UNAD Music: Online Program, Requirements, Costs, and How to Prepare

What is UNAD's Música program, and what degree does it award?

It is an online professional undergraduate program at UNAD's Escuela de Ciencias Sociales, Artes y Humanidades (ECSAH) that awards the Maestro en Música degree. The university describes it as the first online program of its kind in Colombia. Here are the details from its official program page:

The university explains that creating a musical work is the outcome of the training process. When you enroll, you choose between two paths: Arreglos y Composición, or Producción Musical, which focuses on recording, audio generation, and audio production. To see how this degree compares with others, read music degrees in Colombia.

Does UNAD offer an online music education degree?

Not on the official pages we reviewed: the program is called Música, and the degree is Maestro en Música, not Licenciado en Música. A "Maestro en Música" is an undergraduate degree, not a master's degree. A music education degree focuses on training teachers; we explain the full distinction in music education degree or Maestro en Música.

This matters if your goal is to teach music in schools. UNAD's program page lists teaching musicians in higher education and vocational training among graduates' career paths, but does not mention school teaching. Here is how it compares with what you may be looking for:

The 2019 article was published by Noticias UNAD, so check with the university to see whether it still applies. To compare it with an in-person music education degree, review that program's admissions guide instead of relying on isolated figures.

What are the requirements and admissions process for Música at UNAD?

To apply to an undergraduate program at UNAD, you must have a high school diploma, have taken the national exam, and complete the application form. The information we reviewed lists no audition or music-specific test: UNAD does not publish one on its page.

The university's calendar lists programs that do have an entrance exam separately: Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas, Derecho, Psicología, and two doctoral programs. Música is not on that list. Here is what UNAD requires to finalize enrollment:

• Generate the enrollment record.
• High school diploma and graduation certificate (notarized photocopy, or original and copy).
• One 3x4 photograph.
• Certificate confirming that you took the ICFES national exam.
• An enlarged, legible copy of your identity document.
• Student profile assessment, which UNAD says does not determine admission.
• Payment of application, tuition, and student insurance fees.

As for the applicant profile, the program page says you should be a high school graduate with a particular interest in the humanities, disciplined reading habits, and oral and written communication skills, with an emphasis on managing your own learning. It does not publish a minimum Saber 11 score: UNAD does not list one on its page.

How much does it cost to study Música at UNAD?

In 2026, UNAD charges $170,000 per regular academic credit in professional undergraduate programs and a $245,000 application fee. Tuition depends on how many credits you enroll in: in your first undergraduate term, you enroll in 14 to 21 credits.

Our calculation, for reference only: 14 credits at $170,000 come to $2,380,000, excluding the application fee and other charges. Use UNAD's tuition calculator for your situation, and remember that rates change each year.

When can you apply, and when do classes start?

Term 16-05 of 2026 already began on October 13, so the next option is term 16-01 of 2027, with applications open until January 20 and classes starting February 4. UNAD has several terms each year; its calendar does not specify which terms each program opens for enrollment, so confirm the dates for Música.

The calendar also includes 8-week terms and deadlines for requesting deferrals and withdrawals. Since programs without an entrance exam do not have a single audition date, you can start preparing now without waiting for applications to open.

What do you need at home to study music online?

UNAD does not publish an instrument or equipment list on the program page. It says students have access to devices, resources, digital content, practical experiences, and virtual labs, along with faculty who provide synchronous and asynchronous support. What follows is our interpretation, not an official requirement:

• A reliable computer and internet connection, because the entire program takes place on the virtual campus.
• Headphones for precise work on ear training, notation, and production.
• A keyboard or an instrument that can play chords, useful for checking what you write, even if UNAD does not require one.
• A set study space and schedule: the model assumes you manage your own learning.

If you will also have synchronous classes, our guide to equipment for online music lessons can help.

How can you prepare to study Música at UNAD?

Although no audition is listed, the program works on notation, ear training, and creative work from the start, and UNAD lists reading musical notation and responding to sounds among graduates' competencies. Starting with that foundation saves you time. It helps to strengthen four areas:

1. Reading sheet music and basic theory: keys, scales, intervals, and chords.
2. Ear training: recognizing intervals, rhythms, and short melodies; start with how to train your musical ear.
3. Creative work: writing down your first ideas, even short ones; see how to write a song from scratch.
4. Independent study habits: set schedules and weekly goals, as we explain in how to practice music at home.

You can assess your starting point with the music admissions practice test, even though UNAD does not require an exam, and strengthen your skills with music theory lessons. If you're aiming for another university with an audition, our music entrance exam preparation supports you with sight-singing, dictation, and practice tests.

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