How should the entrance exam be completed?
The entrance exam is divided in two. You should upload the first part in your online application.
The actual entrance exam will be in digital format and you will need to look at the table below to ascertain what is required for the programme for which you are applying.
The second part of the entrance exam is an interview. Depending on the programme, you may be asked to present something, and it may also be a group interview together with other applicants. Only applicants who have the first part of the entrance exam approved will be invited to an interview. The interview will be conducted online and the first part of the entrance exam will form the basis of the conversation.
First part of the entrance exam
Blues, one-year study programme
The first part of the entrance exam for the blues programme comprises a recorded video and a Motivation Letter.
The following guidelines apply to the first part of the entrance exam:
- Video
- The video should be at least three minutes long but no longer than six minutes (we recommend two songs)
- The video recording should be unedited (so that the recording feels as “live” as possible)
- We recommend that the material includes interaction with others, although this is not an absolute requirement
- The choice of song should reflect your interests and your strong sides.
- The material should be uploaded to YouTube and the Motivation Letter should contain clickable links
- Motivation Letter
- Attach a short Motivation Letter, maximum one A4 page (around 500 words). You can tell us something about yourself and your background, and why you want to study the blues.
- Your background and motivation for studying the blues
- Your personal study goals
- Your approach and your ability to work together with others
- Your motivation to learn about the development and role of blues music in the present
NB! Remember to add clickable links to the video you have made on YouTube!
Song list and criteria
Choose one or two songs from the list below that you believe represent you, your instrument/voice and the way you express yourself. Present the material in the video recording like you would want to at the present time. You can either make the recording together with a band, create a playalong version or create your own version for yourself only, or together with others. It is okay to use a mobile phone to make the recording, but try and ensure that the audio quality is clear. You can also play over/with original versions from Spotify, YouTube or MP3.
Choose from the following songs:
- Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign
- B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone
- Koko Taylor – Wang Dang Doodle
- Etta James – I Just Wanna Make Love To You
- Booker T and The MG’s – Green Onions
- Aretha Franklin – Respect
- Robert Johnson – Sweet Home Chicago
- Leroy Carr – How Long Blues
- Etta James – I’d Rather Go Blind
- Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
- Bonnie Raitt – Love Me Like A Man
- Otis Spann – Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Instrument criteria
The entrance exam applies to vocals, guitar, mouth organ, bass, piano, organ, drums, and various wind instruments. We will be looking at confidence in the instrument, musicality and musical variation (improvisation and own interpretation). It is important that you choose songs which you believe will show your strengths as a performer on your main instrument. Ensure that the audio quality is good so that we can hear your main instrument clearly.
Second part of the entrance exam
Only applicants who pass the first part of the entrance exam will be invited to the second part. The invitation will provide you with further information about the actual contents of the second part of the entrance exam. It will take the form of an interview, but you may also be asked to perform or present something.
The second part of the entrance exam will be held online via Zoom, Teams or similar.
The assessment criteria will be the same as for the first part of the entrance exam.
Ranking based on the entrance exam
Not all programmes with an entrance exam use the entrance exam as a basis for ranking. If you are to be ranked based on an entrance exam, this will be clearly stated on your study programme page.
You will be ranked on a scale from 20 to 50+ points and if you are ranked on the basis of an entrance exam, it is this point score that you will see in your application when you receive a response. The point score is given according to the assessment criteria specified in the overview to part 1 of the entrance exam. The entrance exam will be assessed by a jury comprising 2–3 persons connected to USN and who possess specialised knowledge of the relevant field.
Even if a programme has an entrance exam, 50% of the available places will be reserved for applicants in the first-time diploma quota. This means all applicants must complete the entrance exam and then compete for a place in their quota in the same way as for programmes with no entrance exam.
Important dates
- 15 April 23.59: final deadline to apply and upload documentation (including the first part of the entrance exam)
- Applicants who have passed the first part of the entrance exam for the Blues and musical instrument making programme will be contacted about the second part of the entrance exam
- During May: the second part of the entrance exam will be held. Applicants who pass the second part of the entrance exam will be notified accordingly.
- By 26 May: Response to applications for all applicants to the Blues and Norwegian Folk Music/Folk Art programmes
- 1 July: final deadline to document general university and college admissions certification for those students who complete this during the spring semester
- 20 July: response to applications via the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service for applicants for the musical instrument making programme