Sound Studies and Sonic Arts focuses on the two mainstays of theoretical discussion and practical exploration and creation in the field auditive culture and art.

Within the theoretical area, the program aims to further the theoretical and scientific advancement of students and to broaden their knowledge of auditive culture and art. Particular attention will be given to methods of the fields of musicology, cultural studies, media studies, theory of art, design, architecture and communication, as well as sociology, gender studies and philosophy.

Classes dealing with art and design in practice will allow students to familiarize themselves with methods and procedures of artistic and creative work with sound and to implement conception, realization and documentation to their work.

The program also offers students the opportunity to develop their listening skills. Classes aim to enable students to describe and analyze characteristics and temporal and spatial changes in sound and sonic events. This is based on knowledge of music theory, musical and technical listening skills, and methods of musical notation, as well as basics of physical acoustics, psychoacoustics, phenomenology and Aisthetik.

The Sound Studies and Sonic Arts Master's program consists of alternating study modules (Basic Phase, Focus Phase, Project Phase). The Basic (first Winter) and Focus Phases (first and second Summer) consist of multiple courses for which presence in Berlin is mandatory. During Project Phases (second and third Winter) students may work off campus and on their own time. Each module concludes with an exam.

Please see our COURSE OF STUDIES information for a visualization.

Basic Theory: theoretic and scientific reflection on auditive art and culture, particularly regarding methods of cultural studies, musicology, theory of art, design, media and communication theory as well as philosophy.

Basic Practice: techniques and methods of artistic creation with sound, including conception, realization and documentation.

Basic Listening: development of musical and technical aural skills, conveyance of methods of musical notation and analysis of sound events and progression of sound in time, basics of physical acoustics, psychoacoustics, phenomenology and Aisthetik.

Basic Audio Technology: methods and history of synthesis, physical and technological basics of audio signals, as well as their recording and technical processing.

Focus Theory: deepening skills in theoretic and scientific reflection on auditive art and culture, particularly regarding methods of cultural studies, musicology, theory of art, design, architecture, media and communication theory as well as philosophy, gender studies and sociology.

Focus Practice: deepening knowledge of techniques and methods of artistic creation with sound, including conception, realization and documentation.

Focus Listening: deepening knowledge of musical and technical aural skills, conveyance of methods of musical notation and analysis of sound events and progression of sound in time, basics of physical acoustics, psychoacoustics, phenomenology and Aisthetik. Scientific or creative implications of trained skills or their application in artistic research.

The Project Phases allow students to conceptualize and realize theoretical, scientific or artistic works. Project topics may be chosen by the students or suggested by our faculty.

For The Master Project students show their acquired skills and knowledge through an independently conceived theoretical, scientific and/or practical work. The exhibition or performance of the work and an oral exam will finalize the studies.

Due to a cooperation of all Berlin universities, students may make use of the extensive curriculum and all courses offered by the Berlin University of the Arts and other Berlin Universities to develop their study emphasis.