Bachelor Programme
Opera
Opera at UBC Vancouver is a four-year Bachelor of Music major for singers who want a career in opera performance or production, offered within the School of Music's advanced performance streams. Students build vocal technique, repertoire and operatic acting over four years, take opera workshop, opera history and theatre techniques, and study Italian, French and German (6 credits each), with fully staged productions with orchestra each year. Admission is by audition: students apply to UBC, complete the BMus supplemental application and audition, and need a successful audition and interview with the Director of Opera.
University
University of British Columbia
Country
Canada
Level
Bachelor
Field
Music
Duration
4 years
Language
English
Campus
Vancouver
Degree
Bachelor of Music (BMus), Major in Opera
Intake
September
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027 for the UBC application and the BMus supplemental application and fee (international scholars: November 15, 2026); letters of reference by January 20, 2027; auditions January 30 to February 7, 2027 (video auditions due January 27, 2027)
Tuition Information
2026/27 first-year tuition: CAD 48,779.80 per year for international students (Music rate, CAD 1,434.70 per credit x 34 credits) and CAD 7,027.46 for Canadian students (CAD 206.69 per credit x 34 credits). Fees for students starting in 2027/28 have not yet been published. Tuition only; student fees, health insurance and housing are extra.
Admission Requirements
- Apply to UBC with the BMus as first or second choice, choose Opera as your first-choice major on the BMus supplemental application, send two letters of reference and audition (voice auditions February 6-7, 2027); applicants not accepted to Opera are considered for General Studies
- A successful audition and interview with the Director of Opera is required before starting the major; students can also move between the Voice, Opera and General Studies streams after first or second year
- BC high school: English Studies 12 (or English First Peoples 12)
- IB: no specific courses beyond UBC's general admission requirements; an audition (plus a portfolio for composition) and letters of reference are required (Music)
- English language proof, if required, is due February 15, 2027 (see English Language Requirements below)
English Language Requirements
International applicants must satisfy UBC's English Language Admission Standard.
IELTS Academic
6.5 overall, no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
90 overall
PTE Academic
65 overall
Duolingo English Test
125 overall
CAEL
70 overall
Cambridge English
180