Piano, classical instrument, bachelor and master
Study to become a professional in piano music, find your voice as an artist and prepare for your future career under the guidance of internationally renowned teachers.
Why study here?
Study at one of the best performing arts universities in the world. As a piano student at the Sibelius Academy, you will study in a programme that is respected both nationally and globally. You will be guided by top musicians and pedagogues from Finland and abroad. Many virtuoso pianists educated at the Sibelius Academy have gone on to achieve international success, including, e.g., Paavali Jumppanen, Antti Siirala, Laura Mikkola, Gergely Bogányi, Olli Mustonen and Henri Sigfridsson.
Content and objective of the programme
With us, you will develop the skills needed for independent artistic work and learn to master the playing technique and styles required by the central repertoire. The studies prepare you for a professional life as a soloist, chamber musician or a pedagogue.
Bachelor’s studies
In your bachelor’s studies, you will improve not only your piano playing, but also ensemble playing, musical perception, music history and pedagogy skills. Optional studies and possible minor subject studies are also included in the degree.
Master’s studies
During your master’s studies, you will continue studying your main instrument. Optional studies enable you to either develop your competence more broadly or select a focus area for more in-depth study.
You can also choose courses organised by the other two Uniarts Helsinki academies and complete joint studies that are available to all students.
Pedagogy studies
Our internationally esteemed piano pedagogy studies help students acquire an excellent skill set needed to work as a piano teacher. The studies consist of lectures and supervised teaching practice, where each student teaches their own practice pupil. You will learn more about the Finnish system of music schools and teaching methods for piano and arts education at all levels, from beginners right up to the university level. Your studies will also include repertoire seminars, career studies, and study trips in Finland and abroad. You can complete a large study module in instrument pedagogy and studies leading to general qualifications as a teacher.
Teachers
The piano teaching staff have extensive expertise in solo repertoires, piano pedagogy, period instruments, chamber and lied music and performance practices of different eras. The regular visits of top international artists and pedagogues complement our musically rich learning environment.
Professors
-
Tuija Hakkila
- Professor, piano, Piano, accordion, guitar and kantele, Sibelius Academy
- +358407104388
- tuija.hakkila@uniarts.fi
-
Antti Siirala
- Professor, piano, Piano, accordion, guitar and kantele, Sibelius Academy
- antti.siirala@uniarts.fi
Sibelius Junior Academy
This instrument is part of our Junior Academy, a national programme, which prepares young music students for studies in a higher education institution. In addition to studies in either a major subject or a main instrument, you will study ensemble playing, structural awareness of music and other subjects offered by the Sibelius Academy.
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
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Student experiences
Target degree and length of study
Master of Music (MMus)
5,5 years
Application period
Next possible time to apply is in January 2025. Studies begin in August 2025.
Application languages
English, Finnish, Swedish
Read more about the language skill requirements
Tuition fee
From August 2025, the annual tuition fee is € 12,000 for students who are studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries.
Supervising teacher
-
Niklas Pokki
Lecturer, piano, coordinating lecturer of piano pedagogy, Piano, accordion, guitar and kantele, Sibelius Academy+358503497708niklas.pokki@uniarts.fi
Unit
Sibelius Academy
Ask about applying
Why study here?
Study at one of the best performing arts universities in the world. As a piano student at the Sibelius Academy, you will study in a programme that is respected both nationally and globally. You will be guided by top musicians and pedagogues from Finland and abroad. Many virtuoso pianists educated at the Sibelius Academy have gone on to achieve international success, including, e.g., Paavali Jumppanen, Antti Siirala, Laura Mikkola, Gergely Bogányi, Olli Mustonen and Henri Sigfridsson.
Content and objective of the programme
With us, you will develop the skills needed for independent artistic work and learn to master the playing technique and styles required by the central repertoire. The studies prepare you for a professional life as a soloist, chamber musician or a pedagogue.
Bachelor’s studies
In your bachelor’s studies, you will improve not only your piano playing, but also ensemble playing, musical perception, music history and pedagogy skills. Optional studies and possible minor subject studies are also included in the degree.
Master’s studies
During your master’s studies, you will continue studying your main instrument. Optional studies enable you to either develop your competence more broadly or select a focus area for more in-depth study.
You can also choose courses organised by the other two Uniarts Helsinki academies and complete joint studies that are available to all students.
Pedagogy studies
Our internationally esteemed piano pedagogy studies help students acquire an excellent skill set needed to work as a piano teacher. The studies consist of lectures and supervised teaching practice, where each student teaches their own practice pupil. You will learn more about the Finnish system of music schools and teaching methods for piano and arts education at all levels, from beginners right up to the university level. Your studies will also include repertoire seminars, career studies, and study trips in Finland and abroad. You can complete a large study module in instrument pedagogy and studies leading to general qualifications as a teacher.
Teachers
The piano teaching staff have extensive expertise in solo repertoires, piano pedagogy, period instruments, chamber and lied music and performance practices of different eras. The regular visits of top international artists and pedagogues complement our musically rich learning environment.
Professors
-
Tuija Hakkila
- Professor, piano, Piano, accordion, guitar and kantele, Sibelius Academy
- +358407104388
- tuija.hakkila@uniarts.fi
-
Antti Siirala
- Professor, piano, Piano, accordion, guitar and kantele, Sibelius Academy
- antti.siirala@uniarts.fi
Sibelius Junior Academy
This instrument is part of our Junior Academy, a national programme, which prepares young music students for studies in a higher education institution. In addition to studies in either a major subject or a main instrument, you will study ensemble playing, structural awareness of music and other subjects offered by the Sibelius Academy.
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.