Teacher Training for Art and Visual Practise
The master's programme in the subject of art and visual practise broadens and deepens students competences in the areas of didactic, subject knowledge and practical artistic skills. It thus forms the basis for qualification as a teacher at the secondary level. The focus is on acquiring practical teaching experience (with mentoring and reflection), the further development of independent artistic practice and the exploration of productive, receptive and didactic approaches to art, images and media.
Facts
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. In the Master's programme, the same subjects must be chosen as in which the Bachelor's degree was obtained.
If a third subject was completed as part of an extension course during the Bachelor's programme, students can choose from these three subjects for their Master's programme.
Students choose two teaching subjects or one teaching subject and a specialization. In the Master's programme, the same subjects must be chosen as in which the Bachelor's degree was obtained.
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
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, provided that you have already completed the third subject in your Bachelor's studies (or as part of the extension course in your BA).
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, 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 master's degree programme in Secondary Education is designed to be completed within 4 semesters.
Teacher employment law stipulates that new teachers must complete a Master's degree within five years of obtaining their Bachelor's degree in order to be able to enter into permanent employment.
The Master's degree programme in Secondary Education entitles the holder to full employment as a teacher of grades 5 - 13 in:
- Special needs schools
- Middle schools
- Polytechnic schools (PTS)
- Grammar schools (AHS)
- Vocational schools and colleges (BMHS)
In addition, the combination of pedagogical, artistic/practical and academic courses in the curriculum enables students to pursue a number of other careers. The close interaction between different subject areas means that students will gain a particular insight into knowledge and skills relating to the tension between theory and practice. These are of interest for many professional fields insofar as they help to develop one's own artistic, research and pedagogical practice.
Upon graduation from the Master's programme, students are entitled to embark upon a doctoral programme (duration: 6 semesters), should they wish to enter academia.
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. The prerequisite is that a bachelor's degree has already been obtained in the desired third subject or specialization.
When changing clusters: 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 35 ECTS credits must be earned in the third teaching subject. An additional master's thesis is not required.
Information on registration
The prerequisite for admission to the Master's programme in Secondary Education (General Education) is:
- Completion of a relevant Bachelor's degree in Education (General Education) within the Central Cluster Development Network, or
- another relevant Bachelor's degree, or
- an equivalent degree from a recognized domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution.
If equivalence is generally established but only certain requirements for full equivalence are lacking, the responsible body of the admitting university is authorized to require additional academic credits to be earned during the Master's programme.
Admission requires passing an entrance examination to assess artistic and pedagogical maturity. This examination is only required for applicants who did not complete their Bachelor's degree within the Central Cluster Development Network.
Applicants whose first language is not German must also provide proof of German language proficiency.
If the Bachelor's degree in Teacher Education was completed within the Central Cluster development network, no new application process is necessary. Enrolment in the Master's programme takes place during the general admission period at the University of Salzburg.
Please take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.
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)
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.
The artistic entrance examination is only required if you did not complete your Bachelor's degree within the development network Cluster Mitte.
Registration may only be made for one location, either Central Region (for Salzburg and Linz) or Western Region (for Innsbruck). Multiple registrations at different locations are not permitted and will be cancelled.
When registering in the Central Region, candidates must specify their preferred location (Salzburg or Linz) in the application in the above-mentioned registration portal.
Documents required for online registration
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form with photo
- Letter of motivation (approx. one DIN A4 page)
- (final) certificates as well as examinations and transcripts of records of all previous artistic and/or pedagogical studies
- Application portfolio (see below)
Form of the documents
- The documents can be uploaded as PDF in the application form.
- If the documents mentioned are not available in German or English, an official translation must also be submitted.
The artistic entrance examination
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
List of exam dates and deadlines
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:
