• Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Model: full-time
• Language: English
• ECTS: 120 ECTS
• Info: accredited
• Duration: 4 semesters/2 years
• Location: Berlin

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Semester

• Ensembles I
• Sound Lab
• Elective I
• Artistic Major I

2. Semester

• Ensembles II
• Sound Lab II
• Elective II
• Artistic Major II

3. Semester

• Ensembles III
• Music Management
• Elective III
• Artistic Major III

4. Semester

• Ensembles IV
• Artistic Portfolio
• Master Thesis / Project
• Artistic Major IV

You will study at the Institute for Classical Music and World Music, part of the SRH University Campus Berlin, located right in the creative heart of Kreuzberg. You can expect modern music rooms, professional studios, and innovative creative labs that foster an inspiring learning atmosphere. The institute bridges the gap between classical music and trans-traditional styles, offering you an artistically and academically excellent education. In the immediate vicinity, you will find a vibrant network of music studios, galleries, cultural projects, and trendy cafés – the perfect environment to launch your musical career.

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*.

English language requirements:

Accepted English Proficiency Certificates (valid within 2 years), with at least the indicated score:

• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• TOEFL iBT: 87 points
• TOEIC Listening/Reading 785, Speaking 160, Writing 150
• Duolingo Certificate: 110 points
• Cambridge CAE or CPE (grade A, B, or C)
• Pearson English Test Academic (PTE-A): 59 points
• Linguaskill: 176 - 184 (CES) - all four skills required