1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Bern Academy of the Arts
  3. Studies
  4. Master's degree programmes
  5. Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz
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Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz

In the Master Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz you will develop your own language – in dialog with current trends, improvisation and new technologies.

Here you will reflect on and expand your role as a composer. Your practice is developed in exchange with leading artists, individually accompanied and personally supported be experienced teachers – as well as in collaboration with fellow students. In this way, you will develop a contemporary and distinctive artistic profile.

Students report: Studying Jazz and Contemporary Music in Bern.

Begin your studies on 14 September 2026.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Arts
  • Mode of study Full-time (4 semestres)
  • Start date 14 September 2026
  • Application deadline 16 March 2026
  • ECTS credits 120 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language German / French / English
  • Location Bern
  • School Bern Academy of the Arts
  • Next info event 23.–25. February 2026

Contact

Focus areas

In the Contemporary Jazz specialisation, you will receive personal instruction from renowned lecturers. You will work on your own artistic development, present your music in practice, and have the opportunity to collaborate with others.

What you will gain with your degree

This Master’s degree programme will provide you with a specialised education in contemporary jazz composition. You will learn how to compose and produce your own music and present it in a wide variety of formats.

The Master’s programme offers you plenty of flexibility and space for your personal interests. You will work on your own projects, perform your music, and take part in workshops and masterclasses. Interdisciplinary work is explicitly encouraged – for example, in collaboration with areas such as Composition/Creative Practice (CCP), Sound Arts, and other performative formats at the HKB. These experiences help you improve your musical skills and successfully apply your music in a variety of contexts.

You will create soundscapes in solo and ensemble formats – from small jazz line-ups and improvisation ensembles to string quartets and large ensembles - and hone your artistic profile.

The focus is on key disciplines of contemporary jazz composition: instrumentation and orchestration, experimental improvisation, notation and digital tools, project and performance practice, as well as studio and production techniques.

You will deepen your theoretical knowledge of analysis, form and music aesthetics and learn to contextualise. You will engage in active discourse on traditional and contemporary compositional methods, including improvisation.

The study programme prepares you for the job market by teaching you to balance individuality and convention, art and commerce. You will have the opportunity to present your work at national and international festivals alongside renowned jazz musicians and jazz ensemble.

Partners + Exchanges

The HKB fosters a network of relationships with other universities, both in Switzerland and abroad. It collaborates with domestic and international partners on various projects. The HKB is also a member of several national and international organisations and networks.

Our partners include the following organisations:

HKB students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies or work experience abroad. In turn, interested persons from abroad can apply to study at HKB or spend part of their studies here.

Combining Theory and Practice in Research Projects

Teaching, practice and research are closely linked at our institution. The practical research conducted at the HKB explores important cultural, technological and social issues. Research takes place in four institutes:

Career Prospects

As a graduate of the Master’s degree programme in Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz, you are ideally prepared for a career in the music industry.

You will be able to work as a freelance composer in the field of contemporary jazz, become a specialist performer or work as an artistic director of jazz ensembles and projects. Your comprehensive knowledge and practical skills will enable you to operate successfully in various creative and professional roles and actively shape your career in the field of music.

Ready for a challenge?

With your degree, you will be excellently equipped for demanding roles in the music scene. It is common to gain employment at renowned jazz festivals, music theatres, and arts institutions, or work as a freelance artist.

Our graduates work in the following fields as:

  • Composers for Contemporary Jazz

  • Curators for Jazz Festivals

  • Composers for Musical Theatre

  • Music Producers

  • Sound Designers

  • Festival Organisers

Do you want to prepare for the transition into your career in the best possible way? Take a look at the Career Skills programme offered by HKB Music.

A doctorate – your career in teaching and research

With your Master of Arts Music Composition degree, the path to a doctorate is open to you. The interdisciplinary artistic/creative/scientific doctoral programme SINTA is a unique cooperation in Switzerland. Your professional and research experience and the corresponding methodological and didactic qualification will qualify you for entry into teaching at a university or comparable institution.

Check out: Doctoral Programme – Studies in the Arts SINTA

Duration + Content

The Master of Arts in Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz takes four semesters in full-time study or five or six semesters in part-time study.

Full-time or part-time?

Full-time studies

The study course comprises 120 ECTS-Credits. You study full-time and complete your studies after four semesters with your Master’s thesis.

Part-time studies

The study course comprises 120 ECTS-Credits. You study part-time and complete your studies after five or six semesters with your Master’s thesis.

Programme Schedule

The Master’s degree programme is divided into modules, minor subjects and optional modules in addition to the core subject. The course comprises of a total of 120 ECTS credits.

Programme Modules

In addition to your core subject, the elective courses and minor subjects in particular offer you numerous opportunities for personal development according to your interests.

An overview of all study modules can be found in the module plan.

Module plan | MA Composition (Contemporary Jazz) (PDF, 106 KB)

The major modules form the focus of the degree programme and comprise five module groups and 90 ECTS credits.

  • Core subject

  • Artistic practice

  • Theory

  • Research

  • Master’s Thesis

To deepen or expand your skills, you can choose a minor module worth 30 ECTS credits. The diverse range of courses allows you to develop your own distinctive profile – from second/parallel instruments, music pedagogy or improvisation to specialised areas such as creative practice, sound arts, historical performance practice, music and movement or transdisciplinarity.

You can choose from a wide range of optional modules from various disciplines – including courses from the Creative Practice and Sound Arts degree programmes. An overview of the courses on offer is published in a brochure at the beginning of each semester.

Every semester, the HKB research department offers themed weeks in which you can participate. You can choose which week you would like to participate in during your studies.

You complete your studies with a Master’s thesis. This can be a concert, a performance or an installation at the end of the second year of study. The Master’s thesis also includes a written paper and a colloquium.

Study plan

Admission Requirements

The number of places available on our programme is limited (‘numerus clausus’). We administer an entrance examination to review your aptitude for our programme. We look for motivation, stamina, resilience and independence in our students as well as a readiness to participate actively in university-level projects.

Your Academic Requirements

​​The prerequisite for the admission to the programme is:

  • a Bachelor’s degree in music

  • an equivalent degree

Your professional requirements

You have experience within the profession, in teaching or in research, at least in the form of an internship.

Supplementary Information on Admission

Find out which languages and prior knowledge are required before starting your studies, what the admission requirements are for international applicants, and how students are selected.

To be admitted to the Master’s degree programme in Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz, you must have a high degree of artistic autonomy. You are able to contribute to the interdisciplinary artistic context and work on interdisciplinary projects.

You have a solid understanding of the use of different sound instruments in jazz and related areas. You also have good instrumental skills and the ability to develop a project. In addition, you are familiar with musical techniques of contemporary jazz, arranging and sound technology.

The language of instruction is German, English and French. English is increasingly becoming the lingua franca of the degree programme. Lecturers are generally proficient in several languages and have a good knowledge of the “partner languages”. Written work can be submitted in German, English or French.

Information Sheet: Language Competencies (PDF, 115 KB)

International applicants will require authentic and valid identification recognized by Switzerland; a visa may often be required. Successful international applicants must apply for a residence permit, and submit proof of sufficient funds. Prior to starting their studies, they will be required to obtain health insurance cover. Applicants should make sure they are fully informed about and compliant with their specific entry requirements for Switzerland.

Bern University of Applied Sciences – Academy of the Arts,
HKB Music
Ostermundigenstrasse 103
CH-3000 Berne 22

Application

So, you have decided to study at the Bern Academy of the Arts?
Then do not hesitate and apply right now!

Application Deadlines

Registration deadline: 16 March 2026
Start of studies: 14 September 2026
Aptitude tests: 31 March–17 April 2026

Begin your studies in Autumn 2026

Application Type

You can only apply for your studies online.

