Musicology in interdisciplinary exchange

Music is almost omnipresent, and it is always embedded in contexts. Musicology deals with music at all times, i.e. with contemporary pop, rock and computer music as well as music from the Romantic, classical, medieval and ancient periods. The perspectives are diverse, dealing with music as practice, music as art, music as a carrier of meaning, music as text and much more. Analysing compositions or recordings is just as important as critically examining the social functions of music, cultural-historical contexts, composers, performers and recipients.

Why is music history told and how? In what political contexts is an opera embedded? Which musical, textual, media, physical and cultural levels interact in a musical performance in such a way that certain interpretations or meanings emerge? In order to be able to answer these and many other questions appropriately, you will acquire in-depth specialist knowledge and methodological skills in dealing with music during your studies.

In the two-subject Bachelor's degree programme, you choose two subject areas that you study to the same extent. The subject of Musicology can be combined with all other subjects on the two-subject Bachelor's degree programme - a broad field ranging from History, Education Studies, Art, Media, Fashion to Linguistics and Literature, Theology and Philosophy.

Career prospects in music and culture

A special feature of the degree programme is the high value placed on professional practice (project work, work placement, courses on presentation and mediation techniques). The six-semester programme concludes with a Bachelor's thesis in one of the two subject areas and qualifies students for a wide range of music and culture-related careers as well as for a Master's degree.

Studying in Detmold and Paderborn - and also abroad

The degree programme is run by the Paderborn University and in cooperation with the Detmold University of Music. Most of the seminars and lectures in the subject area of musicology take place in Detmold . In addition, individual courses are offered on the Paderborn University campus, especially in view of the needs of students in the two-subject BA programme. The wide range of courses offered by the Department of Musicology, the Paderborn University and the University of Music opens up a wide range of options for an interest-orientated, individual study programme. Thanks to international co-operation, there are excellent opportunities to study abroad.

On the two-subject programme, about half of your courses are in Detmold and half in Paderborn. We actively support all subject combinations and, in case of doubt, find individual solutions so that you can alternate between Detmold and Paderborn days in the most relaxed way possible. Please contact the Student Counselling Service at any time!