Pontificia Universidad Javeriana is a private Jesuit research university in Bogota, Colombia, founded in 1623. Its music program, established in 1992, offers degrees in composition, audio engineering, instrumental performance, music education, and music production. It was the first Colombian university to receive high-quality institutional accreditation.
Programs and Degrees
The music program at Javeriana offers the following undergraduate and graduate pathways:
- Instrumental Performance: Classical and contemporary training across orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, and voice
- Composition: Acoustic composition, electroacoustic music, and film scoring
- Audio Engineering and Music Production: Recording, mixing, mastering, and music technology with access to professional studios
- Music Education: Pedagogy for K-12 and community music settings, combining performance with teaching methodology
- Conducting: Orchestral and choral conducting at the graduate level
The program places strong emphasis on Colombian and Latin American musical traditions alongside classical and contemporary repertoire. Students can also pursue a combined bachelor-to-master's articulation agreement with American University in Washington, DC, allowing four years of study in Bogota followed by a fifth year in the United States.
Tuition and Costs
As a private university in Colombia, Javeriana's tuition is significantly lower than US or European conservatories. Estimated costs for the music program:
- Undergraduate tuition (per semester): Approximately $2,500 to $4,000 USD depending on credit load
- Graduate tuition (per semester): Approximately $3,000 to $5,000 USD
- Estimated monthly living costs in Bogota: $320 to $650 USD for accommodation, plus food and transportation
Tuition rates are set in Colombian pesos and adjusted annually. International students should consult the university's admissions office for current rates and available scholarships.
Campus and Facilities
The main campus occupies 445 acres in central Bogota, with 18 faculties and over 23,000 total students across all disciplines. The music program facilities include:
- Rehearsal rooms and individual practice spaces
- Recording studios for the audio engineering and music production programs
- Concert and recital halls for student performances
- The Javeriana Symphonic Band, established in 1992, which performed at The Midwest Clinic in 2012 and has won multiple national band competitions in Colombia
The university also operates a campus in Cali, founded in 1970, which offers a separate set of undergraduate programs.
Notable Activities and Recognition
The Javeriana Symphonic Band has represented Colombia at international conferences and works with distinguished conductors from across Latin America and Europe. The music program runs the Musical Expedition project in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology, bringing music education to communities across different regions of Colombia. The program also offers a Javeriana Musical Internship for high school students involved in band performance.
Javeriana is ranked in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (1501+ for 2026), reflecting its position as one of Colombia's leading research institutions.
Admission Process
Admission to the music program requires an audition on the applicant's principal instrument or a portfolio review for composition and audio engineering applicants. The program teaches primarily in Spanish, with a limited number of courses available in English. International students must demonstrate Spanish proficiency. Application cycles follow the Colombian academic calendar, with fall intake in July and spring intake in January.
Who Should Apply
Javeriana is the right choice for musicians who want professional-level training in a Latin American context, particularly those interested in Colombian and Latin American repertoire alongside classical and contemporary music. The audio engineering and music production programs are well regarded in the region. Tuition costs are far lower than US or European alternatives, making it an accessible option for students from Colombia and neighboring countries. Applicants should be comfortable studying in Spanish, as most courses are taught in that language.
Notable Alumni
Javeriana's music program has produced graduates who have achieved recognition at the highest levels of the music industry:
- Julio Reyes Copello: Producer, pianist, and composer. Studied music at Javeriana as a classical composer. Winner of 14 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. 35 nominations including 4 as Producer of the Year. 15 songs reaching number one on Billboard. Has produced for Alejandro Sanz, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Nelly Furtado, and Alejandro Fernandez. Founded Art House Academy in alliance with Abbey Road Studios. Won Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in consecutive years with Joaquina (2023) and Adela Taubert (2024). Here is Fonseca's "Vine a Buscarte" from the album Conexcion, which Reyes Copello produced:
- Maria Alejandra Bernal Ricaurte: Sound engineer. Studied Music with emphasis in Sound Engineering at Javeriana. Won the Latin Grammy for Best Salsa Album for "Niche Sinfonico" (2023) with Grupo Niche and the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Colombia. Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album (2024). Earned a master's degree in Audio Recording from McGill University. Former head of the Audio and Technology Section at Javeriana's music program. Here is "Especial Niche Sinfonico" from the Latin Grammy-winning album she engineered:
- Andres Felipe Linares Garcia: Cellist. Studied at Javeriana under Cecilia Palma and Mintcho Badev. Won the Latin Grammy for Best Classical Music Album in 2019 for "Regreso" with Orquesta Nueva Filamonica, Samuel Torres, and Danilo Alvarez. Has performed with the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Colombia and the Filamonica Joven de Colombia. Currently teaches at Javeriana and serves as principal cellist of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Bogota.
- Juan David Garcia Salcedo: Sound engineer and music producer. Studied at Javeriana. Nine-time Latin Grammy pre-nominee for Best Engineer. Worked at The Hit Factory-Criteria and Tombstone-Nashville in the United States. Front-of-house engineer for Santiago Cruz since 2005. Worked as Carlos Vives' engineer for his 30th-anniversary tour.
- Marcela Cardenas: Singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Studied composition at Javeriana. Latin Grammy winner in 2013 for Best Traditional Vocal Pop Album as composer. Won the Gaviota de Plata at the Festival Vina del Mar in 2006 for "Tierra del Cafe." Has composed over 200 songs. Her work has appeared in Spanish-language soap operas, movies, and documentaries.
- Ricardo Andres Narvaez Herrera: Saxophonist. Earned a master's degree in music from Javeriana. Won first place at the Primer Concurso Panamericano de Saxofon Jazz Cannonball in Mexico (2008). Received a DAAD scholarship for studies in Germany. Nominated for a Grammy Anglo in the Best Latin Pop Album category (2017).
Program Basics
Audition Requirements
Admission requires an audition on the applicant's principal instrument or a portfolio review for composition and audio engineering applicants. The program teaches primarily in Spanish. International students must demonstrate Spanish proficiency. Application cycles follow the Colombian academic calendar, with fall intake in July and spring intake in January.
Degree Programs Offered
- Instrumental Performance (classical and contemporary)
- Composition (acoustic, electroacoustic, film scoring)
- Audio Engineering and Music Production
- Music Education
- Conducting (graduate level, orchestral and choral)
Tuition Range
- Undergraduate: approximately $2,500 to $4,000 USD per semester
- Graduate: approximately $3,000 to $5,000 USD per semester
- Monthly living costs in Bogota: $320 to $650 USD for accommodation, plus food and transportation
Tuition rates are set in Colombian pesos and adjusted annually. Javeriana offers a combined bachelor-to-master's articulation agreement with American University in Washington, DC. This allows four years of study in Bogota followed by a fifth year in the United States.
Official School Video
The "Cinco cosas sobre Estudios Musicales" video from Vive Javeriana provides an overview of the Estudios Musicales program, highlighting what makes the music program at Javeriana unique:
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- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Official Website - Current admission requirements and program details
