Perspectives

After successfully completing a bachelor's degree, students can expand and deepen their knowledge in a master's program. The master's program in musicology at Goethe University is a research-oriented single-subject master's program that equips students to conduct independent musicological research. Students can tailor their focus to individual interests or pursue an in-depth study across the full breadth of the field.

The study of musicology does not specifically prepare students for a single profession but rather equips them with a wide range of skills that can be applied across various professional fields. Generally, musicologists work wherever there is a need to explain and appropriately contextualize music: as dramaturges in opera houses, editors for radio, television, and print media, concert critics, organizers of music festivals, or in the press departments of concert halls. Additionally, musicologists in publishing houses and independent research institutes produce critical editions with reliable musical scores for practical use and musicological research. The skills acquired during the course can also be applied in broader professional contexts—musicologists can be found in diverse areas such as the music industry, marketing, or public relations. Of course, a scientific career is also an option for musicologists, which requires earning a PhD (Dr. phil.).

For an overview of possible career paths and professional fields, as well as interviews with alumni of Goethe University, visit the Career Service's "What to Become?" page.