Study Music in Germany

The field of study of music covers a wide range of subject areas in which highly qualified singers or musicians are trained. The field also includes music disciplines such as conduction, composition, or répétiteur training. In addition to practical content, a degree programme in music also often covers musicology, music history, self-marketing, and self-management. These last two skills may be particularly useful in your future career. The specialisations that are available in this field of study are designed to help you prepare for a specific career. They include:

• Choir, choir direction
• Conducting
• Singing, speaking
• Instrumental music
• Jazz
• Liturgical music
• Composition
• Répétiteur training
• Opera
• Orchestra
• Popular music
• Rhythmics
• Sound engineering, music production

To study music, you should ideally have several years of experience in a particular instrument or in singing. The willingness to practice every day is also very important for successful studies.

By the way: The higher education institute’s approach is quite important. For example, some degree programmes are more practical and some more theoretical. That’s why it’s advisable to compare the higher education institutions in advance with regard to their content and methods. In addition, although music studies often overlap with the fields of musicology and/or music pedagogy, note that musicology and music pedagogy are different fields of study.

You can study music to earn a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree or a teaching degree. Depending on the higher education institutions and the specific course of study, you will complete your studies with a Bachelor/Master of Arts, a Bachelor/Master of Music or a Bachelor/Master of Education or with a state examination. The teacher training programme is usually offered by universities, whereas the other programmes are usually offered by conservatoires. The Bachelor’s degree normally has a standard period of study of eight semesters, the Master’s degree of four semesters and a teacher training course lasts six semesters for a Bachelor‘s and four semesters for a Master‘s degree.

As a rule, you need a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or equivalent for admission. The higher education entrance requirement is particularly important for the teacher training programme. In addition, there are usually further aptitude tests, which are determined and carried out by the higher education institutions themselves. The aptitude tests are usually divided into a practical and a theoretical part: In the practical part, for example, your singing and speaking voice and your skills in your chosen instrument(s) are tested. It is common, for example, that you have to perform pieces from different periods. In the theoretical part, you are tested on your general knowledge of music, including ear training, knowledge of music history and the theory of forms. The entrance exams are often not easy and you will be competing with many other candidates. Sometimes, for example, mastering several instruments can be an advantage. In some cases, higher education institutions even require you to master at least two instruments.

If you do not have a general higher education entrance qualification or equivalent, but can demonstrate an above-average artistic-musical talent, you may still be admitted to a degree programme!

It’s rare for degree programmes in music to have a Numerus Clausus, i.e. to require a minimum grade for admission.

As with other degree programmes, tuition fees, semester contributions and costs, such as rent, also play a role here.

Tuition fees are usually not charged at any state higher education institution, except at private institutions. However, fees are often charged for Master’s degree programmes, if you already have a first degree or for international students from non-EU countries. However, these are usually cheaper than at private higher education institutions.

Semester contributions are normally due at state universities and music colleges. These vary in amount and are approximately between 100 and 400 euros. Sometimes your semester contribution covers a ticket for local public transport or you can purchase a discounted ticket. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. Ask your higher education institution whether such an offer is currently available.

Rents vary depending on the city you want to study in. In large cities, housing is often scarce and expensive, while in smaller cities it is comparatively affordable. In any case, student halls of residence are usually your cheapest option. As soon as you have decided on where you want to study, you should start looking, as halls of residence can fill up quickly. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities.

Financing and maintaining your instrument(s) is particularly important when studying music. Of course, you can also buy used or cheaper models, apply for payment in instalments or even borrow the instrument (at higher education institutions). However, it is recommended that you have your own instrument for daily practice, even at home. The costs can vary considerably; among other things, it depends on how important the instruments are for you and your future and how high the quality should be.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

After completing your music degree, you can find work in the fields of music editing, sound engineering, music, singing, concert management or theatre production, for example: in concrete terms, you can work in journalism, choral conducting, opera houses or orchestras, for example as a conductor or in composition. In addition, you can work in the field of music education or as a self-employed music teacher. In the business sector, you can find employment, for example, at advertising agencies, in music management or in event management.

Starting salaries of music students are often not very high, but in many cases, they can double after several years of professional experience – so you still have good prospects for the future. Depending on the professional field, your level of recognition also often influences your income.