Music Schools and Programs in Germany

Music Studies in Germany

Music can be studied in Germany in three different ways, and they lead to different careers. Performers, composers and instrumental teachers train at a Musikhochschule (university of music). Future school music teachers take a teacher training degree (Lehramt). Musicology (Musikwissenschaft), the academic study of music, is a subject at universities. The first two routes require an entrance audition.

SpainExchange lists 5 schools in Germany under Music, one each in Bremen, Cologne, Freiburg, Münster and Potsdam. All five are universities, so most of what they offer belongs to the second and third routes. The University of Münster is the exception: it has its own Musikhochschule.

Universities of music

The German Music Information Centre (miz) counts 24 universities of music that are members of the German rectors' conference of universities of music, with 28 sites, and two more institutions with the status of a Musikhochschule inside the universities of Mainz and Münster. Church music can also be studied at eight Protestant or Catholic colleges of church music. The universities of music award bachelor's and master's degrees and, in some cases, doctorates, in artistic, educational and academic programmes.

The Musikhochschule Münster, part of the University of Münster, shows how the degrees are structured:

• Bachelor of Music in Musik und Kreativität, with the focus on artistic training
• Bachelor of Music in Musik und Vermittlung, which combines artistic and teaching training
• Master of Music programmes that deepen either direction, and a Master of Music in Musikpädagogik
• Konzertexamen, the highest performance qualification, and a doctoral programme

According to the Musikhochschule, about 300 study places are available, plus about 180 in teacher training at its institute of music education.

Teacher training and musicology at universities

The Universität Potsdam teaches Music for secondary school teaching. The degree is a Bachelor of Education with a standard period of six semesters, taught in German and starting in the winter semester. Music accounts for 69 of the 180 credits of the teacher training bachelor's degree. The university states that it is currently the only place in the state of Brandenburg to study this subject for secondary schools.

The Universität Bremen has an institute of musicology and music education. It offers a bachelor's degree in Musikwissenschaft and bachelor's and master's degrees in Musikpädagogik for school teaching, with an entrance examination for the teaching degrees. The institute has a digital sound studio.

At the Universität zu Köln, musicology is a research-oriented subject at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. It covers historical musicology, ethnomusicology and systematic musicology, with a focus on music psychology and computational musicology. The Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg is also listed under Music.

Admission: the audition comes first

Artistic and teaching degrees select by an aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung). At Potsdam it covers music theory, an instrument, singing and a music education part. The Musikhochschule Münster took applications for its test from 2 February to 26 March 2026 for studies starting in the 2026 winter semester, so applicants need to plan well ahead.

A school-leaving certificate from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland that gives access to university there is usually accepted. Applicants with other certificates may first need a Studienkolleg, a preparatory course. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) notes an exception: applicants for certain artistic subjects can be admitted on the basis of work samples or aptitude tests alone. Ask the institution whether this applies to your programme.

Teacher training and musicology are taught in German. DAAD states that most higher education institutions require German at B2 level of the CEFR or above. The TestDaF is offered in around 100 countries, and the DSH is taken in Germany.

Costs and visa

According to DAAD, state higher education institutions generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's degrees and most master's degrees. Baden-Württemberg, the state where Freiburg is located, charges non-EU citizens €1,500 per semester. All students pay a semester contribution of between €70 and €430. DAAD estimates living costs at between €900 and €1,200 per month.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need a valid identity card. Students who need a visa apply at the German embassy or consulate in their home country. As of 1 January 2025 they had to prove funds of €992 per month, and a visa can take months to be issued.

Careers

The route decides the career. A Bachelor or Master of Music prepares for work as a performer or as an instrumental or vocal teacher. A teacher training degree leads towards teaching music in schools. Musicology prepares for research and for other work that needs academic knowledge of music.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pass an audition to study Music in Germany?

For artistic and teacher training degrees, yes. Potsdam, for example, tests music theory, an instrument, singing and music education. Musicology at a university is an academic subject.

How many universities of music are there in Germany?

The German Music Information Centre counts 24 in the rectors' conference of universities of music, plus two institutions with the same status at the universities of Mainz and Münster.

How long does a music degree take?

The teacher training bachelor's degree with Music at the Universität Potsdam has a standard period of six semesters. Master's degrees, the Konzertexamen and doctorates follow the bachelor's degree.

Is studying Music in Germany free?

State institutions generally charge no tuition fees, but every student pays a semester contribution of between €70 and €430. Non-EU citizens pay €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg.