Jazz-Composition & Arrangement
Entrance exams for the start of studies in winter semester 2025/26
Application deadline: Wed, 12.03.2025
Mon, 31.03.2025, starting at 10.00
Room 4.09 (Bräunerstraße 5, 4th floor, 1010 Vienna)
ONLY for BA applicants: Theory exam
Mon, 31.03.2025, 09.00 - 10.00
Room K.10 (Bräunerstraße 5, 4th floor, 1010 Vienna)
ONLY for IGP applicants: Educational practical part of exam incl. colloquium
Wed, 30.04.2025
Clemens-Hellsberg-Saal (Johannesgasse 4a, 2.OG, 1010 Wien)
This entrance exam will take place on site in Vienna. Please make all organisational preparations (flight bookings, visa etc.) in time to participate.
Programme for the entrance exam
Bachelor's Programme
The entrance examination is completed as part of an overall board examination and is used to check the aptitude of the course applicant in terms of their knowledge of jazz theory, composition and improvisation talent, instrumental skills, musical ear.
The exam includes the following areas:
General and jazz specific knowledge of music theory:
• Written composition example (figured bass)
• Writing out of given chord symbols into notes and vice versa
• Composition example
• Submission of own composition examples with audio examples (including midi)
• Submission of own arrangements for various instrumentations with audio examples (including midi)
Aural test:
Written, rhythm dictation, evidence of a good, relative aural skills
Optional:
• Performance on an instrument with evidence of talent in jazz improvisation
Master's Programme
The condition for admission to the Master’s degree is a completed Bachelor’s degree in the relevant branch of study or an equivalent qualification from a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational facility, evidence of adequate German proficiency in non-native applicants, successfully passing the entrance examination and there being a place available on the course.
The entrance examination is completed as part of an overall board examination and is used to check the aptitude of the course applicant in terms of their instrumental / vocal skills, musical talent, musical ear, knowledge of music theory.
Entrance examination
The entrance examination is a board examination and includes the following areas:
• Examination of musical ear of five-note chords and short chords (diatonic and modal)
• Melodic and harmonic analysis of a given melody with chord symbols
• 5-part notation of a short melody for wind
• Submission of own composition examples with audio examples (including midi)
• Submission of own arrangements for various instrumentations with audio examples (including midi)
Certificate of Performance
If you cannot join the exam on the given date, an individual exam date can be arranged.
The admission exam can be done directly on site in Vienna or by submitting respective application videos and serves to determine applicants’:
a) motivation for undertaking the programme of study
b) artistic proficiency (corresponding to Master’s level entry)
c) artistic and personal suitability
The admission process is split into three parts – applicants must be successful in Part 1 in order to progress to the next stage.
1. Submission of a short biography (including language skills), covering letter, repertoire list and an audition programme:
• Short biography: applicants should provide a written overview of the qualifications they have gained so far, their (language) skills, and the areas their activities have focused on.
• Covering letter: applicants should describe their personal expectations of the programme and what they are looking to get out of it. Applicants should also state their current artistic activities and skills and those they are aiming to acquire.
• Audition programme for Part 2: a programme for the artistic presentation that makes up Part 2 (corresponding to Master’s level entry).
2. Artistic presentation:
In the artistic presentation, applicants should demonstrate their instrumental proficiency and level of artistry. The programme should be put together by the applicant her/himself and should give as strong an impression as possible of her/his artistic qualifications. Instrumental proficiency should be at least that needed for Master’s level entry.
3. Colloquium:
Together with the applicant, a panel will discuss and reflect on the results of Parts 1 and 2 of the admission exam and examine the applicant’s individual and artistic potential as well as her/his personal goals and suitability for the programme.
Information required for all applicants
Schedule might be possibly altered even in the short term! Regarding that please look up this section of the website regularly. Thank you.
Applications for studying at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna can be submitted online at anytime; they will be reserved for the next admission period. Applications submitted after the application deadline can no longer be considered for the subsequent audition date.
The application for the entrance examination is done via the application mask in MUKonline. All necessary steps for the application for the entrance exam are listed here.