Barenboim-Said Akademie

Berlin, Germany

About Barenboim-Said Akademie

The Barenboim-Said Akademie is a small, state-recognised specialist music academy in Berlin-Mitte, founded in 2016 by conductor Daniel Barenboim and inspired by the legacy of cultural theorist Edward Said. It grew out of the West Eastern Divan Orchestra (founded 1999) and operates in a landmark building on Französische Strasse alongside the Pierre Boulez Saal — a concert hall designed by Frank Gehry.

The Akademie combines intensive professional music performance studies across orchestral instruments, piano, and composition with a compulsory humanities curriculum. It primarily recruits gifted young musicians from the Middle East, North Africa, and the broader international community, with the explicit aim of fostering intercultural dialogue through music.

With roughly 90 students enrolled, it is among Germany's smallest state-recognised music academies. Institutional funding comes from the German Federal Foreign Office. Bachelor of Music students receive tuition-free education plus a non-repayable monthly stipend of €861 and free shared housing — making it exceptionally well-supported for a small specialist institution.

Key facts

Founded: 2016
Students: 90
International: Predominantly international; primary recruitment from Middle East, North Africa, and worldwide

Tuition-free for all students; Bachelor of Music students receive a €861/month non-repayable stipend plus free housing

State-recognised music academy founded by Daniel Barenboim, inspired by Edward Said's philosophy of intercultural dialogue

Intimate cohort of approximately 90 students with world-renowned faculty

Located in the Pierre Boulez Saal building (designed by Frank Gehry) in Berlin-Mitte

Offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Artist Diploma, and Preparatory Programme across 14 orchestral instruments, piano, and composition

Primarily recruits from the Middle East, North Africa, and internationally — strong intercultural and humanitarian mission

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition or course fees for any programme. Bachelor of Music students receive a means-independent, non-repayable monthly stipend of €861 (AY 2025-26) plus free shared student housing. Master of Music and Artist Diploma students receive no institutional stipend and must arrange their own housing; limited third-party stipends are being developed. No application fees for any programme.

Admission requirements

Admission is highly selective and based primarily on artistic merit. The process has two stages: an online application via SlideRoom (no application fee), followed by an in-person audition before a faculty jury in Berlin. Shortlisted candidates participate in an interview; composition applicants additionally sit a Music Theory and Ear Training test. Required documents include academic transcripts with certified translations if applicable, proof of English proficiency (TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL iBT/ITP, Academic IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, LanguageCert LTE, or Linguaskill General — minimum B2), a CV, passport copy, biometric photo, pre-screening video recordings, a recommendation letter, and essay responses. No APS certificate is required for Indian, Chinese, or Vietnamese applicants because admission is audition-based and not a standard German university admission. Non-EU students admitted to Master of Music or Artist Diploma programmes must demonstrate financial means equivalent to approximately €950/month (blocked account of €11,908 required for residence permit purposes). Travel bursaries are available for audition candidates from eligible countries.

Application deadlines

Applications for AY 2026-27 opened 1 November 2025 and closed 9 January 2026. The application portal for the following intake is expected to open around November each year. Check barenboimsaid.de/en/admissions for current cycle dates.

Languages of instruction

English is the working language of instruction. Students are expected to demonstrate B2 English at matriculation and are expected to reach C1 within the first year.

Campuses & locations

Französische Strasse Campus

Französische Strasse 33d, 10117 Berlin-Mitte; shared premises with the Pierre Boulez Saal concert hall

Living in Berlin

Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, with a vibrant cultural scene, world-class concert halls, opera houses, and museums. The Akademie's campus in Berlin-Mitte places students at the heart of the city, within walking distance of major cultural institutions. Berlin has a large international student population, affordable cost of living relative to other European capitals, and excellent public transport.

Student life & support

Student life centres on intensive musical practice, ensemble work, and humanities seminars. The Akademie hosts regular lectures, symposia, and public concerts at the Pierre Boulez Saal. A student union exists. Bachelor and Preparatory Programme students receive free shared housing arranged by the institution. Graduate students (Master of Music, Artist Diploma) arrange their own accommodation in Berlin. The working language is English, supporting a multinational student community.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus