FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Who is the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY aimed at?
2) What skills will I acquire in the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
3) What prerequesites do I need in order to enter the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
5) When and how can I register for the entrance exam?
6) When and where will the entrance exam take place?
7) What requirements do I have to meet for the entrance exam?
8) Can I start the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY either in the winter or the summer semester?
9) Do I have to pay tuition rates for the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
10) What does "scientific-artistic master" mean?
11) Are classes in the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY held in German or in English?
12) How long does the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY take?
13) Is it possible to complete the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY while working?
14) Is it possible to complete the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY via distance learning?
15) Who can I contact with further questions about the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
1) Who is the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY aimed at?
All graduates of a relevant bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) who want to acquire comprehensive scientific skills and knowledge about music from a sociological, cultural, economic and gender perspective. There are no restrictions regarding musical instruments, musical styles, or how they were learned (e.g., in music [school] lessons, self-taught/informal, ensemble or band practice, online tutorials, house music, street music, DJing, etc.). Applicants with classical instrumental or vocal training may also be admitted to one of the offered artistic modules (Popular Music; Music Making in Social Contexts; Music in Global Contexts / Traditional Musics) if they are suitable. Their musical or music-pedagogical practice must be compatible with one of these modules.
2) What skills will I acquire in the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
- In-depth knowledge of the structures, institutions and functioning of music and art labor markets, including the actions of the participants;
- Qualification for independent scientific research;
- Advanced qualifications in conjunction with an artistic or pedagogical career.
3) What prerequesites do I need in order to enter the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
a) A relevant bachelor’s degree or an equivalent professional degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution. These include, for example, bachelor’s and diploma programs at the mdw, and other musical and music pedagogical studies, as well as sociology, musicology, theater or dance studies, business administration and economics, cultural management, cultural studies and other comparable studies (subject relevance is determined by the Rectorate of the mdw).
b) Artistic (independent) studies that can be connected to one of the artistic modules: Popular Music, Music Making in Social Contexts or Music in Global Contexts / Traditional Musics. Specifically, this means experience performing and/or producing music, including making music in various social contexts (e.g., street music, music education), with a band, in the family, or in other constellations (e.g., DJing). We are open to applicants from different learning contexts (music [school] lessons, online tutorials, etc.). Applicants with classical instrumental and vocal training can also be admitted to one of the offered artistic modules if they are suitable.
It is possible to apply even with limited music reading skills. During the entrance examination, the applicants possibilities for successful study will be explored.
5) When and how can I register for the entrance exam?
For the academic year 2025/26, registration for the entrance exam will be possible from 3 March to 27 May 2025 exclusively via the mdwOnline platform.
Further information about the required application documents and the entrance exam
6) When and where will the entrance exam take place?
The entrance exam will take place between 2 and 4 July 2025 at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, room C0113 (Orchesterstudio).
7) What requirements do I have to meet for the entrance exam?
As part of the entrance examination, the applicant’s artistic aptitude for the study program must be shown. The test will examine the applicants’ ability to express themselves artistically and convincingly in the chosen artistic field of Popular Music, Music Making in Social Contexts or Music in Global Contexts / Traditional Musics, and to contextualize this scientifically.
Detailed information about the entrance exam
8) Can I start the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY in either the winter or the summer semester?
The MUSIC IN SOCIETY program always starts in the winter semester.
9) Do I have to pay tuition rates for the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
For detailed information on tuition rates, please visit the website of the Studies Center of the mdw.
10) What does "scientific-artistic master" mean?
The master MUSIC IN SOCIETY has (a) an scientific component (amounting to 100 ECTS) focusing on: Theoretical Foundations, Research and Methodological Competence, Musical Practices in Social Contexts, Electives and Master’s Thesis, as well as (b) an artistic component (amounting to 20 ECTS) in one of the chosen module areas: Popular Music; Music Making in Social Contexts; Music in Global Contexts / Traditional Musics.
11) Are classes in the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY held in German or in English?
Classes are held in German and in English. Scientific work requires English language proficiency at level B2 (if the master’s thesis is written in German) or C1 (if the thesis is written in English).
12) How long does the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY take?
The minimum duration of study is 4 semesters.
13) Is it possible to complete the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY while working?
MUSIC IN SOCIETY is not designed to be a part-time program. In exceptional cases, however, some courses can be offered in blocks. For example, rather than as a 90-minute class every week for a whole semester, a course might be taught in larger blocks of time at irregular intervals.
14) Is it possible to complete the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY via distance learning?
No. MUSIC IN SOCIETY is designed as a face-to-face program. If necessary, there may be individual courses offered via distance learning, but these are exceptions.
15) Who can I contact with further questions about the master MUSIC IN SOCIETY?
Please direct all questions to musicinsociety@mdw.ac.at, where they will be answered as best as possible. You can also use this address to request a personal consultation.