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Bachelor Classical Music (English option)

ArtEZ University of the Arts (ArtEZ Academy of Music, Zwolle) · Zwolle, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishNo CAO points neededSelectiveArts academyAudition
Duration4 years
StartsSept 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)1 Feb 2027
EU fee 2026/27€2,694 / yr

About the course

A four-year (240 ECTS) conservatory degree where you play your instrument, sing, compose or conduct, with music theory and ensemble work alongside your main subject. It is a practical, career-focused degree, and you can choose to follow it in English or Dutch.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • The institution assesses the Irish Leaving Certificate individually and does not publish a fixed Irish requirement. Contact admissions to confirm.
  • Entrance exam: a live audition with a prepared programme (bring four printed copies), possible sight-reading, a music theory test matched to your main subject, and a short motivation text of 150-250 words.
  • English: IELTS Academic 5.5 overall and in each section, or equivalent. You are exempt if your secondary school diploma was taught in English.

How to apply

  1. Apply on StudielinkChoose Classical Music in Zwolle and register before 1 February 2027 (March auditions) or 1 May 2027 (June auditions).
  2. Send motivation text and scoresSubmit a 150-250 word motivation text and email piano accompaniment scores to the conservatory at least three weeks before your audition.
  3. Audition and theory testAuditions 1 to 19 March 2027 or 7 to 21 June 2027 in Zwolle, including a music theory test.
  4. Decision and enrolmentIf admitted, complete your enrolment in Studielink. The course starts on 6 September 2027.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: Apply through Studielink before 1 February 2027 for auditions from 1 to 19 March 2027, or before 1 May 2027 for auditions from 7 to 21 June 2027. In the 2026 cycle the June round was for EU/EEA applicants only, so check with ArtEZ..

Costs

  • Standard Dutch EU fee: €2,694 (2026/27). The 2027/28 fee is set by the Dutch government each year (expected to be close to €2,800).
  • EU students may be eligible for a Dutch tuition-fee loan (DUO).
Selective course: you need to pass the audition and entrance exam to get a place. The March round is the safer choice, because in 2026 the June round was for EU/EEA applicants only.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityZwolle
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNot published
EntrySelective
Programme page ↗Entrance exam ↗English language requirement ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official ArtEZ website: September 2026 (2027 entry). Audition dates and the start date are for 2027. The fee is the 2026/27 figure and the audition details come from the 2026 entrance exam page. Confirm with ArtEZ before you apply. Always confirm details with the university before applying.