University in Germany
Nürnberg, Bayern, Germany
University profile
The Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg (HfM Nürnberg) is a state music conservatoire in Nuremberg, Bavaria, and a public-law body under the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG). Founded in 2008 as Bavaria's third state music university, it grew out of the Meistersinger-Konservatorium and the municipal joint conservatoire Nürnberg-Augsburg, and builds on some 200 years of music training in the city. About 400 students are taught in the core fields of artistic and artistic-pedagogical training, with around 450 study places.
The main building is the former Sebastianspital on the Veilhofstraße 34, beside the Wöhrder See. Built between 1910 and 1914 by city architect Wallraff, it was fully renovated from 2014 to 2018 and now houses the Orchestersaal, a lecture hall, the EMP hall, a cafeteria stage, an open foyer and the library. A second site in the city centre at Karl-Grillenberger-Straße 3a and the Schuldturm (practice rooms and costume store) complete the campus.
Teaching is organised in six departments covering 25 study areas: Elementare Musikpädagogik / Musikpädagogik, Instrumente / Gesang, Orchesterinstrumente / Dirigieren, Jazz, Musikpraxis, and Musiktheorie / Musikwissenschaften und Schlüsselqualifikationen. Degrees are Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Master of Arts, the postgraduate Meisterklasse, and the doctorate (Dr. phil. in cooperation with a university); a Jungstudium admits exceptionally gifted school pupils, and a part-time certificate programme in Elementare Musikpraxis is offered. The 95 degree programmes (WiSe 2025) are taught by 49 professors, 45 teaching staff for special tasks and 113 external lecturers.
Practice is central: the Sinfonieorchester, Hochschulchor, Kammerchor, Kinderchor and jazz ensembles give more than 250 events a year (the factsheet counts about 350 public events per academic year). Cooperation with the Nürnberger Symphoniker and the Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg offers orchestral experience, and the Internationales Opernstudio Master is run jointly with the Staatstheater Nürnberg. Research and innovation focus on artificial intelligence and music, Human-Animal Studies, digital teaching and music-specific gender research.
The HfM is international: students come from 47 nations and teaching staff from 24 (factsheet, WiSe 2025). Study is free of tuition for German and international students; only the semester contribution to the Studierendenwerk applies. Support includes the International Office, Erasmus+, music and health services (physiological and psychological counselling) and a career and start-up service. The HfM was system-accredited by the German Accreditation Council on 6 December 2023, without conditions, and belongs to the Kunsthochschule Bayern alliance of the six Bavarian art colleges.
Study at the HfM Nürnberg is free of tuition for German and international students. A semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag, not a tuition fee) of 82.00 EUR per semester is paid to the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg and is needed for re-registration each semester. Separately, the aptitude test fee is 50.00 EUR (first application) and 30.00 EUR for each further one.
Several scholarships of 300 EUR per month for two semesters, funded by private donors and matched by the federal government. Open to students and applicants with above-average achievement, social or civic engagement, or particular personal or family circumstances. Applications for 2026/27: 8 June to 15 July 2026 through the online portal, with motivation letter, a recommendation from a teacher, CV and transcripts. 37 were awarded in 2025.
Awarded once a year to an enrolled international student in the Bachelor main study phase (second or third year) or Master (at least second semester), for good achievement and social engagement; call issued through main-subject teachers.
One-off grant for talented students or artistic and pedagogical projects linked to the Nuremberg region, based on demonstrable financial need; applications are possible all year with at least three months lead time.
For students up to 30 years from Altötting or another Bavarian district in social need: 250 EUR per month for one year, or a one-off 3,000 EUR for buying or maintaining instruments.
Erasmus+ supports study abroad (2 to 12 months), with applications to the International Office by 15 January. Musikpädagogische Preise are awarded to graduates in Elementare Musikpädagogik and Instrumental-/Gesangspädagogik. More: scholarships overview, Deutschlandstipendium, International Office.
Deutschlandstipendium at Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg →
DAAD Prize for International Students at Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg →
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View scholarships for Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg →The entry requirement is a Mittlerer Schulabschluss; admission depends on passing the artistic aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung) set out in the Qualifikationsvoraussetzungssatzung (QualS). Applications go directly to the HfM through the online portal Muvac, not uni-assist. Application period for winter semester 2026/27: 15 January to 31 March 2026; aptitude tests 11 to 29 May 2026 (Master IOS and Master KPA excepted). Start is in the winter semester only. Bachelor programmes for 2026/27: Gesang, Instrument, Jazz, Dirigieren, Komposition (artistic) and Instrumental-/Vokalpädagogik, Instrumental-/Vokalpädagogik Jazz, Elementare Musikpädagogik and Elementare Musikpädagogik Jazz/Crossover (artistic-pedagogical).
Documents: CV, copy of passport or ID, proof of payment of the exam fee, and where required a pre-selection video (Bachelor Dirigieren, Gesang and Instrument in Akkordeon, Fagott, Horn, Klavier, Klarinette, Kontrabass, Oboe, Posaune, Querflöte, Saxophon, Trompete, Tuba, Viola, Violine, Violoncello), or a portfolio for Komposition. Applicants under 18 need parental consent. Foreign certificates must have a German or English translation. The exam fee is 50.00 EUR for the first application and 30.00 EUR for each further application, non-refundable. Applicants who have finally failed the same programme at another university are not admitted.
A certificate of the required CEFR level in German is needed at enrolment, not at application: Bachelor artistic programmes B2; Bachelor artistic-pedagogical programmes C1; Master artistic programmes B1 (B2 for Korrepetition vokal and Kammermusik); Master artistic-pedagogical programmes C1; Meisterklasse B1. The test must cover listening, reading, writing and speaking; certificates from private language schools and course attendance confirmations are not accepted. Holders of a German-language school leaving certificate from German-speaking Europe or a German Abitur from a German school abroad are exempt.
The Master Interdisciplinary Music Research (Master of Arts) requires English at CEFR B2 or higher at enrolment unless the applicant holds an English-language school certificate.
A first professional degree or equivalent is required. For Master of Music, a first degree of 180 to under 240 ECTS requires the missing credits as additional modules within one year. Master Musikpädagogik normally requires an artistic-pedagogical degree in the relevant main subject with an average of at least 2.0. Additional documents depend on the programme (video pre-selection for several artistic Masters, concepts, portfolios or recitals). The Internationales Opernstudio application goes directly to the Staatstheater Nürnberg. The Meisterklasse requires a Master in the same main subject with grade 1.0 and a recommendation from the intended teacher.
Dr. phil. in music education and musicology, in cooperation with a university; admission to doctoral studies is applied for in writing to the chair of the Promotionsausschuss under the Promotionsordnung. Binational procedures are possible on request.
A certificate of status from a German statutory health insurer is required for enrolment. Private insurance certificates are not sufficient. Exchange students from partner institutions apply through their home International Office (deadlines 15 April for winter semester and 1 November for summer semester).
Facilities include a Steinway grand with SIRIUS 6.0 keyboard, an AI-supported grand piano used in research, general university sport via the FAU Hochschulsport, and the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg for housing and dining.
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