Higher Education Studies in the Kodály Concept

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 Hungarian application of the Kodály Concept in the full span of musical training, from early years to university level, with special focus on the most successful international examples of the adaptation
• the course also serves as a preparatory course for students wishing to enter the MA Degree Course of the Institute

Eligibility

• university students enrolled in training programmes in the field of music or education,
• professionals in possession of university qualifications (BA or MA in music or in music education or equivalent)
• in case of high-school graduation certificate, demonstrated proof of advanced musical studies is required before commencement of studies in this programme
• successful completion of the admission requirements

Admission documents

• completed application form and questionnaire 
• curriculum vitae focusing on musical and professional background, including a photo of the applicant
• 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) - IELTS Academic 5.0 or higher or an equivalent of this exam, TOEFL iBT min. 60, Cambridge min. 154
• demonstration video (see details below in Admission Requirements)

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 (acceptable digital formats: mp4 or mpeg4 files submitted via 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 classical art song which he/she has to sight-read (sing-and-play)
• All students applying to the programme must participate in an aural and written placement test (solfége, music theory, music literature) organized during the online admissions procedure, on the basis of which the musicianship study groups will be formed for the academic year. The faculty reserves the right to alter the groups. View samples of the written and aural placement test from the past.
• Please note: the minimum requirement of this test for the Diploma Course is at least 50%. If the result is less, the applicant can take the Introductory Course in Kodály-based Musical Training.

Course content

Compulsory Subjects:

• Introduction to Kodály’s Educational Philosophy (60 mins / week, 1st semester only) – 1 unit
• Introduction to Kodály’s Lifework (60 mins / week, 2nd semester only) – 1 unit
• Musicianship (Solfege and Music Theory) (240 mins / week) – 5 units
• Voice (30 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Piano (30 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Choir (150 mins / week) – 1 unit
• The History and Literature of Western Classical Music (90 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Folk Music in School Education (60 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Music Lessons in School (45 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Score Reading (30 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Choral Conducting (90 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Choir Lab (120 mins / week ) – 1 unit
• Chamber Music (30 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Theory of Kodály-based Music Education I (90 mins / week) – 2 units

Electives:

• Kokas Pedagogy (60 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Choir Literature and Choral Pedagogy (60 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Creative Piano Pedagogy (ZeneZen) (60 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Composition (60 mins / week) – 1 unit

Other:

• English language (60 mins / week, if applicable, based on the language test) – 1 unit 

Course Content is also available here in pdf.

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

Please note:
1. Electives are offered for additional fees (based on the unit fee). 
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 for additional fees.

Certificate issued

A Certificate of Higher Education Studies in the Theory and Practice of the Kodály Concept is awarded to those having completed all the compulsory subjects of the Higher Education Studies in the Kodály Concept Course.

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 frOM the 2025-2026 Academic Year

PAYMENT

The tuition fee - based on the pro-forma invoice issued by the Institute - must be paid for the first semester prior to enrollment, 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"

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 cash and 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.