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Bachelor of Music – Composition

University of the Arts The Hague (Royal Conservatoire) · The Hague, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishNo CAO points neededSelectiveArts academyPortfolioAudition
Duration4 years
StartsSept 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)25 Feb 2027
EU fee 2026/27€2,694 / yr

About the course

A four-year, English-taught composition degree in which you write solo, chamber and orchestral music as well as work with improvisation, electronics and multimedia, with individual guidance from composers. It is practical and performance-based, with regular chances to have your music played by professional ensembles.

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.
  • You need a secondary school diploma (the Leaving Certificate), a passing grade in the conservatoire’s online music theory test and proof of English proficiency.
  • Portfolio of 3 to 5 of your own compositions with audio recordings (MIDI recordings are accepted), followed by an entrance exam: a discussion with teachers about your portfolio and ideas, live or online.

How to apply

  1. Register on StudielinkApplications open 1 October 2026; register for Bachelor Composition by 25 February 2027.
  2. Upload portfolio and formsUpload 3 to 5 compositions with recordings and the motivation form via Osiris Apply, and complete the online music theory test (2026 cycle deadline: 26 February).
  3. Entrance examIf you pass the online pre-selection you take the entrance exam live in The Hague or online. In 2026 exams took place in week 17 (late April).
  4. DecisionResults were sent in the first half of May in 2026 as Accepted, Eligible or Rejected. Complete all enrolment documents by 1 September.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: Register through Studielink by 25 February (the date given on the How to apply page; confirm it for 2027 as one older page gives 26 February). The online music theory test had to be completed by 26 February, 11:59 pm CET, in the 2026 cycle. All enrolment documents must be in by 1 September..

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: admission depends on your portfolio, theory test and entrance exam, so meeting the diploma requirement alone does not guarantee a place.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityThe Hague
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNot published
EntrySelective
Programme page ↗Entry requirements ↗How to apply ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Royal Conservatoire The Hague website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The deadline and exam and results dates are from the 2026 cycle, so confirm the 2027 dates with the conservatoire. Always confirm details with the university before applying.