The Bachelor’s course in composition provides a basis to successfully carry out professional work as a composer on the “open market”. Those students who stand out through artistic excellence might either pursue their studies and apply for a Master’s course or start their career immediately. Career opportunities will usually be discussed with the principal instructor who will give appropriate advice.

Foreign students whose native language is not German must provide evidence that their knowledge of German is sufficient for their chosen course. 
For the Bachelor’s degree (Composition), students are required to have reached level B2 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 
Applicants’ linguistic competence will be established during the aptitude test. 

You will find further information in the Aptitude Test Regulations and Matriculation Regulations (only in German) of Rostock University of Music and Drama.

Please note: There will be no aptitude test for the summer semester 2025. Applications will be accepted again from 1.3.2025 - 15.04.2025. 

Please apply via our application website by uploading the required documents and compositions by 15^th of April for the next winter semester and 15^th of November for the next summer semester. If you need to send your composition works in paper via mail, they need to be at the hmt one week after the application deadline. 

Round 1: 

Please submit

own compositions (minimum 3, maximum 6)  with varying nstrumentations

Round 2:You will receive an e-mail with the results of part 1 of the aptitude test. If you have passed part 1 of the aptitude test, you will be invited to part 2 which will take place in June for the winter semester and in January for the summer semester. The exact dates will be published under apply for studies.

Applicants for the Bachelor’s course in composition are required to

1. sit a 20-minute oral examination explaining your own compositions and analytic details. You may also talk about works in progress which you have not submitted in the 1st round. Furthermore, you have to describe compositional processes using scores from various eras which will be preesented to you during the exam.
2. sit a three-hour music theory examination comprising:
   a) Two-voice counterpoint in a uniform style
   b) Four-voice song setting in a uniform style
   c) Analysis of given musical excerpts, including a piece of contemporary music composed after 1950
3. sit a practical/oral music theory examination comprising:
   d) Unprepared analysis of several musical excerpts
   e) Performance of a cadenza at sight following a prescribed form
   f)  Performance of a modulatory task with prior oral explanation of the path taken
   g) Performance of a given figured bass
4. sit a 90-minute aural training examination comprising:
   h) Taking down dictation of a rhythmically complex single line of music using a sequence of notes dictated slowly in advance
   i) Taking down dictation of single melodic line
   j) Taking down dictation of a polyphonic work for three voices
   k) Taking down dictation of a homophonic work for four voices
5. sit a 30-minute oral/practical aural training examination comprising:
   l) Recognition and singing intervals and chords
   m) Sight-singing
   n) Tapping rhythms
   o) Listening to a cadenza sequence
6. demonstrate advanced intermediate skills and knowledge in the chosen main instrumental (or vocal) subject during a 10-minute practical examination
   p) by performing two works of intermediate difficulty from different eras
   q) sight-reading an easy work

Parts e) to g) will be examined at the piano.

You will also have to take tests in your respective compulsory subject (Piano). Additionally, foreign students have to pass a German proficiency test.

We look forward to your application.