Master's in Music & Performing Arts in Europe

This master's program focuses on advanced training in jazz and contemporary music performance, combining artistic practice, theoretical knowledge, and research. It requires full-time study over four semesters and includes 120 ECTS credits. Students develop through a core curriculum of 90 credits covering instrumental or vocal training, ensemble performance, band coaching, and theory. The program also includes research and project work such as music business, composition mentoring, and music analysis. A strong emphasis is placed on artistic development through electives in areas like advanced band concepts, interdisciplinary ensemble work, and solo-trio concerts.

Students must also complete a minor and electives totaling 30 credits, which can include artistic practice, theory, or modules from other study areas. The program culminates in a thesis project involving a public diploma concert, a portfolio with recordings, and the creation of a personal artistic website. This master's degree prepares graduates for professional careers as performing artists in the jazz and contemporary music scenes.

To apply for this master's program, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in music. Exceptionally talented applicants may be considered for admission through a special route. A high level of instrumental or vocal technique, creativity, intellectual engagement, and openness to artistic exploration are essential. Applicants should also be ready to engage in interdisciplinary work and contribute actively to theoretical discussions. The entrance examination, required due to limited program places, includes a solo performance, an original composition with improvisation, prepared set pieces, and an impromptu task. The exam lasts 45 minutes and is conducted in German, French, or English, requiring a minimum score of 4 to pass.

Language skills in German, French, and English are important, depending on the instructor, and students should be able to navigate a multilingual, international learning environment. Foreign applicants must hold recognized travel documents, and exchange students must secure a residency permit and health insurance. Those who have not completed a master’s orientation course in performance may need to provide further academic proof if they pass the entrance test.

This master's program is designed for musicians and music producers who want to pursue a self-directed, research-led creative practice at an advanced level. Rather than following a fixed curriculum, the program offers a flexible framework built around three interconnected stages of investigation: developing a detailed research proposal and work plan, conducting a broad and then increasingly focused inquiry into a chosen area of artistic or conceptual interest, and delivering a substantial final creative project that brings together the full depth of skills and knowledge developed throughout the course. Workshops, seminars, guest sessions, and individual mentoring provide ongoing support, while a diverse international peer community plays an active role in shaping each student's creative journey through collaboration and critical dialogue.
The program is available as a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course, giving students the flexibility to engage with it at a pace that suits their practice. Students have access to industry-standard facilities and are encouraged to define their own research questions, artistic direction, and production goals, making this program particularly well suited to those who already have a clear creative vision they wish to develop and deepen within a rigorous academic and professional environment.

To apply, students must hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with a strong academic result — equivalent to an upper second-class honors degree or higher. Applicants who do not hold a formal qualification but can demonstrate relevant professional or life experience may also be considered through a non-standard admissions route. All applicants must submit personal and educational information, proof of prior education, a detailed project proposal, a sample of academic or research writing, and a portfolio. Since the program is taught in English, a minimum proficiency of IELTS 6.0 (or B2 level) is required, which can be demonstrated through a recognized language certificate or a free online test offered by the institution.

This master's program offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas: Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Literary Writing and Literary Translation, or Performance Art. The curriculum allows for interdisciplinary exploration, and students can tailor their studies by combining modules across these areas. In the Fine Arts specialization, students work with various media and methods, including sculpture, installation, and conceptual art. The Sound Arts track focuses on experimental and electronic music, composition, and sound technology. Literary Writing and Literary Translation emphasizes writing across genres, examining literature’s relationship to other arts, and treating translation as a creative form. Performance Art explores physical and conceptual expressions through body, space, and time, integrating influences from music, literature, and visual arts.

The program encourages creative freedom, collaboration between specializations, and critical engagement with contemporary artistic discourse. It provides access to professional workshops and supports students in developing individual artistic voices in both theoretical and practical dimensions.

Admission to this master's program is selective and based on an entrance examination that evaluates your artistic aptitude and motivation. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Literary Writing and Literary Translation, Performance Art, or a related discipline. A central requirement is the submission of a well-conceived artistic project to be developed over the two-year course of study. Candidates should demonstrate independence, creative drive, resilience, and a willingness to participate in collaborative and multidisciplinary artistic discourse.

