Degree Program in Classical Music Performance (Viola)
University of the Arts Helsinki
About this program
Degree Program in Classical Music Performance (Viola)
This 5.5 year program leads to a Bachelor's and a Master's degree.
Study under the guidance of internationally esteemed string instrument teachers and play together with top professionals in a symphony orchestra.
You will receive 90 minutes of individual instruction in your main instrument per week. You will also study chamber music, music perception, music history, pedagogy and languages, as well as minor studies of your own choosing. You can complement your degree by completing courses in conducting, jazz, folk music, early music, composition and arrangement, for example.
As a master's student, you will increase your competence in your major subject and either develop a broad understanding of several areas or concentrate e.g. on orchestral performance and chamber music, contemporary music, or early music instruments and performance practices. In your optional studies, you can deepen your skills as a string musician by participating in audition training or training for acting as the principal/leader of strings and playing parts. Our graduates work as competent pedagogues and orchestra musicians, chamber musicians and soloists.
You can also choose courses organised by the other two academies of the University and complete so-called joint studies that are available for all students.
Admission requirements
In order to be admitted as a degree student to the Uniarts Helsinki, applicants must have command of the language of instruction used in the program. Having sufficient language skills is, in principle, a requirement in order to be eligible to apply, and it ensures that the applicant has demonstrated educability and suitability for university-level education and has the communication skills needed as a student.
The academies determine the languages of instruction for each degree program. The languages are stated in the program's admission criteria as well as the syllabus.
If a program has several languages of instruction, applicants are only required to prove their proficiency in one of the languages.
Applicants must demonstrate their skills with a language certificate or prior studies. Language skills may also be assessed as part of entrance examinations.
A number of our study programs is offered in Finnish, Swedish, and English. This means that the student has the right to use any of these languages in teaching and study attainments, unless it is otherwise stated in the curriculum or the character of teaching makes it impossible. Please notice that most of our group instruction is held in Finnish or English.
These requirements are followed in our bachelor's and master's admissions, and in doctoral admissions where appropriate.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
Classical Music Instrument Performance / Strings, Bachelor and Master of Music (3 yr + 2.5 yr)
Strings, Bachelor of Music
Instrument and ensemble skills
- Orchestra and ensemble performance (Bachelor’s), strings
- Orchestral performance
- Chamber music 1
- Creative performance studies
- Units or courses in Uniarts optional studies
- Optional studies
Proficiency demontration and maturity essay
General music skills
- Structural awareness of music 1
- Assignments (optional)
- Structural awareness of music 2
- Structural awareness of music 2a
- Structural awareness of music 2 b
- Assignments (optional)
- Advanced structural awareness of music
- History of Western art music
- History of music essay, optional
Pedagogical skills (select option A or B)
- Option A, pedagogical skills
- Pedagogy 1 (incl. General pedagogy lectures in spring semester)
- Pedagogy 2 Pedagogy 1 (incl. General pedagogy lectures in autumn semester)
- Option B, pedagogical skills
Study and career skills, and ergonomic studies
- Studies determined by the apartment
- Optional studies
- Language studies
- Foreign Language
- Second official language
- Written communication
- Foreign language
Strings, Master of Music
Instrument and ensemble skills
- Orchestra and ensemble performance (Master’s), strings
- Orchestral performance
- Chamber music
- Optional studies
Proficiency demonstration and maturity essay
- Maturity essay
General music skills and communication skills
Advanced structural awareness of music
Career and study skills
- Units or courses in common studies or in the Open Campus offering
- Studies determined by the department
For more information, please check the course webpage.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program delivery
The languages of instruction for this program are English, Finnish and Swedish.
Tuition
The tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is €5000 per year.
Tuition fees at Uniarts Helsinki are only applicable to Non-EU and non-EEA students studying for a BA or a MA degree in English.
Qualification
You can study violin, viola, cello or double bass as your main instrument. Chamber music, playing in an orchestra and high-level competence in one’s instrument are the core of the studies.
Continuing studies
It is possible to complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at the University as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a masters degree, you will have the option to apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
Career paths
Our graduates work as competent pedagogues and orchestra musicians, chamber musicians and soloists.
Graduates will be able to work as intermediaries between culture and other fields.Other career opportunities include, for example, research, administrative duties, media, and entrepreneurship in music.
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About this institute
University of the Arts Helsinki
The University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki) offers the highest education in fine arts, music, dance and theatre in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment. Uniarts Helsinki’s wide selection of programs in the field of arts and productive dialogue between teaching...
Why study at University of the Arts Helsinki
- The University of the Arts is one of the leading performing arts universities in the world: Uniarts Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy has ranked among the top 22 universities in the QS World University Ranking for five consecutive years (2016–2022).
- We have unique facilities for creating arts with two campuses in Helsinki and a new building for fine arts which was opened in 2021. The facilities are in the use of the Academy of Fine Arts as well as students of light design, sound design, and design for the performing arts. We host over 1,000 public performances or exhibitions per year.
- At Uniarts Helsinki you can study in an inspiring environment where different disciplines of art influence each other. The academies of Uniarts Helsinki;Academy of Fine Arts, Theatre Academy and Sibelius Academy, have roots deep within the Finnish arts education and history of art. The predecessors of all three academies were founded in the 19th century although then they operated under slightly different names.
- The Academy of Fine Arts of Uniarts Helsinki is an international academy with a focus on fine arts. Students' personal aspirations and one-to-one guidance in teaching are at the heart of the academy.
- The Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki is one of the largest music academies in Europe. It is the cornerstone of the Finnish music culture through its expertise in teaching, research and artistic activities.
- The Theatre Academy of Uniarts Helsinki is a reformer of the performing arts and offer the highest education in theatre, dance and writing in Finland.
