Entrance Tests for Composition – Art Music
When you apply to this programme, you need to take an entrance examination test. Here is everything you need to know to complete the tests.
Application code: KMH-27000
Test 1 – Artistic portfolio and presentation
The first test is a digital submission where you will send in an artistic portpholio and a presentation text. Based on these, it will be decided which applicants move on to the next stage.
After the application deadline has passed, applicants who have submitted their application at universityadmissions.se External link. will receive instructions via email on how to upload their test to KMH. You are therefore encouraged to prepare Test 1 in advance, before receiving the email.
Artistic portfolio
The artistic portpholio should consist of three different compositions that clearly represent your artistic practice. These can be in the form of scores, audio files, or other digital representations. The total duration of the three works must not exceed 30 minutes. Excerpts from longer works are accepted. All three compositions must have been created within the past three years.
Text presentation
- Write a project description of the artistic project that you wish to develop during the program. Describe how the proposed project relates to your submitted artistic portpholio. Also present an outline of the timeline for how you intend to carry out the project (maximum 300 words).
- Write a bullet-point CV presenting your previous education and professional experience relevant to the application (maximum 300 words).
- Write a presentation text that includes a description of your artistic practice (maximum 200 words) and your reasons for applying to the program (maximum 200 words).
- Provide a brief description of each work you have chosen to include in your artistic portpholio (maximum 50 words per work). In the case of collaborations, specify your role and contribution to each work.
File instructions:
- The presentation text, which includes all the components described above, must be submitted as one PDF file, named with your first and last name.
- The accepted audio formats for the three compositions are AIFF, WAV, and MP3. Audio files must be named with your first and last name, title of the work, and year of composition. The works must be playable in stereo, even if they were originally created in multichannel format.
- Scores must be submitted in PDF format. Score files should be named with your first and last name, title of the work, and year of composition.
- If a composition is a sound installation, you may include a one-page PDF with photographic documentation. If a composition is an audiovisual work, you may also include a video file in MPEG-4 format.
Test code: LS 24.0a Arbetsprov komposition
Assessment: The test is qualifying, and the result is evaluated on a pass (1) or fail (0) basis. The artistic portfolio also forms the basis for the selection assessment in Test 2.
Your result will be notified by email. All passing applicants will proceed to the next test.
Assessment criteria
The jury makes an overall assessment of your abilities in terms of technical proficiency, artistic expression, and reflective capacity, in relation to the chosen specialisation and the level required to benefit from the programme. This assessment is based on the criteria outlined in the table below, where a passing result is required in all three categories.
In evaluating your abilities, the jury considers several parameters, such as the level of difficulty and challenges within the main subject area, as well as the level of difficulty and challenges in the applicant’s own submitted works as part of the artistic portfolio.
Assessment | Technical proficiency | Artistic expression | Reflective capacity |
PASS, | Demonstrates, to a sufficient extent, an intentional and artistically relevant technique in the musical expression of the composition to be able to benefit from the education. | Demonstrates, to a sufficient extent, the ability for a personal and artistic expression relevant to the main subject in order to benefit from the education. | Demonstrates, to a sufficient extent, the ability to make relevant reflections on their artistic work in order to benefit from the education. |
FAIL, | Does not demonstrate, to a sufficient extent, an intentional and artistically relevant technique in the musical expression of the composition to be able to benefit from the education. | Does not demonstrate, to a sufficient extent, the ability for a personal and artistic expression relevant to the main subject in order to benefit from the education. | Does not demonstrate, to a sufficient extent, the ability to make relevant reflections on their artistic work in order to benefit from the education. |
Test 2 – Composition test and conversation
This test is conducted online and consists of two parts – a composition test and a conversation.
Composition test
You will compose a short original work based on given conditions; you will be provided with material at a specified time and are expected to complete the task within a limited timeframe.
Conversation
The jury will hold a conversation with you where you will be asked questions about your composition test, your artistic portfolio, your project description, and your artistic practice. You should explain how you approached and solved the composition test assignment.
Test code: LS 24.6 Specialisation/main subject test
Test time: Composition test: 4–8 hours. Conversation approximately: 15 minutes.
Assessment: The test is qualifying and the basis for selection. The artistic portfolio submitted in Test 1 also forms part of the selection assessment for Test 2.
Assessment criteria
The jury makes an overall assessment of your abilities in terms of technical proficiency, artistic expression, and reflective capacity, in relation to the chosen specialisation and the level required to benefit from the programme. This assessment is based on the criteria outlined in the table below, where a passing result is required in all three categories.
In evaluating your abilities, the jury considers several parameters, such as the level of difficulty and challenges within the main subject area, as well as the level of difficulty and challenges in your own works or submitted samples.
Assessment | Technical proficiency | Artistic expression | Reflective capacity |
PASS, (criteria for results well above the pass threshold) | Demonstrates an intentional and artistically relevant technique for the musical expression of the composition, with a clear margin above what is required to benefit from the education. | Demonstrates the ability for a personal and artistic expression relevant to the main subject, with a clear margin above what is required to benefit from the education.. | Demonstrates the ability to make relevant reflections on their artistic work, with a clear margin above what is required to benefit from the education. |
PASS, (Pass with a minimum of 10 points required in all three categories) | Demonstrates, to a sufficient extent, an intentional and artistically relevant technique in the musical expression of the composition to be able to benefit from the education. | Demonstrates, to a sufficient extent, the ability for a personal and artistic expression relevant to the main subject in order to benefit from the education. | Demonstrates, to a sufficient extent, the ability to make relevant reflections on their artistic work in order to benefit from the education. |
FAIL, (Fail for scores below 10 in any category) | Does not demonstrate, to a sufficient extent, an intentional and artistically relevant technique in the musical expression of the composition to be able to benefit from the education. | Does not demonstrate, to a sufficient extent, the ability for a personal and artistic expression relevant to the main subject in order to benefit from the education. | Does not demonstrate, to a sufficient extent, the ability to make relevant reflections on their artistic work in order to benefit from the education. |