Music programs in Ontario
43 programs across 13 campuses, with published admission ranges starting at 65%. Sorted by the range each one publishes, lowest first, so you can see where you land.
Programs
43
Campuses
13
Lowest range
65%
What this leads to
The picture for music as of 2026-08-17, not a description of this particular program.
Most music graduates teach in colleges and vocational schools or in arts, entertainment and recreation services. The two main career paths are private music instructor (teaching piano, guitar, voice in home studios or music schools) and school/community music teacher.
In its favour
- You can start working as a private teacher with little overhead—you can build a client base from home or through music schools
- Live performance and in-person teaching are not easily automated; human instruction in music remains valued
- Teaching positions exist across Canada with steady openings in schools and conservatories, though many are part-time
Worth knowing
- Most music work is freelance or part-time: 52% of Canadian artists are self-employed and income is highly variable
- Median artist income is $24,300, which is 44% less than all Canadian workers; typical employment income for artists is $17,300, a figure 56% lower than other workers
- Significant staffing cuts at major record labels have been recurring in recent years, a trend expected to continue in 2026
- School music teaching positions require Ontario College of Teachers certification, adding extra barrier beyond the degree
How AI is changing this work
AI has already altered how music is created, distributed, and monetized. More people can create music, more teams can produce music faster, and more creators can iterate without formal production training—this increases competition for gigs and composition work. However, human taste, selection, storytelling, performance, and brand still matter, meaning live performance and direct teaching are harder to displace. The real risk is in music industry jobs (production, arrangement, recording studio work) where AI is already reshaping workflows; teaching remains more resistant because parents and students still value human instruction.
Where this came from (6 sources)
- 1. 202 university music instructor jobs in Canada, June 2026 | Glassdoor
- 2. 609 music industry jobs in Canada, April 2026 | Glassdoor
- 3. Music Studies 2025-2026 | Academic Jobs Wiki | Fandom
- 4. $40K–$140K Music Jobs in Toronto, ON, 5 May 2026 | Indeed
- 5. 15 phd music jobs in Canada, August 2026 | Glassdoor
- 6. 208 University music instructor jobs in Canada | Glassdoor
All 43 programs
- 65%AlgomaMusic (BA 4 year)
- 70%OttawaMusic (BA) (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available)
- 70%OttawaMusic (BMus) (4 years)
- 70%LakeheadMusic (Thunder Bay)
- 70%OttawaMusique (4 ans)
- 70%OttawaMusique (BMus) (4 ans)
- 70–75%TMUProfessional Music
- 73–77%Laurier (Waterloo)Diploma in Chamber Music
- 73–77%Laurier (Waterloo)Diploma in Opera
- 73–80%YorkMusic (BA, BFA)
- 73–77%BrockMusic (BA)
- 73–77%BrockMusic (BMus)
- 75–80%GuelphBachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness (BCAHW) Honours
- 75%OttawaMusic and Biochemistry (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Biology (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Chemistry (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Computer Science (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Geology (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Mathematics (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Physics (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusic and Statistics (5-year double degree)
- 75%OttawaMusique et biochimie (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et biologie (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et chimie (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et géologie (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et informatique (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et mathématiques (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et physique (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%OttawaMusique et statistique (Double grade – 5 ans)
- 75%Laurier (Waterloo)Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem Certificate
- 77–87%YorkConcurrent Education: Arts, Media, Performance & Design (BEd)
- 77–80%U of T (Scarborough)Music Industry & Technology (Joint Program with Centennial College)
- 80–83%BrockGame Design
- 80–82%CarletonHumanities
- 80–83%U of T (St. George)International Foundation Program – Music
- 80–82%CarletonJournalism and Humanities
- 80–83%U of T (St. George)Music – Artist Diploma
- 80–83%WesternMusic (BA)
- 80–83%WesternMusic (BMus)
- 80–83%U of T (St. George)Music Education
- 80–83%U of T (St. George)Music Performance
- 83–87%Queen'sConcurrent Education/Music
- 83–87%WesternMusic Administrative Studies
Other subjects
- Business Studies 203
- Interdisciplinary Studies 187
- Computer Science 135
- Education Studies 117
- Environmental Studies 116
- Psychology 109
- General or Integrated Engineering 104
- Law & Criminology 101
- Media and Communication Studies 98
- Economics 95
- Biological Sciences 92
- Others in Subjects Related to Medicine 92
Ranges are what universities publish, not guaranteed cutoffs. Work out your top 6 to see which of these you actually clear.