MA Composition/Music Theory | Composition

Basel Academy of Music

HSM_Klassik_MA_Komposition_For_Now_Susanna Drescher_2025.jpg

Institut Klassik | Creative compositional work in the context of a variety of instrumental, vocal, performance, electronic and multimedia aesthetics and forms of expression. sonic space basel students from all conceivable facets of contemporary music practice offer the ideal environment for collaborative realisation of proprietary creations. National and international collaborations with the beacons of the new music scene in the context of more than 50 public performances each year guarantee innovation, artistic excellence and networking opportunities. The work culture is modular, diverse and collaborative.

Factsheet

Degree: Master of Arts FHNW in Komposition/ Musiktheorie, Studienrichtung Komposition
Study mode: Full-time
Learning mode: Onsite
ECTS credits: 120
Duration: 4 semesters
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

Highly modular curriculum, also in individual tuition
Interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative work in the environment of sonic space basel, strong focus on peer-to-peer learning
Aesthetically artistic openness generates undogmatic creativity

Why study this?

The Composition Major provides student composers with the tools to forge their own distinctive and independent creative personality. This advanced course of study that builds on the foundational knowledge and skills acquired in the BA in Composition.
The modules combine knowledge transfer, reflection and project development and draw on a wide range of appropriate teaching techniques. Through exposure and exploration of music composition aesthetics, students learn to develop their own ideas and opinions on the subject.
Within the sonic space basel platform, students explore a wide variety of formats and work with performers and electronic musicians from the Musik-Akademie Basel campus and beyond to develop their own approach to the creative and implementation process.

The educational goals of the MA Composition/Music Theory programme in composition are – in addition to expanding one's own catalogue of works – a pronounced ability to reflect on one's own actions and creative work, confident handling of collaborative working methods, as well as a sound knowledge of the professional field and confident communication skills in dealing with ensembles, orchestras, concert organisers, management offices and other players in the free market.

The FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory with a Composition Major produces graduates with the necessary qualifications to pursue a career as an independent professional Composer.

This study programme is aimed at holders of a Bachelor degree with a Composition Major or an equivalent qualification.

Michele Selvaggi (*2000): Quondam, Apparatus - for Amplified Ensemble, Transducers, and Tinguely Machine

What is the sound of new compositions? What is possible? The video shows a performance at Tinguely Museum Basel of Michele Selvaggi, a graduate of this study programme.

Structure and programme contents

The highly modularised curriculum gives composers plenty of scope for independent activity in projects both on and off campus, allowing them to tailor their studies to their individual needs. The open format of the sonic space basel teaching modules promotes interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative work.

Specials

As part of sonic space basel, an environment of top performers who are capable of professionally executing the most demanding compositions.
Eduard Brunner Composition Prize: Every year, one of our students is awarded a composition prize worth CHF 5,000 as part of an internal sonic space basel competition.

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 int he 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

Sound basic knowledge of composition, harmony, counterpoint, analysis, ear training and music history of honours’ degree standard.
Advanced level of piano proficiency or basic vocal proficiency/proficiency in a different instrument.
Ability to engage reflectively with music and to contextualise one’s own thought and ideas within a historico-cultural and societal framework.
Ability to perform an independent and complete analysis of musical works and present the findings in an appropriate manner.
Ability to write/adapt one’s own works for different formations.

In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory programme with a Composition Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Composition 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 regulations 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