Prospective students

The discipline of musicology examines music in all its theoretical and practical forms and contexts. At the Department of Musicology at Heidelberg University, teaching and research focus on the history of music from antiquity to the present day. A tradition of researching early music history dates back to the department’s founding years. Furthermore, popular music of the 20th and 21st centuries forms an important area of focus.

At Heidelberg University, musicology can be studied as an undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts, B.A.) or as a consecutive master’s degree (Master of Arts, M.A.); musicology modules are also included in the interdisciplinary Master’s programme in ‘Popular Cultures’. Admission to the programme is possible in both the summer and winter semesters.

In the B.A. Musicology programme, Musicology must be combined either with a minor (25%) or a second major (50%). In addition, Musicology can also be studied as a B.A. minor. The linked subject overview lists the BA subjects offered by Heidelberg University as minor subjects or second majors. Entry requirements for the BA in Musicology, for both the major (75%) and second major (50%), include, in addition to the general university entrance qualification, proficiency in English and Latin, as well as proficiency in a further modern foreign language. For the minor subject (25%), knowledge of English and another modern foreign language is required. Any language requirements not met at the start of the programme may be submitted at a later date, up until the registration of the Bachelor’s thesis. Applications are made via the heiCO online portal. During the application process, you will be informed of all the documents and information required.

The MA Musicology programme offers two specialisations, one of which must be chosen at the time of application: 1) Historical Musicology, 2) Popular Music Studies.

The Musicology programme with a specialisation in Historical Musicology focuses on the history and aesthetics of music within its historical and contemporary contexts. The programme is research-oriented. In addition to key research fields, their research questions and methods, students are particularly familiarised with music historiography, transcultural issues and the interdisciplinary contextualisation of music. The Musicology programme with the Popular Music Research specialisation imparts knowledge of contemporary and historical forms of popular music. The programme is research-oriented. Particular emphasis is placed on the history and aesthetics of popular music, its technological, media-related and economic conditions of production, and its significance as a socio-cultural practice.

In addition to one of the two specialisations, a minor subject must be chosen, accounting for 25 per cent of the programme. A list of possible minor subjects can be found in the linked document. The entry requirements for the MA in Musicology are set out in the admission regulations (see link). Applications are made via the heiCO online portal. During the application process, you will be informed of all the documents and information required. 

The four-semester consecutive Master’s programme in ‘Popular Cultures’ is aimed at Bachelor’s graduates who have already acquired a basic knowledge of a subject within literary studies, art history, musicology or cultural studies and wish to deepen their understanding of popular cultures. The programme offers a research-oriented course of study, is affiliated with the Faculty of Modern Languages and Literature, and, through collaboration between several disciplines and institutions, not only provides the opportunity for interdisciplinary and intermedia engagement with mass media phenomena, but also offers a stronger practical and career focus.

The programme can be studied as a major or a minor. Further information on the programme and the entry requirements can be found in the linked documents.