About this programme
Master in Folk Musician is a Master's Degree programme at Danish National Academy of Music in Odense, taught in English. It runs for 2 years. The register gives Esbjerg as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master (2 years). Danish National Academy of Music is an arts academy in Southern Denmark.
How it compares
Master in Folk Musician is one of 8 English-taught Music programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 8 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 4,500 to EUR 8,775; this programme lists EUR 8,716 a year. 4 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
The Folk Musician master's at the Danish National Academy of Music (SDMK) is taught in Esbjerg. It is a two-year programme for players who want to work as musicians at a high artistic level, with teaching in both main subjects and specialised folk music subjects.
What you study
Main instrument teaching is at the centre. Your main subject teacher works with you one to one on musical, pedagogical and technical questions. Ensemble playing is a core part of the programme too.
The master's also has a strong teaching side. It includes instrumental pedagogy, plus separate courses in ensemble management, psychology and theoretical pedagogy. General courses give you a theoretical foundation and help you look at music from angles other than the performing one.
SDMK also describes a separate master's in Nordic folk music, a joint collaboration between SDMK in Esbjerg, the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, the Ole Bull Academy in Voss and the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. That track focuses on ensemble playing, main instrument teaching and artistic profiling, and only two students from each country are admitted. Note that this joint track is listed as not open for application in 2024. Check with the academy which folk master's tracks are open when you apply.
How the programme is organised
Study is built around individual main subject lessons, ensemble work and the pedagogy courses above. Performing for an audience is a main part of the programme. Folk music students at SDMK play at cafés, polka raves, concerts and jam sessions, and they go on an annual tour across the country to present their work at schools, folk high schools and music venues. Students also cooperate on concerts and study trips.
The programme runs for two years. The academy lists the start as August and the application deadline as 1 December. Curricula are published in Danish.
Who it suits
This suits a folk musician who wants to perform at a high level and also teach. You should be comfortable on stage and happy working with others on concerts and tours. If you want to combine playing with pedagogy, ensemble management and a broader view of music, the mix fits. The joint Nordic track suits players aiming at a small, selective international group.
Admission, language and next steps
The master's programme requires a bachelor's degree. The academy lists admission requirements and language requirements on its how to apply pages, and the programme is taught in English. Applications for master's study go straight to the institution, not through optagelse.dk. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a fee set by the institution. Start with the programme page, then read the admission requirements and how to apply pages before the 1 December deadline.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Folk musician, performing solo or in ensembles
- Instrumental teacher
- Ensemble leader or manager
- Tour and concert performer at schools, folk high schools and music venues
- Session and jam scene musician
- Musician and entrepreneur in the music world
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to Danish National Academy of Music, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Denmark register, the official portal of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. Fees are in euros as the institution lists them. "Not recorded" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master in Folk Musician taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Denmark register lists it as an English-taught programme at Danish National Academy of Music. Only English-taught degree programmes are in the register.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study. Confirm the study load in ECTS credits with Danish National Academy of Music.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Esbjerg as the campus town for this programme at Danish National Academy of Music.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through optagelse.dk. Danish National Academy of Music sets its own deadline.
What does it cost?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland pay EUR 8,716 a year, as Danish National Academy of Music lists it. The fee for EU, EEA and Swiss students is not recorded for this programme, so do not assume it is free; check with Danish National Academy of Music. Fees are in euros as the institution lists them.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Denmark register, the official portal of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science at studyindenmark.dk. The programme page at Danish National Academy of Music is linked from this page so you can compare.
Same subject and level at other institutions
See all →The Royal Academy of Music - Aarhus/Aalborg · Aarhus
Master in Jazz/Pop Musician/Music Teacher (Aarhus)
More at Danish National Academy of Music
All programmes →Danish National Academy of Music · Odense