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Teacher Training for Art and Visual Practise

Bachelor
BA
Bildende Künste & Gestaltung | © Christian Schneider
© Christian Schneider
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The teacher training programme in the subject of Art and Visual Practise explores the field of tension between the production, reception, and communication of the arts, images, and media. To what extent is production always also a transmission of knowledge? Why are creating and viewing inseparable? The goal of the programme is the development of an artistic and practical, researching and educational approach to the arts, images and media.

 

General course information

The teacher training programme for secondary education (general education) consists of a Bachelor's degree (6 semesters) and a subsequent Master's degree (4 semesters). With the Bachelor of Education, graduates receive the professional qualification to teach at the secondary level (e.g., academic secondary school, middle school, vocational secondary school).

For permanent teaching positions, the Master's degree is mandatory. It deepens subject-specific didactics and provides targeted preparation for professional practice. The Master's programme can be pursued directly after completing the Bachelor's degree at the Mozarteum University.

Students choose two teaching subjects or one teaching subject and a specialization.

Students choose two teaching subjects or one teaching subject and a specialization.

The following subjects are offered:

  • Physical Education**
  • Biology and Environmental Education
  • Chemistry
  • German
  • English
  • Nutrition and Home Economics
  • Ethics
  • French
  • Geography and Economics
  • History and Political Education
  • Greek***
  • Computer Science and Digital Literacy
  • Instrumental Music*
  • Italian
  • Catholic Religion
  • Art and Design*
  • Latin***
  • Mathematics
  • Media Design and Digital Literacy*
  • Music*
  • Physics
  • Psychology and Philosophy
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Technology and Design*
  • Specialization: German as a Second Language and Language Education
  • Specialization: Inclusive Education with a Focus on Disability

*Subject offered at the Mozarteum University; artistic entrance examination required
**Sports aptitude test required
***Additional Latin/Greek exam required before starting studies

Information about subjects not offered at the Mozarteum University Salzburg can be found on the teacher training website of the University of Salzburg (PLUS).

If you wish to choose a third teaching subject at the beginning of your studies or later, this is possible as part of an extension course.

The subject-specific part of the program is divided into three main areas, which are intertwined by a shared interest in the artistic and research-oriented approach to the production, reception, and communication of art, images, and media: Didactics, Subject-Specific Studies, and Artistic Practice.

Didactics encompasses lectures, tutorials, introductory seminars, and seminars. These address the understanding of the subject of art and design, its historical development, and its institutional framework and guidelines. They provide impetus for reflection on the work of art and design teachers and offer suggestions for developing diverse approaches and methods for teaching the subject matter.

Subject-Specific Studies, with its lectures, tutorials, introductory seminars, and seminars, provides in-depth insights into the core content of art and design: art and architectural history, art and image theory, media and everyday history, environmental design, and cultural studies.

Artistic Practice focuses on practical artistic engagement. In four classes—Painting, Drawing and Printmaking, Sculpture, and Photography/New Media—students can explore a broad spectrum of expressive possibilities and approaches to artistic production. The flexibility of these classes allows students not only to perfect individual techniques but also to benefit from a multimodal approach to artistic exploration.

The teacher training programme is organised within a development network (Entwicklungsverbund Cluster Mitte). This allows students to freely choose from the full range of courses offered. This also makes it possible to combine teaching subjects offered at different institutions.

During the programme, in addition to the content of the two chosen teaching subjects, the curriculum includes foundational courses in educational science, practical pedagogical studies, and elective courses. The foundational courses in educational science are not offered at the Mozarteum, but at our partner institutions. Furthermore, students can, at their own request, attend courses at these other institutions as a non-degree student and have them credited as electives toward their degree. This allows for a wide range of options.


