Diploma in Composition and Music Theory

In the area of concentration “Composition” students are to acquire basic skills in organising and creating musical sounds within a contemporary cultural environment. Composers must be able to draw on a solid and broad foundation of aural training. Core skills in these artistic fields are conveyed to the studies by the study of historical compositional practices and analysis.

For some time now the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna has also been offering the areas of concentration “Media Composition and Applied Music” that can be pursued parallel to “Composition”, “Electro-Acoustic Composition” or “Music Theory”. The area of concentration “Media Composition and Applied Music” deals with different media contexts of music: music and theatre, music and film respectively sound design, music and advertisement, music and computer games, music in video clips.

Our approach is aimed at,

• Developing a vocabulary of sounds in which communication and understanding can take place in a nuanced manner applying means other than those typically used for commercial purposes,
• Applying reflection and analysis as critical tools and taking these to a new level,
• Developing creativity using a foundation of set tools and spontaneity.

​We view this course of studies as a creative adventure vacillating between science and art.

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?”.