A diverse and international community of lecturers and students awaits you at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. The bachelor’s degree programme is dedicated to a repertoire from the 16th to the end of the 19th century and its historical contexts. In the instrument/voice major, technical skills are honed and the practical and aesthetic principles of music are developed. The aim of the course is to achieve a high level of musical competence in solo and ensemble playing. The context of historical performance practice is explored through theory and complementary offerings.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Musik, Studienrichtung Alte Musik Renaissance-Romantik instrumental / vokal
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning mode
- Onsite
- ECTS credits
- 180
- Next start
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 6 semesters
- Teaching language
- level B1 in German is 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
- Basic work on playing techniques and performance practice of early music in solo and ensemble
- Knowledge of sources and notation as a basis for independent study of stylistic and aesthetic aspects of music
- Developing one’s own artistic personality and the ability to contextualise
Why study this?
As a rule, the Bachelor degree programme prepares students for continuing their education at graduate level (Master’s). However, the experience and skills acquired during this course of study are also transferable to other professions, such as music journalism, publishing, music management and instrument making.
This particular Bachelor degree programme does not have a teacher-training component. Students wishing to pursue a career as a music educator may apply for the special Master's degree programme in Music Pedagogy upon completion of the Bachelor's studies.
Career opportunities for Renaissance-Romantic music specialists include performance work in concert, festival, Early Music concert series and church settings. As expert ensemble musicians, holders of this BA are qualified to play with existing ensembles or establish their own ensemble. A number of graduates opt to pursue a career in academic research within their chosen field of specialisation, while others choose to share their experience and expertise in workshops and masterclasses.
This SCB Bachelor degree programme is aimed at highly talented instrumentalists and vocalists wishing to acquire an undergraduate qualification in the study and practice of music from the Early Modern, Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras. Students should be highly qualified and prepared to dedicate themselves to a course of study and training in historical performance practice that meets the highest artistic standards. Prerequisites are: talent, high level of ability (voice/instrument) as well as potential for further artistic development, experience in Early Music and an interest in the historical foundations underpinning its practice.
Structure and programme contents
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Music offered by the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB) allows students to specialise in one of two historical periods: medieval-Renaissance or Renaissance-Romantic. The structure of both study programmes is similar but the focus of their content differs. The Renaissance-Romantic programme centres on the study of music, instruments, performance practice and repertoires from the Baroque period and adjacent eras. Students acquire a high level of practical expertise as solo and ensemble performers, while theory-based and complementary subjects provide them with a thorough grounding in historical performance practice.
This degree programme focuses on the repertoire, instruments and performance practices of the 16th to 19th centuries. In addition to improving their mastery of period instruments and vocal techniques, students also benefit from a detailed study of repertoires and extensive exposure to historical improvisation practices. The programme also provides them with a sound understanding of the theory and history of music, which will in turn inform the development of their own musical practice. Thanks to its exceptionally talented teaching staff and students, the Baroque Department of the SCB offers an array of opportunities to gain ensemble-playing experience.
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
Module descriptions
Study Regulations
Lecturers
Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
Requirements, admission, entrance exam
We expect students to have 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.
More Admission Criteria
Entrance exam
The entrance exam is individual for each study programme direction.
Dates
Procedure
Organisational matters
Quicklinks
Files and Regulations
Advising and information events
Contact
Prof. Christian Hilz
- Phone
- +41 61 264 57 57 (Central office)
- christian.hilz@fhnw.ch
Information events
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Registration
The registration window is open from 15th December to 31th January.
BA Music | Early Music Renaissance – Romantic
- Date
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 6 Semester
- Place
- Provisorium Letzi & Campus Musik-Akademie Basel