Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to footer
Logo of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Degree Programmes
Continuing Education
Research and Services
International
About FHNW
DeEn
Locations and ContactFHNW LibraryMedia Relations

      Logo of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
      • Degree Programmes
      • Continuing Education
      • Research and Services
      • International
      • About FHNW
      DeEn
      Locations and ContactFHNW LibraryMedia Relations

      Apply
      BA Music Theory Major

      Studying Music at B...
      Studying at Basel Aca...
      Bachelor of...
      Music The...

      Music Theory Major

      Training the professional music theorists of tomorrow

      Key data

      Degree
      Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Musik, Studienrichtung Musiktheorie
      Studying type
      Full time
      ECTS points
      180
      Study start
      Beginning of September
      Duration
      6 semesters
      Teaching language
      German, B1 level required
      Place
      Campus Musik-Akademie Basel
      Stay abroad
      Possible, not curricular
      Application fee
      200 CHF
      Semester fee
      750 CHF (CH) | 1000 CHF (EU/EFTA) | 1250 CHF (Not-EU/Not-EFTA) More Fees

      You may apply between 15th December and 15th February.

      Go to information eventsApply now

      Mobile navi goes here!

      The core aim of the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Theory major is to provide students with broad-based skills in music theory, a comprehensive knowledge of the literature and repertoire, the capacity to engage reflectively with different compositional techniques and musical styles, and above all the ability to present artistic content in a practical, musical form and to competently express this in words.
      The Music Theory major students can choose to specialise in one of two fields:

      Contemporary music/composition is offered in conjunction with the Musicology Department of Basel University. Although the main focus is on 20th and 21st century music, the course also explores the historical and compositional fundamentals of earlier centuries.
      Early music/ historical techniques of composition is offered in conjunction with the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and the Musicology Department of Basel University. The course allows for a more in-depth engagement with the theory of early music. Students will take classes on one of the two courses of their major at the Schola Cantorum, as well as a number of additional courses, such as notation and partimento playing.

      Overview

      Learning outcomes

      The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Theory major lays the educational foundations for a career as a professional music theorist.
      In addition to solid general music education knowledge and skills, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, as well as write and speak competently about the practice of music in general. They will also acquire a range of other skills that will qualify them to pursue a career in music. A FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music constitutes a pathway to postgraduate study, e.g. a Master’s degree programme

      Target audience

      The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Composition major is a degree programme aimed at students who wish to pursue a career as a professional music theorist.

      Career prospects

      The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Theory major is not a professional qualification. Students must follow up their undergraduate studies with a Master’s degree programme in Music Pedagogy with a Music Theory major or another programme that leads to the necessary professional qualification.

      Structure / Module descriptions

      Structures

      Major: Contemporary music / Composition
      Structure BA Klassik Music Theory Major: Contemporary music/Composition in German

      Major: Early Music / Movement Theory
      Structure BA Klassik Music Theory Major: Early Music/Movement Theory in German

      Module descriptions

      Below please find the link with all the information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities.

      • At the top right, switch the language settings to English.
      • At the bottom right, filter by semester, Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW, the desired degree programme or other criteria to display the relevant module information.
      • Use the PDF button at the top left to call up a document from each overview and save it for yourself.
      • Course registrations are made via the intranet.
      Partners

      Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (early music/historical techniques of composition stream)

      Admission / Entrance exam

      Admission criteria
      In order to enter the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music programme with a Music theory major, specialized in contemporary music/composition, applicants must hold a school-leaving qualification (Baccalaureate, Professional Baccalaureate or equivalent) as well as they have to have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places).
      Applicants who have submitted all the necessary registration documents in time will be invited to the written exam by mail and the video meeting. For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Music.

      Language skills
      We expect students to have very good German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present a B1 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies. This certificate must be complete, i.e. all modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking) have been tested separately and passed at least at level B1 overall. Only certificates that have been certified with the ALTE-Q-Mark seal of approval (e.g. the B1 certificate of the Goethe-Institut or the telc certificate) are accepted.

      Entrance exam
      The entrance exam is split in several parts.

