Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Musicology

The Bachelor of Arts in Musicology program provides students with fundamental knowledge of music styles and practices from different epochs and cultures. Students learn to describe musical phenomena and place them in cultural, historical, political, and social contexts. The program prepares students for careers in music journalism, music publishing, concert and opera dramaturgy, music management, music research, and teaching.

Program Structure

The Bachelor's program offers a comprehensive overview of the field of musicology, with a broad range of courses and modules. The program consists of a major (120 ECTS) and a minor (60 or 30 ECTS). Students can choose from various minors offered by the University of Bern, except for the minor in musicology.

Course Content

The program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Historical musicology
• Cultural anthropology of music
• Music theater studies
• Music theory and analysis
• Music history
• Ethnomusicology

Admission Requirements

• No special knowledge is required, but proficiency in English is necessary for reading research literature.
• Latin knowledge is recommended, especially for students focusing on music history before 1600 or sacred vocal music.
• Knowledge of French and Italian is also desirable for understanding original texts and research literature.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Musicology program have a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Music journalism
• Music publishing
• Concert and opera dramaturgy
• Music management
• Music research and teaching
• Music criticism
• Music editing

Further Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Musicology program provides a solid foundation for further studies in musicology or related fields. Graduates can pursue a Master's degree in musicology, edition philology, or world arts and music.

Study Plan

The study plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Musicology program is available on the University of Bern's website. The program consists of a combination of compulsory and elective courses, with a focus on developing students' analytical and methodological skills.

Study Duration and Language

• The program typically takes six semesters to complete.
• The language of instruction is German, but students are expected to have a good command of English for reading research literature.

ECTS Credits

• The major in musicology is worth 120 ECTS credits.
• The minor in musicology is worth 60 or 30 ECTS credits.

Combination Options

Students can combine the major in musicology with various minors offered by the University of Bern, except for the minor in musicology. The possible combinations are:

• Major in musicology (120 ECTS) + minor (60 ECTS)
• Major in musicology (120 ECTS) + two minors (30 ECTS each)

Semester Dates and Deadlines

The semester dates and deadlines for the Bachelor of Arts in Musicology program are available on the University of Bern's website. Students are expected to register for courses and exams within the specified deadlines.