Master of Arts in Historical Performance Practice

The Historical Performance Practice MA programme at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna serves to deepen and supplement scholarly and artistic professional training on the basis of substantively relevant bachelor’s degree-level studies or other equivalent preliminary studies.

This MA programme is conceived for instrumentalists and singers who seek to specialise in music composed between the 17th and 19th centuries using the “historical” instruments or singing techniques appropriate to the respective periods. This programme’s curriculum centres on the acquisition of practical and technical as well as artistic and interpretive skills in combination with historical and scientific knowledge in a closely interrelated and integrated manner.

Upcoming Events

You’re cordially invited to attend our student recitals. They’re a good opportunity to speak with students and teaching staff members in person! Admission is free. You’ll find our event schedule under Events.

Applying for this Programme of Study

1. The document “Information on Entrance Examinations” (download link above) informs you about what you need to prepare for this examination. Some documents (such as your exam programme) need to be uploaded as part of the online registration process.
2. Please set up an applicant account in mdwOnline if you don’t already have an mdwOnline account from another mdw programme of study.
3. Log into your account, click on “Entrance Exam Registration”, and then on the link “Enter new application” at the upper right. Follow the instructions that appear. If you can’t find a particular programme of study in the online registration system, it means either that the registration deadline has passed or that registration is not yet possible!
4. If German is not your first language, please submit documentation of your German skills. You’ll find more detailed information on this in the document “Information on Entrance Examinations”.
5. Important: If you are a citizen of a “third country” (from a country not belonging to the EU/EEA; exceptions: Switzerland and Liechtenstein), please inform yourself in a timely manner concerning the applicable requirements for entering and staying in Austria.
6. Once you’ve registered to take the entrance exam, you’ll receive an E-mail that informs you of your assigned exam date.
7. Take the entrance examination. Remember to bring along a photo ID.

After the Entrance Examination

1. You’ll receive the results of your entrance exam by E-mail.
2. If you have passed the entrance exam, you’ll still need to register in order to be enrolled and commence your studies at the mdw. You can do so by visiting the Studies Center within the admissions period; please bring along your passport or personal ID.
3. You can find out about the further steps you need to take in the brochure “New at the mdw?”.