Study music in Medellín, Cali and other cities of Colombia: universities and tests
Outside of Bogotá there are pregrades of public and private music with quite different tests. We sum up what they demand in Medellín, Cali, Ibagué and other cities.
Outside of Bogotá there's a place to study music with public and private options. At Medellín are the University of Antioquia and EAFIT, at Cali, the University of the Valle, at Ibagué, the Conservatorio del Tolima and there are public music graduates at Bucharest, Manizales, Barranquilla, Pasto, Pereira and Popayan.
Almost all demand a music test and the general requirements, and each one organizes it differently. Here's a map with what we check out at the most recent call we have reviewed (2026) and how to get ready regardless of where you live.
To sum up
- At the University of Antioquia there is no general examination for music: entrance is defined with two elimination tests, one specific and another of technical and musical aptitude and knowledge.
- At Univalle, at the 2027-I call, the specific test was the whole score: for Music, instrument 50%, oral theoretical examination 40% and interview 10% and at the Licenciatura theories and instrument are invested.
- Univalle admits once a year and with limited quotas, so we have to plan with great care.
- Several regional graduates also evaluate the educational provision with an interview or with an educational exercise.
- There are university preparations outside of Bogotá: UdeA's Music Preparatory, EAFIT's Music Pantisitary and Univalle's Prebasic Course, among others.
Universities to study music outside of Bogotá
| City | Institution | Programas | What Test Assesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medellín | University of Antioquia (public) | Music, Music Canto and Bachelor's degree in Music (this also in Oriente and Urabá) | Specific and test aptitude and theoretical and musical knowledge, both eliminations |
| Medellín | EAFIT (private) | Music with an emphasis on classical or jazz | Group theoretical examination and listening as emphasized and without an interview |
| Cali | Universidad del Valle (public) | Music and Bachelor's degree in Music | Instrumental architecture, oral theoretical examination and interview with both programs |
| Ibagué | Conservatory of Tolima (public) | Master of Music and Bachelor of Music | Master: theory and audition, performance and interview. Bachelor's degree: lectowriting, fitness with basic grammar and interview |
| Bucaramanga | UIS (public) | Bachelor of Music | Hearing perception, training with first-glance reading, aptitude, instrument and interview |
| Manizales | University of Caldas (public) | Bachelor of Music and Master of Music | Know 11 (50%) and internal test of rhythm, intonation and instrument, more pedagogical test or interview according to program |
| Barranquilla | University of the Atlantic (public) | Bachelor of Music and Music | Bachelor's degree: theory, aptitude (singing a cappella, imitation), pedagogical interview and instrument. Music: theory with dictations, solphis and instrument |
| Pasto | University of Nariño (public) | Bachelor of Music | A video-specific test |
| Pereira | UTP (public) | Bachelor of Music | Test aptitude and concurrently once a year |
| Popayan | University of Cauca (public) | Instrumental Music, Band Direction and Bachelor's degree in Music | Perception of musical language and instrumental testing |
There are more institutions with music programs, such as the UPTC, UNAB or Fine Arts of Medellín, that we do not review in detail. If you are interested, look for his guide to his and apply the same criteria from this table.
Medellín: University of Antioquia and EAFIT
The University of Antioquia offers Music (with Master's degrees in composition, direction or instrument), Music Canto (lyrical or popular singing) and Licenciatura in Music. For music there are no general entrance examination: all are played in two abolatory tests, the specific test (instrument, voice, direction or composition) and an aptitude and musical knowledge test, that at the call 2027-1 was called aptitude, atoning, reading and harmony (PAELA). We explain to you each with minimum scores, at entrance examination of Music at UdeA)..
That they're both purptimatoriums means that playing well doesn't make up for a weak theory, or the other way around. Prepare them with the same care.
The UdeA also has a Music Preparatory for more than 15 years or students from the final grades of the school, up to four semesters. Eye: to get into the preparatory are also presented two purptimatorial tests (the specific and one of musical aptitude), and the UdeA clarifies that to conduct them does not mean direct entrance to the undergraduate, so that it's not a shortcut but another process that's also prepared.
EAFIT, a private, offers Music with an emphasis on classical or jazz. His admission does not have an interview: you have a group theoretical examination and an audition as an emphasis and his selection counts only that examination. We have detailed this in his admission to Music at EAFIT..
