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Degree Standard period of study Tuition language Language certificates
Bachelor of Music 8 semesters German C1 (GER)

Qualifying exam

  • Main subject

    Practical artistic examination; examination duration 15-20 minutes
    A written examination programme must be brought to the examination.

    • Baroque bassoon/dulcian and baroque oboe
      • three works from different styles, including one slow and one fast movement of a baroque sonata (e.g. Corelli, Bach, Handel)
      • a further piece of your choice
    • Baroque trumpet/baroque trombone
      • three works of different styles
    • Baroque violin/baroque viola
      • one slow and one fast movement from a baroque Basso Continuo sonata in Italian style or mixed flavours
      • another work of your choice, with Basso Continuo or solo
    • Baroque violoncello
      • three works of different styles
    • harpsichord
      • one work from the 17th century
      • one work by Bach
      • two works in the French Baroque style or sonatas by D. Scarlatti or Soler
    • fortepiano
      • one work from the Viennese Classical period (J. Haydn or W. A. Mozart)
      • one work by a son of Bach
    • Lute/theorbo
      • three works of different styles
    • Transverse flute
      • one slow and one fast movement from a baroque Basso Continuo sonata in Italian or mixed style
      • three movements of a sonata or suite in the French style
      • two movements of a sonata in the sensitive style
      • sight-reading
    • viola da gamba
      • an unaccompanied ricercar by D. Ortiz
      • any movement from a sonata by Bach
      • one movement from a sonata by Abel
      • another piece of your choice
      • sight-reading

    Compulsory instrumental subject

    Practical artistic examination; examination duration 8-12 minutes, to be taken either on the piano or harpsichord
    (not applicable for harpsichord main subject, fortepiano main subject, lute main subject and theorbo main subject)

    • Piano:
      • Practical handling of the main triads and their inversions in keys with up to three accidentals (major and minor)
      • Playing scales with up to three accidentals (major and minor)
      • Performance of two piano pieces of different character, at a level of difficulty of e.g.
        • Bach: Little Prelude in C major (from "Kl. Präludien und Fughetten": III,1 BWV 939 [Henle 106])
        • Haydn: Scherzo (3rd movement from "Sonata in F" Hoboken XVI: 9 [Henle 238])
        • Schumann: Melody ("Album for the Youth" op. 68, no. 1 [Henle 108])
        • Hajdu: The Pendulum ("The Milky Way" vol. 1, no. 1 [Sikorski 1701])
        • Bartók: Accompaniment with broken triads ("Mikrokosmos" vol. 2, no. 42 [Boosey & Hawkes H.15197])
    • Harpsichord:
      • two pieces in different styles
      • Orientation examples for the level of difficulty are:
        • J. S. Bach: an invention or a work from one of the piano booklets
        • G. P. Telemann: one movement of a fantasia
        • F. Couperin: a prelude from "L'Art de toucher le clavecin"
        • one movement of a suite by H. Purcell, D. Buxtehude, G. Böhm or similar
      • If you are admitted to the Bachelor's degree programmes Historical Instruments / Early Music (KA and KPA), you can then choose between piano, harpsichord, organ or fortepiano.

    Ear training

    Written and oral examination; examination lasts 35 minutes

    Music theory

    Written and oral examination; examination lasts 35 minutes

    Group examination

    Exam duration 60 minutes

    • Exercises on physical presence and expressiveness
    • Exercises on non-verbal interaction and communication
    • Improvisation with body percussion, percussion instruments, simple sound generators and/or voice
    • Exercises in musical expression
    • Reflective discussion

Application process

Find out more on our application and admissions page.

for studies starting in winter semester 2023/24Subject-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 the study areas?

Professional field for which the course qualifies

The Bachelor's degree in Historical Instruments / Early Music (Music Education) prepares students for a wide range of artistic and pedagogical careers. The combination of artistic and pedagogical content opens up professional opportunities, from permanent employment in an educational or artistic institution to the field of freelance singing or vocal pedagogy.

Possible areas of employment include music schools, vocal teaching in general education schools or day-care centres, vocational schools and educational institutions of all kinds. It is also possible, for example, to work in the field of concert pedagogy, where graduates work both as performers and educators.

The high level of vocal pedagogical qualifications, combined with musical-artistic skills and stylistic versatility, gives graduates the opportunity to position themselves individually in the pedagogical and artistic field and to respond flexibly to the needs of the labour market.

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