The following partner institutions offer teacher training programmes in cooperation:

Study in Salzburg

  • Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS)
  • Salzburg University of Teacher Training (PHS)
  • Edith Stein University of Teacher Training (KPH)
  • Mozarteum University Salzburg (MOZ)

Study in Linz

  • Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU)
  • University College of Teacher Education Upper Austria (PH OÖ)
  • Private University College of Education of the Diocese of Linz (PHDL)
  • Linz University of Arts (UFG)
  • Anton Bruckner Private University (ABPU)
  • Catholic Private University Linz (KU Linz)

Salzburg is a unique place to study music and arts – characterized by its international flair, cultural diversity, and the long tradition of the internationally renowned Mozarteum University Salzburg. Students benefit from artistic excellence, ample practical experience, and diverse opportunities for collaboration with universities, schools, and cultural institutions.

Studying in Salzburg means:

  • Individual and small group lessons
  • First-class workshops and practice rooms
  • Numerous performance and exhibition opportunities
  • Modern infrastructure
  • A fantastic community
  • Renowned faculty
  • A wide range of events
  • A central location in Salzburg

The aim of the Bachelor's degree programme is to prepare students for a career in secondary school teaching. Students are initially prepared for a career as a teacher in their chosen subjects. Upon completion of the Bachelor's degree, graduates are eligible to pursue a Master's degree. Furthermore, the Bachelor's degree opens up other career paths, such as extracurricular youth education, adult education, artistic practice, or cultural and media work.

Teaching certification can only be granted after completion of the corresponding Master's degree programme in the same teaching subjects.

Graduates are able to engage thoughtfully with the topic of people and materials, to guide children and young people, and to initiate and constructively direct subject-specific, individualized support.

The complete teacher training programme (BA+MA) qualifies students to teach at:

  • New Middle School
  • Lower Secondary School
  • Upper Secondary School

If you are already enrolled in a Bachelor's degree programme for teacher education in two teaching subjects, or have even already completed your studies, but would like to take a third teaching subject or pursue a (further) specialization, you can do so within the framework of an extension programme.

If an artistic entrance examination or sports aptitude test is required for the chosen third teaching subject, regular registration for this examination is necessary.

The exact content of the extension programmes is listed in the curriculum for the teacher education programme for secondary education (general education). A total of 73 ECTS credits must be earned in the third teaching subject. These are comprised of several subject-specific modules (61 ECTS credits), a teaching practicum (8 ECTS credits), and a Bachelor's thesis (4 ECTS credits).

Information on registration

For admission to the Bachelor's programme, various certificates and examinations are required:

  • general university entrance qualification (e.g. Matura, Abitur, high school diploma)
  • command of the German language (at least level B2 - Common European Framework of Reference CEFR 2001)
  • positive participation in the general admission procedure for the teacher training programme in the Central Region
  • Passing of an entrance examination to determine artistic and pedagogical competence

The choice of artistic specialisation must be declared when registering for the entrance examination.

The general admission procedure and the entrance examination for technology and design must be completed independently. Registration takes place via separate platforms. All required documents must be submitted together when enroling for the programme (July to September).

The teaching subject of Art and Visual Practise must be combined with a second teaching subject. A combination with the teaching subject of Technology and Design at the Mozarteum University is possible and requires taking the entrance exam for both subjects.

The General Admissions Procedure for all teaching degress (regardless of subject) consists of several steps:

  • Registration and pre-registration (usually early March to late July).
  • Participation in the online self-assessment (= Module A)
  • Payment of the fee
  • Registration for the Electronic Admission Test (several dates to choose from)
  • Participation in the Electronic Admission Test (= Module B)

Please check the Central Region Partnership website for exact dates and procedures. The organisation and content are not within the responsibility of the individual universities.

Important: Enrolment in the programme is only possible after successful completion of the general admissions procedure!

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.

Several steps are necessary for registration for the artistic entrance examination. Applicants for teacher training programmes should start with step 3.
1. not relevant
2. not relevant
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")
 
Please note: Your application is only valid once you click "Submit application" in Muvac and subsequently receive a green confirmation message from Muvac. Registration for the general admission procedure to teaching degrees 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.