      Procedure
      Written exam by mail (duration approx. 2.5 hours)

      • Dictation (fill-in-the-blanks) with linear and harmonical elements. Harmonizing a folklore piece (free piano movement) or a choral melody (four-part movement).
      • Pursuing the counterpoint of a two-part movement or development of a sequence of notes into a thematic shape.
      • Harmonical and formal analysis of a work written between 1700-1900.

      Oral exam by video call (duration approx. 45 minutes)

      • Quick oral presentation (ca. 5-6 minutes) of an example of the submitted works or exercise in style.
      • Colloquium about applied techniques, pitches, rhythms, timbres, etc. after listening to short movement from the 20th/21st century (spezialised in contemporary music/composition) or before 1700 (spezialised on Early music/ historical techniques of composition).
      • Sight singing and spontaneously developing a major/minor melody, sight singing of an atonal melody and producing a rhythm after sight reading.
      • Choice of either playing a chorale in treble and bass clef or a simple basso continuo from the sheet.
      • Conversation with the jury.

      Dates
      The entrance exam by mail and the zoom meeting will take place at the end of April. The exact dates may be seen here.

      Registration
      You may apply between 15th December and 15th February.
      Along with the registration, it is mandatory to submit the following documents:

      • A curriculum Vitae, a motivational letter/a short biography, the school leaving qualification.
      • Portfolio: At least three compositions (may be submitted optionally as MP3 a/o video in addition to the PDF)

        • A written analysis (pattern and extent of choice)
        • Optional: further exercises in stylistic composition, concepts, digital music programmes, projects, essays, documentation, music-theoretical/scientific research papers, etc.
      • A recording of a two short, chosen works of the upper intermediate level which you play on the piano or another instrument 

      Upload your video onto YouTube and insert the link in the registration tool or send it by mail to registration.hsm@fhnw.ch by 15th February.

      Announcement of the results
      The results will be communicated by mail in May.

      Projects / Ensembles

      At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes.
      To the overview of the recurring offers.

      Links / Downloads

      Quicklinks

      • Welcome: A brief overview
      • Studying in Switzerland
      • Tuition fees & Financing
      • Scholarship
      • Module descriptions

      Files and Regulations

      • Dates Entrance Exam on Site
      • List of works for Entrance Exam
      • Study Regulations
      • Semester dates

      You may apply between 15th December and 15th February.

      Teaching staff

      Our internationally renowned teaching staff

      to teaching staff

      Postgraduate programmes

      Loading
      Basel Academy of Music

      Basel Academy of Music

      An international institute of higher education and research

      No social media links available.

      Degree Programmes

      majors BA Institut Klassik
      null null
      Student Administration Academy of Music, Klassik
      Telephone

      +41 61 264 57 32 (undefined)

      E-mail

      klassik.hsm@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Leonhardsstrasse 6 4009 Basel

      Room

      6-001

      Availability

      Monday - Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 h 14.00 - 16.00 h Friday 10.00 - 12.00 h

      Uli Fussenegger

      Prof. Uli Fussenegger

      Head and Coordination Contemporary Music

      Telephone

      +41 61 264 56 19

      E-mail

      uli.fussenegger@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Hochschule für Musik Basel Leonhardsstrasse 6 4009 Basel

      Roman Digion

      Prof. Roman Digion

      Head of BA in Music of Institut Klassik

      Telephone

      +41 61 264 57 57

      E-mail

      roman.digion@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Leonhardsstrasse 6, 4009 Basel

      hsm_ba_klassikhsm_musiktheoriehsm_researchhsm_kreation.komposition,improvisation_en

      Wo findet das Studium statt?

      Musik-Akademie Basel

      Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
      Musik-Akademie Basel

      Leonhardstrasse 6

      4009 Basel

      Phone+41 61 264 57 57

      E-Mailhsm@fhnw.ch

      More information about the location

      What we offer

      • Degree Programmes
      • Continuing Education
      • Research and Services

      About FHNW

      • Schools
      • Organisation
      • Management
      • Facts and Figures

      Information

      • Data Protection
      • Accessibility
      • Imprint

      Support & Intranet

      • IT Support
      • Login Inside-FHNW

      Member of: