PhD programme: Composition and music theory as a model project
The University of Music participates in the PhD programme at the Bauhaus University Weimar
For years, the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar has been facilitating interdisciplinary perspectives by offering artistic-scientific project seminars. Now, in collaboration with the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, this area is to be given a new status by the university supporting the PhD programme there. The aim of this doctoral programme is to provide an academic qualification for artists and designers who have already completed a master's or diploma degree at an art or design university. The four-year programme concludes with a PhD thesis that is equally divided between an academic and an artistic/design component. The collaboration between the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar and the Bauhaus University Weimar (Faculty of Art and Design) enables a wide range of specialist links in the tradition of interdisciplinarity in the arts.
The programme leads to a dual qualification that is unique in Germany, with a practical and academic degree. Both qualifications can be used in teaching and research, as well as in the field of artistic-reflective practice, in the organisation of cultural events or in culturally active institutions. Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the Bauhaus.CampusPortal: https://campusportal.uni-weimar.de.
Further information can be found at https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/kunst-und-gestaltung/studium/informationen-fuer-studienbewerberinnen/bewerbung/bewerbung-fuer-den-promotionsstudiengang-kunst-und-design/
Applicants are requested to contact professors at the Bauhaus University Weimar or the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar based on their research profile and professional expertise in good time before the application period begins, providing a short letter of motivation and a summary of their research project. For successful admission to the doctoral programme, For successful admission to the doctoral programme, a mentor must be a member of the Bauhaus University Weimar. For applicants who wish to establish close ties with the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, the disciplines of composition and music theory are particularly suitable.
Contact persons:
Composition: Prof. Maximilian Marcoll
Music Theory: Prof. Jörn Arnecke
Musicology: Prof. Dr. Nina Noeske
Music Education: Prof. Dr. Anna Wolf
Next application period: 1 February 2026–31 March 2026 for admission to the programme in the winter semester 2026/27
M.Mus. courses in Music Theory
Music Theory represents the interface between artistic and academic work. Students obtain skills and practice in two respects, and as a result, a range of careers opens up for graduates, whether in university teaching, or at a publishing house, a media company or a music school.
The Weimar Master’s Course in Music Theory is characterised by its highly practical approach: students are prepared for potential teaching activities through tutorials and courses held in conjunction with the ‘Johann Nepomuk Hummel’ Music School in Weimar. Teachers cover a wide range of music theory, from medieval music through to the present day, and from composition through to musicology. Every year, the Centre for Music Theory arranges the ‘Music Theory and Aural Training’ conference in collaboration with the Society for Music Theory, which is renowned throughout Germany. The ‘Paraphrasen – Weimarer Beiträge zur Musiktheorie’ (‘Paraphrases – Weimar Contributions to Music Theory’) series by Olms Verlag enables outstanding work to be published. With its outstanding tradition in the humanities, Weimar offers a stimulating environment in which to combine art and academia.
The subject of Music is a component of various arts-based master’s courses and culminates in the Master of Music (M.Mus.). In each case, the degree is spread over four semesters, with a total of 120 credit points (CP). The following subject combinations are possible in Weimar:
For more details about the subject and the Centre for Music Theory, please visit www.hfm.weimar-de/musiktheorie.
The detailed regulations, module catalogues, sample timetables and lecture lists can be found under the corresponding links. If you have any questions, please contact the student counselling service or the student representatives.
Admissions requirements
- Bachelor’s degree, Diploma or Master’s degree (e.g. School Music, Musicology or Composition)
- Successful completion of the audition/qualification exam
- For overseas applicants: proof of German proficiency at language level B2/TestDaF 3 through, for example, the ‘Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang’ (DSH), the ‘Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache’ (TestDaF), ‘The European Language Certificates’ (telc) or comparable language examinations, e.g. Goethe certificates. We recommend using a certified language school
Application procedure
The application procedure for the M.Mus. Music Theory corresponds to the artistic degree programmes. Applications are made via an online portal.
You can find more information about the application here: