MA Composition/Music Theory | Audio Design

Basel Academy of Music

HSM_Klassik_MA_Audiodesign_Fluidics_Timothy_Shatny_2025.jpg

Creative music technology and electronics in the unique environment of sonic space basel and Elektronisches Studio Basel. National and international collaborations in the context of more than 50 public performances each year guarantee innovation, artistic excellence and a high level of networking opportunities based on a modular, diverse and collaborative working structure.

What is the sound of new compositions? What is possible? The video shows extracts of the performance-recital of Tim Shatnyy, a graduate of this study programme, at Gare du Nord. – Tim Shatnyy (*2002): Fluidics (2025)

Factsheet

Degree: Master of Arts FHNW in Komposition/Musiktheorie, Studienrichtung Audiodesign
Study mode: Full-time
Learning mode: Onsite
ECTS credits: 120
Duration: 4 semesters
Teaching language: Teaching language German, B1 level required
Stay abroad: Possible
Application fee: 200 CHF
Semester fee: 750 CHF (CH) | 1000 CHF (EU/EFTA) | 1250 CHF (Not-EU/Not-EFTA)

At a glance

Students can choose from three focus areas
Composition and interpretation of electroacoustic music
Recording/production
Audio design and software development

Why study this?

Our programme offers comprehensive guidance with electronic music projects, supporting students from idea to completion with excellent production opportunities at the Electronic Studio Basel. Through a variety of tailor-made modules, we foster an environment that encourages individual expression and actively promotes innovation and authenticity in every project.
We further advance students’ development by preparing them for real-world scenarios in the arts and music industry, through direct interactions with field experts and possibilities of showing their work on and off the campus.
By enabling collaboration within the sonic space surrounding (Performance, Composition, Open Creation, Research), we aim to inspire collaborative and interdisciplinary creation and provide students with a possibility to broaden their perspective.

Holders of a FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory with an Audio Design Major should be able to carry out the following activities to the highest professional standard:

compose, produce, perform electronic music;
perform electronic music, in particular deliver live performances of electronic music in the context of concerts, installations etc.;
compose and design film/video audio tracks (incl. music, sound effects, speech);
devise, design and develop sound installations, electronic game interfaces and interactive environments;
record and produce any genre of music in a professional recording studio;
devise and develop music software to generate, transform and analyse sound.

Future fields of work are wide-ranging and include the independent arts scene, theatre (drama, dance theatre, physical theatre), radio, TV and new media (layout/advertising), hard- and software development, teaching and further education.

The FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory with an Audio Design Major is aimed at holders of a Bachelor degree in sound design, electronic music, composition or equivalent qualification.

What is the content of the Master in Audiodesign? What does studying at ESB mean?

Studying Audio Design at Electronic Studio Basel: Jaka Arh (Alumnus)

Structure and programme contents

The FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory with an Audio Design Major offers students the possibility to specialise in one of three fields:

electro-acoustic composition/ live performance / sound and media installation / performance of electroacoustic music
recording/production
audio design & software development

Specials

Eduard Brunner Composition Aware:
Every year, one of our students is awarded a composition prize worth CHF 5,000 as part of an internal sonic space basel competition.
Annual artistic collaboration with a college/university outside Switzerland

Modules and Regulations

The BA and MA degree programmes at the Basel Academy of Music are based on modules.

The legally binding structure provides an initial guide to the content and weighting of the subjects on the degree programme.
The detailed content and modalities of the individual subjects can be found in the module descriptions.
The study regulations come into force together with the study and examination regulations of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW and form the legal framework.

Structure

Module descriptions

Study Regulations

Lecturers

Requirements, admission, entrance exam

In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory programme with an Audio Design Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Audio Design or equivalent as well as they must 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 online entrance exam by mail and online meeting.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Study regulation of the Master of Arts FHNW in Composition/Music Theory.

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. The required certificate B1 must be submitted with the confirmation of admission but not later than 31 Mai.
Exceptions will be decided upon by the head of degree programme.

General Registration Procedure All about Studying in Basel

Entrance exam

The entrance exam is individual for each study programme direction.

Dates

Procedure

Organisational matters

Hands-on Electronic Studio Basel (ESB)

This study programme is geared as closely as possible to practice and dovetails with the production and research activities of the Electronic Studio. From a very early stage, students are involved in the activities of the Electronic Studio and are also required to initiate and carry out their own projects.

About the Electronic Studio

sonic space basel

Projects / Ensembles

Quicklinks

Files and Regulations

Advising and information events

Contact

Student Administration Academy of Music, Klassik

Contact for all administrative matters.

Phone: +41 61 264 57 32 (Direct)
E-Mail: klassik.hsm@fhnw.ch

Prof. Uli Fussenegger

Head and Coordination Contemporary Music

Phone: +41 61 264 56 19
E-Mail: uli.fussenegger@fhnw.ch

Information events

Registration

The next registration window is open from 15th December to 1st March.

MA Composition/Music Theory | Audio Design, Basel Academy of Music