SRH University

World Music Focus: trans-traditional creative musicking
Master of Arts | Berlin Institute of Musical Arts

The Master's programme in World Music deepens trans-traditional and interdisciplinary artistic practice and research and is aimed at individuals working in music and sound art who wish to further develop their projects in a global, collaborative and professional context.

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All Facts at a Glance
Degree:
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Start:
1st April and 1st October
Model:
full-time
Language:
English
ECTS:
120
Info:
in accreditation , without NC
Duration:
4 semesters
Location:
Berlin
Costs:
from 850 € per month -  Show costs split

Course content Master's programme in World Music

Artistic practice, research & projects

Our four-semester Master's programme builds on the Bachelor's programme in World Music and serves to deepen and focus on selected aspects. In addition to graduates of the Bachelor's programme, the Master's programme is also aimed at practising artists in the field of sound and music with other degrees or equivalent artistic research experience. Students can also be admitted as artistic collectives (each member studies independently). In such cases, admission is regulated by an individually tailored admission procedure.

The aim of the Master's programme is to provide artistically autonomous music and sound creators with in-depth training in trans-traditional and interdisciplinary artistic work and research. Students are empowered to collaborate creatively and performatively in their projects with a fundamentally global orientation and a broad spectrum of different cultures, musical forms and disciplines, to conduct artistic research and to successfully realise these projects.

Our range of courses in the field of music is very diverse. Let yourself be inspired.

Collaborative work and peer-to-peer learning form the core of this master's programme. At the same time, students have the opportunity to hone their profile and focus on one of four areas of specialisation:

  • Creative artistic work
  • Performative artistic work
  • Artistic research
  • Management and mediation of trans-traditional sound and music projects

In addition to artistic seminars and theoretical and practical modules in the respective area of specialisation, the programme focuses on independent artistic work, which is critically and supportively supervised by experienced lecturers. The close integration of course content with the students' artistic and professional projects and research interests is expressly encouraged and creates space for sustainable, practical and innovative work.

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Career prospects, World Music (M.A.)

Career prospects for professional musicians

Artistic career

Graduates of the Master's programme in World Music have a wide range of artistic career opportunities. These include positions as orchestra musicians or ensemble members, soloists or chamber musicians, theatre and session musicians, or touring artists. In addition to pure performance practice, there are also opportunities in the fields of media and music technology as well as sound design, including careers in music production. In Berlin, artists have access to various financial support options, e.g. government grants, cultural foundations and EU funding programmes.

Education and teaching

Graduates can pursue careers in various educational and academic fields. Possible career fields include working as a music teacher or instrumental instructor, or as a university lecturer in musicology or ethnomusicology. There are also numerous research positions at various institutes. In Germany, there is a continuous demand for music teachers, as both public and private music schools advertise various teaching positions throughout the year. 

Cultural management

Graduates can also work in cultural management, for example as cultural managers, event organisers, music festival directors or music agents. There are also opportunities as event managers, who are responsible for planning and executing various artistic events. The field offers seasonal performance opportunities and extremely flexible career paths, including positions as coordinators for music or art festivals. Alternatively, graduates can work as artist agents, organising and managing performances for musicians and ensembles.

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  • Detailed information about your studies
  • Event invitations and individual consultation

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Your modules

In the Master's programme in World Music, you will further develop your artistic profile in a trans-traditional and globally oriented study environment. The programme combines artistic practice, collaborative work and artistic research, offering you plenty of scope for individual specialisation.

In the ensemble modules, you will work on joint projects and performative formats throughout all four semesters. The Sound Labs open up experimental approaches to sound, technology and interdisciplinary working methods. The Artistic Major forms the core of the programme and continuously accompanies your independent artistic work.

Elective subjects allow you to structure your studies flexibly and deepen additional skills in a targeted manner. The Music Management module imparts practical knowledge on the organisation, communication and implementation of music and sound projects. Your degree is completed with an artistic portfolio and a Master's thesis or Master's project that brings together your artistic development.

We would be happy to send you further information material with the complete curriculum.

Study plan, Master's programme World Music (M. A.)

Your curriculum

4 Semester 120 ECTS
1. Semester
  • Ensembles I

    6
  • Sound Lab

    6
  • Elective I

    6
  • Artistic Major I

    12
2. Semester
  • Ensembles II

    6
  • Sound Lab II

    6
  • Elective II

    6
  • Artistic Major II

    12
3. Semester
  • Ensembles III

    6
  • Music Management

    6
  • Elective III

    6
  • Artistic Major III

    12
4. Semester
  • Ensembles IV

    6
  • Artistic Portfolio

    6
  • Master Thesis / Project

    12
  • Artistic Major IV

    6
Your creative learning environment
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Your creative learning environment

Berlin Institute of Musical Arts

You will study at the Berlin Institute of Musical Arts (BIMA), part of the SRH University Campus Berlin, right in the heart of the creative centre of Kreuzberg. You can expect excellently equipped classrooms and inspiring creative labs that create a lively and innovative learning atmosphere. The campus is located in a creative neighbourhood of music studios, design agencies and art projects. Thanks to its proximity to trendy cafés, galleries and cultural centres, the location offers you ideal conditions to realise your personal and professional goals.

You can find us here:

Prinzenstraße 84.1 
10969 Berlin

Costs

Smart financing

As a state-recognised, private university, SRH University is financed by tuition fees. This income goes towards equipping our campuses, providing services for our students and quality assurance. In this way, we ensure that you receive the best possible education under optimal study conditions. Especially individual instruction with renowned lecturers: https://www.thebima.de/alle-dozenten

During your degree programme, you will receive individual one-to-one support to take your skills to an ever higher level. Your studies with us will cost you:

Tuition fees

  • Citizenship | EU/EEA (incl. Switzerland, Western Balkans, Turkey and Ukraine): €850 / month
  • Citizenship | non-EU/EEA: €9.250 / semester*

The monthly fee remains the same for the entire duration of your studies. With the exception of any placement, aptitude or equivalent examinations, no separate examination fees or similar are charged, not even for repeat examinations. This gives you maximum cost transparency during your studies.

*We offer an incentive for international talents: a reduction of 10%, 20%, or 30% of the total tuition fees. This incentive is available immediately after passing the entrance examination, subject to demonstrated talent, and can be renewed each year through participation in a scholarship concert. Example: With the 30% scholarship, the fee would be €1,050 per month (€12,600 per year).

In addition to efficient organisation, a goal-oriented course of study also requires a solid financial basis in order to be able to pay rent, living costs and tuition fees. There are various financing options, such as educational loans or scholarship programmes.

We have summarised all the financing options for you.

Admission requirements and application

Authorisation

You can apply at any time without obligation via our online portal. We will then check your application documents and invite you to the selection process.

To apply for the Master's degree programme in World Music (trans-traditional creative musicking) , you will need

  • University or university of applied sciences degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 180 ECTS credits; a degree in music is not mandatory).
  • English language certificate*
  • Curriculum vitae with current passport photo
  • Copy of ID (front and back), copy of National Identity Card for foreign students
  • Entrance examination*

If you come from abroad, you can be admitted,

  • if you can provide us with a university entrance qualification in the form of certificates from your previous education
  • if you have also successfully completed our selection procedure*.
Access requirements in detail
Application process and selection procedure

We look forward to welcoming you to SRH University. This is what our application process looks like:

  1. You apply online via the SRH application portal
  2. If you fulfil the admission requirements, we will invite you to a selection process
  3. If the selection process is successful, you will receive an acceptance letter and a study contract from us
  4. You sign the study contract and send it back to us
  5. You pay the enrolment fee
  6. We will send you your letter of admission
  7. You take part in our induction week and then you're ready to go!
Apply now
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