Frequently Asked Questions Hub

2025-2026 MFA Program Tuition: €36,950

Program Deposit: €2,000 (Due Immediately to Enroll)
Tuition Downpayment: €5,000 (Due June 1, 2025)
Payment 1: €11,950 (Due September 1, 2025)
Payment 2: €9,000 (Due December 1, 2025)
Payment 3: €9,000 (Due March 1, 2026)

The MFA program at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe is the most affordable full-time Masters program in film & game scoring available today, while simultaneously offering more recording sessions than any other program in the world, thanks to our partnership with the European Recording Orchestra (ERO).

Be sure to check out the "Costs of Living in Sofia" dropdown to see how much more affordable Sofia is compared to other major European and American cities.

Students from the United States can take advantage of the FAFSA Federal Student Aid program. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

More Financial Aid Programmes:

All students searching for scholarships should search this website: https://www.wemakescholars.com
Norway: Lanekassen - https://www.lanekassen.no/
Colombia: Colfuturo - https://www.colfuturo.org/
South Africa: National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF) - https://www.nfvf.co.za/home/
South Africa: Oppenheimer Trust - https://www.omt.org.za/

Two semesters of course work with a third semester dedicated to the Major Project.

2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Semester 1 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Sept. 15, 2025 - Semester 1 commences
Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 19 - Final day of classes
Dec. 22 - Winter break

Semester 2 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Jan. 12, 2026 - Semester 2 commences
May 29 - Final day of classes
May 31 - Semester 2 ends

Semester 3 - Presence in Sofia Optional
June 1, 2026 - Semester 3 commences
Aug. 31 - Semester 3 ends

Technology Requirements:

• Avid Pro Tools 12
• DAW (Logic Pro X, Cubase, Digital Performer, etc.)
• NI Kontakt Full
• Serum by Xfer Records
• High Quality Reference Headphones
• Industry Standard Orchestral Sample Libraries

Technology Recommendations:

• Apple Macbook Pro (minimum quad-core, 16GB ram, internal SSD)
• Cinematic Studio Series samples (CS Strings, CS Brass, CS Woodwinds)
• NotePerformer Playback Engine
• Spectrasonics Omnisphere
• Fabfilter Mixing Suite
• Minimum 1TB External SSD for Sound Libraries
• MIDI Keyboard with mod wheel (for home use)

All students will receive a copy of Steinberg's notation and scoring software, Dorico Pro. Students will also have access to a hardware station in the Film Scoring Academy of Europe headquarters that is equipped with a Nektar 61-key MIDI keyboard (with sustain pedal), a 24" curved external display, a Scarlett Solo Audio Interface, ethernet and power connectivity and a powered USB hub.

Accepted students from the EU do not need a Visa. They will simply need to establish residency upon arrival in Sofia, which our team will assist with.

Accepted students from outside the EU will require a Type-D Student Visa. Assistance on this process will be provided by our Visa Officer after a student officially enrols. It is advisable that accepted students from outside the EU begin preparing the Student Visa requirements listed on the Bulgarian Embassy website in their country as soon as possible, as this process can take a substantial amount of time.

All payments are subject to the following terms and conditions:

A €500 deposit is required and non-refundable. The €500 deposit to enroll is subtracted from the total tuition amount of the enrolling conductor.

Tuition is fully refundable if the conductor cancels prior to May 1, 2025.

If a conductor cancels, for any reason, on or after May 1, 2025 (GMT+2), the tuition is non-refundable.

Remaining tuition amounts from enrolled conductors are due before May 1, 2025. The Conducting Summer Programme reserves the right to cancel any conductor's participation if the tuition is not paid in full prior to this date. In this event, tuition paid up until this date will be refunded, less the non-refundable deposit.

The conductors will be accommodated on a single room basis. Conductors wishing to share with a spouse need to notify the Asst. Director of Enrolment of The Conducting Institute in advance in order that appropriate arrangements can be made. A small additional fee may be incurred for a double room.

Tuition covers the conductor’s hotel stay for a check-in on August 3, 2025 and a check-out on August 23, 2025. If the conductor needs additional nights in the hotel before or after the program, they can arrange this in advance with the staff of the Conducting Summer Programme and pay at the hotel desk.

*Please note that there is no airport in Vratsa, and that all flight tickets should be booked in and out of the airport in Sofia, Bulgaria (SOF).

All payments are subject to the following Participation Terms and Conditions:

The Conducting Summer Programme reserves the right to cancel any conductor's participation if it is deemed that the conductor does not meet the following requirements.

1. The Conducting Summer Programme is aimed for Intermediate Conductors who have some basic experience in conducting ensembles. If you can't read music, unfortunately you'll not be successful on the Conducting Summer Programme, as this is a foundation all conductors must have in order to conduct music for our ensembles.

2. Basic prerequisites should include practical knowledge of the following beat patterns: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 1, 6/8, 9/8, 5/4

3. Conductors should prepare works with relevant cues marked, and formulated musical structure suitable to facilitate practical learning of each score.

4. Scores are to be purchased OR at the very least, comb bound (if copies are used). No iPads are to be used in conducting sessions.

5. Conductors should bring a computer capable of downloading/transferring their recorded sessions from each day as part of their record of progress/learning tool.

