Entrance exams for Higher Education Degrees in Music at ESMAR · Academic year 2026/27

Table of Contents

1. Considerations
2. Academic requirements for access
3. Characteristics of the entrance exams
4. Structure and parts of the entrance exams
5. Courts and evaluation committees
6. Registration for entrance exams
7. Calendar of entrance exams
8. Possibility of carrying out a simulation of the entrance exam
9. Allocation of vacant places for the 2026/2027 academic year
10. Applicants who have passed the entrance exams at other higher education centers
11. Guidance and support for applicants
12. Students with educational needs arising from disabilities
13. More Information

1. General Considerations

According to current regulations, in order to access Higher Music Education, it is necessary to pass a specific entrance exam in accordance with the provisions of articles 8 and 9 of Decree 48/2011.

ESMAR will carry out the tests in accordance with its margin of autonomy and as established by the ISEACV in the resolutions developed for this purpose.

The registration period will begin on February 1, 2026. Registration can be completed using the registration forms at the top of this page.

2. Academic requirements for access

To enter ESMAR, in addition to passing the specific entrance exam, it will be necessary:

1. To be in possession of a High School Diploma, to have passed the University entrance exam for people over 25 years of age, a higher artistic education degree, a university degree or to be in possession of a higher technician/a degree.
2. People born between 2008 and 2010 may also access higher artistic music education, without meeting the academic requirements indicated in the previous section, if they pass the specific test referred to in article 69, "Post-compulsory education", section 5, of Organic Law 2/2006, of May 3, on Education (the so-called maturity test).

This test will be organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Registration must be done at one of the higher education centers dependent on the ISEACV.

For the 2026/27 academic year, the date for this test is pending publication.

Admission of students who, when they pass the entrance exam, do not yet meet the requirements established above, will be provisional and will be conditional upon obtaining the aforementioned requirements.

The same applies to foreign students who have submitted their application for recognition of their Baccalaureate Diploma. The studies completed will only be valid if they receive the resolution with the recognition.

3. Characteristics of the entrance exams

The ESMAR entrance exams will be organized in person. They will have the following characteristics:

• The face-to-face tests will be organized at the ESMAR Campus.
• Tests may also be organised in other cities in Spain.

4. Structure and parts of the entrance exams

INTERPRETATION SPECIALTY (Piano, Symphonic Instruments, Classical Guitar and Early Music Itineraries)

Single Test: Performance of a concert programme of at least 30 minutes duration, with works of at least three different styles. The panel may choose the works, tempos or fragments of the programme presented that the candidate must perform.

INTERPRETATION SPECIALTY (Singing Itinerary)

Single Test: Interpretation of a concert programme composed of two opera arias of free choice belonging to different periods; two oratorio arias of free choice belonging to different periods; two lyrical concert songs in different languages ​​(German lied, French mélodie, Spanish song, song in another language if the candidate so wishes).

PERFORMANCE SPECIALTY (Modern Music and Jazz Itinerary)

Applicants must perform 3 songs of their choice, within the styles of jazz, blues, rock, pop, funk, fusion, Latin-jazz or other modern music, including a solo or part improvised by the applicant. A pre-recorded accompaniment may be used in each case or the candidate may perform live with other musicians accompanying the candidate.

For the singing specialty, the melody of a song of your choice may be interpreted, if possible, in the jazz style, although other modern styles will also be accepted.

Applicants must demonstrate music reading and instrumental technique skills consistent with the completion of professional education or equivalent experience.

PEDAGOGY SPECIALTY (All instrumental itineraries)

Test A: Performance of a 15-minute concert programme in at least two different styles. It will not be eliminatory and, if passed, will represent 60% of the final mark.

Test B. Personal interview with the applicant. It will not be eliminatory. It will represent 40% of the final grade.

The final grade will be the weighted average of the scores obtained in the two tests.

Students who have passed the Interpretation specialty or are currently studying the Interpretation specialty will only take Test B.

SPECIALTY PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Test A: Duly documented interpretation studies. If such documentation is not presented, interpretation of a piece (chosen by the candidate) lasting no more than 10 minutes. It will not be eliminatory and, if passed, will represent 30% of the final grade.

Test B: Critical analysis of a proposed text and a personal interview to demonstrate the student's ability and maturity. This will represent 70% of the final grade. There will be prior individual preparation and a maximum of 15 minutes for oral defense before the panel.

The final grade will be the weighted average of the scores obtained in the two tests.

DIRECTION SPECIALTY

Test A: Conducting a concert programme of a maximum of 15 minutes, in at least two different styles. The centre will propose the repertoire in advance and will provide the candidate with a small group to conduct. This will not be eliminatory and, if passed, will represent 60% of the final mark.

