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 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.

Please note: Each year there are a limited number of scholarships available for students from non-EEA countries and there are a large number of applications. With both of these aspects in mind, the chances to receive a scholarship are unfortunately low. Please consider carefully whether you have enough financial means to pay for a full time study programme and your cost of living in the Netherlands without the addition of a scholarship.

In regard to recommendation letters for other grants: please keep in mind that one of the conditions for receiving a student visa from the immigration service IND, is that the non-EU students can provide for all costs themselves. You need to declare that you can do this. Every year they publish the required amount you need to declare that you can pay for. For 2026, this amount is €1,130.77 per month / €13,569.24 per year.

Since non-EU students are expected to be able to fund their studies and stay in the Netherlands by themselves, funding opportunities for them are very restricted. It is therefore CvA policy that the student counsellor can only consider recommendation letters in case of unexpected personal health circumstances.

If you have a practical question about studying at the CvA and you don’t know where to find the information you need, send an email to cva-stip@ahk.nl. The Student Information Point will do her best to answer your questions or refer you to the right department. The Student Information Point is located on the 10th floor of the main building.

Contact
Graciella Tawjoeran
Email: cva-stip@ahk.nl

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 study progress (due to illness or a chronic condition)
• functional constraints/neurodiversity (autism, AD(H)D, dyslexia, etc.)
• financial issues (such as Dutch study finance DUO)
• official procedures (such as BSA, immigration service, examination board)
• complaints / appeals
• issues of inappropriate behaviour from staff or fellow students
• communication challenges (for instance, how to deal with ('Dutch’) feedback)
• personal problems
• mental-emotional constraints (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, etc.)
• stress
• study motivation, planning, methods

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