Music therapy

La music therapy It is a non-pharmacological complementary therapy whose benefits are documented through solid scientific evidence and rigorous clinical and neuroscientific studies.
These studies have produced significant evidence of efficacy in therapeutic-rehabilitative and preventive fields.
The Ordinal Biennial in Music Therapy Theories and Techniques constitutes an important institutional milestone: it is a training course in which study areas related to music therapy, music, psychology, and medicine converge.
The course at the Conservatorio di Milano is delivered in collaboration with the University of Pavia, which has a consolidated educational tradition in the field of music therapy. It is the only university to offer a Master's in Music Therapy promoted by the Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, and also for its important studies in the field of neuroscience and music.
The educational path proposed by the Conservatory of Milan has a markedly scientific bias, without neglecting the content that characterises the applications of music therapy in different clinical contexts.
The Academic Diploma of the Second Level in Music Therapy Theories and Techniques is affiliated with the Music Therapy Research Laboratory of IRCCS Maugeri of Pavia and other important Milanese institutions, but not only, where the internship experiences required by the training course can be carried out.

Scientific Committee: Profs. Alfredo Raglio (Conservatory of Milan, University of Pavia and Maugeri Clinical Scientific Institutes IRCCS of Pavia), Cristina Frosini (Conservatory of Milan), Tomaso Vecchi and Pierluigi Politi (University of Pavia).

How to enter the Two-year Ordinary Course in Theories and Techniques in Music Therapy?

1. Educational qualification

Applicants for admission to the course must possess one of the following qualifications:

• Academic Diploma (at least level I) or diploma from the previous system, obtained at a music academy
  University degree (Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Combined Bachelor and Master's Degree or former degree)

2. Entrance examination for the preparatory course

Candidates holding at least one of the above-mentioned qualifications can register – from 1st to 10th April 2026 – (link) at the entrance exam for the preparatory course 2026/2027, which will be held on the 17 April at 8.30 a.m. at the Conservatorio (Via Conservatorio 12, Milan). The examination will consist of the following tests:

For those who hold an academic diploma:

1. Test to assess the candidate's basic knowledge of psychology and pedagogy
2. Musical piece: performance of one or more pieces chosen by the candidate (instrumental and/or vocal) for a maximum duration of ten minutes
3. Motivational interview

B) For those with a university degree:

1. Test to assess the candidate's basic knowledge of psychology and pedagogy
2. Musical performance: performance of one or more pieces chosen by the candidate (instrumental and/or vocal) for a maximum duration of ten minutes. The candidate will also have to interact musically based on a rhythmic-melodic prompt proposed by the Committee.
3. Motivational interview

Candidates holding both qualifications (academic diploma and university degree) will undertake the test scheduled for those holding the academic diploma.

3. Preparatory Course

Candidates who pass the selection process will be able to enrol in the preparatory course required to obtain the 48 CFUs/CFAs necessary to access the admission exam for the second-level Academic Diploma course in “Theories and Techniques in Music Therapy” (two-year period).
Those who have attended other academic courses relating to the disciplines covered by the propaedeutic course may request the possible recognition of credits by means of the following form after enrolling

Below are the enrolment fees for the Preparatory Course: