Studying music in Medellín, Cali and other Colombian cities: universities and entrance tests
Outside Bogotá there are public and private undergraduate music programs, with very different entrance tests. Here's a summary of what they ask for in Medellín, Cali, Ibagué and other cities.
There are places to study music outside Bogotá, both public and private. Medellín has Universidad de Antioquia and EAFIT; Cali has Universidad del Valle; Ibagué has Conservatorio del Tolima; and public music education degrees are available in Bucaramanga, Manizales, Barranquilla, Pasto, Pereira and Popayán.
Almost all require a music exam in addition to the general requirements, and each organizes it differently. Here is an overview of what we verified in the latest admissions round we reviewed (2026), along with how to prepare wherever you live.
In short
- Universidad de Antioquia has no general entrance exam for music: admission is decided by two exams that you must pass, one for your specialization and one assessing aptitude and music theory knowledge.
- In Univalle's 2027-I admissions round, the specialized exam accounted for the entire score: for Music, instrument 50 %, oral theory exam 40 % and interview 10 %; for the music education degree, the theory and instrument percentages are reversed.
- Univalle usually admits students once a year, with limited places, so it's worth planning well ahead.
- Several regional music education degrees also assess your readiness to teach, through an interview or a teaching exercise.
- University preparation programs are available outside Bogotá: UdeA's Preparatorio de Música, EAFIT's Preuniversitario en Música and Univalle's Prebásico course, among others.
Universities for studying music outside Bogotá
| City | Institution | Programs | What the exam assesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medellín | Universidad de Antioquia (public) | Music, Vocal Music and Music Education (the latter also in Oriente and Urabá) | Specialized exam and aptitude and music theory exam; both must be passed |
| Medellín | EAFIT (private) | Music, with a focus on classical music or jazz | Online application and interview; check with EAFIT whether an exam or audition is required for your chosen concentration |
| Cali | Universidad del Valle (public) | Music and Music Education | Instrumental audition, oral theory exam and interview for both programs |
| Ibagué | Conservatorio del Tolima (public) | Maestro en Música and Licenciatura en Música | Music degree: theory and ear training, performance and interview. Music education: music reading and writing, aptitude with basic theory, and interview |
| Bucaramanga | UIS (public) | Music Education | Aural perception, prepared exercises with sight-reading, aptitude, instrument and interview |
| Manizales | Universidad de Caldas (public) | Licenciatura en Música and Maestro en Música | Saber 11 (50 %) and an internal exam in rhythm, pitch and instrument, plus a teaching exam or interview depending on the program |
| Barranquilla | Universidad del Atlántico (public) | Music Education and Music | Music education: theory, aptitude (a cappella singing, imitation), teaching interview and instrument. Music: theory with dictation, solfège and instrument |
| Pasto | Universidad de Nariño (public) | Music Education | Specialized exam by video |
| Pereira | UTP (public) | Music Education | Aptitude exam; admits students once a year |
| Popayán | Universidad del Cauca (public) | Instrumental Music, Band Conducting, and Licenciatura en Música | Music education degree: aural perception and a cappella singing (70 % of the admission score). The other programs have their own tests |
Other institutions offer music programs, including UPTC, UNAB and Bellas Artes de Medellín, which we did not review in detail. If they interest you, find their applicant guides and use the same criteria as in this table.
Medellín: Universidad de Antioquia and EAFIT
The Universidad de Antioquia offers Music (with professional degrees in composition, conducting, or instrumental performance), Vocal Music (classical or popular singing), and a degree in Music Education. There is no general entrance exam for music: admission depends entirely on two qualifying tests, a specialty test (instrument, voice, conducting, or composition) and a musical aptitude and knowledge test, called the aptitude, singing, and music reading test (PAEL) in the 2026-1 guide. We explain each one, including minimum scores, in the UdeA music entrance exam.
Because you must pass both, excellent playing cannot make up for weak theory, or vice versa. Prepare for both with equal care.
UdeA also has a Preparatorio de Música for people over 15 or students in the final years of school, lasting up to four semesters. Be aware that entry to this program also requires passing two exams (a specialized exam and a musical aptitude exam), and UdeA makes clear that completing it does not grant direct entry to a degree. It is another admissions process to prepare for, rather than a shortcut.
EAFIT, a private university, offers Music with a focus on classical music or jazz. Its admissions process includes an online application and an interview; check its website to confirm which music test is required for each focus area. We explain the details in music admission at EAFIT.