Applicants must also show that they have the practical and theoretical skills to actively engage in the program, as well as prior experience in independently developing and presenting artistic work. Language requirements vary by specialization: while instruction is multilingual (English, German, and French), all courses in Literary Writing and Literary Translation are held in German and French. Mentoring is available in German, French, or English.

The voice studies program offers comprehensive training in classical vocal performance, covering repertoire from the Baroque to the late Romantic eras, while also embracing contemporary vocal techniques from the 20th and 21st centuries. Students receive individual instruction, stage experience, and training in acting, stage movement, speech, and historical makeup. They also develop ensemble skills through oratorio, a cappella, and instrumental collaborations. The Opera Studio provides hands-on performance opportunities, including annual full opera productions prepared with professional directors, conductors, and designers, ensuring students are fully equipped for careers in opera and concert performance.

Applicants must hold an undergraduate diploma (or higher). Entry qualification documents must be in English and submitted with certified copies. Originals can be presented upon arrival. Proficiency in English is required. Additional program-specific requirements, such as an admission audition, apply. For detailed procedures and timelines, applicants should consult the official admission information and audition guidelines.

This master's program focuses on advanced artistic training in classical music performance, with specializations in either instrumental or vocal performance, or conducting wind music. The curriculum consists of core subject studies, artistic practice, and theoretical and research components, totaling 120 ECTS credits. Students are required to perform a public concert and submit a written program booklet as their final project. Special emphasis is placed on individual specialization and ensemble performance, including chamber music, historical performance, contemporary music interpretation, and stage presence training.

Students can tailor their education through a wide range of minors, such as opera, composition, jazz arrangement, sound arts, and more, allowing them to deepen skills in a secondary instrument, explore interdisciplinary performance, or expand into music education and research. The classical track includes modules like collaborative piano and orchestra participation, while the wind music conducting track emphasizes score reading, orchestration, and repertoire studies. Elective modules from related institutions and disciplines further enrich the program's flexibility.

To apply for this master's program in Music and Performing Arts, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in music. Exceptionally talented individuals may be considered for special admission. Admission is competitive and based on an entrance examination that evaluates both artistic ability and personal qualities such as motivation, independence, and resilience. Applicants should demonstrate strong technical proficiency, interpretative skills, and an openness to artistic dialogue, as well as a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary work.

Language skills in German, French, or English are necessary, depending on the instructor, as the program operates in a multilingual and international environment. International applicants must also meet Swiss visa and residency requirements and secure appropriate health insurance. The entrance exam includes a practical component and is conducted in person.

This master's program offers two specializations: Creative Practice and Contemporary Jazz, both focused on advancing artistic expression and professional readiness. The Creative Practice track is designed for composers and performers who wish to explore personalized instruction with leading lecturers and gain exposure through master classes, festivals, and collaborative projects. Students participate in intensive creative weeks, working on innovative productions that are often showcased internationally. The final project, developed over two or three years, serves as a professional calling card, aiming for inclusion in contemporary music festivals.

In the Contemporary Jazz specialization, students refine their performance and composition skills through ensemble work, theoretical study, and individual mentorship. The curriculum explores the link between composition and improvisation and prepares students to manage personal projects with artistic and commercial awareness. They gain practical experience through collaborations and festival performances, supported by state-of-the-art university facilities like recording studios and media labs. This track equips students to navigate careers in the dynamic landscape of modern jazz.

Admission to this master's program is competitive and based on an entrance examination that assesses artistic potential, motivation, independence, and readiness to engage in collaborative university-level projects. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in music from a Swiss or international institution. The program is offered in two specializations: Creative Practice and Contemporary Jazz.

For Creative Practice, applicants should be capable of composing, performing, improvising, or curating music events, with a strong sense of artistic direction and openness to interdisciplinary work. This specialization suits composers, instrumentalists, electronic music artists, sound installation creators, and performance artists. For Contemporary Jazz, applicants must have solid instrumental proficiency, experience in jazz and related genres, and knowledge of arrangement and sound technology. Instruction is multilingual—primarily in English, German, and French—with flexibility for written assignments.