6. All conductors are required to provide proof of health insurance that covers them in the event of emergency during their participation in the course.

7. The course will be delivered in English so an intermediate level of language ability is required.

    

Your tuition covers:

• all hotel expenses (including breakfast and wifi) for the duration of your stay

• all recording of class sessions (including HD video footage)

• the entire lecture series at the Conducting Summer Programme

• the 6 university credits offered upon completion.

What your tuition does not cover:

• Any Visa expenses, if applicable

• Travel arrangements to/from Vratsa

• Travel arrangements to/from the airport and Hemus Hotel

• Food expenses (lunch and dinner) during your stay

• Social expenses

   

Malcolm Yuen

Australian conductor Malcolm Yuen is Associate Conductor of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, Ireland, Regular Guest Conductor of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra, Bulgaria and Juror of the Wiener Musikseminar, Austria. He is Program Director, The Conducting Institute, European Academy of Fine Arts and has worked with Australian Band & Orchestral Director’s Association (ABODA), in the broader educational sector, and as consultant with Wiener Musikseminar (Austria). His experience includes the management of large numbers of both musical and non-musical staff and has extensive experience in developing programmes of new and mainstream music to engage both wider and younger audiences through various concert, educational and outreach programmes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FGb_tiyvdQ

Derek Gleeson

Derek Gleeson is an Irish/American musician. Born in Dublin, Ireland. He is currently the music director and conductor of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra[1] (since 1997) and has been the conductor at the Anna Livia Dublin International Opera Festival (now disbanded). Since 2012 Gleeson is also music director & conductor of the Rachmaninov Festival Orchestra. Since January 2016 Gleeson is Principal Guest Conductor or The Harbin Symphony Orchestra, Harbin, China. (A city of 10 million people) He also composes musical scores for film and television[2] and of symphonic music for the concert hall. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akshkd7BLaA

Christo Pavlov

In 2017 Christo Pavlov was appointed Director/Principal Conductor of the Sinfonietta Vratsa (also known as Vratsa Symphony Orchestra) Mr. Pavlov is Music Director/Principal Conductor of the Sofia Metropolitan Orchestra and Choir (also known as Philharmonia Bulgarica). He was also Principal Guest Conductor of Sinfonietta Sofia (2014-2017). Christo Pavlov has conducted many orchestras and opera/theatre companies amongst them: The Czech Philharmonic, Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, European Recording Orchestra, the Symphony orchestra and choir of the Bulgarian National Radio, State Music Theater – Sofia, Varna State Opera, Pleven Philharmonic, Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra, Opera Nova. Mr. Pavlov holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts and is Associate professor in the National Music Academy “Prof. Pantcho Vladigerov” (Sofia, Bulgaria) as well as score supervisor in the regular recording sessions of the MFA program of the Film Scoring Academy of Europe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNyJouRSef0

Nikola Petrov

Nikola Petrov is a graduate of the National Academy of Music in Sofia with emphasis on percussion performance, choral and opera-symphonic conducting, and symphonic orchestration. Petrov has performed on tours in Europe, USA, Canada, China, OAE, and since 2018, has served as conductor of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra. Nikola has over 15 years of experience in studio recordings, well-known as both a conductor and score supervisor, for the Film Scoring Academy of Europe, Strezov Sampling, Sofia Session Orchestra and Choir, and Four for Music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhQ7d8bmxrg

The Conducting Summer Programme is a 3-week / 6 credit summer course offered through European Academy of Fine Arts / Irish American University, an accredited institution of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the United States.

All conductors who successfully complete the Conducting Summer Programme will be conferred 6 transferrable university credits from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the United States.

6 Middle States credits transfer to approximately 12 ECTS credits. The receiving institution ultimately decides how many ECTS credits are transferrable.

Most of the time, no - students can come to Bulgaria for the duration of the course on a travel Visa with no problem. However, there are some countries that Bulgaria requires travellers have a Visa prior to entrance, so you'll need to determine if you are from one of those countries.

Need help? Let us know!

As there is no airport directly in Vratsa, conductors will arrive in Sofia Airport.

From Sofia, there are two ways to get to the Hemus Hotel (Vratsa) from the Sofia airport:

1. Taxi. Price per trip: 100 leva. (€50)

2. Private car. Price per trip: 60 leva. (€30)

3. Bus. Price per trip 10-20 Leva (€5-10)

More information will be distributed to participating conductors closer to the summer.

Our challenging intermediate-level conducting program is designed to hone the skills of aspiring conductors seeking to elevate their musical leadership. Participants will immerse themselves in a comprehensive curriculum that combines advanced baton techniques, score analysis, and effective communication with musicians.

The programme includes hands-on podium time with professional ensembles, offering valuable real-world experience. Conductors will delve into a diverse repertoire, from classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, enhancing their versatility. Rigorous feedback and coaching from seasoned conductors will refine their craft. This programme demands dedication, precision, and artistry, preparing emerging maestros to excel in the world of orchestral conducting.

If you already have some experience in conducting, this programme will give you the opportunity to add an HD professionally recorded performance to your video portfolio, and refine your skills in rehearsing and conducting a symphony orchestra in mainstream orchestral repertoire.