Diploma in Kodály Music Pedagogy

Study programmes and financial details for the 2025-2026 academic year will be updated by the end of November. The information currently found on the website is valid for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Objectives

A musical training course based on the renowned Kodály concept aimed at the harmonious development of the trainee’s general musicianship skills and musical knowledge
seminars in the theory and practice of Kodály-based music education, specialisations in early childhood music education, school music education and choral music education with focus on curriculum planning, study of the pedagogical repertory, lesson planning and teaching practice
specialisation options: early childhood music education, school music education, choral music education
preparatory course for students wishing to enter the MA Degree Course of the Kodály Institute

Eligibility

professionals in possession of university qualifications (BA or MA in music or in music education or equivalent)
proof of teaching experience (either in formal or in informal setting)
prior practical experience in Kodály-based musicianship training, familiarity with the relative sol-fa system
successful completion of the admission requirements

Admission documents

completed application form and questionnaire
curriculum vitae focusing on musical and professional background
university transcripts or copy of highest school certificate
motivation letter written in English by the applicant
one reference letter written in English or translated into English from the original language of the reference letter
English language certificate (only for those students whose first language is not English) - e.g. IELTS Band 6-6.5 or higher or an equivalent of this exam
demonstration video (see details below in Admission Requirements)
two photos of passport size (upon arrival to Kecskemét the latest)

For the 2025-2026 academic year, online application will open in January 2025.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

demonstration video of the applicant’s piano and vocal performance: one art song and one piano piece freely chosen from the so called common-practice period, the piano piece has to be performed by memory, the art song has to be performed with the applicant’s own piano accompaniment (acceptable digital formats: mp4 or mpeg4 files submitted either on DVD or USB stick or by web link/url)
for non-native English speakers: demonstrated intermediate English language skills
Skype interview during which time the applicant will be asked about his/her past professional experiences, ambitions, and special interests (if any)
During the interview the applicant will receive the score of a pre-classical or classical aria which he/she has to sight-read (sing-and-play).
At least 75% achieved at the written and aural placement tests (solfége, music theory, music literature) at the beginning of the academic year (requirements are listed in an attachment), on the basis of which the musicianship study groups will be formed.

course content

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS:

Kodály’s Educational Philosophy^* (60 minutes per week, 1st semester only) – 1 unit
Kodály’s Lifework^* (60 minutes per week, 2nd semester only) – 1 unit
School observations (2x45 minutes per week)
Musicianship (5x45 minutes per week) – 5 units
Voice (30 minutes per week) – 1 unit
Piano (30 minutes per week) – 1 unit
Choir (120 minutes per week) – 2 units
The History and the Literature of Western Classical Music^* (90 minutes per week) – 1,5 units
Folk Music^* (60 minutes per week) – 1 unit
Chamber Music^* (30 minutes per week) – 1 unit
Score reading (30 minutes per week) – 1 unit
Choral Conducting^* (90 minutes per week) – 1,5 units
Choir Lab^* (120 minutes per week) – 2 units
The Theory of Kodály-based Music Education II (90 minutes per week) – 1,5 units
The Practice of Kodály-based Music Education (120 minutes per week) – 1,5 units

Subjects marked with * are compulsory only for 1st year students.

ELECTIVES:

Hungarian Music History – 1 unit
Voice Pedagogy – 5 units
Piano Pedagogy – 5 units
Advanced Choral Conducting – 2 units
Creative Piano Pedagogy (ZeneZen) – 2 units
Kokas Pedagogy – 1 unit
Composition – 1 unit
Choir Literature and Choral Pedagogy – 1 unit

A detailed Description of Subjects (Compulsory & Electives) of the Non-Degree Study Programme is available HERE.

Please note:
1. Electives are offered for additional fees (based on the unit fee - see in the table below). Please check the prerequisites, conditions of applying for these Electives carefully before filling out the application form.
2. Students wishing to observe extra classes (besides the Compulsory and Elective subjects) must pay 50% of the observed unit fee.
3. Hungarian language is also offered as an optional subject free of charge.

Certificate issued

A Diploma in Kodály Music Pedagogy is awarded to those having completed all the compulsory subjects of the Diploma in Kodály Music Pedagogy Course. An Advanced Diploma in Kodály Music Pedagogy is granted to students receiving excellent mark (A) in all subjects.

A Certificate of Participation is given to students who have not completed all the requirements for this course or who were enrolled for part-time studies.

Expenses for the 2023-2024 & the upcoming Academic YearS

Tuition fee:	1 237 500 HUF per semester for first year students 742 500 HUF per semester for students who have completed the Higher Education Studies in the Kodály Concept Course and do not wish to repeat any of the non-compulsory courses Basis of calculation: 1 unit = 55 000 HUF per semester for 45 and 60 minutes long classes (musicianship) + individual or small group classes (voice, piano, chamber), 82 500 HUF per semester for 90 minutes long classes, 110 000 HUF per semester for 120 minutes long classes Observing extra classes: 50% of the observed unit fee per semester
Registration fee:	25 000 HUF (to be paid together with the 1st semester fee)
Additional supplies:	10 000 HUF per month (use of library, musical instruments in the building of the Institute and audio-visual equipment, educational material received at lessons, Wi-Fi, computer room, etc.)
Exam fee:	5 000 HUF per exam – this special fee applies if someone misses exams in the exam period
Copies of study documents:	5 000 HUF for a copy of certificates 12 000 HUF for a copy of evaluations, degrees

PAYMENT

Tuition fees for the first semester must be paid no later than 15 November, and for the second semester no later than 15 February.

Ways of payment:

1) by bank transfer:

Bank name: HUNGARIAN NATIONAL BANK / Hungarian State Treasury
Bank address: 1139 Budapest, Váci út 71., Hungary
Name of account holder: Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem
Address of account holder: 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8., Hungary
HUF-based account number: IBAN HU22 1003 2000 0142 6768 0000 0000
EUR-based account number: IBAN HU34 1003 2017 0142 6768 0601 0014
Swift code (SWIFTBIC): MANEHUHB or HUSTHUHB (or HUSTHUHBXXX if the system requires 11 characters to input)

Please make sure you pay your tuition fee in the given currency, and to the account that accepts that given currency.

Please write this reference into the appropriate field when transferring: "Kodály Institute".

Please note that the payer is liable for covering the bank transfer/handling fee and not the Liszt Academy.

2) by banking card:

Types of cards accepted: all kinds of VISA, EUROCARD/MASTERCARD, American Express.
Please contact us for details regarding this way of payment.

Please be aware that paying by banking card involves a 2-5% commission that the bank charges on the card holder. Please make sure with your bank at home that transactions are allowed in Hungary.

Please note that we cannot accept cheques.

LATE PAYMENT

Those students who do not pay their fees by the given deadline the following late payment fines will be applied: 1st week: 3 % of total amount, 2nd week: 5 % of total amount, 3rd week: 10 % of total amount.

If payment is not done by the end of the 3rd week the student is not allowed to continue studies in that semester.