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Musikpädagogik / Music Education (B.A.)

Teaching, learning and sharing music: The Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at JLU prepares you for a career in music education outside the school system.

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Overview

On the Bachelor’s degree programme in Music Education, you will explore music from an academic perspective – taking a systematic, historical and comparative approach. You combine music education theory with applied music theory and musical practice to prepare for a career in music education outside the school system.

 

Applying for admission

 

Start of studies

Winter semester

Mode of admission

No admission restriction

Duration of studies

6 semester

Workload

180 credit points (CP)

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Language of instruction

German

 
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Composition of the Study Programme

What can I expect from this programme?

Music Education concerns itself principally with the communication - that is, the teaching and learning - of music. This central focus gives rise to the study of the features and conditions brought to music teaching by the music itself, by human behaviour in relation to music and by the sociocultural and historical implications of this behaviour.

The Bachelor's degree programme concentrates particularly on the following areas:

  • Systematic Music Education
  • Historical and Comparative Music Education
  • Applied Music Theory

How is the programme structured?

This Bachelor of Arts in Music Education is split into a two-year foundation programme followed by one year of specialisation. It is complemented by two ancillary subjects (30 CP each). The first of these must be music, but the second can be chosen from the range of modules offered by cooperating faculties and departments. This applies to subjects in the areas of languages, liberal arts, cultural studies and psychology. (Please note that some subjects require a proof of language skills. Make sure that you ask about language requirements well in advance!)

In their first four semesters, students of Music Education as a major subject gain an overview of the themes, issues, methods and research interests of the field; they are taught theoretical and practical fundamentals and introduced to certain areas of music education in modules on popular music, methods of music teaching and pedagogical aspects of historical as well as systematic musicology.

In their final year, students strengthen and extend their ability to carry out academic work independently, their areas of focus including problems and theories currently under discussion in the teaching and learning of music, pedagogical issues arising from the use of various media and an insight into the psychology and sociology of music. To make students aware of possible careers, there is a special seminar and excursion.

This course of study does not require a deeper knowledge of a musical instrument and therefore does not qualify as an instrumental music teacher.

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Career Options

Which options for further study does JLU offer?

JLU offers a Master's programme in Applied Musicology. Students of this degree can focus on either

  • Music Communication,
  • Popular Music and Media or
  • Empirical Music Research.

What career paths can I pursue after graduation?

Equipped with their well-founded grounding in theory and their knowledge of methodological practice, graduates of Giessen's BA in Music Education can be employed in a wide spectrum of jobs.

There is a great variety of possible careers for them to choose from, particularly in the cultural sector, communications and further education but also in parts of business and trade. They can help to meet the still-growing need for secondary service provision (e.g. organisation, planning and management; care, consultation, education and publishing; research and development).

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Application and Enrolment

Requirements

A valid university entrance qualification (German: HZB) is required for admission to the program.

  • From Germany: General university entrance qualification (= Abitur or equivalent), vocational university entrance qualification, master craftsman’s certificate, university entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals.
  • From abroad: You can find out whether the university entrance qualification from your home country qualifies you for direct admission to a degree program in Germany on the information portal for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications (anabin) .

Proof of an internship (pre-internship) is not required for admission.

Applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification should also note the required proof of German language proficiency .

Application deadline

Winter semester 2026/27

Opening of application period

1 June 2026

Application deadline

  • for applicants with a German university entrance qualification: 1 September 2026
  • for applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification: 15 August 2026

International applicants can find further information on the International Office website.

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👉 Apply now More about the application process

Further Information

Where can I find official documents about the programme?

Examination and study regulations

Special regulations (with module descriptions and module plans)
General Regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes 

Please note that only the German version of the modules is offical and legally binding. The English version is for informative purposes only.

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Electronical course catalogue (in German)

Study programme flyer

B.A. Musikpädagogik (PDF in German)

 

Accreditation

The programme has been accredited since 21 August 2007.

Where can I find more information about the faculty?

Is this course right for me?

Are you still not entirely sure whether the course of study is the right one for you? We support you with a wide range of information, events and advisory services around your study orientation and choice. For example, experience real university atmosphere at our Hoch­schul­informations­tagen (HIT) and the Open Campus Day!

Study orientation

How do I have a successful start at JLU?

To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we warmly invite you to attend our orientation events. Here you will learn
everything you need to know about starting your studies:

  • creating a course schedule,
  • examination regulations and registration deadlines,
  • campus areas and leisure activities,
  • and much more.

At the same time, you will have the opportunity to get to know your future fellow students.

Start of studies
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Contact

Subject Advisor

Steffen Peter

Institut für Musikwissenschaft und Musikpädagogik
Philosophikum II, building D, room 012
Karl-Glöckner-Str. 21
35394 Giessen

Phone: +49 641 99 25103
Email: Steffen.Peter

Office hours: by appointment

Central Study Advisor

Natascha Kohrt

Central Student Advisory Service
Erwin-Stein-Gebäude, 1st floor
Goethestrasse 58
35390 Giessen

Advisory services and contact information

International Office

Assistance for incoming, outgoing and Erasmus+ students

International Office
Goethestrasse 58
35390 Giessen

Contact persons and office hours