German language skills

If you would like to study at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama, please note that the language of instruction for most degree programs is German. German is also the working language in the administrative and service departments. Applicants whose native language is not German must therefore demonstrate specific German language proficiency in order to be admitted to a program and must provide proof of this through a language certificate.

The following regulations apply to most bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Admission Requirements

Applicants from non-German-speaking countries must, as an admission requirement for a Bachelor’s or Master’s program, demonstrate a good command of the German language at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, in addition to proof of artistic and academic aptitude.

This is done by submitting the following certificates, credentials, or exam levels:

Language certificate from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages at level B2 or higher

Goethe-Institut,

Central Advanced Level Examination (ZOP),

Small German Language Diploma (KDS),

German Language Diploma (GDS),

TestDaF (German as a Foreign Language) – Level 3,

German Language Examination for University Admission of Foreign Applicants, Level DSH Level I (The Hamburg University of Music and Drama does not offer the DSH exam.),

German Language Diploma of the Conference of Ministers of Education – DSD Level I.

The certificate must not be more than two years old, unless the applicant has begun a degree program in Germany after completing the German language exam or holds a recognized professional qualification.

Exception

Applicants who cannot demonstrate a good command of the German language at the time of application may be admitted to the program on the condition that they can submit a certificate of good German language proficiency at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages by the start of the first semester for a bachelor’s program, or by the end of the first semester for a master’s program. If the certificate of good German language proficiency at the B2 level is not available by the specified dates, the bachelor’s program may still be started with the obligation to attend, in addition to the courses in the core module, the language course: “German for Musicians” at the Hamburg Conservatory in order to obtain the language certificate. The curriculum of the bachelor’s degree programs builds upon this language course. The course is designed to enable students to obtain proof of good German language proficiency in music-related contexts at Level B2 and is a prerequisite for admission to the HfMT.

During the first two semesters, students may only take courses from the core module, the artistic elective module, and the pedagogy module.

Courses in the music theory and musicology modules may only be taken after the required language proficiency has been attained.

The Executive Board of the Hamburg University of Music and Drama decides on cases of hardship.

Attendance in the language course is subject to a fee, which must be paid by the students. The fee per semester is €1,100.

If proof of enrollment in the language course is not provided by the start of the first academic semester of a bachelor’s program, students cannot be enrolled.

If proof of good German language proficiency at the B2 level is not provided by the end of the first academic semester of a master’s program, students will be de-enrolled.

For a master’s degree program, students are required to provide the university with proof that they are enrolled in a recognized German language course and are making progress until they submit the appropriate certificate.

Applicants for a higher academic semester must submit proof of good German language proficiency at the B2 level with their application.

"German for Musicians"

If the university determines during class that a student is unable to follow the instruction adequately despite submitting a certificate, it may require the student to participate in the course “Language Course: German for Musicians.”

Degree Programs with Different Regulations:

In the Bachelor’s program in Composition/Theory, the Master’s program in Composition with respective specializations, the Master’s program in Music Theory, the Dr. Langner JazzMaster program, all teacher education programs with a music track, all programs in Culture and Media Management, as well as for doctoral candidates.

Please refer specifically to the respective study and examination regulations to determine which language requirements must be met. You can find these in the “Program Details” section under “Important Documents.”

In the Master’s programs in Contemporary Performance and Composition (CoPeCo) and the Master of Arts in Multimedia Composition, the language of instruction is English.