The Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg is one of the larger universities of music in Germany.

It was founded 1950 as Staatliche Hochschule für Musik (Public university of music) on the base of the former private acting school of Annemarie Marks-Rocke and Eduard Marks.

Studies include various music types from church music over Jazz to pop music, composition, conducting, instrumental music as well as voice. The theatre academy offers courses in drama and opera and directing in these fields. A third academy offers scientific and educational degrees of study (musicology, music education and therapy).

The university is located in the prestigious Budge-Palais in Hamburg Rotherbaum at the Außenalster, close to the city centre.​

Directors

• Philipp Jarnach (1950–59)
• Wilhelm Maler (1959–69)
• Hajo Hinrichs (1969–78)
• Hermann Rauhe (1978-2004)
• Michael von Troschke (April to October 2004)
• Elmar Lampson (since October 2004)​