Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig
Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Founded
- 1843
- Students
- 1,300
- Programmes
- 5
About Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Barthold
The Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig (HMT Leipzig) is one of Germany's oldest conservatories, founded in 1843. It emerged in its current form in 1992 through the merger of the historic music conservatory (1843) and the theater school (with roots dating to 1875/1876). The institution is a public higher education institution operating under public law in the state of Saxony, with its main address at Grassistraße 8, 04107 Leipzig.
HMT Leipzig combines artistic training with scholarly teaching and research across music performance, theatre, dramaturgy, music theory, musicology, and pedagogy. The institution is organised into three faculties and approximately 12 specialised departments and institutes, covering areas such as Early Music, Wind Instruments and Percussion, Jazz and Popular Music, Piano and Conducting, Composition, Musicology, and Acting (the Hans Otto Institute). Doctoral programmes are offered alongside undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Approximately one-third of the roughly 1,300 enrolled students come from abroad, representing around 60 nations. HMT Leipzig maintains partnerships with more than 40 leading international institutions and participates in ERASMUS+ mobility programmes for both students and staff.
Founded in 1843 - one of the oldest music conservatories in Germany
Approximately 1,300 students from around 60 nations; roughly one-third are international
Three faculties and ~12 specialised departments spanning music, theatre, dramaturgy, and musicology
Partnerships with more than 40 leading international institutions and active ERASMUS+ participation
Named after Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who founded the original conservatory in Leipzig
Located in Leipzig, home of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig Opera, and J.S. Bach's legacy
Key facts
- Type
- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen
- Founded
- 1843
- Students
- 1,300
- International
- ~one-third (students from approx. 60 nations)
- Faculties
- 3
- Programmes
- 5
Study programmes
5 accredited degrees at Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Barthold.
Showing 1–5 of 5 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
HMT Leipzig is a public state university in Saxony. Saxony does not charge tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students at state music and arts conservatories (unlike Baden-Württemberg's non-EU fee of €1,500/semester or Bavaria's fee introduced from WS 2025/26). A standard semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) applies to all students; the exact current amount is published in the institution's Gebührenordnung (fee regulations PDF) on the official website and should be verified directly. No non-EU tuition surcharge was identified on the official site.
Admission requirements
Admission to HMT Leipzig is highly selective and based primarily on an artistic entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung/audition) rather than purely academic grades. Most programmes admit only for the winter semester (October start); Acting (Schauspiel) applications open in November of the preceding year, and Musicology master's applications open in May. International applicants must hold a university-entrance qualification recognised in Germany. German language proficiency is required for German-taught programmes; the specific level required varies by programme and must be confirmed with the admissions office. APS certificate is required for applicants whose prior qualifications are from India, China (mainland, HK, Macau), or Vietnam before the visa application stage. Applications are submitted via the HMT online campus portal.
Application deadlines
Most programmes: winter semester only; specific application window not published as a single date on the main admissions page - applicants must check the online portal and individual programme pages. Acting (Schauspiel): 1-30 November of the year preceding the target winter semester. Musicology master's: 1-31 May.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist. Applications are accepted exclusively via HMT Leipzig's own Online-Bewerbungsportal (campus.hmt-leipzig.de) - the Immatrikulationsordnung mandates Zulassungsantraege through this portal - followed by the Aufnahmepruefung (entrance examination); up to three parallel applications allowed, one application fee, results posted in the portal about three weeks after the last live audition. First-semester undergraduate programmes start only in the winter semester; Master Musikwissenschaft applies 1 - 31 May. Non-EU citizens pay EUR 1,800 per semester tuition (scholarship programme available); applicants with Chinese/Vietnamese/Indian certificates need an APS certificate; German proficiency (up to C1 for some programmes) required at the live audition. Third-party listings confirm 'uni-assist member: No'.
Languages of instruction
The primary language of instruction is German. Most degree programmes (performance, pedagogy, acting, musicology) are conducted in German. No standalone English-taught degree programmes are listed on the official website; individual masterclasses and academies may use English as a working language.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Barthold publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Leipzig
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
From the university
Information on student housing (Studentenwerk Leipzig manages dormitories across the city) and German language courses should be confirmed via the international coordinator or the Leipzig Studentenwerk directly.
Campuses & locations
Grassistraße 8, 04107 Leipzig - primary teaching and administrative building
Living in Leipzig
Leipzig is a major cultural and economic city in the state of Saxony, eastern Germany, with a population of approximately 620,000. It has a long musical heritage - Johann Sebastian Bach worked here for 27 years at the Thomaskirche, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy founded the Gewandhaus Orchestra's conservatory tradition. The city hosts the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Leipzig Opera, and the MDR Symphony Orchestra. Leipzig is known for affordable living costs relative to western German cities, a vibrant student population (two major universities), and strong public transport connections to Berlin and Dresden.
Student life & support
The International Office coordinator (Sebastian Clever) assists incoming international students and ERASMUS+ exchange students; personal consultations are available by appointment. The institution participates in ERASMUS+ for student and staff mobility. On-campus psychological counselling and study advisory services (Studienberatung) are available. The official website references student support services including career mentoring (Mentoring Arts). Information on student housing (Studentenwerk Leipzig manages dormitories across the city) and German language courses should be confirmed via the international coordinator or the Leipzig Studentenwerk directly.
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