Application Documents

Please submit the following documents in electronic format (passport photo: JPG, other documents: PDF).

  • ID or passport
  • Passport photo according to international passport requirements (JPG)
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification 
  • Transcript of Records (ToR)
  • Diplomas and university entrance certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, baccalaureate, Abitur or equivalent)
  • CV in tabular form
  • Copies of the required certificates and confirmations
  • Employer references (internship certificates)
  • Language certificates (if available)

For International Students, in Addition

  • Residence permit (if available)

If You Were Already Matriculated at Another University

  • Confirmation of your exmatriculation

  • Transcript of records of current and/or terminated studies

If you do not yet have one or more of the required documents, please state why in the Comments section.

Transgender identities

Would you prefer us to address you differently to the details recorded in your official documents?

Please register the first name you go by and your gender (if binary) at the application stage, to ensure that we address you correctly during the application process. The relevant form is available on the BFH website. Please upload the completed form together with your application.

The costs for the programme comprise application, tuition and examination fees plus the cost of course materials and excursions.

  until SS 2026 per AS 2026/27

Application (per application) and aptitude assessment*  

 CHF 250

CHF 250

Matriculation**  

 CHF 100

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester) 

 CHF 750

CHF 850

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

 CHF 950

CHF 2,550

Examination fee (per semester)  

 CHF 80

CHF 80

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)  

 CHF 24

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

 CHF 15

CHF 15

Leave of absence fee (per semester) 

 CHF 100

CHF 100

* The application fee can be paid by credit card or by deposit slip / paper invoice (+ CHF 10 processing fee). There are no waivers or refunds for withdrawn or abandoned applications. The application is processed after payment has been received.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein.

There is also a fixed fee for materials whose amount depends on the degree programme as well as additional costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, supplies, etc.

Fees factsheet valid until SS 2026 (PDF, 63 KB)
Fees factsheet valid per AS 2026/27 (PDF, 122 KB)
General information regarding scholarships


If you have any questions regarding scholarships and loans please contact Hannes Liechti.

Advice + Information

Do you have any queries about the study programme? At our information events, the Head of Degree Programme, lecturers and current students will answer your questions.

Advice

Choosing a degree programme is an important decision. We will be happy to arrange a face-to-face chat to answer your questions and advise you on the requirements for your chosen programme.

Prof. Stefan Schultze

  • Dozent
  • +41 31 848 57 34
  • Show e-mail

Laura Chihaia

  • Assistentin Studienbereich Jazz
  • +41 31 848 31 76
  • Show e-mail

Sibyl Hofstetter

  • Leiterin Sekretariat Jazz
  • +41 31 848 49 31
  • Show e-mail

Tom Arthurs, Django Bates, Oliver Friedli, Andreas Schaerer, Stefan Schultze, Martin Streule, Biliana Voutchkova, Byron Wallen

The Bern University of Applied Sciences offers students a wide range of opportunities at its locations in Bern, Biel, Burgdorf and Basel to make life attractive and enjoyable during their studies.

Take a look at ‘Studies + Life’

Information Event

At our information events, you can find out everything you need to know about the degree programme, admission requirements and your career prospects. Our students talk about their experiences on the programme and give you a personal insight into their everyday life at the Academy of the Arts HKB.

  • Information Event

Master Music Composition – Contemporary Jazz

Our Master of Arts in Music Composition offers personalised instruction in composition that will enable you to write music in a wide variety of styles and for diverse contexts.

23.02.2026 until 25.02.2026 – HKB, Eigerplatz 5a, 3007 Bern

Location + Infrastructure

Location

Bern Eigerplatz 5a

Bern Ostermundigenstrasse 103

Bern Papiermühlestrasse 13

Infrastructure

At the HKB you will study in a stimulating environment.

Our music infrastructure includes modern practice and teaching rooms, halls, an extensive library, a recording studio, research infrastructure and rental instruments. Many rooms can be reserved online, and we encourage an open house.

Explore our infrastructure: