Entrance Examination
Admission Requirement:
University entrance qualification (equivalent to the „Abitur“ in Germany)
Language requirements:
For enrolment: language certificate at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Certificate of the Goethe-Institute B1 or
- European Certificate B1 or
- UniCert I or
- a comparable language certificate
The following language certificates are accepted:
- TestDaF
- TELC
- Goethe certificate
- UNI Cert
- ÖSD certificate
In addition, language certificates according to the European Framework of Reference are also accepted by language schools that have recognized quality management certificates.
A list of recognized language schools can be found here
A list of recognized quality certificates for language courses can be found here
Students at the HfM Dresden who have received admission subject to proof of German language skills can take part in the language course offered at the HfM Dresden. Studies can only be continued in the second semester if the German exam at the HfM Dresden has been passed at the required level or, alternatively, a language certificate has been submitted according to the criteria listed above.
Video preselection:
A video file must be uploaded with the application documents. The video must be designed as follows:
- Video of at least 15 minutes
- at least three pieces or movements in three different style periods
- it should contain both slow and fast program parts
- Sonatas, works similar to sonatas and concerts are to be played with accompaniment
- It should contain at most one unaccompanied solo work.
Please record the video from a fixed perspective (do not move the camera). You can use a smartphone or a professional camera to record. Please pay attention to a good sound. You can also record with microphones. You and your fellow players (if there are any) must be easy to see. Your hands in particular must be clearly visible (for piano and strings). At the beginning of the video, introduce yourself and say your program, looking at the camera. You have to speak German.
You can play each piece individually, and you can also cut between the pieces and the introduction. Please combine videos of different pieces into one video, if that is possible. Image and sound must be recorded at the same time, the use of a separate audio recording device is recommended.
On-site entrance exam:
If the submitted video was assessed as "passed", you will be invited to the entrance examination at the HfM Dresden. The entrance exam includes:
Main Subject:
Artistic presentation (ca. 10-15 min):
- One of the concerts of Mozart or Haydn, 1st+2nd movement
- A sonata from Poulenc, Hindemith, Saint-Saens or Romanzen from Schumann
- A solo piece or an etude
You may be prompted to play a prima-vista piece. Works not mentioned in the above list need to have accompaniment provided by yourself. The examination committee will make a selection from the prepared programme.
Subsidiary subject piano:
Artistic presentation (5-10 minutes) of two pieces of different character, which are played technically confidently and interpreted musically, to show the applicant's development potential. The selection of the pieces is made by the applicant according to his individual performance level.
Music Theory/Aural Training:
Written test with music theory (approx. 30 min.) and ear training (approx. 30 min.) components to demonstrate the following skills:
- Basic knowledge of General Music Theory (keys, scales, intervals, triads, four-part chords and inversions),
- application of basic knowledge of general music theory and harmony (analyzing and writing simple endings and fundamentals of the basso continuo),
- aural grasp of intervals, scales, triads, four-part chords, inversions, melodies, rhythms, instruments.
The written test will take place each day at around 17:00. You can download sample exams here:
Klausur Musiktheorie PDF
Klausur Gehörbildung PDF
We offer regular preparatory courses for the entrance exams.
Further information can be found here.
Entrance Examination
Admission Requirement:
University entrance qualification (equivalent to the „Abitur“ in Germany)
Language requirements:
For enrolment: Proof of German language skills according to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The following language certificates are accepted:
- TestDaF
- TELC
- Goethe certificate
- UNI Cert
- ÖSD certificate
In addition, language certificates according to the European Framework of Reference are also accepted by language schools that have recognized quality management certificates.
A list of recognized language schools can be found here
A list of recognized quality certificates for language courses can be found here
Students at the HfM Dresden who have received admission subject to proof of German language skills can take part in the language course offered at the HfM Dresden. Studies can only be continued in the second semester if the German exam at the HfM Dresden has been passed at the required level or, alternatively, a language certificate has been submitted according to the criteria listed above.
Video preselection:
A video file must be uploaded with the application documents. The video must be designed as follows:
- Video of at least 15 minutes
- at least three pieces or movements in three different style periods
- it should contain both slow and fast program parts
- Sonatas, works similar to sonatas and concerts are to be played with accompaniment
- It should contain at most one unaccompanied solo work.
Please record the video from a fixed perspective (do not move the camera). You can use a smartphone or a professional camera to record. Please pay attention to a good sound. You can also record with microphones. You and your fellow players (if there are any) must be easy to see. Your hands in particular must be clearly visible (for piano and strings). At the beginning of the video, introduce yourself and say your program, looking at the camera. You have to speak German.
You can play each piece individually, and you can also cut between the pieces and the introduction. Please combine videos of different pieces into one video, if that is possible. Image and sound must be recorded at the same time, the use of a separate audio recording device is recommended.
On-site entrance exam:
If the submitted video was assessed as "passed", you will be invited to the entrance examination at the HfM Dresden. The entrance exam includes:
Main Subject:
- One of the concerts of Mozart or Haydn, 1st+2nd movement
- A sonata from Poulenc, Hindemith, Saint-Saens or Romanzen from Schumann
- A solo piece or an etude
You may be prompted to play a prima-vista piece. Works not mentioned in the above list need to have accompaniment provided by yourself. The examination committee will make a selection from the prepared programme.
Subsidiary subject piano:
Artistic presentation (5-10 minutes) of two pieces of different character, which are played technically confidently and interpreted musically, to show the applicant's development potential. The selection of the pieces is made by the applicant according to his individual performance level.
Music Theory/Aural Training:
Written test with music theory (approx. 30 min.) and ear training (approx. 30 min.) components to demonstrate the following skills:
- Basic knowledge of General Music Theory (keys, scales, intervals, triads, four-part chords and inversions),
- application of basic knowledge of general music theory and harmony (analyzing and writing simple endings and fundamentals of the basso continuo),
- aural grasp of intervals, scales, triads, four-part chords, inversions, melodies, rhythms, instruments.
The written test will take place each day at around 17:00. You can download sample exams here:
Klausur Musiktheorie PDF
Klausur Gehörbildung PDF
We offer regular preparatory courses for the entrance exams.
Further information can be found here.
Aptitude Interview:
An interview of circa 10 to 15 minutes regarding the motivation for studying music pedagogy. The participants should reflect their existing epxirience in pedagogical situations (mainly from a student perspective) and develop an idea about successful student-teacher relationships. Based on the applicatants own musical training, questions about the job profile are to be discussed.