The Chamber Music Programme
fiber_manual_recordEducation level CreditsFirst cycle 180 credits
access_timeTime3 years full time
location_onStudy locationVästerås
Come and study classical music and opera at the Academy of Music and Opera at Mälardalen University at Västerås Castle! You will be studying with some of the country’s foremost music coaches. Under their expert guidance you will have the opportunity to reach your full potential as an instrumentalist and a singer. The teachers have extensive and international experience, both as musicians and teachers, as well as a wide network of contacts within the field. All teachers aim is to enhance every students musical knowledge and instrumental/vocal techniques and skills as well as enhancing and developing their artistic expression towards an increasingly personal and independent approach.
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Credits
180 credits
Education level
First cycle
Study pace
full time
Study location
Västerås
Start
2025-09-01
Length
3 years
Teaching form
Normal teaching
Tutoring language
English
Application code
MDU-41891
Selection
Entrance exams
Requirements
Passed entrance exams required. A TOEFL test result, minimum score 575 with a TWE score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT) or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of minimum 6.5 and no band score below 5.5 or equivalent is required.
Konstnärlig kandidatexamen
For students outside EU/EEAPer installment prior to each semester: 125000 SEKAnnual tuition fee: 250000 SEKTotal programme fee: 750000 SEK
Apply autumn semester 2025, Västerås
The Programme
The Chamber Music programme has a clear structure, which gives you a great opportunity to make the most of your artistic talents and to develop as a musician as well as a person. The program offers you individual teaching (Principal Study) in your main instrument and coaching in chamber music, individual teaching with pianist coach, joint classes, performance practice, music theory, music history, rhythmics and movement, lectures by visiting musicians and more. You are given the chance to plan your lessons together with your principal teacher. Individual coaching with your principal teacher has a quota of 14 hours coaching per semester. You will have many possibilities to perform with one of the Academy’s pianists at concerts as well as joint lessons.
Specialisations
The programme has four specialisations, leading to a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music:
- String instruments: violin, viola, cello and double bass
- Wind instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, trumpet, trombone and tuba
- Voice: soprano, mezzo, alto, countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass
- Keyboard instruments: piano and organ
The Chamber Music programme has extensive concert and performance activities, in total around 50 concerts and opera production each academic year, where you will have numerous opportunities to perform. The concerts and production vary from full-size symphonic Gala Concert with instrumentalists and singers to shorter lunch concerts. The concerts and performances are held in different venues, for example at the Grand Hall at Västerås Castle (120 seats), at Västerås Concert House Chamber Music Hall (200 seats) and Great Hall (912 seats), and at Västerås Cathedral (1100 seats).
All of this takes place in a creative and inspiring cultural and historical environment with Västerås Castle as a base. During your studies you will have almost unlimited access to specially adapted practice and teaching rooms at the castle, which is located within walking distance to the Central Station.
Extras
As a student you will have the opportunity of attending dress rehearsals free of charge with the Västerås Sinfonietta (also concerts), the Royal Opera in Stockholm and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Employment and Future Prospects
As a student on our artistic programmes you will have the opportunity of maximising your creative ability and talent, which will be of advantage to you in highly competitive situations. A degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music will also allow you to continue your studies on Master’s level, or for singers the Chamber Opera education. As a singer or instrumentalist you will have a creative and varied profession in orchestras, in ensembles, at opera houses or as a freelance musician.
Auditions
Admission and selection to the Chamber Music programme takes place in the form of an audition.
Programme structure and content
Here you can see how the program’s content is divided into different subjects and which courses you will take each year of the program. If you study full-time, you will take 30 credits (hp) per semester. Some courses within a program may be mandatory, while others may be elective.
This is a preliminary content of the program. Courses and subjects may be subject to change.
Courses within the programme
Courses within year 1
Joint courses:
- Musicianship to the Arts 1, 11 credits
- Music Theory 1, 10 credits
Courses för students with a specialisation in an instument:
- Chamber Music 1, 18 credits
- Main Instrument 1, 21 credits
Courses for students with a vocal specialisation:
- Chamber Music 1 for Singers, 18 credits
- Main Instrument 1 for Singers, 21 credits
Courses within year 2
Joint courses:
- The Musician as an artist 2, 13 credits
- Music Theory 2, 10 credits
Courses for students with a specialisation in an instrument:
- Chamber Music 2, 18 credits
- Main Instrument 2, 19 credits
Courses for students with a vocal specialisation:
- Chamber Music 2 for Singers, 18 credits
- Main Instrument 2 for Singers, 19 credits
Courses within year 3
Joint courses:
- The Musician as an artist 3, 7 credits
- Music Theory 3, 6 credits
Courses for students with a specialisation in an instrument:
- Chamber Music 3, 21 credits
- Main Instrument 3, 11 credits
- Final Concert, 15 credits
Courses for students with a vocal specialisation:
- Chamber Music 3 for Singers, 21 credits
- Main Instrument 3 for Singers, 11 credits
- Final Concert for Singers, 15 credits
Contact us
Can answer questions about prior knowledge, entry requirements and the application procedure.
phonePhone number +4621103129 mailE-mail address lena.hellstrom-farnlof@mdu.seCan answer questions about the set-up and content of the programme.
phonePhone number +4621101426 mailE-mail address staffan.sandstrom@mdu.se