Application & Aptitude Test
General Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy degree programme, you must have the following certificates:
- Successfully completed the aptitude test
University entrance qualifications, such as A-levels, specialized A-levels, or other recognized university entrance qualifications
Proof of German language proficiency (such as the DSH - Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) is required for applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification.
Aptitude Test
The purpose of the aptitude test is to assess whether the applicant has the necessary artistic skills for the intended degree programme, as well as a teachable pedagogical ability, a trained ear, and a solid foundation in music theory.
Applicants who submit all required documents by the deadline will be admitted to the aptitude test. It is important to note that subjective evaluations will not be considered in the admission process. Instructions on the required documents and deadlines can be found below.
A passed aptitude test remains valid for 18 months.
Passing the aptitude test does not guarantee a place on the programme. Successful completion of the BTU's standardized application process is required to secure a place at the university.
Disciplines and majors The following disciplines and majors are available for the eight-semester Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) programme:
Classical music
- with major subject harmony instrument (piano, harpsichord, guitar, accordion, harp)
- majoring in melodic instruments (violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, flute, recorder, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba, percussion)
- with Singing as main subject
Jazz/Rock/Pop
- with main subject harmony instrument (piano, accordion, guitar, electric guitar; on request: vibraphone)
- majoring in melody instrument (electric bass, electric guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums; on request: violin, violoncello, double bass)
- with Singing as main subject
Elementary Music Pedagogy
- with a classical instrument or Singing profile subject
- with a profile subject Instrument or Singing in the field of Jazz/Rock/Pop
Dates and deadlines
Enrolment is only possible for the winter semester.
There are two dates available for the aptitude tests for the winter semester 2026/27:
Aptitude test 1 (EP 1) on 26/06/2026
(deadline for submission of all documents from now until 15/06/2016)
and
Aptitude test 2 (EP 2) on 04.09.2026
(deadline for submission of all documents from 15.06.26 to 24.08.26)
Instructions: Registration for the aptitude test and application The application for the Instrumental and Vocal Performance and Teaching study programme is a two-step process:
1. registration for the aptitude test
To register for the aptitude test, please submit the following documents:
- Registration for the aptitude test
Download (for the Classical and Jazz/Rock/Pop disciplines)
Download (for the Elementary Music Pedagogy discipline) - Curriculum vitae in tabular form with a description of your musical career
- Phoniatric examiner's report (only for applications for Singing and EMP)
- Declaration of consent from parents/guardians (only for applications from minors)
Download - Piano sheet music or lead sheets for accompaniment/accompaniment
Please send all of the above documents in the specified order digitally in the form of a single bundled PDF of maximum 10 MB to:
instrumental-gesangspaedagogik-bmus(at)b-tu.de
After successful verification of your complete documents, you will receive an invitation to the aptitude test.
Please note the submission deadlines, as outlined in the 'Dates and deadlines' section above.
2. application for a study place
After successfully passing the aptitude test, you will go through the standard BTU application process online with your valid higher education entrance qualification.
All information on submitting the required documents and supporting tutorials for the application can be found here.
Procedure of the aptitude test
Classical music
- Major subject: Presentation of three works of different styles/epochs (approx. 15 min in total) followed by a Music Pedagogy motivational talk (approx. 5 min)
(For Singing as a major subject, the performance of an unaccompanied folk song is also required). - Minor subject: Presentation of two shorter works of your own choice (approx. 10 min)
(Information on the combination options between major and minor subject: Download) - Music theory/aural training: Oral examination (15 min)
(Information on the requirements for the aptitude test in music theory/aural training: Download)
Jazz/Rock/Pop
- Major subject: Presentation of three different pieces (including original compositions) from the field of jazz/rock/pop, proof of ability to improvise and, if applicable, comping (approx. 15 min in total) followed by a Music Pedagogy motivational talk (approx. 5 min)
- Minor subject: Presentation of two different pieces (including original compositions) from the field of jazz/rock/pop (approx. 10 min)
(Information on the combination options between major and minor subject: Download) - Music theory/aural training: Oral examination (15 min)
(Information on the requirements for the aptitude test in music theory/aural training: Download)
Elementary Music Pedagogy
- Individual artistic examination: Presentation of an artistic creation with voice/instrument, language and movement on a topic of your choice from the field of Elementary Music Pedagogy, singing a song of your choice by heart (optionally with your own accompaniment) and recitation of a German text of your choice (approx. 15 min in total) followed by a music pedagogical motivational talk (approx. 5 min).
- Main subject Pedagogical group examination: Spontaneous creative tasks in the group of fellow applicants with voice/instrument, language and movement on a topic specified by the commission (approx. 5 min)
- Instrument or Singing profile subject:
Classical: Presentation of two works from different eras (approx. 5-10 min)
or
Jazz/Rock/Pop: Presentation of two different pieces (including original compositions) from the field of jazz/rock/pop (approx. 5-10 min) Minor subject: Even if the examination in the minor subject is waived for applicants in the EMP discipline, an additional minor subject must already be selected in the registration for the aptitude test.
(Information on the combination option between major and minor subject: Download)- Music theory/aural training: Oral examination (15 min)
(Information on the requirements for the aptitude test in music theory/aural training: Download)