in Finnish or English. Topics may include the applicant’s motivation, knowledge of the score and repertoire as well as other topics that will assist the Board in decision-making.
Entrance examination assessment
Applicants’ performance in the entrance examinations is assessed by programme-specifically appointed Entrance Examination Boards. The boards assess the knowledge, skills and capabilities of each applicant and their capacity to complete the degree studies within the normative duration for the completion of a degree. The assessment takes account of how the applicant’s previous education and experience reflects in their competence and assesses their competence in relation to the objectives set in the curriculum.
In addition the entrance examinations for conducting will assess the applicants’
- technical and musical skills: advanced conducting technique (clarity, expression) and in own main instrument soloistic level or an advanced level of orchestral/chamber musician
- soloistic and theoretical competence
- perception of musical structures (e.g. form, harmony, texture)
- expression
- performance skills
- understanding of the styles of different periods
- command of the ensemble they are conducting
- ability to express their goals
- potential to develop artistically and to improve their skills as a conductor.
Applicants are required to have experience on ensemble playing.
Scoring of the entrance examination (Orchestral Conducting and Wind Orchestra Conducting)
The applicant’s score for the first stage will not affect their score for the second stage. The score for the second stage will remain the applicant’s final score.
Scoring of the entrance examination (Choral Conducting)
The applicant’s score for the first stage will not be taken into account in the following stages of the entrance examination. Based on the scores given for the second stage, the Board will invite some of the applicants to the third stage of the entrance examination. The scores after the third stage will remain the applicant’s final score.
Admissions results
The Entrance Examination boards rank the applicants of each programme based on their entrance examination score. The final decision on students admitted to the programmes and those placed on the waiting list is made by the dean of the Sibelius Academy.
A study place is offered to highest scoring applicants who meet the selection criteria. Applicants ranked behind the admitted students may be placed on a waiting list in the order of their score. The waiting lists are either programme-specific or group-specific if there are several groups in a single programme. A study place will become vacant and can be offered to an applicant on a waiting list only if one of the applicants admitted to the same degree programme (or group) chooses not to accept the study place, or if someone who has been conditionally admitted fails to submit the necessary documents by the end of the deadline.
If there are no applicants who meet the admissions criteria, some programmes may choose not to admit new students. If a specific degree programme does not admit any new students, applicants to that programme cannot be placed on a waiting list.
Announcement of results
Admission results, including the names of the applicants who have given the permission to have their names published online, will be published on the Uniarts Helsinki website. In addition, each applicant can view their situation in the Studyinfo portal. Admitted applicants and those placed on the waiting list are informed of the results by email.
Feedback
Applicants may request feedback on their entrance examination performance. The feedback provides the applicant with information on how the evaluation criteria stated in the admission criteria were applied in the assessment of their entrance examination. Instructions for requesting feedback will be published on the Uniarts Helsinki website in connection with the publication of the admission decision.
Rectification procedure
If you believe that the Sibelius Academy has acted contrary to its admission criteria, you can request for rectification to the student admission decision from the Sibelius Academy in writing within 14 days of the publication of the admission results.
The rectification procedure is not intended as a means for receiving feedback, asking for further information about the admission or requesting unjustified re-evaluation.
More information about the rectification process can be found here.
Accepting the offered study place and starting your studies
An offer of admission can be accepted either via the Studyinfo system or by filling in the confirmation form attached to the letter of acceptance and by delivering it to the admissions office. You must accept your study place by the given deadline. If the confirmation arrives late, it will not be considered.
Accepting an offer of admission is a binding choice, which cannot be changed or cancelled later on.
You must also register as attending at the Sibelius Academy before the academic year begins – more information will be sent to you along with your acceptance letter.
First-year studies begin in mid-August with an orientation period that is compulsory for all new students.
Questions or comments?
You can contact us via e-mail at siba.admissions@uniarts.fi.
If you have any questions, please check first if your question has been already answered on our frequently asked questions page. This page will be updated constantly. Please check it regularly to see if new questions have been answered. Please note that in principle we do not explain the entrance examination assignments. The instructions are in the admissions guide.
If you have any questions regarding student life at the Sibelius Academy or in Helsinki, you can contact our Student Ambassadors at siba.student.ambassadors@uniarts.fi.
The Sibelius Academy Admissions Chat
What is it like to study at the Sibelius Academy and live in Helsinki? How do you apply to the Sibelius Academy? We answered these questions among others in our Admissions chat broadcast in November 2023. The recording of the event is available on Sibelius Academy’s Instagram account. Please click here to open the recording.