Master's Programme in Early Music
24 monthsProgramme duration
01 Feb, 2026Application Deadline
AugStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
MMusic
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
The Master’s Degree in Music offered by the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) gives students the opportunity and support needed to prepare themselves as effectively as possible to enter today’s diversified labor market. The aim of the two-year master’s programme, of which the continued individual pursuit of the principal study is the main focus, is to train students to become versatile performing musicians and/or composers of the highest caliber. The flexibly designed programme allows students to deepen and/or broaden their knowledge of their field of study and thus prepare themselves as effectively as possible for the international music scene.
The programme is organized in such a way that students can define their own academic goals. Students are given the opportunity to combine flexibility and a broadening of their skills and knowledge with a complete mastery of the subject. They are supported in such a way that individual qualities and talents can be developed to their full potential. The master’s programme maintains a careful balance between knowledge and ability and between thinking and doing. Students who complete the programme can combine a complete mastery of the subject with the ability to reflect critically and to innovate artistically.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
MMusic
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
The Master’s Degree in Music offered by the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) gives students the opportunity and support needed to prepare themselves as effectively as possible to enter today’s diversified labor market. The aim of the two-year master’s programme, of which the continued individual pursuit of the principal study is the main focus, is to train students to become versatile performing musicians and/or composers of the highest caliber. The flexibly designed programme allows students to deepen and/or broaden their knowledge of their field of study and thus prepare themselves as effectively as possible for the international music scene.
The programme is organized in such a way that students can define their own academic goals. Students are given the opportunity to combine flexibility and a broadening of their skills and knowledge with a complete mastery of the subject. They are supported in such a way that individual qualities and talents can be developed to their full potential. The master’s programme maintains a careful balance between knowledge and ability and between thinking and doing. Students who complete the programme can combine a complete mastery of the subject with the ability to reflect critically and to innovate artistically.
Admission Requirements
In order to be admitted to the master programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, candidates should possess a Bachelor of Music diploma at the start of their study.
The Classical/Early Music master entrance exam consists of two rounds:
1. Video Recording
Candidates
are asked to submit weblinks to their video recordings, uploaded on
YouTube or Vimeo.
Please
make sure that the videos are recorded from a static perspective,
showing hands and face, and that each work or opus is recorded in a
separate video. Please be aware that only unedited videos are allowed to
be submitted. You can put the weblinks to your video recordings in the
application form. Candidates whose level in the first round meets the
entry requirements will proceed to the principal subject entrance exam.
2. Principal Subject Entrance Exam
The
admission requirements can be found on the page of the principal
subject of your choice. Please note: if you take the entrance
exam online, you are expected to audition via a video link (no
recordings). Make sure you have a good microphone and internet
connection.
During the entrance examination candidates will be tested for level of repertoire, technical skills, artistic abilities, development possibilities, ear tests and musical hearing. If one of these aspects is considered insufficient, the candidate will fail.
The exam result is communicated to the candidate directly after the principal subject entrance exam. The result can be 'admissible to the principal subject' or 'rejected for the principal subject'. The board of directors (not the exam committee), will make the final decisions regarding the admissions. In addition to the results of the practical and theoretical exams (and for foreign candidates their command of the English language), the number of student places available per section will be taken into account. As soon as possible after the entrance exams the candidates will be informed if they will be admitted or not. During the summer holidays all admitted candidates will receive information on the start of the study year, the introduction day and the payment of the tuition fee.
https://www.conservatoriumvanamsterdam.nl/en/application-and-admission/how-to-apply/
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