Cali: Univalle Music School
The University of the Valle offers Music, that forms Masters in Music in interpretation, direction, composition or musicology, and Master's degree in Music. Once a year and quotas are limited. specific test was the whole score and had three components:
| Parte | Music | Licenciatura | Contenido |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test of instrument | 50 % | 40 % | Up to 10 minutes and with your instrument, with the exception of piano, contraple and percussion. |
| Review of theoretical knowledge | 40 % | 50 % | Individual and oral: To tone scales and arpegtias, to read at first glance and rhythmic imitation, among others. |
| Entrevista | 10 % | 10 % | Aspirations, expectations, availability and knowledge of the retirement profile. |
Univalle also has the Pentagram Plan, its extension program with a prebasic course and children's and youth programs. We explain every component to you at the Univalle Music admissions exam.
A bad day, as once a year, can cost you a year's wait. It arrives with a repertoire that holds up in 10 minutes, well assembled and works with a constant reading and imitation and we give you a method in [rhythmic and melodic reading for the entrance test]](/blog/lectura-ritmica-y-melodica-para-la-prueba-de-admision).
Ibagué and regional graduates
The [Conservatory of Tolima]](https://conservatoriodeltolima.edu.co/index.php/maestro-en-musica/)at Ibagué, it's public and offers Master in Music and Bachelor's degree in Music. To Master, as revised, they evaluated theory and audition, an performance test (lyric or instrument) and an interview, for his degree, lectowriting, musical aptitude with basic grammar and interview. The weights and contents of each test are at entrance to the Conservatory of Tolima.
What have a degree in common
A master's degree from the UIS, Caldas, Atlántico, Nariño, UTP and Cauca is repeated: an ear and aptitude, theory, instrument and sometimes an educational component. Some peculiarities change their preparation greatly:
- If the test is by video, as in Nariño as revised, care for sound, light and frame and record several shots before choosing.
- If there's an educational evidence, as at [University of Caldas]](/blog/admision-musica-universidad-de-caldas)or pedagogical interview as at [University of the Atlantic]](/blog/admision-musica-universidad-del-atlantico)and practice to explain something simple, as a rhythm or a song, to a group of children. We help you to prepare them at an interview about admission to music.
- If they evaluate how to sing to cappella or to play, they practice without the support of any instrument.
- If the university admits once a year, as the UTP, it sets the dates with months in advance.
How to get ready from every town
The base is the same for all: grammar, ear, dictida, sonatado and instrument. What changes is the weight of every thing and the format, so suit your preparation to what your university wants:
| If the university evaluates... | Prioriza… |
|---|---|
| Ability (imitation, memory, atoning) | Daily exercises of repeating rhythms and ear melodies and singing without support. |
| Theory and dictation | Complete grammar and melodic dictation several times a week. |
| Willing with limited time | Repertoire that takes place in time, assembled with months of advance. |
| Interview or pedagogical exercise | Test answers and explain out loud a simple music theme. |
| Test by video | Test prints with good sound and review with your teacher. |
If you live far from a university town, or in a town where you have no faith for what you need, [online music classes]](/clases-de-musica-online) They let you get ready from home. A medio tono Can you have [music theory]](/clases/teoria-musical), solphis, dictated and instrument with teachers in virtual classes, we tell you how we guide them to admissions to [production for music admissions tests]](/preuniversitario-musica)And to set up the complete schedule, check how to get ready for the music admittance test.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best university to study music outside of Bogotá?
It depends on what you're after: interpretation, composition, teaching or popular music, and whether you prefer a public or private university. Compare programs, emphasis, type of proof and costs, and if you can, visit the faculty and talk with students.
Do the University of Antioquia require general entrance examination for music?
According to what we have reviewed, no. For music, entrance is defined with two clear tests: the specific test and that of technical and musical aptitude and knowledge. Trust them in the current call.
What tools do I have to conduct at Univalle's audition?
The revised call requested to carry his own instrument with the exception of piano, contraband and percussion. Check the specific test page if it changes.
Can I get ready for a university from another town with virtual classes?
Yes. Theory, dictated, reading and instrument can be worked in virtual classes with good audio equipment. What you have to do in person, if you can, is some public hearing drill before the test.