Degree programme objectives

The aim of the bachelor degree study in the field of musicology is to acquire and develop knowledge, skills and methodological experience from the field of historical and theoretical issues of the history of Czech and European music in the whole range of their development. The emphasis is given also on the knowledge and reliable orientation in basic musical theoretical disciplines, ie in harmony, counterpoint and musical forms, in the historical, theoretical and practical levels. In the acquisition of key competencies, it is of great importance to perform musical activities (within the framework of the lessons it is possible to sing in several choirs, play piano, perform in chamber ensembles or orchestra). This field of study is intended for graduates and graduates of secondary schools of various types, whose studies end with a school-leaving examination (grammar school, conservatory, secondary vocational school etc.). The concept counts not only on the basic theoretical equipment of the graduates, but also on the application of their skills in practice. Students of the bachelor's degree in musicology gradually acquire the work of literature (Czech and foreign), but to a limited extent also with primary and secondary sources related to musical culture. They will be able to analyze various types and forms of artistic expression, both in the field of classical music and non-artistic music. It is also possible to start an Erasmus + internship at one of the many European universities with which the Institute of Musicology has concluded a partnership contract and it is desirable to apply the knowledge and experience gained abroad when writing a bachelor thesis. Graduates can further study musical science at a master's degree or some related fields (especially those attended by the Institute of Music Science, such as Music Management etc.).

Study plans

Admission Procedures
Admission to Bachelor's and long-cycle Master's degree programmes in 2025/2026
Submission deadline until midnight 28/2/2025

  • Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programme
    This programme is taught in Czech.

    The criteria for admission for studies are the results of the written Field of Study Examination. Applicants may also be admitted based on other criteria, see Admission without the Entrance Examination. The Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University disregards the results of SCIO National Comparative Examinations.

    You can file your e-applications for studies from 1 November to 28 February.
    Field of study examinations will be held from 22 April to 27 April.
    The date and time of the examination will be stated in the electronic invitation for the examination, which will be uploaded to your e-application. The faculty will not be sending paper invitations. Applicants applying for the major study plan and minor study plan in a combined study must comply with the conditions for admission into both plans.

    Learning Potential Test (TSP)

    For admission for studies in this degree programme, you do not need to take the TSP.

    Field of Study Examination

    This examination is only in Czech. It is intended to check the applicants’ knowledge of the given field of study. It is done in the form of a written test.

    Basic description of the Field of Study Examination:
    The test will check your knowledge of music education, basics of musical theory, and basics of Czech and world music history. The test will also include musical scores, identification of intervals, triads, sevenths, and their inversions.

    Admission without the entrance examination

    You may be exempt from the entrance examination based on at least one of the following criteria:
    1. participation in a national or regional round of Students’ Professional Activities (SOČ) in the field of Theory of Culture, Arts, and Artistic Creation;
    2. secondary school results from profile subjects of Czech (Slovak) language, history, music, basics of social sciences.

    Secondary school results may be applied for an exemption from the entrance examination by those applicants whose average grade was 1.5 or higher in each of the four profile subjects. The total average result in all subjects is not taken into consideration. Secondary school seminars are also disregarded. The average grade of each profile subject is calculated based on the results of the last four years of study in the following way: the mid-year grade is calculated from the final year, whereas the final grades are calculated from the previous three years. It is also necessary that applicants have studied each of the profile subjects for at least two years during the last four years.
    Enter your grades in your e-application. Then print the grades out and let your secondary school certify them with a stamp and a signature. Upload the scan of the certified grades into your e-application. You can also upload officially certified school reports or any other documents certifying your school results.
    Please upload the officially certified documents directly to your e-application in the section Application for the Exemption from the Entrance Examination no later than 28 February.

  • Recommended reading for the examinations under this field

    • Luděk Zenkl: ABC hudební nauky. Praha: Supraphon, resp. Praha: Bärenreiter (vyšlo v mnoha vydáních).
    • Jan Kouba: ABC hudebních slohů: od raného středověku k W. A. Mozartovi. Praha: Supraphon, 1988
    • Ulrich Michels: Encyklopedický atlas hudby. Praha: Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 2000
  • Evaluation criteria valid for the applicants applying for a place on this degree programme

    • Total number of points in the Field of Study Examination: 100
    • Limit for successfully passing the Field of Study Examination: 50
    Points are not deducted for incorrect answers.

Studies

  • Objectives

    The aim of the bachelor degree study in the field of musicology is to acquire and develop knowledge, skills and methodological experience from the field of historical and theoretical issues of the history of Czech and European music in the whole range of their development. The emphasis is given also on the knowledge and reliable orientation in basic musical theoretical disciplines, ie in harmony, counterpoint and musical forms, in the historical, theoretical and practical levels. In the acquisition of key competencies, it is of great importance to perform musical activities (within the framework of the lessons it is possible to sing in several choirs, play piano, perform in chamber ensembles or orchestra). This field of study is intended for graduates and graduates of secondary schools of various types, whose studies end with a school-leaving examination (grammar school, conservatory, secondary vocational school etc.). The concept counts not only on the basic theoretical equipment of the graduates, but also on the application of their skills in practice. Students of the bachelor's degree in musicology gradually acquire the work of literature (Czech and foreign), but to a limited extent also with primary and secondary sources related to musical culture. They will be able to analyze various types and forms of artistic expression, both in the field of classical music and non-artistic music. It is also possible to start an Erasmus + internship at one of the many European universities with which the Institute of Musicology has concluded a partnership contract and it is desirable to apply the knowledge and experience gained abroad when writing a bachelor thesis. Graduates can further study musical science at a master's degree or some related fields (especially those attended by the Institute of Music Science, such as Music Management etc.).

  • Learning Outcomes

    After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

    • to know well the stages of musical development in terms of both historiographical and analytical;
    • to analyze specific musical formations, both in terms of macrostructure and microstructure of musical works
    • popularize music at a sophisticated level
    • to work with sources for individual stylistic periods
    • to focus on basic field heuristics and work with archive funds

  • Occupational Profiles of Graduates

    A graduate of a Bachelor's degree in musicology is a specialist in music theory and history that enable him to practice in basic and applied research (academic workplaces, various archives and museums), music industry management ), management of concerts (concerts and agencies) and last but not least in the sphere of music education and journalism.

  • Practical Training

    Students will practice in various musical and cultural institutions (museums, archives, theaters, media, orchestras, concert agencies etc.). They can also participate in the research tasks of the Institute and some grant projects.

  • Goals of Theses

    The standard range of bachelor's diploma thesis is at least 70,000 characters, including footnotes, cover letter, content, index, list of literature and annotations. A compulsory part of both types is Czech and one foreign language resume. The aim of the thesis is to demonstrate the ability to formulate professional problems and to find solutions, to work critically with specialized texts and source materials.

    The State Bachelor's Exam ends a three-year Bachelor's Degree in Musicology. In this exam, the student has to prove the general orientation in the field, ie knowledge of basic issues of the main musicological disciplines and deeper knowledge of the history of music, especially European and Czech music.

  • Access to Further Studies

    Graduates can further study musical science at a master's degree or some related fields (especially those attended by the Institute of Music Science, such as Music Management etc.).

Basic information

Abbreviation
B-VH_
Type
Bachelor's degree programme
Profile
academic
Degree
Bc.
Length of studies
3 years
Language of instruction
Czech Czech

150
estimated number of admitted
98
number of active students
38
number of theses/dissertations

Faculty of Arts
Programme guaranteed by
Programme guarantor