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The pop music programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam is open to talented, young musicians with a passion for creating pop music. It is a relatively new course, and over ninety per cent of its student body has so far consisted of Dutch students, ensuring deep roots in the musical life of the Netherlands.
The pop music degree programme provides a learning environment in which students are challenged to develop into young professionals who can participate in the professional world of pop music as enterprising artists as soon as they graduate. To that end, they learn to create, perform, produce, and effectively present their work. We feel students should be introduced to all these facets so that they get a clear idea of the entire process, in addition to their specialist area. After graduating, lifelong learning in their field is a natural process.
Besides presenting to them all the ins and outs of the world of pop music, the pop music degree programme also represents a four-year-long haven in which students can work on autonomous concepts and acquire solid knowledge and skills. The market mechanisms of a small country like the Netherlands can often interfere with the urge to experiment which can lead to new developments. Finding one’s own identity and expressivity takes time. In addition to disseminating knowledge, issues like making conscious choices and developing taste to arrive at a powerful, exciting statement are addressed in the classes. Industry-related concessions can always be made outside the course or after graduation.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
BMus
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
The pop music programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam is open to talented, young musicians with a passion for creating pop music. It is a relatively new course, and over ninety per cent of its student body has so far consisted of Dutch students, ensuring deep roots in the musical life of the Netherlands.
The pop music degree programme provides a learning environment in which students are challenged to develop into young professionals who can participate in the professional world of pop music as enterprising artists as soon as they graduate. To that end, they learn to create, perform, produce, and effectively present their work. We feel students should be introduced to all these facets so that they get a clear idea of the entire process, in addition to their specialist area. After graduating, lifelong learning in their field is a natural process.
Besides presenting to them all the ins and outs of the world of pop music, the pop music degree programme also represents a four-year-long haven in which students can work on autonomous concepts and acquire solid knowledge and skills. The market mechanisms of a small country like the Netherlands can often interfere with the urge to experiment which can lead to new developments. Finding one’s own identity and expressivity takes time. In addition to disseminating knowledge, issues like making conscious choices and developing taste to arrive at a powerful, exciting statement are addressed in the classes. Industry-related concessions can always be made outside the course or after graduation.
Admission Requirements
In order to be admitted to the bachelor programme at the Conservatorium
van Amsterdam, candidates should possess a graduation certificate from
an institution of secondary education a recognised equivalent of a Dutch
VWO or HAVO certificate at the start of their study.
Candidates
will not only be selected on the basis of their skills as a musician,
but also on the level of their original compositions.
To apply, complete the online application form and upload the following documents:
copy of diploma(s) granted
a recent passport photo
copy of the page in your passport which contains the registration number
a short biography/motivation
three recordings of songs (at least two of the songs should be original compositions. Max. upload of mp3s is 10 Mb)
Candidates
will be selected beforehand on the basis of the recordings submitted.
If the candidate's playing on the recording matches the required level,
the candidate will be invited to take the audition / entrance
examination.
The examination consists of two parts:
a practical aural skillsexam
in which students are required to react to chords, to sing intervals,
to clap rhythms, to set words to music and to improvise to chords.
the live performance
of three pieces, two of which at least are original compositions, with
or without a band. Candidates should bring their own accompaniment; the
Pop Department does not provide accompaniment.
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Bachelor Programme in Pop Music
Oosterdokskade, Amsterdam, Netherlands
48 monthsProgramme duration
15 Jan, 2026Application Deadline
AugStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
BMus
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
The pop music degree programme provides a learning environment in which students are challenged to develop into young professionals who can participate in the professional world of pop music as enterprising artists as soon as they graduate. To that end, they learn to create, perform, produce, and effectively present their work. We feel students should be introduced to all these facets so that they get a clear idea of the entire process, in addition to their specialist area. After graduating, lifelong learning in their field is a natural process.
Besides presenting to them all the ins and outs of the world of pop music, the pop music degree programme also represents a four-year-long haven in which students can work on autonomous concepts and acquire solid knowledge and skills. The market mechanisms of a small country like the Netherlands can often interfere with the urge to experiment which can lead to new developments. Finding one’s own identity and expressivity takes time. In addition to disseminating knowledge, issues like making conscious choices and developing taste to arrive at a powerful, exciting statement are addressed in the classes. Industry-related concessions can always be made outside the course or after graduation.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
BMus
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
The pop music degree programme provides a learning environment in which students are challenged to develop into young professionals who can participate in the professional world of pop music as enterprising artists as soon as they graduate. To that end, they learn to create, perform, produce, and effectively present their work. We feel students should be introduced to all these facets so that they get a clear idea of the entire process, in addition to their specialist area. After graduating, lifelong learning in their field is a natural process.
Besides presenting to them all the ins and outs of the world of pop music, the pop music degree programme also represents a four-year-long haven in which students can work on autonomous concepts and acquire solid knowledge and skills. The market mechanisms of a small country like the Netherlands can often interfere with the urge to experiment which can lead to new developments. Finding one’s own identity and expressivity takes time. In addition to disseminating knowledge, issues like making conscious choices and developing taste to arrive at a powerful, exciting statement are addressed in the classes. Industry-related concessions can always be made outside the course or after graduation.
Admission Requirements
In order to be admitted to the bachelor programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, candidates should possess a graduation certificate from an institution of secondary education a recognised equivalent of a Dutch VWO or HAVO certificate at the start of their study.
Candidates will not only be selected on the basis of their skills as a musician, but also on the level of their original compositions.
To apply, complete the online application form and upload the following documents:
Candidates will be selected beforehand on the basis of the recordings submitted. If the candidate's playing on the recording matches the required level, the candidate will be invited to take the audition / entrance examination.
The examination consists of two parts:
https://www.conservatoriumvanamsterdam.nl/en/application-and-admission/entrance-exams/pop-music-entrance-exam/
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
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