MA Music Pedagogy | Music Theory

Basel Academy of Music

HSM_Klassik_MA_MP_Mth_Shooting_Pati Grabowicz_2025_1.jpg

Institut Klassik | Is your professional goal to teach Music Theory? In this master’s degree programme, you will develop your basic skills from the BA on an individual basis and bring them to professional maturity. This is achieved through a strong focus on teaching the main subject on the one hand, and through sound pedagogical training on the other. Graduates of this programme teach music theory in private lessons, at music schools and as a compulsory subject at music colleges.

Factsheet

Degree: Master of Arts FHNW in Musikpädagogik, Studienrichtung Musiktheorie
Study mode: Full-time
Learning mode: Onsite
ECTS credits: 120
Duration: 4 semesters
Teaching language: B1 level in German 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

Acquire a broad education in music theory.
Learn to pass on this knowledge in a musically practical and linguistically competent manner
Be qualified to teach music theory at music education institutions such as conservatories and music schools, or independently

Why study this?

The FHNW Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy with a Music Theory major consolidates the basic knowledge of music theory which the students had acquired at Bachelor level, and prepares for them for a career in their chosen field:

Students acquire a broad-based education in music theory and a comprehensive knowledge of the literature and repertoire;
They learn the capacity to engage reflectively with different compositional techniques and musical styles;
They will develop the ability to present artistic content in a practical, musical form and to competently express this verbally.

Students also acquire the requisite pedagogical-didactic skills and preparation for a career in their chosen field.

Graduates of this study programme are qualified to teach music theory on a private basis, in music schools and music academies.

This study programme is aimed at holders of a Bachelor degree with a Music Theory Major (or equivalent qualification).

Structure and programme contents

Intellectual ability and musicianship

The FHNW Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy with a Music Theory Major places considerable emphasis on the students’ reflective intellectual abilities (including research-related aspects), their musicianship (writing stylistic exercises and small-scale compositions, score playing and improvisation) and their capacity to talk about and write on the subject in a clear and competent manner. Students may also make use of external educational opportunities in the fields of music theory, music practice and musicology (at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the University of Basel or the Paul Sacher Stiftung) in order to acquire knowledge and ideas beyond the boundaries of their own subject that could be of benefit in their future career.

Modules and Reglements

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

Minors

Module descriptions

Study Regulations

Lecturers

Music Theory

More details

Institut Klassik

HSM_Klassik_Dozierende_Hände_auf_Klavier_mit_Orchester25_Susanna-Drescher.jpg

All teaching staff

Requirements, admission, entrance exam

Basic theoretical and practical knowledge of different musical and compositional techniques.
Solid thoroughbass abilities and knowledge of the basics of partimento-playing.
Applicants who do not have a BA in Music Theory from the HSM Basel must provide proof that they have achieved an above-average grade in ear training.
Familiarity with using/consulting scientific literature.
Advanced level of piano proficiency.
Ability to engage reflectively with music, to speak on the subject in a clear and well-informed way, and to contextualise these thoughts and ideas within the historico-cultural and societal framework.
Ability to perform an independent and complete analysis of musical works and present the findings in an appropriate manner.
Pedagogical aptitude

In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy programme with the Major Music Theory, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Music 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 and have passed the first round of the entrance exam will be invited to play a live audition.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Study regulations of the Master of Arts FHNW in Music Pedagogy.

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 at least 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