  • During the application period for the general admission procedure: Registration and completion of the general admission procedure (for applications to the Bachelor's programme)
  • During the application period for the artistic entrance examination: Online registration via the Muvac application portal (IMPORTANT: Registration is only possible if all information is complete!)
  • After processing of your online application: Invitation to the entrance examination (the invitation will be sent via Muvac)
  • In Muvac: Confirmation or rejection of participation in the entrance examination
  • Participation in the entrance examination (online)
  • Upon passing the entrance examination and receiving a place of study: Invitation to enrol in the programme
  • Personal enrolment during the general admission period upon presentation of all necessary documents/examination results

Important:

  • Registration may only be made for one location, Salzburg or Innsbruck. Double registration at both locations is not permitted and will be cancelled.
  • If the entrance exam is failed, it can only be retaken in its entirety and not until the following academic year. It is not possible to retake an exam within the same academic year. The entrance exam can be retaken an unlimited number of times.

Documents required for online registration

  • Letter of motivation (Musical and academic background, reasons for choosing this course of study, approx. one DIN A4 page)
  • if applicable: (final) certificates as well as examinations and transcripts of records of all previous artistic and/or pedagogical studies

Form of the documents

  • The documents can be uploaded as PDF files in the application form.
  • If the required documents are not available in German or English, an official translation must be submitted.

Good to know:
The school-leaving certificate (Matura, Abitur) and proof of B2 German language proficiency (if another language is your first language) are not checked during the online application process. Both documents must be submitted in person after you have been offered a place at the university.
If you are unsure whether your documents meet the requirements and will be accepted, please contact lehramt@plus.ac.at.

The entrance examination for the teaching subject of Art and Visual Practise takes place online and consists of the following parts:

  • Submission of the application portfolio (online via the application form)
  • Online examination (exam tasks)
  • Zoom interview (online) with the examination committee regarding your personal motivation

After successful registration for the entrance examination and review of your documents, you will receive an invitation to the artistic entrance examination via Muvac. Your examination will take place during one of the following periods, depending on your registration:

Date 1: 30.06.-03.07.2026
Date 2: 31.08.-02.09.2026

Examination schedule:

  • The exam task will be announced on July 30 or August 31, at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom. At this meeting, which all applicants attend, the exam task will be presented. Applicants have time during the day to complete the assignment independently and then upload it as a PDF document.
  • The personal interview via Zoom with the examination board will take place between July 2-3, 2026, and September 2, 2026. You will receive your appointment and the Zoom link in advance. The interview will cover questions about your application portfolio and your personal motivation.

The Student and Examination Management Office will inform you of the entrance examination results via email within 2-3 weeks of the examination. If applicants are unable to participate in the artistic aptitude entrance examination, they must withdraw their registration in a timely manner.

After passing the artistic entrance examination and the general admission procedure for teacher training programs, you can enroll in person during the general admission period by submitting all necessary documents and examination results.

Note: Retaking the entrance examination is only possible in its entirety and not until the following academic year. It is not possible to retake an exam in the same year. The entrance exam can be retaken an unlimited number of times.

Candidates should create an application portfolio including 20-30 examples of their work. These can be sketches, drawings, designs, handmade objects, graphics and/or photos.

The portfolio must then be completely digitised and uploaded to the application form as a PDF document.

Please note:

  • PDF portfolios must be labeled in the form: first name(s) SURNAME.
  • The maximum document size is 25 MB.
  • Larger works/sculptures/etc. may be photographed. Photos of sketchpads can also be included.

We also offer (non-mandatory) portfolio consultations. These can be held in person or via Microsoft Teams. Contact address for appointments: KunstWerk@moz.ac.at

Applicants who wish to take advantage of the online consulation option are requested to digitise their work in advance using a scanner/photographs/computer software to create a single PDF document. The portfolio consultation will take place in the form of a video conference, during which the applicant will share their portfolio online. Applicants will receive the necessary link upon registering for their online consultation.

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:

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