Instrumental pedagogy entrance exam

The application period for the winter semester 2025/26 begins on 15.02.25 and ends on 01.04.25.

For a successful application to the Instrumental Pedagogy degree program, the following steps are required within the application deadline:

• Receipt of online application incl. upload of supporting documents*
• Receipt of application fee (payment information at the end of the completed online application)
• Upload video by 15.04.2025

Your application will only be considered if all the steps described have been completed in full by the application deadline and the online application and application fee have been received.

*Important note - If you have not obtained your Abitur in Germany, Instrumental Pedagogy requires proof of German language skills at C1 level. This must be submitted by the end of the first semester at the latest, but then at least B2-level knowledge must be demonstrated at the start of the course.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Information on the structure and requirements of the entrance examination can be found in the admission and examination regulations for the Instrumental Pedagogy degree program.

The entrance examination in instrumental pedagogy is divided into two parts:

• Part 1: Examination in the major and minor artistic subject (video upload)

• Part2: Teaching rehearsal examination (presence examination) and examination in music theory and aural training

The invitation to the second part of the entrance examination is issued after the pre-selection based on the video submissions.

For the video recording exam in the Instrumental Pedagogy degree program, one video in the major subject and one video in the minor subject must be uploaded by 15.04.2025 under the link below. Within the application deadline (by 01.04), the title list must be sent as a PDF by e-mail to ines.thiel@hfmt.hamburg.de. (Please include your first and last name in the PDF and in the file name).

Information on the content with the expected works or pieces can be found in § 4 para. 3 and 4 of the admission and examination regulations.

At the beginning of the video for the major subject, please introduce yourself and briefly (max. 2 minutes) explain what motivates you to study Instrumental Pedagogy.

Please note the following requirements for the videos:

• Video length major video: 20 minutes, video length minor subject video: approx. 10 minutes
• the video must be recorded in real time
• the video must be unedited
• the pieces are played without repetitions
• you may record the different pieces individually, with cuts in between (the video does not have to be recorded as one take)
• the video should be recorded from a fixed camera perspective: Body and face must be fully visible at all times
• please ensure good video and audio quality
• the microphones should be positioned accordingly for good sound quality.

Please note that the video can only be considered if

- the format is correct (=mp4)

- the video can be opened without errors

- the video has been named correctly:

1. Video: Last.name.first.name.application.number.program.instrument.HF.mp4
2. Video: Surname.first.name.application.number.program.instrument.NF.mp4

After passing the pre-selection, the 2nd part of the entrance examination with the teaching samples and subsequent interview is expected to take place from 02.06. to 04.06.2025.

Details of the requirements can be found in the admission and examination regulations.

Advice and tips for your teaching practice in advance:

• Briefly inform yourself about your students
• Briefly inform yourself about what they are playing and what they are currently doing in class
• Be free in the design of the teaching sample

The examination board looks at your ability to empathize and evaluates your ability to intuitively recognize pedagogical contexts without claiming correct implementation. You should learn how to implement this correctly during your studies. The commission pays particular attention to listening, the ability to observe and to take creative steps to solve a problem.