BA Music | Jazz Instrument/Voice or Composition

Basel Academy of Music

Find your own voice! The Bachelor Jazz gives you room to develop your personal musical expression while building a solid foundation in instrumental and theoretical skills. Our outstanding faculty guide you as artistic mentors. As part of an inspiring international community, you explore a wide range of musical approaches. Excellent facilities and Basel’s vibrant music scene provide an ideal environment for you to grow as an artist and expand your professional network.

Factsheet

Degree: Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Musik, Studienrichtung Jazz Instrumental/Vokal oder Komposition
Study mode: Full-time
Learning mode: Onsite
ECTS credits: 180
Next start: 14.9.2026
Duration: 6 semesters
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

Practice-oriented curriculum: private lessons, ensembles, composition and theory, complemented by contextual reflection, music production, and industry knowledge
Individual coaching from experienced, renowned faculty
Regular inspiring masterclasses, projects, and collaborations
Wide range of electives across all institutes of the Hochschule für Musik Basel

Why study this?

The Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Music Jazz marks the first stage of higher education in music, aiming to develop versatile musicians who can apply their skills independently. Students acquire solid instrumental, vocal, or compositional skills, strong theoretical knowledge, and practical experience across a wide stylistic repertoire. At the same time, the program nurtures each student’s artistic expression, encouraging them to realize their own projects and collaborate creatively with others. Students also develop skills in communication and artistic reflection, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the professional field of music.

The Bachelor’s degree prepares you for further specialization and professional qualification in a consecutive Master’s program.

The program is designed for talented and dedicated musicians who want to turn their passion into a profession and prepare for careers in today’s diverse music world.

What is so special about studying jazz? What do you like about Jazzcampus Basel?

Neža Ožinger provides some insight

“I used to think, How could jazz musicians pick notes out of thin air? I had no idea of the knowledge it took. It was like magic to me at the time.” Calvin Hill in Paul F. Berliner’s outstanding book Thinking In Jazz – The Infinite Art of Improvisation

A stimulating environment that provided me with the space to develop as an artist.

Lorraine Dinkel, alumna

Structure and programme contents

The Bachelor programme focuses on the practical foundations on which the holistic development of an artistic personality is built. Central elements include the development of solid instrumental or vocal technique, a broad repertoire and a refined jazz language.

From the very beginning, strong emphasis is placed on the development of students’ own compositional work, alongside fundamental musical subjects such as theory, ear training and rhythm. These are complemented by a broad range of carefully coordinated core and elective courses. The programme supports students in developing their own musical voice and in contributing professionally to a wide variety of musical contexts.

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

Institut Jazz

More details

Requirements, admission, entrance exam

Applicants must be awarded a baccalaureate, specialised baccalaureate or an equivalent general education qualification (in exceptional cases, outstanding artistic talent may also qualify), have passed the entrance exam and have been offered a study place (limited number).
For full admission criteria, please consult the Study Course Regulations of the Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Music, Jazz Instrumental/Vocal or Composition (in German).

A good basic knowledge of English is required at the start of the programme. This will be assessed during the admissions process.

General Registration Procedure All about Studying in Basel