In short
Do you dream of an (international) music career? At Conservatorium Maastricht you will develop your passion for music and prepare yourself for a successful future in the music world. In the Bachelor of Music, you choose either Classical or Jazz, both of which are English-taught. You will study in a vibrant international environment, among students and teachers from all over the world. Conservatorium Maastricht is firmly established in the region and offers a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere that is not only reflected in our classes, but also during concerts and projects.
You will be taught by active professionals who support you in developing your own artistic identity. Through hands-on experience on a variety of stages, you’ll be thoroughly prepared for a career in the music industry. The broad and multifaceted curriculum offers room for your own creative projects and input, helping you grow into a versatile musician with a distinctive artistic voice.
Study support
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Alumni story
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Study paths
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Join our Open Day
Ask all your questions, soak up the atmosphere and experience what it’s like to study here. Whether you already know what you want or are still deciding, discover what truly suits you during the open day.
Try an Experience Day?
Experience a programme from the inside. During an experience day, you’ll follow a schedule together with other prospective students.
Download the programme brochure
Everything about the programme content, admission, internships and future opportunities, all in one clear document.
Why study Music at Zuyd?
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International and inspiring
Students and teachers from all over the world create a diverse and stimulating environment that will spark your creativity.
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Classical or Jazz
Choose your specialisation in a fully English-taught programme.
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Room for your own ideas
Our flexible curriculum gives you space to develop your own projects and explore new experiments.
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Strong link with professional practice
Regular concerts, projects, and collaborations with professional musicians and institutions.
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Personal guidance
Our teachers adapt to your individual development path, helping you realise your full potential.
Study in the student city of Maastricht
The Jazz and Classical musicology degrees are located in the heart of Maastricht – an international student city with a rich cultural heritage. As a student at Conservatorium Maastricht, you’ll become part of a diverse, international community where musicians come together to share knowledge, inspiration, and music.
Our central location in the Euregion offers unique opportunities for collaboration. We partner with conservatoires in Liège, Aachen, and Leuven, and regularly organise joint orchestral and big band projects, giving you the chance to broaden your artistic horizons and build an international network. Plus, with cities like Cologne, Brussels, and Luxembourg just a short trip away, you’ll have easy access to world-class masterclasses and concerts.
Our bachelor of musicology facilities are fully equipped to support your musical development. You’ll have access to modern teaching spaces, a professional recording studio, dedicated ensemble and band rehearsal rooms, a concert hall, and an extensive music library. Everything is designed to help you grow and thrive as a musician.
All Steinway School
Conservatorium Maastricht is proud to be an All Steinway School, unique in the Netherlands and rare in Europe. More than 90% of our pianos are Steinway & Sons instruments. Thanks to this investment and a dedicated maintenance programme, you have access to instruments of the highest quality, identical to those on the world’s biggest concert stages.
We are Zuyd. We are close-knit, sincere and confident
Programme Structure
In Music, you begin with a foundation year, followed by deeper specialisation. Projects, performances, and personal guidance support your growth at your own pace.
Study paths
You can choose between two specialisations:
- Classical
- Jazz
Classical
Within the Classical track, you can study violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium, percussion, voice, guitar, harp, piano, organ, conducting (orchestra, choir, and wind band), composition and music theory. Your chosen main subject forms the core of your Music studies in the Netherlands. A dedicated teaching team will support and inspire you throughout your personal and artistic development, guiding you step by step in your musical growth.
Weekly main subject lessons, chamber music, and project work focus on developing your craftsmanship, both artistic and technical. Music theory provides a strong foundation, while ensemble playing is a key part of your training. In addition, you'll work on professional skills, including: teaching and educational methods, digital skills, and mental and physical well-being for musicians. You’ll also learn about cultural entrepreneurship, understanding what it means to work in the arts sector.
Want to know more about the Classical track of our Music bachelor degree? Visit the website of Conservatorium Maastricht or join the open day, one of our Taster Days or online Q&A sessions or an event.
Jazz
In the Jazz track, you can choose from a wide range of disciplines, including: composition and arranging, double bass, drums, electronic music production, (electric) bass, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and voice. During weekly main subject lessons and project work, the focus is on craftsmanship – helping you grow both artistically and technically, while music theory provides a solid foundation. Ensemble playing is essential throughout your Music studies.
As a jazz musician, you’ll be encouraged to push boundaries and explore your creative potential. You’ll play in combos and/or the big band, learning to perform in a variety of styles. Regular performances, both in the Netherlands and abroad, are part of the experience. In addition, you'll work on professional skills, including: teaching and educational methods, digital skills, and mental and physical well-being for musicians. You’ll also learn about cultural entrepreneurship, understanding what it means to work in the arts sector after your bachelor's degree in Music.
In the Jazz track, everything revolves around composing, arranging, playing, and performing. An international team of teachers and guest artists will spark your creativity and challenge you to find your own musical voice. Learning takes place not just in lessons, but also through workshops and masterclasses by artists from all over the world.
Want to explore our BA in Music further? Visit the Jazz section on the Conservatorium website or join one of our Online Jazz Open Nights. You can find these in our event calendar.
Your first year
At Conservatorium Maastricht, theory and practice go hand in hand to support your musical development in the most effective way. You’ll immerse yourself in music theory, music history, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, while developing your practical abilities through individual lessons, ensemble work, projects, and performances. Whether you’re on stage, collaborating with fellow students, or experimenting in a music studio, your theoretical knowledge is directly applied in an inspiring, hands-on environment. This integration ensures a deep understanding of music and lays a strong foundation for your professional career.
The first year – the propaedeutic year – of the full-time Music BA programme comprises 60 credits. You will have 504 contact hours and you’ll be supported by a personal study coach who will help guide your learning journey and assist in creating a tailored study plan.
At the end of the first year, you’ll receive a study recommendation regarding your continuation in the programme. This recommendation is based on your academic progress and is issued by the programme manager, in consultation with the teaching team, coordinator, study coaches, and student deans. Once you’ve completed the 60 credits, you’ll be admitted to the second year of the degree in Music. If you haven’t completed all credits by the end of the first year, your study coach will work with you to create a plan for finishing the remaining credits in year two.
Advanced study and practical experience
From year 2, you will enter the post-propaedeutic part of the Bachelor of Music programme (years 2, 3 and 4), accounting for 180 credits. At this stage, you’ll have more freedom to personalise your study path. In years 3 and 4, you can choose from a range of electives that help you develop a personal exit profile matching your interests and ambitions.
- The Bachelor of Music Classical consists of 25 main subjects covering the main musical disciplines within classical music. The programme focuses on: technical mastery, stylistic development, and musical versatility.
- The Bachelor of Music Jazz consists of 11 different main subjects covering the main musical disciplines within the jazz genre. The Bachelor programme focuses on technical mastery, style development and musical versatility.
The curriculum integrates theory and practice, while also giving space for your own creative projects. From year 3 onwards, you design your individual subject package, which allows you to shape your exit profile.
Guidance and support
The Music bachelor of Conservatorium Maastricht offers an inspiring environment where you can grow as a musician and prepare for a versatile career in the music world. Our internationally renowned programmes in Classical Music and Jazz help you refine your technical skills while also developing your artistic vision and identity.
Through a rich mix of personal coaching, one-on-one lessons, masterclasses by top artists, group projects, and peer collaboration, you'll have every opportunity to take your musicality to the next level. You’ll also gain practical experience on leading stages and access a global network of musicians – building a strong foundation for your future in music.
Throughout your Music studies you’ll receive intensive guidance from dedicated teachers, who will encourage you to develop your artistic autonomy. From the very start, you’ll be assigned a personal study coach to help you create and adjust your individual study plan. In addition, the student deans are available for extra support when needed.
Conservatorium Maastricht places great value on its internal student community. First-year students are welcomed by student ambassadors, who serve as buddies to help you settle in and make a smooth start. You can also join student association Euterpe, which organises a variety of events throughout the academic year. The student councils for both Classical Music and Jazz, which you could be a part of, give students a representative voice within Conservatorium Maastricht.
Study paths
Study paths
You can choose between two specialisations:
- Classical
- Jazz
Classical
Within the Classical track, you can study violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium, percussion, voice, guitar, harp, piano, organ, conducting (orchestra, choir, and wind band), composition and music theory. Your chosen main subject forms the core of your Music studies in the Netherlands. A dedicated teaching team will support and inspire you throughout your personal and artistic development, guiding you step by step in your musical growth.
Weekly main subject lessons, chamber music, and project work focus on developing your craftsmanship, both artistic and technical. Music theory provides a strong foundation, while ensemble playing is a key part of your training. In addition, you'll work on professional skills, including: teaching and educational methods, digital skills, and mental and physical well-being for musicians. You’ll also learn about cultural entrepreneurship, understanding what it means to work in the arts sector.
Want to know more about the Classical track of our Music bachelor degree? Visit the website of Conservatorium Maastricht or join the open day, one of our Taster Days or online Q&A sessions or an event.
Jazz
In the Jazz track, you can choose from a wide range of disciplines, including: composition and arranging, double bass, drums, electronic music production, (electric) bass, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and voice. During weekly main subject lessons and project work, the focus is on craftsmanship – helping you grow both artistically and technically, while music theory provides a solid foundation. Ensemble playing is essential throughout your Music studies.
As a jazz musician, you’ll be encouraged to push boundaries and explore your creative potential. You’ll play in combos and/or the big band, learning to perform in a variety of styles. Regular performances, both in the Netherlands and abroad, are part of the experience. In addition, you'll work on professional skills, including: teaching and educational methods, digital skills, and mental and physical well-being for musicians. You’ll also learn about cultural entrepreneurship, understanding what it means to work in the arts sector after your bachelor's degree in Music.
In the Jazz track, everything revolves around composing, arranging, playing, and performing. An international team of teachers and guest artists will spark your creativity and challenge you to find your own musical voice. Learning takes place not just in lessons, but also through workshops and masterclasses by artists from all over the world.
Want to explore our BA in Music further? Visit the Jazz section on the Conservatorium website or join one of our Online Jazz Open Nights. You can find these in our event calendar.
Your first year
Your first year
At Conservatorium Maastricht, theory and practice go hand in hand to support your musical development in the most effective way. You’ll immerse yourself in music theory, music history, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, while developing your practical abilities through individual lessons, ensemble work, projects, and performances. Whether you’re on stage, collaborating with fellow students, or experimenting in a music studio, your theoretical knowledge is directly applied in an inspiring, hands-on environment. This integration ensures a deep understanding of music and lays a strong foundation for your professional career.
The first year – the propaedeutic year – of the full-time Music BA programme comprises 60 credits. You will have 504 contact hours and you’ll be supported by a personal study coach who will help guide your learning journey and assist in creating a tailored study plan.
At the end of the first year, you’ll receive a study recommendation regarding your continuation in the programme. This recommendation is based on your academic progress and is issued by the programme manager, in consultation with the teaching team, coordinator, study coaches, and student deans. Once you’ve completed the 60 credits, you’ll be admitted to the second year of the degree in Music. If you haven’t completed all credits by the end of the first year, your study coach will work with you to create a plan for finishing the remaining credits in year two.
Advanced study and practical experience
Advanced study and practical experience
From year 2, you will enter the post-propaedeutic part of the Bachelor of Music programme (years 2, 3 and 4), accounting for 180 credits. At this stage, you’ll have more freedom to personalise your study path. In years 3 and 4, you can choose from a range of electives that help you develop a personal exit profile matching your interests and ambitions.
- The Bachelor of Music Classical consists of 25 main subjects covering the main musical disciplines within classical music. The programme focuses on: technical mastery, stylistic development, and musical versatility.
- The Bachelor of Music Jazz consists of 11 different main subjects covering the main musical disciplines within the jazz genre. The Bachelor programme focuses on technical mastery, style development and musical versatility.
The curriculum integrates theory and practice, while also giving space for your own creative projects. From year 3 onwards, you design your individual subject package, which allows you to shape your exit profile.
Guidance and support
Guidance and support
The Music bachelor of Conservatorium Maastricht offers an inspiring environment where you can grow as a musician and prepare for a versatile career in the music world. Our internationally renowned programmes in Classical Music and Jazz help you refine your technical skills while also developing your artistic vision and identity.
Through a rich mix of personal coaching, one-on-one lessons, masterclasses by top artists, group projects, and peer collaboration, you'll have every opportunity to take your musicality to the next level. You’ll also gain practical experience on leading stages and access a global network of musicians – building a strong foundation for your future in music.
Throughout your Music studies you’ll receive intensive guidance from dedicated teachers, who will encourage you to develop your artistic autonomy. From the very start, you’ll be assigned a personal study coach to help you create and adjust your individual study plan. In addition, the student deans are available for extra support when needed.
Conservatorium Maastricht places great value on its internal student community. First-year students are welcomed by student ambassadors, who serve as buddies to help you settle in and make a smooth start. You can also join student association Euterpe, which organises a variety of events throughout the academic year. The student councils for both Classical Music and Jazz, which you could be a part of, give students a representative voice within Conservatorium Maastricht.
Let’s Meet
You’ll only really get to know Music when you visit us. During open days, trial study days and online sessions you can experience the atmosphere and get a taste of student life. Meet students and lecturers, ask your questions and see if this is the right fit for you.
Explore from home?
Your questions, our answers!
Are you still in doubt about enrolling at Conservatorium Maastricht? Are you curious about the curriculum, admission requirements or student life? Or do you have questions about the support we offer?
During our online Q&A sessions, Jazz and Classical team leaders, the Classical coordinator (Bachelor's and Master's) and the Education Office will be on hand to answer all your questions. An ideal opportunity to get a complete picture of the Bachelor of Music programme!
Try it out with a Taster Day
Classical programme
Would you like to experience what it is like to study Classical Music at Conservatorium Maastricht? Join our Taster Days! You will be paired with a current student and follow their daily schedule. You will attend classes, rehearsals, and events, giving you a complete picture of the programme and atmosphere within the BA in Music programme Classical. That way, you will discover whether this course suits you.
Taster days are scheduled on request. Send an email to: anna.mathioudaki@zuyd.nl or cecile.vliex@zuyd.nl.
Jazz programme
During the Taster Days, you will be paired with a jazz student and spend a day with them. You attend their classes and attend events within different study programmes. This will give you a good idea of our bachelor's degree in Music and the lively atmosphere within the Jazz Department, so you can decide whether the Music Jazz programme suits you. You can register here.
Tip: You can request leave from your current programme to participate in a Trial Study Day.
Visit the Open Day
Visit the Open Day of the Music, Classical or Jazz Music bachelor programme at Conservatorium Maastricht! Experience for yourself why these programmes are among the top in the Netherlands (Keuzegids Hbo). Taste the atmosphere, meet students and teachers, explore the building, and participate in workshops such as percussion, music theory, piano and singing.
We are looking forward to welcoming you!
What Comes Next
After studying in Music you can go in many directions. From working in the field to continuing your studies, the choice is yours. We’ll show you the possibilities, with honest information about opportunities and earnings.
I never had to adapt to the school.
I’m incredibly grateful to the conservatoire for the space it gave me to grow artistically. During my studies, I was offered several external opportunities and got involved in projects that weren’t directly tied to the curriculum. The academy responded with enthusiasm and flexibility. I genuinely felt that the teachers and the school adapted to me to what I needed at that moment. I never had to adapt to the school. I was never stuck in a rigid system. In fact, when my development took a different turn halfway through the programme, I was even able to divide my focus equally between two majors and reshape the direction of my studies. The school trusted me and gave me those opportunities. This has given me a lot of self-confidence and in my opinion to a great extent shaped me.
Peter Willems - Bassist I Singer | Programmer - Alumni Jazz Conservatorium Maastricht
Your future after
Professions
Job prospects and salary
With a bachelor's degree in music (Jazz or Classical), you can pursue various paths within the music industry. Whether you choose to work as a performing musician, teacher, composer, or producer, your career direction will largely depend on your specialisation and ambitions. Salaries in the music sector can vary widely, depending on factors such as type of employment (freelance or employee), experience and location.
In the Netherlands, the average monthly gross salary for musicians ranges from €2,500 to €4,100 gross. With more experience, a strong reputation, and an established network, earnings can rise to €4,500 gross or more. Investing in broad musical skills, developing entrepreneurial abilities, and building a solid professional network will significantly increase your chances of a successful and sustainable career in the music industry.
Continue studying
Want to further develop your musical talent after your Bachelor of Music? At Conservatorium Maastricht, you can choose the Master of Music in Jazz or Classical music. Our Master's programme is known for its high quality and was rated as one of the best music programmes in the Netherlands in the Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs.
The Master's programme builds on your artistic identity and allows for specialisation within your main subject and field of work. Artistic research is an important part of the programme and allows you to choose between a hands-on or academic approach. You’ll develop your research skills, and learn more about cultural entrepreneurship, while deepening both your technical and artistic skill. You will work closely with renowned teachers and fellow students and will be given plenty of space to develop your own musical vision. Moreover, during your musicology degree you will play on leading stages, participate in various projects, and get the chance to expand your network within the music world.
Practical Information
Thinking about studying Music? Of course you want to know what to expect. How to apply, what the admission requirements are and how the costs work, we explain it all clearly.
Study load and study advice
The four-year Bachelor of Music (Classical and Jazz) consists of 240 credits. You will have about 504 contact hours per year. The rest of the time you will spend on self-study. The curriculum offers a combination of a fixed schedule for specific subjects and flexibility for other components. The online system (Asimut) allows you to view your schedule and reserve study places.
In addition to regular classes, our Bachelor of Music expects a lot of time for self-study, especially for your main subject. Theory subjects also require intensive preparation. Moreover, there are regular band or chamber music rehearsals, which are essential for developing ensemble playing, improvisation and musical collaboration.
Learning routes
Conservatorium Maastricht offers various (preparatory) programmes.
- Junior Conservatorium Maastricht programme for young musicians who want to further develop their musicality and may be interested in the Music degree.
- Preparatory course for the bachelor’s programme
- Post-graduate programme
Application
Want to start Music? Great! This programme has additional admission requirements and specific registration deadlines, so check these in advance on the website of Conservatorium Maastricht.
Tuition fees
As a degree-seeking student you will have to pay annual tuition fees. Students from the EU pay the statutory tuition fees, and non-EU students pay the institutional tuition fees. Normally speaking, these fees are waived for exchange students from partner universities.
Education and examination regulations
The education and examination regulations (EER) provide all the information you will need about the content of the study programme, the academic support provided, and the way in which examinations are organised.
Study in the Netherlands
Curious about what it’s like to study in the Netherlands? From outstanding education to a warm, international atmosphere, it’s all here. Discover what makes the Netherlands such a great study destination. We tell you all about it on the Study in the Netherlands page.
Study load and study advice
Study load and study advice
The four-year Bachelor of Music (Classical and Jazz) consists of 240 credits. You will have about 504 contact hours per year. The rest of the time you will spend on self-study. The curriculum offers a combination of a fixed schedule for specific subjects and flexibility for other components. The online system (Asimut) allows you to view your schedule and reserve study places.
In addition to regular classes, our Bachelor of Music expects a lot of time for self-study, especially for your main subject. Theory subjects also require intensive preparation. Moreover, there are regular band or chamber music rehearsals, which are essential for developing ensemble playing, improvisation and musical collaboration.
Learning routes
Learning routes
Conservatorium Maastricht offers various (preparatory) programmes.
- Junior Conservatorium Maastricht programme for young musicians who want to further develop their musicality and may be interested in the Music degree.
- Preparatory course for the bachelor’s programme
- Post-graduate programme
Application
Application
Want to start Music? Great! This programme has additional admission requirements and specific registration deadlines, so check these in advance on the website of Conservatorium Maastricht.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees
As a degree-seeking student you will have to pay annual tuition fees. Students from the EU pay the statutory tuition fees, and non-EU students pay the institutional tuition fees. Normally speaking, these fees are waived for exchange students from partner universities.
Education and examination regulations
Education and examination regulations
The education and examination regulations (EER) provide all the information you will need about the content of the study programme, the academic support provided, and the way in which examinations are organised.
Study in the Netherlands
Study in the Netherlands
Curious about what it’s like to study in the Netherlands? From outstanding education to a warm, international atmosphere, it’s all here. Discover what makes the Netherlands such a great study destination. We tell you all about it on the Study in the Netherlands page.
Admission requirements
International diplomas
To apply to Conservatorium Maastricht, you need:
- A diploma that gives access to higher education in your home country
- A successful entrance audition (and possibly a theory test)
We welcome talented students from all over the world.
Visit our website for full details and deadlines.
Dutch diplomas
You are eligible if you have a HAVO, VWO or MBO-4 diploma or an foreign equivalent. In addition, we will invite you to take an entrance examination.
More information about admission can be found on the website of the Conservatorium.
Join our Open Day
Ask all your questions, soak up the atmosphere and experience what it’s like to study here. Whether you already know what you want or are still deciding, discover what truly suits you during the open day.
Try an Experience Day?
Experience a programme from the inside. During an experience day, you’ll follow a schedule together with other prospective students.
Download the programme brochure
Everything about the programme content, admission, internships and future opportunities, all in one clear document.
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