Cologne University of Music

In 1927, as one of the first academic institutions for music in Germany, the University was honored with the title of “Hochschule” (institution of higher education). This distinction followed the decision to abandon traditional academic programs, which focused solely on soloist performance offered at conservatories, to instead embrace a more global goal by introducing the “music education” program: artistically and pedagogically educating musicians to be as multifaceted as possible.

Even today, this aim of versatility remains the foundation for the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln’s forward-looking image. The University is committed to providing students from around the world with a comprehensive education and a high level of professional skills. In order to do so, we create modern degree programs that are both interdisciplinary and aimed at the future. Along with our partner institutions throughout the world and our affiliate in Italy (Europäische Akademie für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Montepulciano) we also guarantee a high degree of internationality, which will also be fostered by our partnerships with other higher education institutions for performing arts in North Rhine-Westphalia in the form of a jointly designed academic institution in Montepulciano.

The University’s three campuses help distinguish the University in a special way. The Aachen campus substantially contributes to the Opera/Musical Theatre master’s program by collaborating with the Theater Aachen and the recently established musical theatre chair through the Rheinische Opernakademie.

The Wuppertal campus is planning a broad expansion of its specializations in the music education programs, noteworthy for their extensive networks of partners in the field of music education and for its many fields of specializations, e.g., the only mandolin chair in Europe.

Of the three campuses, the Cologne campus boasts the most comprehensive and extensive course offerings in the arts, education, and academics.