Programme description

If you are passionate about music and dream of working as a music event organizer (in a cultural institution), journalist, editor in a music publishing house, teacher of theoretical music subjects, or a researcher of musical culture, then Musicology at Jagiellonian University is for you! You do not need to be a graduate of a music school. At the very beginning of your studies, you will receive an intensive theoretical and practical course designed for those without prior musical training. Specialized preparation in the history of classical music (both global and Polish, from the Middle Ages to the present day), folk music, as well as popular, jazz, and film music; two attractive modules in the undergraduate program—Music and Society and Music Editing; and a wide selection of elective courses—all this awaits passionate individuals at the Institute of Musicology.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of History is the best faculty of history in Poland according to the the ranking of ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation. In addition, the study programmes conducted at the Faculty have been at the forefront of this ranking for years. The Faculty of History is the right place for enthusiasts of ancient cultures and people interested in studying art, the preservation of cultural heritage and history. Programmes offered by the Faculty have a long tradition of teaching, yet the classes are conducted innovatively and respond to the current needs of students and employers.

The Faculty consists of 6 institutes. Musicology classes are delivered at the Institute of Musicology (IM), located in the historic, renovated Pusłowski Palace on Westerplatte street, 10, and in a new outbuilding. The Institute is the oldest musicology institution in Poland. Founded in 1911, it became an important university centre educating students in the field of musicology and conducting extensive research activities. IM has excellent premises and teaching facilities. Lecture and seminar rooms equipped with modern audio-visual equipment and a computer room are located in a new outbuilding. Students have access to the resources of one of the most well-equipped musical libraries in Poland with online access to the most important databases.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Positive evaluation of the study programme awarded by Polish Accreditation Comittee (PKA)
• Scientific category A in the discipline of Arts Studies awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations work at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. Musicology Students Research Society is working at the Institute of Musicology. The Society allows getting organizational and editing experience in the publishing process of the Quarterly Magazine of Young Musicologists of the JU.

The Institute of Musicology students participate in ethnomusicological and librarianship traineeships and editorship and journalism workshops. Individuals who are interested in journalism work in student media, such as UJOT FM, or Kultura All in UJ website. Students at the Institute gain professional experience organizing concerts during individual internships in the Krakow Festival Office, Cracow Philharmonic, or Cracovia Danza Court Ballet. Studies also allow further development of musical passions by participation in three academic choirs (Kraków Academic Choir, Female Academic Choir, and Camerata Jagellonica), “All In Orchestra” – a small orchestra of the Jagiellonian University, and Słowianki Song and Dance Ensemble.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes such as Erasmus+, Utrecht Network, exchange programmes within Bilateral Agreements or European university Una Europa, or participate in a domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• Student Government of Faculty of History

From our students

Paulina
Musicology is not about playing instruments but experiencing music by exploring its various, less obvious elements. You need to be interested in music and history, and it requires analytical thinking.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

In recent years, there has been a clear increase in demand for graduates of musicology in a wide range of institutions connected with broadly understood musical culture. Musicologists find employment primarily in cultural institutions, education, and the media. They may work, among others, in music and general-interest magazines, music publishing houses, philharmonic orchestras, opera houses, concert agencies, or libraries.

In many areas of social and professional life, there is a demand for individuals who possess reliable knowledge of music while also demonstrating well-developed interpersonal skills. Employers in the media, advertising, and cultural sectors particularly value the ability to communicate effectively, as well as to write, edit, and proofread texts, and to use language consciously and correctly.

There has also long been a demand for teachers of theoretical music subjects—such as music knowledge, music history, music theory, musical forms, or the fundamentals of musicology—in first- and second-level music schools. Qualifications to teach these subjects can be obtained by completing an optional teacher-training pathway offered across both the first- and second-cycle degree programmes, which means completing the courses required at both stages of study.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School in the Humanities
• Post diploma programme
• Second-cycle programme

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

The Jagiellonian University Institute of Musicology offers the opportunity to visit its historic seat – the Pusłowski Palace, located at 10 Westerplatte Street – including a visit to the I.J. Paderewski Documentation Centre for 19th- and 20th-Century Polish Music. The visit includes a talk combined with a guided tour of the temporary exhibition, as well as a presentation and brief introduction to the private book collection of I.J. Paderewski preserved at the Centre.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Institute of Musicology, a unit of the Faculty of History. The Institute is located in the historic centre of Kraków. For more information, please contact:

muzykologia@uj.edu.pl

ul. Westerplatte 10
31-033 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 16 70

muzykologia.uj.edu.pl
historyczny.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Protection of Cultural Property (Faculty of History) – programme in Polish
• Theatre Studies (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• Studies in Theatre (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish