International climate
The atmosphere at the CvA is very international. A large number of foreign students make the decision to study in Amsterdam. The CvA also collaborates with academic institutions all over the world which makes it possible for our students to study for a few months at a conservatoire abroad. Moreover, we regularly invite guest teachers from the Netherlands and abroad to lead workshops, clinics and master classes.

Bachelor’s and Master’s programme
The educational programme consists of two phases: a four-year bachelor’s degree programme and a two-year master’s degree programme. The master’s degree is open to a limited number of talented students. The bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes provide a thorough preparation for the profession of teaching, performing arts and/or creative musicianship. During both phases there is ample room for personal choices and students are given the opportunity to explore new avenues. 

Preparatory course, Young Talent, other courses
Prior to the professional training, it could be a possibility to follow a preparatory course for the Jazz and Classical department in which students can acquire the instrumental and/or vocal skills, musical comprehension and theoretical knowledge necessary for successfully completing the entrance examination of the bachelor’s degree programme.

Talented children who are ready for lessons at a conservatoire level at a young age could apply for one of the programmes of the Young Talent department: the Sweelinck Academy (classical), the Junior Jazz College (jazz) or the Young Pop Academy (pop).

The CvA also offers opportunities for further training and study by contract for professional musicians who wish to acquire or stay updated on specific knowledge and skills. Every summer musicians from outside the conservatoire can also follow the Keep An Eye Summer Jazz Workshop.

More information about these study programmes can be obtained from the relevant departments.

Practical experience in the professional field
The Conservatorium van Amsterdam organises and facilitates a variety of festivals, masterclasses, courses and workshops. Participants from our own country and from all over the world make these into exciting events and we work together with leading venues and concert halls. For example, we organise projects with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Nationale Opera en Ballet, the Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest, the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and MOJO. Furthermore, students perform in venues such as the Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Bimhuis, Melkweg, Paradiso and other leading international venues. 

Through our contacts with top music institutions from all over the world, students can participate in exchange programmes at other renowned conservatoires. Master’s Jazz students can participate in the European EUJAM programme at the conservatoires of Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen and Trondheim.

Professional prospects
Many graduates find a place in mixed professional practices. They form chamber music ensembles, jazz or pop bands; play in orchestras; teach privately or at a music school, or leading workshops; set up projects; lead their own ensembles or choirs or find work in cultural management or as music journalists. During the study programmes a lot of attention is paid to solid preparation for the practical and business aspects of the professional music industry, which is constantly evolving. 

Students of the Music in Education programme are primarily trained to teach music in primary and secondary schools, senior secondary vocational education (MBO) and higher professional education (HBO). An important new field of work is the development and implementation of educational programmes at large music institutions. Many graduates also work as choral conductors, music consultants, ‘Algemene Muzikale Vorming’ (AMV) teachers (teachers of general musical education) at music schools, leaders of instrumental ensembles, in social-cultural work or in cultural management. Another option is creating and performing ‘community music’ with amateurs and professionals. Students who want continue studying can follow the interdisciplinary Master of Education in Arts at the Amsterdam University of the Arts after obtaining their bachelor’s degree.

Conservatorium van Amsterdam

The Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) is part of the Amsterdam University of Arts. The CvA has (limited) various scholarships available for students who need financial support for their studies, and for exceptionally talented students.

The conservatoire has the following funds at its disposal:

• the Musicians of Tomorrow Foundation to support children and young people with exceptional musical talent on their way to the concert podium;
• the Nuijts Foundation offers financial support to under-18 students of the Young Talent department, who play the piano or a string instrument; and
• the Jacques Vonk Fund, for piano students in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam for the benefit of studies in general, a study period abroad or a special project. 

More information can be found on the Funds and Scholarships page of the CvA website.

Amsterdam University of Arts

Have you fallen behind with your studies due to special circumstances? In some cases, students from the Amsterdam University of the Arts may be able to obtain financial support through the Profiling Fund.

The CvA student counsellor provides information and guidance to students on both practical and personal matters relating to study conditions and student life. 

If you are experiencing problems during your studies, the student counsellor will work together with you to try and find possible solutions, so that you may proceed with your studies as best as you can or for you to decide to defer or discontinue your studies. Conversations with the student counsellor are confidential and personal information is handled with great sensitivity. Generally speaking: the sooner you reach out, the better you can be advised.

Students can approach the counsellors about the following issues, among other things: 

• problems with your study (including an imminent delay in study completion);

• exceptional circumstances, such as illness, psychological problems or other impairments;
• possible changes to the educational programme, or the manner of assessment or testing;
• enrolment and termination of enrolment, stopping or deferring your studies;
• regulations regarding the propaedeutic year/first year of the degree programme and binding study advice (BSA);
• In case of unforeseen problems with the financing of your study;
• information about health insurance;
• complaints and appeal procedures;
• legislations and regulations. 

The CvA student counsellor is Mirjam Pol. Mail: mirjam.pol@ahk.nl.

CODA is the student association for and run by CvA students. All CvA students can become a member.

PURPOSE: connecting students from different study programmes and study years with each other socially and musically. 

• Connecting socially: drinks, parties, interdisciplinary musical events and sport events. 
• Connecting musically: study-related events and workshops.

More information and registration: www.coda-cva.nl or in the corridors.

Exchange students

The Conservatorium van Amsterdam has more than one hundred bilateral contracts with partner institutions all over the world. As part of these collaborations the CvA organises exchange programmes, which enable CvA students to study abroad for a semester and students from our partner universities to spend a semester at the CvA. An extensive overview of partners within and outside Europe can be found on the CvA website.

CvA students can study a semester abroad at one of our partner institutions, depending on placement options and completion of the required courses at the CvA. Information about the application procedure and deadlines can be found on MyAHK or by contacting the International Relations Officer.

More information:

Ruth Graf-Fleet – International Relations Officer
Email: ruth.graf-fleet@ahk.nl

The British departure from the European Union (the Brexit) on 31 January 2020 has consequences for UK citizens who want to study in the Netherlands. Your rights are regulated on the basis of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which the EU and the UK have concluded. In this agreement no agreements are made about studying from 1 January 2021 onwards. UK citizens are therefore treated the same as non-EU/EEA citizens. Whether you are entitled to study financing and statutory tuition fees depends on your residence permit. In most cases, you will not be entitled to statutory tuition fees and study funding.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the central government’s page on Brexit and higher education. 

The Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK) can support students who have been admitted to a full-time study programme with their visa and residence permit applications.

The AHK Central Student Administration can act as an intermediary between the applicant and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

You can find more information on the visa procedures webpage of the AHK.