Bern University of the Arts delays its teach-while-you-study master to 2027

The new study model for future music teachers at the Bern University of the Arts (HKB) will only start in autumn 2027, a year later than planned. Regional radio station neo1 reports the delay.¹ Students on the Music Pedagogy master's were to be employed by the Musikschule Oberemmental during their two-year course and teach children and young people there.¹

According to neo1, there are three reasons. The HKB received far fewer applications than in other years. Fewer students than hoped were interested in the offer. And because of its size, the school could not match the instruments the interested students play.¹ Ueli Kipfer, head of the Musikschule Oberemmental, confirmed the postponement.¹

The HKB and Oberemmental are now actively looking for more partner music schools, none named yet.¹ In the model, each student teaches three to five pupils of their own throughout the master's, supported by HKB lecturers and practice teachers at the music school.²

Who benefits? Students, who build up professional experience throughout.² And families: the Langnau school had announced pilot lessons at 640 francs per semester for one 40-minute lesson a week, well below its regular rate.³ The sources do not say whether that price will apply from 2027.