This master's degree is designed for musicians, composers, and conductors who have already completed a bachelor's degree and wish to deepen their artistic and professional practice, shaping students into independent professionals ready to work in a constantly evolving international field. The two-year program is built around individual guidance and artistic autonomy, with teachers who remain active as musicians, makers, and researchers bringing their professional experience directly into their teaching. Musical practice, artistic research, and entrepreneurship sit at the core of the curriculum, and students have considerable freedom to shape their own path, choosing lessons, projects, and collaborations, both within the institution and beyond, that align with their individual learning goals.

At the start of the program, students choose one of two profiles matching their artistic ambitions. The Performer profile is intended for performing musicians and conductors who wish to refine their technical and expressive skills through intensive individual lessons and ensemble training. The Composer profile is intended for makers who wish to develop their own musical signature and voice as creators.

Within either profile, students can specialize in classical music, jazz, pop, or global musics, or in a combination of these directions, allowing them to build a versatile and sustainable career across the national and international music world. Musical diversity is a defining feature of the program, with crossovers between these traditions built into the curriculum. Alongside individual training, students join an ensemble suited to their musical direction, ranging from symphony orchestra to jazz combo or tango orchestra to chamber ensemble, and conduct practice-based artistic research aimed at strengthening their own musicianship, artistic vision, and professional awareness. Students conclude their first year with a performance or presentation of their work, and their second year with a public performance or presentation demonstrating their artistic growth as a musician, composer, or conductor.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Music or an equivalent qualification. Admission begins with a pre-selection stage, in which applicants submit an online portfolio through the application system; instrumentalists and vocalists submit at least three video recordings demonstrating contrasting styles by different composers, while those applying in composition or screen scoring follow separate, subject-specific portfolio requirements. Applicants must also submit a master's study plan and a musical CV detailing their prior musical activity and experience.

Candidates who pass the pre-selection are invited to an entrance exam consisting of a practical component, in which applicants demonstrate their musical abilities and technical and artistic potential through a program of approximately thirty minutes at a strong bachelor-exam level, and an online interview to discuss the applicant's research proposal, during which English-speaking skills are also assessed. Because places are limited, meeting the admission standard does not guarantee immediate enrollment, and qualified candidates may be placed on a waiting list. Since the program is taught in English, applicants must also hold an IELTS Academic certificate with a minimum score of 6.0, or a comparable TOEFL or Cambridge certificate, unless they qualify for an exemption, such as having completed secondary education through the European or International Baccalaureate with English as the language of instruction and a passing grade in English, having completed secondary or tertiary education in a country where English is the official language of instruction, holding a qualifying secondary diploma with a passing grade in English from a defined list of European countries, or holding a Dutch mbo level 4, havo, or vwo diploma.

This bachelor's program centers on personal artistic development within the field of sound arts, welcoming students from diverse musical backgrounds such as DJs, composers, and sound artists. The curriculum emphasizes self-initiated projects supported through seminars, lectures, and intensive workshops. Students engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and have regular opportunities to showcase their work publicly, both locally and internationally. The program also includes access to studios, instruction from established professionals, and exposure to music research and education.

Throughout the first two years, students build a solid foundation in musical design, media art, and audio technology, with practical courses that may involve Max/MSP programming, video scoring, and audio mastering. The final year allows for greater individual focus, leading up to a bachelor's thesis. Elective topics may include analog synthesizers, game design music, hardware hacking, or Arduino, alongside specialized training in electronic ear training and media theory. Students also study music theory, cultural history, and piano, with a curriculum that integrates elements of both classical and jazz music.

To apply for this bachelor's program, applicants must have completed a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. Exceptionally talented individuals without standard academic credentials may be considered for special admission. Candidates should have experience with their own creative musical projects—such as compositions, sound installations, or DJ tracks—and possess basic knowledge of music theory and ear training. Training in voice or an instrument is an advantage but not mandatory. The entrance process involves submitting representative creative work, completing an assigned artistic task, and participating in a 90-minute assignment followed by a discussion on motivations and expectations. Due to limited spaces, selection is competitive.

Instruction is mainly in German, and while advising is also available in French and English, applicants must understand German at B2 level. A passive understanding of French and proficiency in English are recommended. International students must meet visa and residency requirements and purchase health insurance before starting the program.

This master's program combines music and scientific research, exploring connections between musicology, neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, music therapy, and technology. Students gain research skills and critical thinking through advanced studies in topics like musical creativity, embodiment in music, neurocognition, and music and emotions. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, empirical research, and the ability to evaluate and communicate musical phenomena. It also includes training in project work, multilingual communication, and ethics in research. Additional options include working life studies, thesis seminars, internships, and language and communication courses for both international and Finnish students. Graduates are equipped to work in academic, research, or expert roles in diverse international and multicultural environments.

To apply for this master's program, applicants must hold a recognized higher education degree that qualifies them for master's-level studies in the country where it was awarded. Relevant fields include musicology, music education, arts and culture, health and well-being, humanities, information technology, or psychology. Additional relevant studies outside of a completed degree may also be considered during the evaluation. The awarding institution must be officially recognized in its national education system or by an international body like UNESCO. Applicants with incomplete degrees at the time of application may be conditionally admitted, provided they submit final certified documents by the specified deadline. English proficiency must be demonstrated through previous education in English or through an accepted language test such as IELTS (minimum score 6.5), TOEFL iBT (minimum score 92), PTE Academic (minimum score 62), or equivalent results in Cambridge English or Finland’s YKI test (minimum grade 5 at the advanced level). No waivers are granted, and test results must be valid and submitted by the deadline.

This master's program blends creative expression with digital technologies, offering an advanced exploration of audiovisual art and new media. Students engage with topics like sound theory, experimental cinema, interactive cinema, scriptwriting, and directing. The curriculum includes hands-on work with digital art, animation, AI installations, virtual reality, and multimedia performances. The program also introduces tools such as After Effects and Cinema 4D, alongside theoretical grounding in visual culture, semiotics, and narratology. Optional courses allow students to deepen their knowledge in public relations, digital communication, design thinking, and cultural heritage.

To apply for this master's program in new media and audiovisual art, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in humanities or arts, or a degree in another field with additional qualifications such as relevant work experience in creative industries or coursework in art history, theory, or philosophy. All applicants must submit a portfolio of 3–5 creative works and a written project proposal related to their chosen specialization—either audiovisual media, multimedia performances, digital art, or sound art/electronic music. English proficiency at a B2 level is required and can be proven via prior education or international exams like IELTS or TOEFL. An entrance examination is mandatory.

This master's program focuses on the exploration of contemporary theater practices and supports students in realizing their own artistic projects. The curriculum is flexible and allows students to personalize their course selection based on their interests. Students can attend modules from various Swiss theater schools and are guided by professional theater practitioners throughout their studies. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary work, artistic research, and collaboration across institutions.

The curriculum consists of four module groups. The "Creation" module (42 ECTS) focuses on developing and presenting students' own artistic work, including the master’s thesis. "Workshops" (29 ECTS) help students enhance their performance skills and experiment with media such as space, text, sound, and body. "Theory and Management" (11 ECTS) covers theoretical, analytical, and organizational aspects of performance, while the "Encounters" module (8 ECTS) encourages networking and artistic dialogue with professionals and peers.

This master's program in performing arts is designed for applicants with a background in theater, dance, performance, or a comparable artistic field. Admission is competitive, based on an aptitude examination that evaluates the applicant’s artistic portfolio and a written project proposal. Candidates are expected to demonstrate basic skills in performance, a clear potential for developing original work, and an ability to engage in artistic reflection and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Applicants must hold a relevant bachelor's degree or provide proof of equivalent artistic experience, which will be assessed by the admission committee. A sound understanding of theater and cultural criticism is also expected. Courses are conducted in both German and English. Students must actively speak either language at a B1 level and are expected to acquire basic German (A1 level) by the second semester.

This master's program is structured into five main components. Students complete 30 ECTS in their chosen major, and 35 ECTS in practical courses related to their major, including additional hands-on training. Another 35 ECTS are dedicated to music theory, history, pedagogy, and general studies—covering core musical knowledge and basic entrepreneurial skills. The Master's examination accounts for 15 ECTS, and students also take 5 ECTS in freely chosen elective courses.

Applicants must hold an undergraduate diploma (or higher) and demonstrate proficiency in English. A relevant portfolio showcasing original works is required as part of the application. All qualification documents must be submitted in English.