Vocal studies – Popular Music Performance
Undergraduate (Bachelor)
Art Education
Why choose this programme?
The first-cycle degree programme in Art Education / Vocal Studies – Popular Music Performance at VIZJA University is designed for individuals who wish to develop artistically in the field of contemporary vocal performance and gain pedagogical qualifications enabling them to work with future vocalists. The curriculum combines the development of individual stage skills with solid methodological preparation, educating both vocal performers and vocal coaches.
This programme is dedicated to both candidates with musical experience and those just beginning their artistic journey, provided they have the appropriate vocal, musical, and interpretive aptitude. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop professional vocal technique in the popular, jazz, soul, or R&B genres, while also enhancing their teaching competences under the guidance of experienced lecturers – active stage performers and vocal pedagogy specialists.
During the course of study, students will explore the theory and history of popular music, vocal techniques specific to this genre, and the methodology of teaching contemporary singing. The programme places strong emphasis on performance practice: vocal projection, interpretation of lyrics and music, working with a microphone, vocal improvisation, and stage movement. If you dream of performing on stage and sharing your passion as a popular singing teacher – this study path is made for you!
What can you do after graduation?
By combining intensive vocal training in popular singing with professional pedagogical preparation, graduates of this study path are well equipped to pursue diverse roles in
both the music and education sectors. The programme opens doors to career opportunities in areas such as:
- Stage performance – as soloists or members of vocal ensembles performing pop, jazz, soul or other popular music genres; participants in concerts, television
productions, studio recordings, and various artistic events; - Vocal pedagogy – as teachers of popular singing and vocal technique, conducting individual or group classes in music schools, cultural centres, art institutions, or
through private practice; - Cultural animation and artistic education – as organisers and leaders of vocal workshops, educational-artistic projects, and music promotion initiatives, as well as
founders of their own vocal schools or singing studios.
The faculty of masters and mentors
Prof. Ewa Iżykowska-Lipińska, PhD
Programme coordinator
Professor of musical arts, world-renowned soprano, outstanding vocal teacher with international experience.
Her on-stage experience includes roles in classical opera (including La Traviata, Carmen, Turandot, Eugene Onegin, Tosca), performances of monumental musical works from various époques (Verdi, Beethoven, Mahler, Penderecki, and others), as well as chamber music projects and recitals. She has performed on all the most important stages in Poland and around the world, including La Scala in Milan, Carnegie Hall in New York, and the Musikverein in Vienna.
She is a highly regarded voice teacher. She lectures at Polish and foreign universities, as well as at the Polish Academy of Sciences. She regularly conducts masterclasses in Poland and abroad – in the USA, Italy, South Korea and Austria. She directs musical performances and works as a consultant for drama and musical theaters, record labels, and film companies. She also has managerial experience in cultural management.
Alicja Węgorzewska, PhD
Doctor of Music, vocalist, actress, producer, director, educator, and cultural manager.
After her debut at the Vienna Kammeroper, she has performed in prestigious concert halls and theatres around the world (including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Konzerthaus in Berlin, and the Teatro La Fenice in Venice), with a repertoire including parts in Carmen, Orpheus and Eurydice, The Queen of Spades and Eugene Onegin. She has participated in numerous international festivals and opera galas.
As an actress and producer, she has realised theatre and music projects, including the monodrama Diva for rent at the Polonia Theatre. She is the winner of prestigious awards (e.g. the Callas Tribute Prize) and regularly comments on television broadcasts of musical events, including the famous New Year's Concerts from Vienna. She creates her own productions, festivals and educational projects, boldly combining musical styles – from classical opera to musicals and crossover – and passionately promoting Polish and European culture around the world.
This programme
is for you if:
You want to develop your vocal skills in the field of popular music, combining solid theoretical knowledge with intensive stage practice.
You already have stage experience or are just beginning your artistic journey in pop, jazz, soul or other contemporary vocal styles.
You wish to expand your professional opportunities by gaining qualifications in teaching popular singing, conducting vocal workshops, and leading
educational-artistic projects.
Admission criteria
for the ART EDUCATION programme
at VIZJA University
Due to the specific nature of the programme, candidates are required to take an entrance examination, which includes:
- a vocal audition (classical repertoire);
- aural skills and music theory test;
- assessment of acting abilities (diction, text interpretation, movement/dance performance);
- an interview to evaluate general music knowledge.
Examination dates will be presented soon.
In addition, candidates must provide a medical certificate from a phoniatric specialist confirming that there are no contraindications to undertaking vocal studies.
Admission rules and regulations
Note: important information for 2025 candidates
Please read carefully the application procedures in line with the changes introduced by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2025.
Curriculum and study structure
Bachelor's studies
The bachelor’s degree programme in Art Education at VIZJA University offers a unique combination of vocal training and the development of practical teaching skills in singing. Students who choose the Vocal Studies – Popular Music Performance study path focus on building their vocal technique alongside pedagogical competences specific to this genre.
Graduates receive a bachelor’s degree, which provides a solid foundation for professional careers—both artistic and educational—and enables them to pursue second-cycle (master’s) studies in the same or a related field.
The content of the study program may change as a result of efforts to improve the quality of education and adapt the teaching offer to the current challenges of the labor market. Each change is approved by the University Senate and introduced with the aim of preparing students for their future careers in the best possible way.
Tuition fees
Fixed tuition - flexible payments
By choosing to study at VIZJA University, you can be sure that the tuition fee will not change throughout the duration of your studies. You can pay the tuition fee once for the entire year of study or spread over a semester payment. This allows you to decide how you want to plan your expenses.
Scholarships - easier than you think
While studying at VIZJA University, you can take advantage of a wide range of financial support from the state budget and European funds, as well as benefit from special discounts with VIZJA University discount program
You can submit most scholarship applications quickly and easily through your online account.
In the academic year 2023/2024, VIZJA University awarded 800 Rector’s Scholarships, ranging from PLN 400 /month to PLN 1000 /month, depending on the average or achievements. For outstanding sport, artistic or scientific achievements, the Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships of PLN 600 /month.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for the Rector’s Scholarship is available in the dean’s system.
A sports scholarship may be awarded to a student who excels in sport achievements at least national level. In addition we also encourage our students to take part in additional support programs- eg. the National Academic Representation.
Young sportsmen can count on financial support in the amount of PLN 600 /month.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for sports scholarship is available in the dean’s system.
A scholarship for people with disabilities may be awarded to a student who has a disability certificate, a disability degree certificate, a ZUS certifying physician’s certificate, a disability group certificate or a certificate of permanent or long-term incapacity to work on a farm.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, depending on the degree of disability, 350 scholarships for people with disabilities were awarded, ranging from PLN 1700 /month to PLN 1900 /month.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for a scholarship for people with disabilities is available in the dean’s system.
The allowance is a form of emergency financial assistance. Any student who found himself temporarily in a difficult life situation resulting from random events beyond the student’s control can apply for it.The allowance may be granted twice in one academic year, and the allowance is not granted twice for the same random event.
In 2024, we granted 51 allowances for a total of PLN 255 000. The allowances, depending on the student’s situation, were paid in the amount of PLN 2,000 to PLN 5,000 at a time.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for the allowance is available in the dean’s system.
2023/2024 academic year
800 Rector’s Scholarships
51 allowances
350 scholarships for people with disabilities
12 500 000 PLN was spent in 2023/2024 on scholarships
PLN 1,890,289.35 was spent in 2019/2020 on scholarships
PLN 2,911,662.50 was spent in 2020/2021 on scholarships
PLN 4,158,177.00 was spent in 2021/2022 on scholarships
PLN 7,829,950.00 was spent in 2022/2023 on scholarships
Rector’s Scholarship – highest average: 5,44
