Admissions Process

Applying and Auditioning

The Barenboim-Said Akademie’s admissions process has two main stages: the submission and review of an online application, followed by an in-person audition for shortlisted candidates. The application period opens each fall for admission to the Winter Semester of the following academic year.

Our application portal for the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Preparatory, and Artist Diploma programs for the 2026-27 academic year will open in November 2025 and close in January 2026.

Find the program that is the best fit for you. Learn more about pre-screening and audition requirements and consult our Frequently Asked Questions on the Admissions page.

Application Winter semester 2026/27

For the 2026-27 academic year, the Akademie will be accepting applications for the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Preparatory, and Artist Diploma programs. A complete overview of which studios will be open for applications will be published on our website by October 2025.

Applications for the 2026-27 Academic Year will open in Fall 2025.

Applications for all programs and instruments are submitted via SlideRoom. You must create a SlideRoom account to begin an application. Once registered, you may sign in at any time to continue working. Please note: there are no application fees.

Required Information and documents:

Personal information (full name, contact details, citizenship(s), address, emergency contact)
Education history (schools and universities attended, with dates)
Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL ITP, Academic IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, LanguageCert LTE, or Linguaskill General). See FAQ and Resources pages for details.
Responses to short essay questions
PDF scans of recent academic transcripts and certificates (with certified English or German translations if not originally in those languages)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Copy of passport
Biometric photo (51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 inches)
Pre-screening materials
Letter of recommendation

Studio	Teacher	Preparatory Program	Bachelor of Music	Master of Music	Artist Diploma
Cello	Sennu Laine	✔	✔	✔	✔
Cello	Prof. Frans Helmerson	✔	✔	✔	✔
Viola	Prof. Yulia Deyneka	✔	✔	✔	✔
Violin	Prof. Mihaela Martin	✔	✔	✔	✔
Violin	Prof. Rainer Honeck	✔	✔	✔	✔
Violin	Prof. Michael Barenboim	✔	✔	✔	✔
Double Bass	Prof. Nabil Shehata	✔	✔	✔	✔
Bassoon	Mor Biron	✔	✔	✔	✔
Clarinet	Matthias Glander	✔	✔	✔	✔
Oboe	Prof. Gregor Witt	✔	✔	✔	✔
Flute	Claudia Stein	✔	✔	✔	✔
Horn	Andrej Žust	✔	✔	✔	✔
Trombone	Filipe Alves	✔	✔	✔	✔
Trumpet	Prof. Reinhold Friedrich	✔	✔	✔	✔
Percussion	Dominic Oelze	✔	✔	✔	✔
Piano	Sir András Schiff	✔	✔	✔	✔
Piano	Prof. Michael Wendeberg	✔	✔	✔	✔
Piano	Schaghajegh Nosrati	✔	✔	✔	✔
Composition	Prof. Jörg Widmann	✔	✔	✔	✔
Composition	Prof. Stephan Winkler	✔	✔	✔	✔

Audition

After the review of applications and pre-screening materials, selected candidates are invited to audition and interview with our faculty in Berlin. Auditions may be recorded for internal panel review only.

Instrumental applicants audition before a jury and take part in an interview. Composition applicants additionally complete a Music Theory and Ear Training test. Candidates who have not submitted proof of English proficiency may, in certain cases, be required to take an English language test provided by the Akademie. Eligible applicants will be informed of the details well in advance.

Candidates selected for audition will receive an individual invitation with their specific date. General audition dates are not published in advance.

Invited applicants from outside Germany may apply for a travel bursary. The Admissions team is also available to provide support with travel visas where necessary.

Visit the Audition & Pre-Screening Repertoire page.

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