Composition
Overview
In the two-semester postgraduate course in composition, aspiring composers have the opportunity to deepen the artistic knowledge and skills they have already acquired in their undergraduate and master's studies and to perfect their musical and interpretative abilities. Electives can be taken for further specialisation as desired.
General information
The course includes 1 academic hour per week of instruction in the principal study. In addition, electives and free electives can be taken. Performance opportunities at university concerts and events in Salzburg and further afield are part of the course.
The duration of the course is 2 semesters. With the approval of the principal study teacher and the Director of Studies, it is possible to extend the course by one or two semesters.
Successful completion of the course is based upon passing grades in classes relating to the principal study. A certificate of completion can be issued upon request.
The curriculum provides an overview of the courses offered. In addition to the lessons in the principal study, electives can be taken. These are listed in the curriculum under “no semester recommended”.
A course fee and the ÖH contribution (Students' Union fees) must be paid per semester for participation in the course.
Information on the current fees can be found HERE.
Admission to a postgraduate university course (PGL) requires the successful completion of a subject-related master's degree or diploma at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution in the respective principal study. Admission with a teaching degree, such as music education or instrumental & vocal pedagogy, is NOT possible.
A prerequisite for starting the course is also passing an entrance examination. Entrance examinations take place once a year. All information about the audition can be found under “Information on the Admissions Process” further down on the page.
Information on the admissions process
Admission to a postgraduate university course (PGL) requires the successful completion of a subject-related master's or diploma degree at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution in the respective principal study. Admission with a teaching degree, such as music education or instrumental & vocal pedagogy, is NOT possible.
A prerequisite for admission to this university course is also the successful completion of an audition. Registration for an audition is completed online and requires candidates to upload documents proving their eligibility for the course. An invitation to audition will only be issued after the necessary documents have been submitted in full and approved by the admissions office.
PLEASE NOTE: Document checks can take up to 6 weeks! Early registration is therefore recommended.
The following documents must be uploaded in the online application form:
- BA transcript and MA transcript or final transcript of an equivalent degree programme, if the degree programme has already been completed
- Current confirmation of enrolment if the degree programme has not yet been completed (the certificate must be submitted by the time of enrolment!)
- Overview of subjects and grades of the BA and MA degree programmes (Transcript of Records)
- Official confirmation of the principal study/instrument, if this is not evident from the other documents (e.g. "Bachelor of Music" is not sufficient!)
- Application portfolio (see Entrance Examination)
Form of the documents
- The documents and the portfolio can be uploaded as PDF files in the application form.
- If the documents mentioned are not available in German or English, an official translation must be submitted.
Please note: Students who pass the entrance examination and are offered a university place must ensure that their documents meet the certification requirements by the time of enrolment at the latest.
1. Create a basic account in MOZonline [Link]
2. in MOZonline: fill in the mandatory statistics UHstat1 (pre-registration for studies) and note the application number that you will receive by email afterwards
3. create an application account in Muvac [Link]
4. fill out your own profile in Muvac (in any case necessary: personal data, information on expertise matching the desired degree programme, in the CV: current employment and information on previous training)
During the application period:
5. selection of the desired degree programme or course in Muvac (Browse -> Studies)
6. Fill out the application form in Muvac ("Apply now") - in the form, the application number (see step 2) or the Austrian matriculation number must be entered in the appropriate place
- online registration during the application period via the application portal Muvac (Please note: Registration is only possible if all information and documents are complete!)
- after processing your online application: invitation to the entrance exam (portfolio examination & online interview, the invitation is sent via Muvac)
- in Muvac: acceptance or rejection of participation in exam
- participation in the entrance exam (completely online!)
- upon passing the audition and obtaining a place: invitation to enrolment to the course
- personal enrolment during the general admission period
The oral examination in the principal study Composition takes place via ZOOM. Candidates will present their own works created in the course of their preliminary studies (e.g. solo, chamber music, ensemble, orchestra, electroacoustic or media works in the form of sketches, scores, recordings, films, etc.) and discuss their content and aesthetics with the examination board. Candidates must include links to their works in the portfolio; the portfolio will be submitted as a single PDF file containing all works). If necessary, a discussion can take place on motivation, background, previous studies, expectations or professional perspectives.
The portfolio must be uploaded in the application form in Muvac. It needs to be one single PDF document.
Candidates are requested to ensure that they are available with a stable internet connection at the specified time of the online interview (probably mid-April); a PC/laptop with camera/microphone is also necessary.
Portfolio examination & online interview to determine artistic aptitude 9.4.-10.4.2025 (online via Zoom)
Please note that the Mozarteum University Salzburg offers various support options at the time of your audition and during your studies if you have a disability or a chronic illness.
If this applies to you and you would like to take advantage of counselling, please contact Claudia Haitzmann: claudia.haitzmann@moz.ac.at or +43 676 88122 337.
Any questions?
You can find more information about starting your studies here:
