Program Overview

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University of Fribourg Musicology and History of Opera Bachelor Programme

Abstract

This bachelor programme will have you studying the forms, functions and significances of musical expression in a variety of cultures, focusing primarily on European music from the Middle Ages to the present day. In coming to Fribourg to study Musicology and History of Opera, you will profit from the tradition of the oldest musicology teaching programme in Switzerland and one of the very first set up in Europe. We also serve as a highly active research centre in this field of study, both on a national and European scale.
This programme promotes studying music as a language, including its connection to codes used in other forms of expression and its role in complex systems such as opera, religious rites, cinema, and audio-visual broadcasting in contemporary societies.
While the courses and seminars are taught partly in French and partly in German, students are allowed to write their coursework and pass their exams in the language of their choice (French, German or Italian).

Profile of the Study Programme

The programme in musicology studies the forms, functions and significances of musical expression in different cultures, including cultures close to and far-removed from ours, in terms of both geography and time. The primary field of research is European music from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Fribourg Profile

The programme in musicology at the University of Fribourg - the oldest in Switzerland and one of the first chairs created in Europe – is noteworthy for its international character and its interdisciplinary approach.
It promotes studying music as a language, including its connection to codes used in other forms of expression and its role in complex systems such as opera, religious rites, cinema, and audio-visual broadcasting in contemporary societies.

Moreover, the Department of Musicology at the University of Fribourg is one of the most active music research centres in Switzerland as well as in Europe.

The Musicology and History of Opera curriculum consists of a bachelor's degree programme (3 years) and a master's degree programme (2 years). As is tradition at the University of Fribourg, the courses and seminars are taught partly in French and partly in German. Students are welcome to take courses in both languages, but are allowed to write their coursework and pass their exams in the language of their choice (French, German or Italian).

The course requirements for the bachelor's degree programme include introductory courses (history, bibliography, notation, music theory), seminars analysing musical works, music and visual art courses, and thematic courses. Thanks to the BENEFRI network, students can also attend lectures at the Musicology Institute at the University of Berne, and ethnomusicology courses at the University of Neuchatel.

Students are also encouraged to participate in research activities and in music-related events organised by the Department for the wider public: symposiums, conferences, commentated concerts and operas, film clubs, etc.

Learning Outcomes and Career Openings

The main career opportunities available to musicology students, in particular after they have obtained a master's degree, include:

• Researcher (Swiss National Fund projects, universities, music schools);
• Teacher: middle schools, high schools, universities, music schools (music history);
• Journalist: radio, print press;
• Music librarian, museum curator (musical instrument museums, music collections in historical museums, etc.);
• Musical archivist (municipal and cantonal archives, RISM associate, national sound archives, etc.);
• Music publishing associate;
• Associate in an organisation that promotes music (SUISA, ProHelvetia, etc.);
• Manager or public relations agent for orchestras or festivals; editor of concert hall programmes; stage or floor manager in opera houses;
• Musician (further to studies at a higher music education institute such as HEM).

Studies Organisation

Structure of Studies

120 ECTS credits + 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen, 6 semesters

Curriculum

• Introductory courses (history, bibliography, notation, music theory)
• Seminars analysing musical works
• Music and visual art courses
• Thematic courses

Comments

• A new curriculum will be in force starting from the autumn semester 2025.

Admission

The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:

• Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
• Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
• Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

A complete list of all further recognised Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities.

Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if, among other things, the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:

1. First language
2. Second language
3. Mathematics
4. Natural sciences (biology or chemistry or physics)
5. Humanities and social sciences (geography or history or economics/law)
6. Elective (computer sciences or philosophy or an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)

The general admission requirements to the bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities.

In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.

Alternatives

Also offered as a minor study programme (60/30 ECTS credits).

Minor Study Programmes to be Chosen

• Art History
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Business Communication
• Business Informatics
• Chemistry
• Communication and Media Research
• Computer Science
• Contemporary History
• Earth Sciences
• Eastern European Studies
• Economics
• Education Sciences
• English Language and Literature
• Environmental Sciences and Humanities
• French
• French as a Foreign Language
• Geography
• German
• German as a Foreign Language
• German Literary Studies
• Greek Studies
• History
• Interreligious Studies
• Italian
• Latin Studies
• Law
• Management
• Mathematics
• Pedagogy / Psychology
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics and Society
• Psychology
• Religious studies
• Rhaeto-Romance
• Slavic Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Work and Social Policy (DE)
• Social Work and Social Policy (FR)
• Sociology (DE)
• Sociology (FR)
• Spanish
• Special Education
• Sport Sciences and Motor Control
• Theology

Key Points

Degree Conferred

Bachelor of Arts

Languages of Study

Study in two languages, in French and German

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department.

Commencement of Studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to Further Studies

Master

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Musicology
Isabelle Haldemann

Apply for Admission

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Course Offerings

• Theology and Interreligious Studies
• Law
• Management and Economics
• Communication and Media Research
• Philosophy
• Languages and Literatures
• Multilingualism and Foreign Language Education
• Historical Sciences
• Art History and Musicology
• Social Sciences
• Pedagogy, Psychology
• Exact and Natural Science
• Human Medicine, Medical and Sport Science
• Digitalisation and Computer Science
• Teacher Education for Primary and Secondary Level
• Interdisciplinary

Organisation of Studies

• Beginning of studies
• During studies
• Administrative services for Unifr students
• Glossary

Choose Fribourg

• Life in Fribourg
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• Fribourg and its region

Admission

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• Welcome Center
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Mobility

• Incoming
• Outgoing
• Contact

Diploma

• University diploma
• Diploma Supplement
• Verification
• Duplicate
• Equivalence Licentiate / Master
• Certified copy, legalisation (of the original)

Support & Resources

• Financial support & insurance
• Wellbeing & Health
• Learning & success
• Equality & Parenthood
• Conflits & discrimination Duplicata
• Administrative & legal support
• Contacts
• Emergency numbers

Contact

University of Fribourg

Studies Information Office

Av. d'Europe 20

CH-1700 Fribourg

studies.unifr.ch

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