About this programme
Master's Programme in Music Performance or Composition is a Master's Degree programme at University of Bergen in Bergen, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Bergen as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. University of Bergen is a state university in Vestland.
How it compares
Master's Programme in Music Performance or Composition is one of 14 English-taught Music programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 6 institutions. 1 of them lists an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. 14 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
What you study
This is a two-year master's programme at the University of Bergen for instrumentalists, singers and composers working in classical music or jazz. The programme is built around your own main instrument, your voice, or your compositional practice. The aim is to develop your own artistic profile and your ability to reflect critically on your own work.
There are two tracks: main instrument or composition. Alongside the track, you do project work split into three self-chosen sub-projects. That lets you specialise in your own performing or creative interests, from interpretation and improvisation to composer-performer collaboration and cross-over or experimental work. You document your projects orally or digitally, depending on what fits the material.
Admission, language and next steps
You apply to the University of Bergen, a state university in Bergen. The programme is 120 ECTS over two years and leads to a Master's degree. Teaching is in English, and English is the main language of the programme's international environment.
The application deadline is 15 December for applicants from the EU/EEA/EFTA and 15 December for applicants from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA. Check the programme page for the entry requirements and for how to apply, since the institution sets these. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions. Other degree students normally pay a fee the institution sets.
Teaching combines individual lessons in your main instrument or project with seminars built on open, interactive group discussion. The seminars address working methods, use of sources, and questions relevant to what you are working on. Norwegian and international guests are invited to host seminars and master classes.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Performing instrumentalist
- Singer
- Composer
- Interpretation and improvisation work
- Composer-performer collaboration
- Cross-over or experimental music projects
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to University of Bergen, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. The institution lists its deadline as: Applicants from EU/EEA/EFTA: 15 December Applicants from outside of the EU/EEA/EFTA: 15 December. The register shows 15 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master's Programme in Music Performance or Composition taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at University of Bergen. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Bergen as the campus town for this programme at University of Bergen.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme, and some programmes require a minimum grade average. University of Bergen publishes its requirements on the programme page.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. As University of Bergen lists it: Applicants from EU/EEA/EFTA: 15 December Applicants from outside of the EU/EEA/EFTA: 15 December. The register shows 15 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at University of Bergen.
What does it cost?
No annual fee is listed for this programme. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme, so ask University of Bergen what applies to you. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at University of Bergen is linked from this page so you can compare.
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