About Stiftung Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium Frankfurt am Main
Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium – Musikakademie Frankfurt am Main is a state-accredited music conservatory and foundation established in 1878 by Frankfurt citizen Dr. Joseph Hoch. It is one of Germany's oldest private conservatories and holds the legal status of a Berufsakademie, meaning its Bachelor of Music degree carries the same academic weight as a university degree under German law (§ 11 BerAkadAnerkG). The institution sees itself not only as a training institute but also as an active communicator of music through concerts and cultural outreach.
The conservatory offers a Bachelor of Music programme across four specialisation profiles: Instrument/Voice (Profil 1), Music Communication and Elementary Music Pedagogy (Profil 2), Jazz and Popular Music (Profil 3), and Composition (Profil 4). Additional departments cover Early Music, Ballet, and the ANE (Abteilung für Nachwuchs- und Erwachsenenbildung) for youth and adult education, as well as a PreCollege Frankfurt preparatory programme. Notable historical figures associated with the conservatory include Clara Schumann, Paul Hindemith, Hans von Bülow, and Otto Klemperer.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1878
Founded in 1878 — one of Germany's oldest music conservatories
State-accredited; Bachelor of Music degree legally equivalent to a university bachelor's
Four specialisation profiles: Instrument/Voice, Music Education, Jazz & Popular Music, Composition
Associated with Clara Schumann, Paul Hindemith, Hans von Bülow, and Otto Klemperer
No tuition fees for the Bachelor of Music programme (one-time €200 enrolment fee only)
PreCollege Frankfurt preparatory programme for advanced young musicians
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
The Bachelor of Music programme at Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium charges no ongoing study fees (tuition-free). A one-time enrolment fee of €200 applies. The ANE (youth and adult education) and other non-degree courses operate on a separate fee schedule (Schulgeldtarife) based on monthly tuition; the current schedule is available on request from the administration. No specific non-EU surcharge is documented on the official site.
Admission requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Music is based on a competitive entrance audition (Eignungsprüfung), which takes place annually in June (audition period for WS 2026/27: 1–17 June 2026). Applicants must hold the German Abitur or an equivalent general higher-education entrance qualification; exceptional artistic talent can substitute for the formal academic qualification in exceptional cases. Applicants from non-German-speaking countries must demonstrate German proficiency at B2 (CEFR) or higher. An audition application fee of €50 applies. APS certificate is required for Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants as a prerequisite for the German student visa, though the conservatory's own admission process is based on the audition. International applicants should apply via bewerbung.dr-hochs.de.
Application deadlines
Bachelor of Music: application deadline April 30 for the winter semester starting October 1. Entrance auditions are held in June each year. Online applications via bewerbung.dr-hochs.de.
Languages of instruction
German is the primary language of instruction. The Bachelor of Music programme requires at least German B2 proficiency for applicants from non-German-speaking countries. The institution's website is available in German and English.
Campuses & locations
Sonnemannstraße 16, 60314 Frankfurt am Main — sole campus
Living in Hessen
Frankfurt am Main is Hessen's largest city and Germany's financial capital, home to the European Central Bank and one of Europe's busiest airports (Frankfurt Airport). It offers a vibrant cultural scene including the Städel Museum, Alte Oper, and a dense network of jazz clubs and concert venues. The city has a large international population and strong English-language infrastructure, making it accessible for international students.
Student life & support
The conservatory maintains an active ensemble and performance culture, with student orchestras, choirs, chamber ensembles, and jazz groups giving regular public concerts. The PreCollege Frankfurt programme provides a pathway for younger students preparing for conservatory study. The Kulturzentrum Ostend location in Frankfurt's East End places students in an artistically active urban neighbourhood.
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Accredited Programmes
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Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
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