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Strings · 189 verified programs with a violin pathway

Violin: degrees, diplomas and programs

Violin is a core conservatory instrument, studied through solo, orchestral and chamber work, with routes in historical performance, pedagogy and contemporary styles.

Also called: Fiddle, Geige, Violon, Violino, Violín.

What the listings below mean

A program is listed for violin only where its official page names the instrument in the title, as a major, or as a formal principal-study pathway. These are formal degree, diploma or certificate pathways; the page says which. An instrument taught in private lessons, or a teacher on the faculty, does not create a listing.

96 Bachelor’s · 70 Master’s · 11 Diploma · 8 Practice doctorate · 4 Certificate · 152 named major, 11 formal principal-study pathway, 26 named in the program title

189 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

Published violin audition repertoire

Copied from each program’s own admissions page. Requirements are specific to the program and intake: follow the link and check the current year.

  • Royal Conservatoire The Hague: Bachelor Classical Music
    • First round: exposition and cadenza from 1st movement of a concerto; one movement of a Bach solo sonata or partita without repeats; one study.
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Master of Music
    • Applicants for the MM degree must play: | First movement of a major concerto – performed by memory | Two movements of a Bach solo sonata or partita – performed by memory | Two additional contrasting works: | If you play a sonata or other chamber music, it is preferred that you perform those works with the appropriate instrumentalist(s) at your audition – this will be your responsibility. There may be a list of local pianists for hire that you can contact, but we cannot guarantee availability. | Applicants for the Artist Diploma (AD) program must follow the instructions below: | Please submit a 70-minute recital program, and we will choose from this program to hear in your audition. If you play a sonata or other chamber music, it is preferred that you perform those works with the appropriate instrumentalist(s) at your audition – this will be your responsibility. There may be a list of local pianists for hire that you can contact, but we cannot guarantee availability. | Applicants for the DMA degree program must play the following: | An etude, equivalent to a Rode or Paganini Caprice |
  • University of Iowa: Bachelor of Music (BM)
    • For general information and to register for an audition, please see Undergraduate Auditions . | Audition Requirements: | One etude from any of the following: Kreutzer, Dont, Gavinies, Fiorillo, Mazas, Rode or Paganini Caprices, or similar | One movement of a standard concerto | One additional work in a contrasting style | 3 octaves of major and minor scales in two keys | If your audition repertoire is different than the requirements and is in need of modification in any way, please feel free to reach out to the violin professors.
  • Lawrence University: Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
    • Either the first or third movement of a standard concerto performed from memory | One movement of unaccompanied Bach | An étude or caprice | One contrasting work of the applicant’s choice | An introductory video is required for recorded auditions
  • DePaul University: Bachelor of Music
    • We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Audition registration will be available after prescreen results are sent. Register for a live audition by January 15. | Prescreen Repertoire | A prescreen is required for all applicants who list violin as their primary instrument. Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission. | Exposition from first movement of a standard concerto | One movement from a solo Sonata or Partita by J.S. Bach | Audition Repertoire | All live audition repertoire must be memorized. | Complete first movement of a standard concerto | One movement from a solo Sonata or Partita by J.S. Bach | One caprice or etude by Paganini, Wieniawski, Rode, Dont, Fiorillo, or Ernst | Repertoire substitution requests or questions should be directed to musicadmissions@depaul.edu.
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Bachelor of Music
    • One etude or caprice | Two contrasting movements from a Bach solo sonata or partita | The first or third movement of a concerto | Performing all requirements from memory is preferred but not required.
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music
    • Violin: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaccona from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Master of Music and Graduate Diploma: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaconna from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) Another piece of the applicant's choice One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts: Complete standard concerto with cadenzas where applicable First movement with cadenza from a Mozart Violin Concerto An entire Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin Two Paganini caprices or a substantial virtuoso piece, such as the following, or something similar: Ravel's Tzigane Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso Ysaÿe's Ballade Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Master of Music
    • Violin: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaccona from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Master of Music and Graduate Diploma: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaconna from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) Another piece of the applicant's choice One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts: Complete standard concerto with cadenzas where applicable First movement with cadenza from a Mozart Violin Concerto An entire Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin Two Paganini caprices or a substantial virtuoso piece, such as the following, or something similar: Ravel's Tzigane Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso Ysaÿe's Ballade Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Graduate Diploma
    • Violin: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaccona from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Master of Music and Graduate Diploma: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaconna from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) Another piece of the applicant's choice One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts: Complete standard concerto with cadenzas where applicable First movement with cadenza from a Mozart Violin Concerto An entire Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin Two Paganini caprices or a substantial virtuoso piece, such as the following, or something similar: Ravel's Tzigane Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso Ysaÿe's Ballade Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Diploma
    • Violin: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaccona from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Master of Music and Graduate Diploma: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaconna from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) Another piece of the applicant's choice One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts: Complete standard concerto with cadenzas where applicable First movement with cadenza from a Mozart Violin Concerto An entire Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin Two Paganini caprices or a substantial virtuoso piece, such as the following, or something similar: Ravel's Tzigane Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso Ysaÿe's Ballade Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Certificate
    • Violin: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaccona from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Master of Music and Graduate Diploma: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaconna from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) Another piece of the applicant's choice One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts: Complete standard concerto with cadenzas where applicable First movement with cadenza from a Mozart Violin Concerto An entire Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin Two Paganini caprices or a substantial virtuoso piece, such as the following, or something similar: Ravel's Tzigane Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso Ysaÿe's Ballade Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Doctor of Musical Arts
    • Violin: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaccona from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Master of Music and Graduate Diploma: First movement from a standard concerto with cadenza where applicable (if Shostakovich No. 1 is selected, please perform the cadenza and fourth movement instead of the first movement) Two contrasting movements from a Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin (Ciaconna from Bach's Second Partita may be used as the equivalent) Another piece of the applicant's choice One etude or caprice by Dont, Gaviniès, Kreutzer, Paganini, Rode, or the equivalent Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts: Complete standard concerto with cadenzas where applicable First movement with cadenza from a Mozart Violin Concerto An entire Bach Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin Two Paganini caprices or a substantial virtuoso piece, such as the following, or something similar: Ravel's Tzigane Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso Ysaÿe's Ballade Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy

About violin study

Violin study at degree level combines weekly lessons with a teacher, studio classes, and heavy participation in ensembles. Most students play in a conservatory orchestra and in chamber groups such as string quartets, and the balance between solo, orchestral and chamber work is an important point of difference between programs. Technique is developed through scales, etudes and studies alongside repertoire.

The violin repertoire is large and spans solo sonatas and partitas, concertos, sonatas with piano, and the quartet and orchestral literatures. Some programs also offer routes in historical performance with gut strings and baroque or classical bows, in contemporary and improvised music, or in folk and fiddle traditions. Many string departments also place weight on teaching the instrument, and offer pedagogy courses.

Common degree contexts include the Bachelor of Music in violin performance, the Master of Music, and practice doctorates such as the Doctor of Musical Arts. Some programs separate orchestral performance from solo performance, and some offer string quartet residencies at graduate level. Violinists also study within music education and, in some places, within jazz or popular music programs.

What study typically involves

  • Violin technique, bowing and left-hand development
  • Solo repertoire across baroque to contemporary periods
  • String quartet and other chamber music
  • Orchestral playing and, in some programs, excerpt preparation
  • Studio classes and performance seminars
  • Sight-reading, ear training and music theory
  • Music history and style, including historical performance practice
  • Pedagogy and teaching technique in some programs

Award titles. Violin is commonly studied for a Bachelor of Music or BMus and a Master of Music or MMus. Some conservatories offer an Artist Diploma or a graduate or postgraduate diploma for advanced players; these are diploma awards and are not master's degrees. The Doctor of Musical Arts is a practice doctorate centred on performance. Award names vary across countries and no equivalence between systems is claimed here.

A program is listed under violin in this directory only when its official page names the instrument in the title, as a major, or as a formal principal-study option. A private teacher, or a faculty member who teaches violin, does not count. Not every school offers violin as a degree specialization, and some group strings under a broader heading.

Auditions and admissions guidance

General orientation only. Each program publishes its own repertoire, format and deadlines; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Violin auditions are usually live, sometimes after a recorded prescreening round that narrows the field. Candidates generally play contrasting works so panels can assess tone, intonation, bow control and musicianship. An accompanist is often required for sonatas and concertos, and some schools provide one while others expect applicants to bring their own.

Panels may also ask for scales, an etude or orchestral excerpts, particularly for graduate or orchestral tracks, and may test sight-reading. Written tests in theory and aural skills, and interviews, are common.

Every program publishes its own repertoire categories, format and deadlines, and these are updated regularly. Applicants should read the current-year audition requirements for each school and confirm accompanist arrangements. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also preparing for auditions and prescreening vs final auditions.

Costs and funding

Many string programs offer merit-based scholarships linked to the audition, and some graduate players are considered for teaching or ensemble assistantships, for example coaching younger students or serving as section leaders. Some schools run preparatory or community programs where graduate students teach.

Terms vary by school, country and year, and many students receive partial or no aid. Check the funding pages and ask the department directly.

Costs beyond tuition. Violinists may face costs for instrument purchase or rental, a quality bow and case, strings, rosin, shoulder rests and regular maintenance or repairs. Accompanist fees for auditions and recitals, insurance for valuable instruments, and travel to auditions are other possible expenses.