Test B. Personal interview with the candidate. It will not be eliminatory. It will represent 40% of the final grade.

SPECIALTY COMPOSITION

Test A: The candidate will have the opportunity to present a maximum of three of his/her own compositions. These will have to be presented and defended before the panel.
Each piece must be accompanied by its score. In addition, it is recommended to include an audio file in MP3 or WAV format, stored on a pendrive, to be handed over to the panel at the time of the test.
It will represent 60% of the final grade.

Test B. Stylistic, structural and harmonic analysis of a work or fragment proposed by the court.
It will represent 25% of the final grade.

Test C. Personal interview with the candidate.
It will represent 15% of the final grade.

5. Courts and evaluation committees

A single tribunal will be formed to propose and evaluate the various tests.

The court shall consist of the following members:

1. a) The president: Ramon Estarlich
2. b) Secretary: Ramon Gabarda Aparicio
3. c) Vowels: Daniel Fuster y Ruben Talon

Depending on the specialties, the itineraries and the number of applicants, evaluation committees may be appointed to carry out the tests, whose functions will be to correct the tests, as well as any other functions that the court assigns for the proper development of the process.

6. Registration for the Entrance Exams

Registration for the entrance exams will be possible within the deadlines established below:

Registration period for the specific entrance exams for all specialties and pathways:

• From dthe 1 of February of 2026

Registration for the test will be done through the following form.

In addition to the information required on the registration form, applicants must provide the following documentation:

• Copy of ID.
• Proof of bank payment of the examination fee.

Payment of fees

The fee for registration for the entrance exams will be 60 euros.

Payment can be made by transfer to the ESMAR account ES85 2100 7755 3013 0050 8740, PayPal or card.

7. Calendar of entrance exams

Dates pending publication.

Students who have registered for the exam may request a date for the entrance exam within this period. Once registered, the ESMAR secretary will contact the applicant to determine the date and time for the aforementioned exam.

8. Possibility of carrying out an individual simulation of the Access Test

Students enrolled in the ESMAR entrance exams will be able to perform a simulation of the entrance exams, selecting this option when registering. They may also request it by sending an email to [email protected]

The simulation can be done in person or by videoconference. In it, the candidate will perform a piece from the repertoire in front of the chosen instrument teacher.

The teaching staff will guide the candidates on the suitability of the chosen repertoire, the quality of the performances and will inform them of the organisational issues of the same: performance dates, evaluation criteria, etc.

Once the application has been received, ESMAR will contact the applicants to determine the date and time of the simulation.

9. Allocation of vacant places for the 2026-2027 academic year

Once the test is completed, candidates will immediately know the results.

All students who pass the entrance exam will be guaranteed a place at ESMAR.

Regarding the choice of an Instrument or Singing teacher, applicants may choose the teacher they prefer from among the ESMAR teaching staff. Once each teacher's schedule is complete, they must choose a time with a teacher who has vacancies.

10. Applicants who have passed the entrance exam in other Higher Education Centers

Applicants who have passed the entrance exams at another centre may apply for a place at ESMAR. Applicants must attach a certificate from the centre where they passed the exam, which must state the grade obtained.

In these cases, the deadline to apply for a school place will be until the start date of the 2026/27 academic year. ESMAR will inform the applicant students of the Resolution, once the school places have been awarded to the applicants who take the specific tests organized by ESMAR.

11. Guidance and attention to students

ESMAR will carry out a wide variety of activities to guide and prepare students for the test.

In addition, explanatory sessions will be organized for each specialty and also by the teaching staff of the different itineraries (Instruments)

However, any candidate may obtain personalized information about the organization of the entrance exams by contacting the email address [email protected]

You can also request a personal interview with a member of the ESMAR management team, at the same email address: [email protected]

ESMAR also offers any applicant the possibility of directly contacting the Instrument/Singing teacher with whom they would like to study higher music education. This request can also be made via email: [email protected]

Applicants may request the school management to conduct an individual class in person or online, where students will be guided to better participate in the test.

12. Students with educational needs arising from disabilities

According to article 10 of Decree 48/2011, of May 6, the centers will have information systems and procedures for the reception and orientation of students that must include, in the case of students with specific educational needs derived from disabilities, the appropriate support and counseling services. In this sense, the organizational and curricular adaptations of the entrance exams that are necessary to enable the participation of these students will be made.

These students will request that the school adapt the entrance exam and present the disability certificate, as well as a report detailing these specific educational needs.

13. More information

Personalized information can be obtained by email by contacting [email protected] or via Contact Form.