Abbey of San Girolamo, Via di Torre Rossa 21, 00165 Vatican City, Holy See, Vatican City State

Undergraduate programs

Baccalaureate (=Bachelor). Cycle 1. Studies include Gregorian chant, composition, choral conducting, musicology, organ, piano. Licentiate (Licenza). Cycle 2.

Graduate programs

Master's degree (Magistero). Cycle 3. Doctorate (Dottorato). Cycle 4.

While not within the boundaries of the Vatican, the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music is directly connected to the worship of the Catholic Church from its headquarters in the Vatican. The Institute was founded in 1911 by Pope Pius X. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and is part of the Pontifical University in Rome, aiming to train musicians and teachers of sacred music. There are studies in various music-liturgical disciplines – practical, theoretical and historical – within the diverse cultures that comprise the Catholic church. The programs differ in their lengths, from commencement of the Baccalaureate till the completion of the Magistero: Gregorian chant four years, composition nine years, choral conducting six years, musicology four years, organ eight years. The program in piano lasts for just two years (at Master’s level). Latin and French are required, with a choice between German and English. Doctoral studies are beyond these. The Institute publishes musical works and the results of scientific and cultural researches in music. Languages of instruction are Italian, Spanish, English, Latin, French, German and Portuguese. An associate member of the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen.

December 2022