Music Studies, B.A.

The Bachelor's degree program in Musicology, which was established in the winter semester of 2013/14, is based on the basic idea of combining research and teaching. After two basic introductory modules, which primarily include preparatory courses (musicological work, harmony, analysis), the second and third years of study focus on content that is aligned with the teachers' research focuses and interests: music history in a European and global context, cultural sociology and ethnographic perspectives, questions of musical interpretation and 'performance', contemporary music and sound art, edition philology, intermedia aspects and popular music. The study regulations thus follow the ideal of integrating various disciplines: The “core modules” 3 to 6 are tailored to subject areas that are relevant to both historical musicology and ethnomusicology. This gives students the opportunity to set individual accents in their subject area at an early stage. The flexibility of the study plan is intended to promote the students' independence and in this way enable a BA degree program whose structures preserve the ideal of academic self-responsibility and keep the level of schooling as low as possible. In the course of this, intensive advice during the course of studies from the institute's teachers is particularly important.

Studying musicology does not train students specifically for a specific profession, but rather imparts a wide range of skills that are used in various professional areas. In general, musicologists work wherever music needs to be explained and contextualized appropriately: as dramaturgs in opera houses, as editors on radio, television and in the print media, as concert critics, in the organization of music festivals or in the press departments of the concert halls. In addition, musicologists in publishing houses and independent research institutes develop text-critical editions with reliable musical text for musical practice and musicological research. However, the skills acquired during the course can also be used in broader professional contexts - musicologists can be found in areas as diverse as the music industry, marketing or public relations. Last but not least, musicologists can of course also pursue an academic career. In this case, the prerequisite is a doctorate. phil.