B.Mus. Popular Music

About the course

A 210-ECTS, seven-semester Bachelor of Music training performing musicians and songwriters, with composition, performance, recording and sound engineering, pedagogy and artist development. Taught entirely in English in Berlin; main instruments include vocals, piano, guitar, bass, double bass, drums, violin, saxophone, trombone, trumpet and flute.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• SRH asks for a general higher education or university of applied sciences entrance qualification. Under German rules (KMK/ZAB) the Leaving Certificate gives direct entry to arts subjects if you have six general subjects, including two languages and Maths (at least O5/H6), with at least two at Higher Level H5 or better and the other four at O6/H6 or better. No extra Higher Level Maths or science is needed for arts. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. SRH publishes nothing specific on the Irish Leaving Cert, so confirm with admissions.
• Audition process: performance videos on your main instrument or voice (the entrance exam guide asks for two unedited videos of 1-4 minutes each plus an optional intro video), then a live theory/practical test and motivation interview (online or on campus) covering ear training, reading skills, chord symbols, genre knowledge and performance terminology.
• You must submit proof of English (SRH mentions TOEFL, IELTS or comparable certificates). No minimum level or exemption for Irish school leavers is published, so ask admissions whether Leaving Cert English is accepted.

How to apply

1. Prepare your videosRecord unedited videos (1-4 minutes each, no audio processing) on your main instrument or vocals; an intro video is optional. Check the current video count with SRH, as the programme page and exam guide differ.
2. Apply onlineCreate an account at apply.srh.de and upload your CV, passport, videos, proof of English and school results. Applications are open all year; aim for spring 2027.
3. Live entrance examIf your application passes the first review, sit the theory/practical test and motivation interview online or in Berlin, using SRH’s sample materials to prepare.
4. Sign the study contractAfter an offer, sign the study contract, pay the €750 enrolment fee and arrange housing before the 1 October 2027 start.

Costs

• EU/EEA students pay €790 a month (about €9,480 a year, roughly €33,180 over 42 months by our calculation; SRH does not publish a total), plus a one-off enrolment fee of €750. This is a private university, so the German tuition-free rule does not apply. No separate application fee is published.

At a glance