Teacher Training for Instrumental Music - Innsbruck
Overview
In the bachelor's degree programme in instrumental music, students focus primarily on furthering their artistic skills in the two instruments they have chosen. In didactic classes, students learn how to teach their chosen instruments; the instrumental side of the curriculum is complemented by in-depth training in music theory and musicology.
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
- Digital Literacy and Computer Science
- German
- English
- Nutrition and Home Economics
- Ethics
- French
- Geography and Economics
- History and Political Education
- Greek
- Instrumental Music*
- Islamic Religion
- Italian
- Catholic Religion
- Art and Design*
- Latin
- Mathematics
- Music*
- Physics
- Russian
- Spanish
- Technology and Design*
- Specialization: German as a Second Language and Language Education
- Specialization: Inclusive Education
*Subject offered at the Mozarteum University; artistic entrance examination required
**Sports aptitude test require
Information about subjects not offered at the Mozarteum University, location Innsbruck, can be found on the teacher training website of the University of Innsbruck (UIBK).
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.
In the Bachelor's programme in Instrumental Music, you will dedicate six semesters to intensive study of two chosen instruments or voice – both artistically and pedagogically. You will improve your own playing while simultaneously learning how to design engaging, accessible, and goal-oriented instrumental lessons.
For your first major (KHF), you must choose the profile subject from the teaching subject of Music. The second major subject must be from a different area than the first.
The following areas are available: keyboard instruments, string instruments, plucked instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, folk instruments, voice, jazz/pop instruments, jazz/pop voice, and choir/ensemble conducting.
The choice of instrument for both major subjects must be made when registering for the artistic entrance examination. A change of instrument at a later date is not permitted.
The following instruments/subjects can be chosen in the Artistic Main Subject (KHF):
- Accordion
- Bassoon
- Choir/Ensemble conducting
- Clarinet
- Clarinet Jazz/Pop
- Diatonic accordion
- Double bass
- Double bass Jazz/Pop
- Drums Jazz/Pop
- Dulcimer
- E-Bass Jazz/Pop
- Flute
- Flute Jazz/Pop
- Folk Harp
- Guitar
- Guitar Jazz/Pop
- Guitar practise
- Harp
- Horn
- Oboe
- Organ
- Piano
- Piano Jazz/Pop
- Piano practise
- Percussion instruments
- Recorder
- Saxophone
- Saxophone Jazz/Pop
- Trombone
- Trombone Jazz/Pop
- Trumpet
- Trumpet Jazz/Pop
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Violoncello
- Voice
- Voice Jazz/Pop
- Zither
It is recommended to choose a combination that includes one of the following major subjects: Vocals, Jazz/Pop Vocals, Guitar, Jazz/Pop Guitar, Guitar Practice, Piano, Jazz/Pop Piano, or Piano Practice.
Guitar Practice cannot be combined with Jazz/Pop Guitar or Guitar, and Piano Practice cannot be combined with Jazz/Pop Piano or Piano. Vocals and Jazz/Pop Vocals, Jazz/Pop Guitar and Guitar, as well as Jazz/Pop Piano and Piano, are all possible combinations.
In the two main artistic subjects, students receive individual instruction from experienced teachers and develop their musical skills in a targeted manner.
In instrumental pedagogy courses, you will learn how to successfully play, learn, and practice your instrument. The program is supplemented by music theory and musicology content, as well as initial practical teaching experience, to ensure you are optimally prepared for the daily routine of teaching.
Applicants for the teaching subject music should ...
- enjoy making music
- want to develop musically and be diligent in practising
- enjoy musical work with children and young people
- be enthusiastic in their involvement with music
- meet the requirements for admission
The teacher training programme is organised within a development network (Verbund LehrerInnenbildung West). 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:
- Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule – Edith Stein
- Pädagogische Hochschule Tirol
- Pädagogische Hochschule Vorarlberg
- Universität Innsbruck
- Universität Mozarteum, Standort Innsbruck
- Individual and small group lessons
- First-class facilities in seminar and practice rooms
- Numerous performance opportunities
- Modern infrastructure
- Great community
- Personal atmosphere
- Central location in Innsbruck in the House of Music (Haus der Musik)
The aim of the Bachelor's degree programme is to prepare students for a career in secondary school teaching. A full teaching qualification can be obtained by consecutive enrolment in the corresponding Master's programme. However, the Bachelor's programme alone also opens up further professional fields, such as extracurricular youth education, adult education, cultural and media work, etc.
The study programme should also contribute to students' personality development and the development of social competences. After completing the BA teaching degree in the subject Music, students should:
- experience and recognise music as a sound phenomenon subject to certain laws and as a medium of expression anchored in a historical and socio-cultural context
- have at their disposal a variety of artistic means of expression (instrumental, vocal, using movement)
- possess knowledge and skills in the fields of music education, musicology, music theory and musical practice and be able to make connections between the different sub-disciplines
- be able to work on academic questions concerning music education and music-related disciplines within the framework of scholarly work under appropriate guidance using the corresponding research methods
- be able to present music in its wide range of applications, at least in outline (as a soloist and in an ensemble), and to make it usable for teaching purposes
- be able to guide others to express themselves musically.
The breadth of the curriculum should enable future teachers to make music accessible to a wide ranger of learners in both production and reception.
The degree programme 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 Western Region
- Passing of an entrance examination to determine artistic and pedagogical competence
The choice of artistic specialisations (KHFs) must be declared when registering for the entrance examination. A later change of the KHFs is not possible.
The general admission procedure and the entrance examination for instrumental music 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).
ATTENTION: Instrumental music can only be chosen in combination with music. The artistic entrance examination must be taken for both subjects, but the general admission procedure only needs to be taken once.
The General Admissions Procedure for all teaching degress (regardless of subject) consists of several steps:
- Registration and pre-registration (usually early March to mid-August).
- 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!
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 take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.
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.
- 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 on-site (the invitation will be sent via Muvac)
- In Muvac: Confirmation or rejection of participation in the entrance examination, if applicable, specification of the examination programme for the KPF examination(s)
- Participation in the entrance examination on-site
- 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
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form with photo
- Letter of motivation (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@uibk.ac.at.
Partial examinations must be completed in the following areas:
1. Artistic Major (1. KHF)
2. Artistic Major (2. KHF)
The examination requirements are outlined in the guidelines. Due to the new curriculum, a new set of guidelines will be published, likely in early 2026. The specific examination requirements will then be announced on this page as soon as possible.
A mock entrance exam will be offered on March 24, 2026. The registration form must be submitted by March 6, 2026.
Important: The partial examinations will take place within one week. Attendance is required for the entire examination period.
Application period for the artistic entrance examination: February 1, 2026 – March 28, 2026
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:
