University professor of composition / Representative for artistic integrity
Department Head
Faculty
Composition
Postgraduate certificate
PGL
Overview
In the two-semester postgraduate course in composition, aspiring composers have the opportunity to deepen the artistic knowledge and skills they have already acquired in their undergraduate and master's studies and to perfect their musical and interpretative abilities. Electives can be taken for further specialisation as desired.
General information
Course structure and content
The course includes 1 academic hour per week of instruction in the principal study. In addition, electives and free electives can be taken. Performance opportunities at university concerts and events in Salzburg and further afield are part of the course.
The duration of the course is 2 semesters. With the approval of the principal study teacher and the Director of Studies, it is possible to extend the course by one or two semesters.
Successful completion of the course is based upon passing grades in classes relating to the principal study. A certificate of completion can be issued upon request.
Curriculum
The curriculum provides an overview of the courses offered. In addition to the lessons in the principal study, electives can be taken. These are listed in the curriculum under “no semester recommended”.
Course fees
A course fee and the ÖH contribution (Students' Union fees) must be paid per semester for participation in the course.
Admission to the course
Admission to a postgraduate university course (PGL) requires the successful completion of a subject-related master's degree or diploma at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution in the respective principal study. Admission with a teaching degree, such as music education or instrumental & vocal pedagogy, is NOT possible.
A prerequisite for starting the course is also passing an entrance examination. Entrance examinations take place once a year. All information about the audition can be found under “Information on the Admissions Process” further down on the page.
Information on the admissions process
General information
Admission to a postgraduate university course (PGL) requires the successful completion of a subject-related master's or diploma degree at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution in the respective principal study. Admission with a teaching degree, such as music education or instrumental & vocal pedagogy, is NOT possible.
A prerequisite for admission to this university course is also the successful completion of an audition. Registration for an audition is completed online and requires candidates to upload documents proving their eligibility for the course. An invitation to audition will only be issued after the necessary documents have been submitted in full and approved by the admissions office.
PLEASE NOTE: Document checks can take up to 6 weeks! Early registration is therefore recommended.
Required documents
The following documents must be uploaded in the online application form:
- BA transcript and MA transcript or final transcript of an equivalent degree programme, if the degree programme has already been completed
- Current confirmation of enrolment if the degree programme has not yet been completed (the certificate must be submitted by the time of enrolment!)
- Overview of subjects and grades of the BA and MA degree programmes (Transcript of Records)
- Official confirmation of the principal study/instrument, if this is not evident from the other documents (e.g. "Bachelor of Music" is not sufficient!)
- Application portfolio (see Entrance Examination)
Form of the documents
- The documents and the portfolio can be uploaded as PDF files in the application form.
- If the documents mentioned are not available in German or English, an official translation must be submitted.
Please note: Students who pass the entrance examination and are offered a university place must ensure that their documents meet the certification requirements by the time of enrolment at the latest.
Registration for the entrance examination
Detailed instructions with screenshots can be found here.
Please take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.
The steps necessary for registration are detailed below. Applicants who have already studied at an Austrian university should start with step 3.
Please take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.
The steps necessary for registration are detailed below. Applicants who have already studied at an Austrian university should start with step 3.
1. Create a basic account in MOZonline
2. Once in the MOZonline account: fill in the mandatory statistics UHstat1 (pre-registration for studies) and make a note of the application number that is sent by email upon submission of this information.
3. Create an application account in Muvac
4. Fill out your own profile in Muvac (minimum requirements: personal data, information on expertise matching the desired degree programme, in the CV: current employment and information on previous training)
2. Once in the MOZonline account: fill in the mandatory statistics UHstat1 (pre-registration for studies) and make a note of the application number that is sent by email upon submission of this information.
3. Create an application account in Muvac
4. Fill out your own profile in Muvac (minimum requirements: personal data, information on expertise matching the desired degree programme, in the CV: current employment and information on previous training)
During the application period:
5. Select your desired degree programme in Muvac (Browse -> Studies)
6. Fill out the application form in Muvac ("Apply now"), being sure to enter your application number (see step 2) or Austrian matriculation number in the appropriate field
6. Fill out the application form in Muvac ("Apply now"), being sure to enter your application number (see step 2) or Austrian matriculation number in the appropriate field
Please note: Your application is only valid once you click "Submit application" in Muvac and subsequently receive a green confirmation message from Muvac. Creating a basic account in MOZonline (step 1) or creating a profile in Muvac (step 4) does not constitute a valid application!
After successful submission, you will receive an email from Muvac confirming receipt of your application. You can also check the status of your application yourself after logging into Muvac under Menu -> Applications.
Communication during the application process takes place via Muvac or email, depending on the degree programme. Please ensure that you can be contacted at the email address entered in your profile throughout the entire application process and regularly check whether you have received any new messages in Muvac. You can set your own profile to inform you of any new messages in Muvac by email (Account settings -> Notifications).
If your contact details change, please update your profile yourself.
Admission procedure
- online registration during the application period via the application portal Muvac (Please note: Registration is only possible if all information and documents are complete!)
- after processing your online application: invitation to the entrance exam (portfolio examination & online interview, the invitation is sent via Muvac)
- in Muvac: acceptance or rejection of participation in exam
- participation in the entrance exam (completely online!)
- upon passing the audition and obtaining a place: invitation to enrolment to the course
- personal enrolment during the general admission period
If the admission test is not passed, it is only possible to repeat the admission test in its entirety and only from the next academic year. It is not possible to repeat an exam in the same year. The admission test can be repeated an unlimited number of times.
Portfolio examination and online interview to determine artistic aptitude
The oral examination in the principal study Composition takes place online via Microsoft Teams. Candidates will present their own works created in the course of their preliminary studies (e.g. solo, chamber music, ensemble, orchestra, electroacoustic or media works in the form of sketches, scores, recordings, films, etc.) and discuss their content and aesthetics with the examination board. Candidates must include links to their works in the portfolio; the portfolio will be submitted as a single PDF file containing all works). If necessary, a discussion can take place on motivation, background, previous studies, expectations or professional perspectives.
The portfolio must be uploaded in the application form in Muvac. It needs to be one single PDF document.
Candidates are requested to ensure that they are available with a stable internet connection at the specified time of the online interview (probably mid-April); a PC/laptop with camera/microphone is also necessary.
Examination dates
Application period: 01.02.2026 - 28.02.2026
Portfolio examination & online interview to determine artistic aptitude: 15.-16.04.2026 (online via Microsoft Teams)
Accessibility and widening participation
Please note that the Mozarteum University Salzburg offers various support options at the time of your audition and during your studies if you have a disability or a chronic illness.
If this applies to you and you would like to take advantage of counselling, please contact Claudia Haitzmann: claudia.haitzmann@moz.ac.at or +43 676 88122 337.
Any questions?
You can find more information about starting your studies here:
