Bachelor of Music – Jazz

About the course

A jazz performance degree covering your main instrument, improvisation and ensemble playing, including the ‘New York comes to Groningen’ programme with international guest teachers. It is a practical, career-focused degree at a conservatoire that is part of a university of applied sciences.

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.
• Admission is by audition after a video pre-selection (three YouTube videos in different styles plus a self-introduction video). The audition includes a practical exam (jazz standards, playing with a combo and instrumental skills, plus basic piano for non-pianists) and a group theory exam of about one hour.
• You need a school qualification equivalent to the Dutch HAVO diploma and proof of English; check Hanze’s general entry requirements for the exact English level.

How to apply

1. Register on StudielinkApply for Bachelor Jazz at Hanze before the deadline (1 March in the 2026 cycle; confirm the 2027 date).
2. Pre-selection videoUpload three recent YouTube videos of different pieces in different styles and a self-introduction video (max 2 minutes). You hear two weeks before your audition whether you passed.
3. AuditionAudition live in Groningen (online only in exceptional cases). In 2026 the dates ran from 31 March to 20 April, by instrument.
4. Decision and enrolmentAfter a successful audition, complete enrolment and upload your diploma and English proof.

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).

At a glance