- 1 copy of the foreign higher education entrance qualification (with translation)
- 1 copy of the foreign higher education diploma (with translation)
- 1 copy of the diploma or certificate for any foreign music qualification (with translation)
- 1 Receipt for submission of DAP application to the university (foreign applicants from outside the EEA only)
LICENSE IN MUSICOLOGY (level 6)
In partnership with the University of Evry Paris-Saclay
The LICENCE in Musicology – Jazz and Improvised Music program offered at the CMDL enables students to:
- Provide a working methodology that allows mastery of instrumental technique and the acquisition of genuine artistic depth
- Develop individual creativity and personal projects
- Acquire a culture of jazz and knowledge of the styles derived from it by strengthening rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic concepts (improvisation, interpretation)
- Become autonomous and thus able to adapt to all professional situations
The program leads to two diplomas:
The Musicology Bachelor’s Degree (Licence)
The student completes their training at both the CMDL and the University of Évry – Paris Saclay in order to obtain the Musicology degree. In doing so, they acquire an initial university-level set of knowledge and skills in jazz and improvised music. They strengthen their general culture as well as their mastery of information and communication technologies. The bachelor’s level allows for further study at the master’s level.
The CMDL Diploma
The Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood awards the CMDL diploma to students who obtain an overall score higher than 70% in the examinations. It certifies a high level of mastery in jazz and improvised music.
The program takes place over three consecutive academic years (from September to June), each consisting of 30 calendar weeks, divided into six semesters.
Students enrolled in the LICENCE are registered in two institutions:
- The CMDL, where they receive the vast majority of their instruction, three days per week
- The University of Évry – Paris Saclay, where they attend classes one day per week (Wednesday) in order to obtain the Musicology degree
Program content:
Distributed evenly among practical, theoretical, cultural, and methodological instruction, the overall content of the program is organized as follows:
- At the CMDL – 3 days per week
Instrument, improvisation / Ear training / Rhythm / Harmony / Writing, composition, and arrangement / Jazz repertoire ensemble / Original repertoire ensemble / “Aesthetic” repertoire ensemble / Big band / Sound engineering – amplification / Studio / History of Jazz / Knowledge of the professional environment / Master classes / Concerts / …
- At the University of Évry – Paris Saclay – 1 day per week (Wednesday)
English and two musicology courses
For details of the educational program, please refer to the information file.
IN INITIAL TRAINING
To sit for the LICENCE entrance examination in initial training, the candidate must:
- Hold a National Diploma of Professional Musical Orientation (DNOP) in JAZZ or a Diploma of Musical Studies (DEM) in JAZZ.*
- Hold the Baccalaureate or a French or foreign diploma accepted as an exemption or equivalent.*
- Be no more than 26 years old (December 31 of the year of the academic intake)
- Not have interrupted their studies for more than 2 years.
* EXEMPTION POSSIBLE, request to be completed during online registration.
ADMISSION TESTS
The selected candidate is invited to present themselves for the admission test on the date and time that will be posted on the website at least 15 days in advance. The candidate must arrive at the test 15 minutes before the time indicated on their summons. Any absence from the admission test is eliminatory.
Written tests
- Harmony test
- Writing test
- Dictation (melodic line and chords). The use of a tuning fork is recommended for this test.
These tests will be used to assess the candidates. They are not eliminatory.
Practical tests
Performance of an instrumental program composed of:
- 1 free piece chosen by the jury from among the 2 works proposed by the candidate.
These works may be pieces from the repertoire, original compositions, or arrangements of repertoire pieces. The complete scores of the 2 works for the rhythm section (double bass, drums, and piano, plus a score for the jury) must be included in the application file. Each must not exceed 2 pages and must be written using music notation software.
- 1 piece chosen by the jury from the list of the 10 compulsory pieces.
The candidate must know all of the pieces. They will be asked to perform one of them without sheet music.
The candidate will be accompanied exclusively by CMDL accompanists. They will not provide any rehearsal with the candidate. The total duration of the program must not exceed 12 minutes; the jury reserves the right to interrupt the candidate at any time.
An interview with the jury, focusing in particular on the study project.
list of assigned themes
Ask me know (Thelonious Monk)
Belharra (Jean Marie Ecay)
In love in vain (Jérôme Kern)
Lotus Blossom ( Kenny Dorham)
Ode to Saint-Cecilia (Mary-Lou Williams)
Ralph’s piano Waltz (John Abercrombie)
Speak no Evil (Wayne Shorter)
Till there was you (Meredith Wilson)
TGV (Louis Winsberg)
You’d be so nice to come home to (Cole Porter)
Download music scores HERE
Liste des documents à fournir
FOR EVERY CANDIDATE
- 1 passport photo
- 1 copy of both sides of your ID
- 1 cover letter
- 1 resume
- Links to view your video recordings (minimum as a trio): your interpretation of one of the ten set themes and a piece of your choice.
- The scores for the two free pieces, for the rhythm section (double bass, drums, and piano, and two scores for the jury), written using music notation software (maximum two pages per piece).
- You will be asked to make a single online payment of €70 to cover the application fee.
DEPENDING ON PARTICULAR CASES AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES
- A certificate of enrollment from your institution for the current year, if you are expected to obtain your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent diploma) this year.
- A copy of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma.
- A copy of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma transcript.
- A copy of your most recent transcript, if you are currently enrolled in higher education.
- A copy of your diploma or most recent transcript, if you have previously completed higher education.
- A copy of your DEM Jazz or DNOP Jazz diploma.
- A certificate of enrollment from your institution with details of the courses taken, if you are currently studying for a DEM Jazz or other music qualification.
- A copy of the certificate of completion or enrollment for any other previous music training.
FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
INITIAL TRAINING
The annual cost of training (initial training) is broken down as follows:
- €3,000 registration fee for the CMDL
- + or – €175 registration fee for the University of Evry Paris-Saclay
- + or – €105 CVEC (Student and Campus Contribution)
This amounts to approximately €3,280 per year.
If you have limited resources, you may be eligible for a grant to help finance your studies.
Grants based on social criteria (BCS)
Aid is awarded based on three criteria: household income, the number of dependent children in the family, and distance from the place of study. For more information, simulations, and BCS scholarship applications, visit etudiant.gouv.fr Don’t wait for the exam results to assess your eligibility for a scholarship!
Emergency aid
The national emergency aid fund provides a rapid response to students in precarious situations. There are two types of specific aid: one-off aid for students experiencing temporary serious difficulties, or annual aid for students experiencing long-term difficulties.
For more information, visit etudiant.gouv.fr
Registration periods
Registration begins : december 10, 2025
DAP (for non-European foreigners): December 15, 2025
Registration closes on “monmaster.gouv”: March 1st , 2026
Test eligibility results: Mach 23, 2026
Auditions : April 16-17 and May 6-7, 2026
Results : June 5, 2026