Music theory

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.

The curriculum provides an overview of the courses offered. In addition to the lessons in the principal study, (free) electives can be taken. These are listed in the curriculum under “no semester recommended”.

Link to the curriculum

A course fee and the ÖH contribution (Students' Union fees) must be paid per semester for participation in the course.

Information on the current fees can be found HERE.

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.

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.

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 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.

• Online registration during the application period via the application portal Muvac (Please note: Registration is only possible if all required information and documents have been submitted!)
• Once the online application has been processed: invitation to on-site audition. The invitation will be sent via Muvac.
• The invitation to audition on-site must be accepted or rejected in Muvac; information on the audition programme in the principal study must be provided if required by the instrument/degree programme in question
• participation in the on-site audition
• Upon passing the audition and being offered a place: invitation to enrol in the degree programme
• Enrolment (in person) during the general admission period

The repetition of composite parts of the audition in case of failure is not permitted; the audition can only be repeated in its entirety and only in the next academic year. The audition can be repeated an unlimited number of times.

The exam consists of two parts:

Portfolio:

• Candidates must demonstrate their creative abilities by submitting a portfolio.
• The portfolio must be uploaded in the application form. 
• It must contain 8 works that give a full and rounded impression of the candidate, their abilities and personal style (stylistic works, analyses, original compositions, teaching concepts for one lesson each of composition / aural training / analysis, independent essays / academic articles / publications including a bibliography in German or English, also in electronic form). The composite items of the portfolio must be merged into a single PDF document.
• Candidates will select a work from the portfolio to be presented and discussed.
• Presentation of an academic article or a teaching concept or a stylistic work (sound example and explanation) from the portfolio.

Interview:

• If necessary, an interview with the examination panel will take place covering topics such as motivation, background, previous studies, expectations or career perspectives.

Oral exam to determine artistic aptitude: 15.5.-16.5.2025

overview of all current entrance exam dates

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.