In order to study at master’s level, a certain artistic experience is a prerequisite, artistic projects and plans must have been implemented already or at least be mature ideas.

The Sound Art degree program is aimed at musicians, artists, and other interested parties who wish to acquire further artistic skills in the field of sound art – composition after completing their first degree.

Admission requirements for the Sound Art – Composition master’s degree program are

• proof of a bachelor’s degree in music or an equivalent higher education degree, or
• proof of a bachelor’s degree in arts or an equivalent higher education degree, or
• in the case of a high level of artistic aptitude, as determined by the aptitude test, applicants who have completed another degree program may also be admitted.

An aptitude test will determine whether you possess the necessary subject-specific skills for the master’s degree program, particularly the required musical aptitude in the selected vocal or instrumental major, as well as sufficient motivation for the program of study.

At the time of enrollment, no more than one year may have passed since taking the aptitude test. The same applies for enrollment in advanced semesters.

More information on the aptitude test can be found in the School of Music’s aptitude test regulations.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

If you did not earn your university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) at a German institution and do not hold a degree in which German was the language of instruction, you must submit proof of sufficient German language proficiency (B1 level, CEFR). This proof is to be submitted in the form of relevant examination certificates.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

You can find more information in the master’s degree program’s examination regulations.

The master’s degree program includes the following content:

• Individual lessons when Sound Art – Composition is the major subject
• Colloquia in groups, presentation and discussion of individual projects
• Implementation of artistic projects
• Participation in exhibitions or concerts, performances
• History of sound art and intermedia arts in general
• Discussion of the social relevance of the arts
• Acoustic and sound engineering fundamentals and knowledge
• Practical skills in the context of the implementation of sound art works
• Master’s thesis

The main focus is your development as an independent artistic personality. You will be working on your own topics right from the very start. In the 3rd and 4th semester, you will then put them into practice.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

In addition to working freelance as a composer or artist , you will typically find future fields of work in the media, radio, or in the new field of artistic sound space design for museums. Typical professional fields for graduates of the master’s degree program include:

• Work as a freelance artist
• Collaboration with theaters, festivals, etc.
• Projects in teaching and research
• Work at music and art schools
• Audio design
• Intermedia applications
• University teaching

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.