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Working & studying in Amsterdam

Read all about studying & working in the Netherlands on Studyinnl.org.

Studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam is quite demanding. However, many students manage to combine study and work.

When you have a job in the Netherlands, you must take out compulsory health insurance. The premium varies per policy. You may be entitled to financial support from the government to assist with healthcare subscription payments. See health insurance.

>CvA-studenten vertellen je over hun ervaring met studeren en werken.



International students

Working while studying

If you want to work alongside your studies while staying in the Netherlands, there are several things to consider. Do you need a work permit when you are self-employed? How about when you do an internship?

In their flyer Working while studying in the Netherlands the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment answers these questions and more. 

EU/EEA students
Residents of EU/EEA countries do not normally need a work permit, they are allowed to work in the Netherlands.

Non-EU/EEA students
Non-EU/EEA citizens with a Dutch residence permit may work a maximum of 16 hours a week or fulltime in June, July and August. Employers need to obtain a work permit for eligible residents from outside the EU/EEA.

Dutch public health insurance

As soon as you have a (part-time) job, you are legally required to take out Dutch public health insurance.

Do you work on a self-employed basis? Please contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) and request an assessment of your so-called Wlz position. The SVB will decide whether you need to take out public health insurance or not.

Read more about health insurance

Citizen service number (BSN)

If you have a job, your employer will need to know your citizen service number: your ‘Burgerservicenummer’ (BSN).

Preparations for when you want to work and study in the Netherlands



The AHK entrepreneurship programme

Arts & Entrepreneurship

Many CvA students already work on a self-employed basis during their studies or start working on a self-employed basis immediately after completing their studies. Many alumni will most likely work with short term employment contracts. An entrepreneurial attitude and knowledge of entrepreneurship are thus essential for a successful career, both within and outside one’s own discipline, as a self-employed person and/or in a hybrid professional practice. Within the AHK a lot of attention is therefore paid to entrepreneurship. You can read more about this mission here.

AHK Starterscafé

Het AHK Starterscafé is a pop-up café located at the AHK Culture Club that connects students and alumni from all the academies by discussing different aspects of entrepreneurship. It is a platform to network with others and that offers workshops given by professionals that work in the arts and cultural sector. You can find the current training offer here

BeroepKunstenaar

Especially for AHK students and alumni the online knowledge base BeroepKunstenaar was founded. Here you can find practical information about the business aspect of working in the arts and cultural sector, such as funding projects, informatie about tax return and legal affairs. Go to the BeroepKunstenaar for more information. 



Work and internships at CvA partners

The activities of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam are made possible by, among others:

Amsterdam Arena
Amsterdam Electric
Anton Kersjes van de Groenekan Fonds
Artis
Asko l Schönberg
Avedis Zildjian Company
BG France Saxophone
Bimhuis
Bitterzoet
Buffet Crampon
CBK Amsterdam-Oost
Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing
Cobra Museum
Conservatorium Hotel
De Nederlandse Opera
Dijkman Muziek
Eye Filminstituut
Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie
Grand Café-Restaurant 1e klas
Harry Bakker Saxofoons
Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw
Het Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Instituto Italiano di Cultura, Amsterdam
Jazzfest
Jazzorchestra of the Concertgebouw
Karel Hendrik van Minnen-Stichting
Keep an Eye Foundation
Koninklijk Concertgebouw Orkest
Manhattan School of Music
MarkBass
Meer Jazz Festival
Melkweg
Metropole Orkest
Mojo Concerts
Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
Muziekgebouw Eindhoven
Muziekschool Amsterdam / Amstelveen
Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest
Nederlandse Orkest- en Ensemble-Academie
North Sea Jazz Festival
NRC Restaurant Café
Paradiso
Popsport
Prinses Christina Concours
Q-Factory
Rabobank
Radio Kootwijk
Residentie Orkest
Selmer Paris
Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden
Stichting Jazztalent
Stichting Musici van Morgen
Stichting STEIM
Stichting Wim de Monchy
Terpstra Muziek Drumland
Topsport Amsterdam
Uitmarkt
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum
Vondelpark Openluchtheater


CvA Booking Agency

Through the CvA Booking Agency, students of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam can be booked for a concert or contribution to an event. Within all music genres there is a demand for soloists, ensembles and (big)bands to perform live on any occasion imaginable.

The CvA has appointed sessions in the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Paradiso, the Bimhuis and the Royal Concertgebouw, among other places. CvA students are also in popular demand internationally. Click here for a complete overview of venues where CvA students are engaged.

Contact

Interested? Contact your departmental coordinator:
Raphaela Danksagmüller classical
Bas van Otterloo jazz
Elske van der Linden pop music



Fair Practice Code

The Fair Practice Code
The Fair Practice Code is a code of conduct for doing business and working in the arts, culture and creative industry. The code invites critical reflection and offers guidance on how the sector can collectively establish a future-proof labour market and professional practice. The latest version (January 2019) of the Fair Practice Code can be found online at: http://www.fairpracticecode.nl

What is ‘Fair’ anyway? Do the online Quickscan!
On the www.fairpracticecode.nl website you can find an online Quickscan that helps you think through ten questions about the core values on which the code is based, and how you act accordingly. As you work through the scan, you will find links to existing protocols in collective labour agreements, fee guidelines, training and much more. A wealth of information, which is continuously updated.