Cali: Univalle's Escuela de Música
The Universidad del Valle offers Music, which awards professional music degrees in performance, conducting, composition, or musicology, as well as a Music Education degree. It usually admits students once a year, and places are limited. In the 2027-I admissions cycle, the specialty test accounted for the entire score and had three components:
| Part | Music | Music education degree | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument audition | 50 % | 40 % | Up to 10 minutes; bring your instrument, except for piano, double bass and percussion. |
| Music theory exam | 40 % | 50 % | Individual and oral: singing scales and arpeggios, sight-singing and rhythmic imitation, among other tasks. |
| Interview | 10 % | 10 % | Aspirations, expectations, availability and knowledge of the graduate profile. |
Univalle also has Plan Pentagrama, its outreach program with a pre-basic course and programs for children and young people. We explain each component in the Univalle music entrance exam.
Since admissions happen once a year, a bad day can mean a year's wait. Arrive with thoroughly prepared repertoire that fits comfortably within 10 minutes, and work consistently on sight-singing and imitation; we offer a method in rhythmic and melodic reading for the entrance exam.
Ibagué and regional music education degrees
Conservatorio del Tolima, in Ibagué, is public and offers Music and Music Education degrees. In the requirements we reviewed, Music applicants were assessed on theory and ear training, performance (classical singing or an instrument) and an interview; Music Education applicants were assessed on music reading and writing, musical aptitude with basic theory, and an interview. The weighting and content of each exam are explained in admissions at Conservatorio del Tolima.
What the music education degrees have in common
A pattern runs through the music education degrees at UIS, Caldas, Atlántico, Nariño, UTP and Cauca: aural skills and aptitude, theory, instrument and sometimes a teaching component. Some specific requirements make a big difference to your preparation:
- If the exam is submitted by video, as in Nariño in the requirements we reviewed, pay attention to sound, lighting and framing, and record several takes before choosing one.
- If there is a teaching exam, as at Universidad de Caldas, or a teaching interview, as at Universidad del Atlántico, practice explaining something simple, such as a rhythm or song, to a group of children. We help you prepare in the music admissions interview.
- If singing a cappella or matching pitches is assessed, practice without an instrument for support.
- If the university admits students once a year, as UTP does, mark the dates months in advance.
How to prepare from any city
The foundations are the same for all: music fundamentals, ear training, dictation, sight-singing and your instrument. What changes is the weighting and format, so tailor your preparation to your university's requirements:
| If the university assesses… | Prioritize… |
|---|---|
| Aptitude (imitation, memory, pitch matching) | Daily exercises repeating rhythms and melodies by ear and singing without support. |
| Theory and dictation | A full grounding in music fundamentals and melodic dictation several times a week. |
| Time-limited audition | Repertoire that fits the time limit, prepared months in advance. |
| Interview or teaching exercise | Rehearse answers and explain a simple musical topic out loud. |
| Video exam | Trial recordings with good sound, reviewed with your teacher. |
If you live far from a university city, or cannot find a teacher for what you need locally, online music lessons let you prepare from home. At Gissi, you can study music theory, solfège, dictation and your instrument with teachers online; we explain how we tailor this to admissions in music entrance exam preparation. To put together your full schedule, see how to prepare for a music entrance exam.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university for studying music outside Bogotá?
It depends on what you want—performance, composition, teaching or popular music—and whether you prefer a public or private university. Compare programs, specializations, exam formats and costs; if you can, visit the department and talk to students.
Does Universidad de Antioquia require a general entrance exam for music?
Based on what we reviewed, no. Music admission is decided by two exams you must pass: a specialized exam and an aptitude and music theory exam. Check the current admissions announcement to confirm.
Which instruments do I not need to bring to the Univalle audition?
The admissions announcement we reviewed required applicants to bring their own instrument, except for piano, double bass and percussion. Check the specialized exam page in case this changes.
Can I prepare for a university in another city through online lessons?
Yes. You can work on theory, dictation, reading and your instrument through online lessons with a good audio setup. If possible, try to do at least one mock audition in front of an audience in person before the exam.
Sources
We checked the facts in this article against these sources on October 22, 2026.
- Universidad de Antioquia: admissions guide for music programs 2026-1
- Universidad de Antioquia: Departamento de Música programs and preparatory program
- Universidad del Valle: Escuela de Música's program-specific entrance test
- Conservatorio del Tolima: admission guidelines for the undergraduate Maestro en Música program (Agreement 17 of 2022)
- Universidad del Atlántico: entrance exam guide for the music education degree 2026-2
- Universidad del Cauca: aptitude test guide for the music education degree