The Barenboim-Said Akademie offers a one-year Artist Diploma in all orchestral instruments, piano, and composition.

The Artist Diploma is a post-graduate certificate program for advanced musicians preparing for a professional performing career. Unlike the Bachelor of Music, it is not an accredited degree. Freedom and flexibility have been built into the Artist Diploma curriculum to match the demands of an active performance schedule.

At its core, the Artist Diploma provides rigorous instrumental and musical training. In addition to individual instruction and coaching, students participate in chamber music and orchestral ensembles.

To complement their intensive music studies, Artist Diploma students also complete academic work. Each semester, they either take an elective course in the humanities or musicology, or work with a faculty advisor on an independent paper. Students are also expected to participate in Akademie-wide academic events such as guest lectures. In addition, they may enroll in language courses or, subject to availability and instructor permission, take other classes in the humanities and music curriculum.

The Artist Diploma certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all performance and academic requirements.