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Degree Standard period of study Tuition language Language certificates
Bachelor of Music 8 semesters German B 2 (GER)

Qualifying exam

  • Main subject

    Artistic-practical exam

    • Preparation of a portfolio according to § 3 Para. 2 No. 5 with own works and projects, including
      • a maximum of three own compositions, if possible in different formations - instrumental, vocal and/or electroacoustic (in the form of written scores, performance instructions, documentation of electroacoustic works)
      • if available, also recordings of performances or productions of the works submitted
      • optional: works using traditional compositional techniques as well as compositional techniques of the 20th/21st century, historically oriented or free instrumentation
      • List of submitted scores, performance instructions, documentation and, if applicable, sound samples and compositional studies with a written declaration by the applicant that the submitted works were written independently
    • Written exam (duration: 90 minutes):
      •  Listening analysis: identification of material and formal elements of one or more excerpts from selected 20th/21st century works, soundscapes, etc., and their placement in a music historical or contemporary musical context.
      • Outline a possible compositional approach to freely chosen elements from one or more of the examples presented.
    • Colloquium (duration: 30 minutes):
      • on general musical, compositional and aesthetic questions based on the presented portfolio, the compositional outline of the written examination, artistic goals, choice of studies and career, previous knowledge in the field of music history, in particular music of the 20th/21st century.

    Compulsory instrumental subject

    Artistic-practical exam
    Duration: 8 minutes

    • two pieces of different styles

    Examples of difficulty levels

    • Bach: two-part inventions
    • Haydn: Early sonatas (e.g. from Henle, Volume 1)
    • Schumann: Album for the youth
    • Prokofiev: Musique d'enfants
    • Allers: Bagatelles

    Applicants must show that they have a basic knowledge of piano playing and sight-reading.

    Examples for the level of difficulty of sight-reading are

    • Pieces from Kurt Herrmann's sight-reading school
    • "27 little piano pieces" by Lajos Papp (Editio Musica Budapest)
    • "You can Sight Read" by Lorina Havill

    Ear training

    Written and oral exam

    Music theory

    Written and oral exam

Application process

Find out more on our application and admissions page.

for studies starting in winter term 2020/21 Subject-specific study and examination regulations (German)

The subject-specific study and examination regulations form the legal basis for your degree programme. They contain all the information you need to know about your studies, including module descriptions and how your grades are calculated.

What can I expect in this study area?

Professional field for which the course qualifies

The Bachelor of Music in Composition prepares students for a future career that can be very individual. Graduates of this course typically work as freelance composers in the field of contemporary music, but also in related areas such as sound direction, performance art, media art, music informatics, music journalism, artistic and organisational collaboration in contemporary music ensembles, etc., which places high demands on both the artistic skills and personality of graduates, as well as their communication and marketing skills.
of the graduate's artistic ability and personality, as well as their communication and marketing skills.

Any more questions? Our student service will be happy to help you!