University in Germany
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
University profile
The Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg (HfMT) is a state-run university of music and theatre in Hamburg, founded in 1950 as the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik. It describes itself as one of the large artistic-scientific universities in Germany, working under the motto "künstlerische Exzellenz in gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung" (artistic excellence in social responsibility). Admission to every course depends on a successful artistic entrance examination.
Teaching covers classical instrumental and vocal training, teacher training (Lehramt), school and church music, composition and music theory, conducting, and, since the 1980s, jazz, pop, cultural and media management, multimedia composition, music therapy, directing for music theatre and drama, and dramaturgy. The programmes are grouped into music; theatre (the Theaterakademie Hamburg, bringing together directing, opera singing, acting and dramaturgy); pedagogy, therapy and science; and the Institute for Cultural and Media Management (KMM).
The main campus, Campus Außenalster, is at Harvestehuder Weg 12 beside the Alster. It is centred on the Budge-Palais, with the Trautwein buildings, a library, the Forum (a theatre with orchestra pit and about 450 seats), the Fanny Hensel-Saal, the Mendelssohn-Saal, the Orchesterstudio and the JazzHall. A second campus at Wiesendamm 26 in Barmbek, opened in 2021, houses the Theaterakademie and the KMM institute. The ligeti zentrum, a transfer centre run with partner universities, is at Veritaskai 1 in Harburg.
Student life is organised through the AStA and the student parliament (StuPa), practice rooms are booked online through the Asimut system, and the Studierendenwerk Hamburg, counselling services, a family office and a language-support team (the L-Team) help students. Many orchestras, choirs and ensembles give students regular performance opportunities.
International students come from many countries. Most programmes are taught in German, while some degree programmes are taught in English, and the International Office coordinates exchange and guest students. The university is a system-accredited institution: in 2017 it became the first artistic university in Germany to complete system accreditation, and it can accredit its own degree programmes. It was certified as a family-friendly university in 2014.
The HfMT is a state university in Hamburg and Bachelor and Master study carries no tuition fee. All students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), which is not tuition: 399.80 euro in winter semester 2026/27 and summer semester 2027, made up of 226.80 euro for the Deutschlandsemesterticket, 101.00 euro for the Studierendenwerk, a 50.00 euro administrative fee, 13.00 euro for the student body and 9.00 euro for the ticket hardship fund. Some offerings charge fees: Konzertexamen programmes (375 euro per semester, expected to rise to 600 euro from winter 2026/27), the part-time Master in Cultural and Media Management by distance learning, the Popkurs, the Neue Kompositionstechniken certificate programme (expected 550 euro per semester from winter 2026/27), and Music Therapy Master costs for teaching therapy and supervision of about 9,250 euro in total.
Through the national scholarship programme, students receive 300 euro a month for one year (150 euro from the federal government and 150 euro from private donors), awarded mainly for performance and talent, and also for awards, commitment and personal circumstances. Renewal is possible. The HfMT advertises it each year.
A limited number of scholarships is available to international degree students: the Leistungsstipendium (merit scholarship of the Hamburg science authority), the scholarship for especially committed students, the scholarship for inclusion, and the DAAD Abschlussstipendium for those finishing within one to two semesters. Applications are online and the deadline is 15 May each year. Documents include the enrolment certificate, curriculum vitae, a recommendation from an HfMT lecturer, transcript of records, bank statements and the entrance qualification. A DAAD prize is also awarded yearly to an outstanding international student. See scholarships for international students.
The Lucia Thörl-Stiftung supports talented students in need, with five scholarships of 500 euro per month for 12 months in 2025. The Elise Meyer Stiftung awards prizes to students of voice, strings, piano and wind. Live Music Now Hamburg pays students per concert in social institutions after an audition. The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes can be approached through the HfMT. For doctoral candidates, a year-long Promotionsstipendium of up to 1,200 euro a month has been available, subject to state funding, which is not expected for 2027 or 2028. Details: funding opportunities.
Browse the scholarships listed for Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg →Every applicant, for the first semester or for transfer into a higher semester, must pass the artistic-scientific entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung) for the chosen degree. For musical subjects the examination also covers music theory, ear training and piano. A passed examination is valid for four semesters; the Schauspiel Bachelor examination counts only for the semester applied for. Some programmes require a video upload.
Applicants need the Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (Allgemeine Hochschulreife such as the Abitur, or a recognised equivalent). Where an applicant shows outstanding artistic ability (main-subject examination graded at least 1.5, or 23 points), the entrance qualification can be waived, although a Hauptschulabschluss or equivalent is still needed; this does not apply to the teaching subjects Music or Theatre, where the Abitur equivalent is always needed. Master applicants submit their transcript of records and, where available, their previous Bachelor certificate. Specific programmes need extra documents, for example a phoniatric voice report for Gesang, a motivation letter for Chorleitung, three compositions for Komposition, and proof of church membership for Kirchenmusik.
Applications are made online directly to the HfMT, with documents uploaded: curriculum vitae, last school certificate, passport photo and, for those without a German Abitur, German-language proof and translations. Most Bachelor programmes and most Master programmes run from 15 February to 1 April for the winter semester. Violin, viola, cello and double bass Master, Kammermusik Master, Kirchenmusik Master and Konzertexamen programmes also have a 1 December to 10 January window for the summer semester. Schauspiel Bachelor applications run from 15 October to 10 January for the following summer semester. The Master in Cultural and Media Management (on campus) closes on 1 June. CoPeCo is every two years (next 1 December 2026 to 31 January 2027, for winter semester 2027/28). An application fee of 50 euro applies (60 euro from the application for summer semester 2027).
Most programmes are taught in German. Applicants whose Abitur or previous degree was not earned in Germany need German at level B2 of the Common European Framework for a Bachelor or Master. For the Bachelor from winter semester 2026/27 this is a condition of admission, met by passing the HfMT German examination or otherwise attending the accompanying course "Deutsch für Musiker:innen" at the Hamburger Konservatorium, which carries a fee of 1,410 euro per semester. Teacher-training programmes require German at C1. German is not needed for programmes taught in English.
The Dr. phil. is available in musicology, music pedagogy, music therapy and cultural and media management, normally after a relevant Master degree. Applicants submit an exposé with working title and plan, degree certificates, curriculum vitae and written confirmation of supervision by first (and where applicable second) assessors in line with the Promotionsordnung. Applications run 15 November to 15 December for the summer semester and 15 April to 15 May for the winter semester.
After admission, students enrol online within the deadline set in the offer, pay the semester contribution and provide proof of health insurance.
The library has an open-access collection, scores, theses, dissertations, jazz records and digital resources such as Naxos Music Library and Drama Online, with locations at both main campuses.
Study programmes offered at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg.
Experiences shared by students of Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg.
Studied here? Share your experience to help other applicants.
Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.
Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.
Enter your credentials to continue.
Join us and start your study abroad journey.
