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+++ Registration for the entrance examination is now possible! Application deadline for performance programmes: February 28, 2025 - all further information on the course pages! +++
The fields of activity of future stage designers range from the design and building of sets in theatres, film, and television productions to management positions in artistic and technical departments in theatre and film. The conception and design of exhibitions and trade fairs and the furnishing of festivals and events are just as much a part of the extensive course of study as are the many opportunities for freelance work.
Department of Studies & Examinations
+43 676 88122 492
studienabteilung@moz.ac.at
Length of course
8 Semester / 280 ECTS-AP
Language
Deutsch
Application period
1st date: 1.2.2025-28.2.2025
2nd date: 1.4.2025-28.5.2025
Admission examinations
summer semester each year (2 dates)
to the dates
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The fields of activity of future stage designers range from the design and implementation of sets in theatres, film, and television productions to management positions in artistic and technical departments in theatre and film. Furthermore, the extensive training at the Mozarteum Salzburg offers the possibility of conceptualising and designing exhibitions and trade fairs as well as the furnishing of festivals and events.
Students of Stage Design will find many opportunities to apply their knowledge in all artistic fields as freelance artists.
The aim of the eight-semester stage design programme at the Mozarteum University is for students to develop their individual, independently reflected artistic position. The main subject Stage Design comprises the fields of stage design, costume design, film architecture and exhibition architecture.
Since stage design today moves freely between performing and visual arts, the fields of architecture, literature, fashion, music, design and photography, stage design students should deal with the various sub-fields of art, technology and new media in an interdisciplinary way in order to be able to move effortlessly between different areas of the arts.
Students learn:
The first two years of study provide intensive training in the basic knowledge of art, cultural and theatre history, drawing and technical skills; in the third and fourth year, students will specialise in stage, costume, film/television or exhibition planning, with a particular focus on technical areas of expertise. At the same time, students' own projects, internships at various theatres and international exchange programmes are encouraged during this period of study. The structure of the curriculum allows students to complete parts of their studies at internationally recognised foreign universities.
In particular, students learn:
Graduates in stage design should:
The basic prerequisite for the program is the ability and curiosity to deal analytically and creatively with content-related and formal approaches to theatre texts as well as various dramatic compositions. Small class sizes of maximum eight students per year allow for intensively supervised study.
The close cooperation with the departments of acting, directing and opera at the university enables students to test their own stage designs in practice during their studies. Our teachers and lecturers from the fields of stage design, directing, visual arts, film and photography guarantee practice-oriented teaching through their own artistic activities.
The respective semester assignments are set on an interdisciplinary basis and are also supervised in this way. The dialogue between students and teachers is conducted in a spirit of partnership.
The object of the entrance examination is to establish the student's talent and intensive interest in theatre, opera, art, fashion, literature, and in particular for the principal study of stage and costume design. Furthermore, the proof of basic knowledge in artistic painting and drawing techniques is required as well a strong sense of spacial awareness and the ability to depict this through drawing.
For applicants whose first language is not German, proof of German language skills must be provided.
Procedure of the entrance examination
The entrance examination consists of:
Part 1:
Part 2:
On the basis of the artistic portfolios submitted, the examination panel will make a preliminary selection of the candidates to be invited. Invitations to the entrance examination will be sent at short notice by e-mail.
Attendance is compulsory for all 3 days of the examination period (date 1 or date 2, depending on registration). The examination begins at 10.00 a.m. (or 9.00 a.m. if necessary) and ends at approx. 6.00 p.m. each day.
Candidates must bring their own drawing and painting utensils (paper/pencils/paints etc.) as well as materials for model making (scissors/cutter/cutting ruler/glue/cardboard etc.) to the entrance examination. The candidate's portfolio (which was submitted in advance) will be returned at the final interview, while the work produced during the examination will remain at the department for archiving.
Information on the individual partial examinations
Part 1: Portfolio
A compilation of the candidate's own artistic works (drawings, sketches, drafts, models and photos on the topics of spatial perception, architectural representation and free artistic topics) must be submitted to the examination board in the form of a portfolio. It can be submitted as a physical portfolio or as a PDF document.
No restrictive guidelines are set with regard to technique, format and number of works. Works that have been created in the context of various school lessons with given tasks may be included in the portfolio but should be kept to a minimum.
An advisory discussion of the portfolio in advance is possible at any time by personal appointment via the secretary's office and is highly recommended. Furthermore, at the end of the summer semester there is the opportunity to gain an insight into the study programme and the department through a studio tour. Information can be obtained from the secretary's office.
The application form and the portfolio can be submitted in person at the departmental secretary's office or at the porter's office of the Mozarteum University on the respective dates for portfolio submission. Alternatively, the portfolio can be sent by post to the following address:
Universität Mozarteum Salzburg
Bühnengestaltung/Department Szenografie
Schrannengasse 10a
5020 Salzburg
AUSTRIA
It is also possible to submit a digital portfolio. It can be uploaded as a single PDF document to the Muvac application portal. The maximum file size is 25 MB.
Part 2: Entrance Examination & Interview
An artistic examination taking place over 3 days serves as proof of artistic-creative talent and the ability to express oneself through drawing. The topic is selected by the examination senate. The examination tasks includes still life drawing, drafts and sketches for the tasks set by the examination board, and model construction. A discussion about the portfolio at the beginning of the examination and a final discussion about the work produced during the examination allows the candidate and the examiners to get to know each other.
Mastery of the German language is required according to §37(1) and Appendix 1 Z 2a UniStG and must be demonstrated at the beginning of the degree programme. Proof is provided by means of an oral examination, to take place as part of the entrance examination.
Two dates are offered for the entrance examination:
Date 1: Monday, 24.3.2025 to Wednesday, 26.3.2025
Application period including portfolio upload: 1.2.2025-28.2.2025
Date 2: Monday, 30.6.2025 to Wednesday, 2.7.2025
Application period including portfolio upload: 1.4.2025-28.5.2025
Participation is only possible on one date per year. It is not possible to attend the second date if the first date is not passed.
For both dates, the course will begin in the winter semester, in October 2025.
You can find more information about starting your studies here: