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Bachelor of Music – Early Music (instrumental)

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

100% taught in EnglishNo CAO points neededSelectiveArts academyAuditionPre-selection video
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 degree in historically informed performance on period instruments (for example recorder, traverso, baroque violin/viola, harpsichord, lute, viola da gamba, natural trumpet), with weekly principal-study lessons and ensemble work. It is a practical, career-focused conservatoire degree; each instrument has its own programme page and requirements.

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. (Its general bachelor rule is a secondary-school diploma equivalent to Dutch HAVO level.)
  • Pre-selection video recordings on your instrument (for recorder: at least two recordings from different style periods, 15-20 minutes in total); requirements vary by instrument.
  • Audition (live or real-time online) of the same works, plus a theory section (written aural test, written general music theory and individual practical solfège).

How to apply

  1. Register in StudielinkApplications open 1 October; register for your instrument’s programme in Studielink by 25 February.
  2. Upload materialsUpload a Word/PDF document with your video links and repertoire, the motivation form and your CV via Osiris Apply.
  3. Pre-selection and theory testYour videos are assessed and you complete the online theory test before 26 February (23:59 CET).
  4. Audition and resultShortlisted candidates are invited to audition in spring; check the entrance exams page for dates. Results are Rejected, Eligible or Accepted; only Accepted guarantees a place.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: Applications open 1 October. Register in Studielink by 25 February and complete the online theory test before 26 February (23:59 CET). These are the dates currently shown on the programme’s application page; confirm the 2027 dates when applications open..

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 conservatoire course: entry is by video pre-selection, theory test and audition. Being ‘Eligible’ does not guarantee a place; only ‘Accepted’ does.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityThe Hague
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNot published
EntrySelective
Programme page (recorder) ↗Entry requirements (recorder) ↗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). Deadlines shown are those on the current application pages and audition dates for 2027 are not yet published; confirm the dates when applications open on 1 October. Always confirm details with the university before applying.