Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts ConservatoriumThe course

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

About the course

Mode of study: Part-time
School: Utrechts Conservatorium
Duration: 7 months
Type: Preparatory Course
Language: English|Dutch
Location(s): Mariaplaats
Email: sz@hku.nl
Phone: +31 (0)30-2091540

In brief

Prepares you for one of the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music in Education degree programmes
Get to know the theory for the bachelor programme’s entrance examination
Primarily for students entering from Dutch secundary education and Intermediate vocational education.
The course lasts 24 weeks
From September to May

How do you know if the Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium is right for you?

The course is for you if you’re passionate about music and you want to prepare for one of the study courses within the Bachelor of Music (Classical Music, Historical Performance Practice, Jazz & Pop or Musician 3.0) or the Bachelor of Music in Education (Opleiding Docent Muziek) programme. Are you still in secondary school? Or doing a (Dutch) mbo course? Then this course is just right for you. Our school director may also have told you that have to take this course to brush up your theoretical knowledge.

Why do Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium ?

You can expect to be challenged musically, in a healthy atmosphere. You’ll get a lot of personal attention from renowned teachers. You can attend projects, concerts, masterclasses and workshops, and sometimes you can even participate in them. And you can always use our facilities: study spaces, concert halls and the canteen.

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts ConservatoriumWhat will you learn

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

What will you learn

You’ll take instrumental, vocal or composition classes. The music theory and sight-singing classes will prepare you for the entrance examination for the Bachelor of Music course. After consultation with your tutor and instructor you can also participate in group activities, like masterclasses, ‘work weeks’ and projects. Are you preparing for the Jazz & Pop course? Then, in addition to the main subject and theory classes, you can also take band skills classes. The Preparatory Course does not result in a diploma or certificate.

Bachelor of Music in Education: Preparatory Course Music in Education

Are you taking the Preparatory Course as preparation for the Music in Education programme? Then in addition to the theory classes you’ll also get singing and piano lessons.

Theory Lessons

You’ll have 24 weeks of theory classes. Each class is 90 minutes long, in a group of at most 20 students. The theory classes are always given on a weekday at the end of the day. When you begin the Preparatory Course, you can indicate which of three days you prefer.

Main Subjects

The instrumental or vocal main subjects are also 24-week courses. These are individual 60-minute lessons. You and your instructor will work out what time during the week you’ll take your main-subject lessons. After speaking with your tutor and your lecturer you can take part in group activities in the bachelor course, like masterclasses, work weeks and projects.

Jazz & Pop: band skills

In Jazz & Pop, in addition to your theory classes and main-subject lessons, you’ll also work on band skills. In these classes you can apply what you’re learning in the theory classes and main-subject lessons. The band skills classes are taught by third-year student interns. You’ll get to learn a bit more about how the programme works, from the inside out. An internship coach and the theory lecturer are also often there to help you out.

Take a look at the complete list of lecturers to find out which other lecturers you will have.

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts ConservatoriumWhat will you make

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

What will you make on the course

Workspaces

This course gives you access to state-of-the-art studios and equipment. Discover which facilities you can use.

WorkspacePerformance & Technology WorkspaceLending desks WorkspaceLibraries and Multimedia Libraries

After the Preparatory Course

Once you’ve finished the Preparatory Course, then you can take the entrance examination for one of the Bachelor of Music degree programmes (Classical Music, Historical Performance Practice, Jazz & Pop or Musician 3.0) or the Bachelor of Music in Education.

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts ConservatoriumApplication and admission

Preparatory Course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

Application and admission

The Preparatory Course is right for you if you want to enter the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music in Education degree programme. You may still be in secondary school, or are taking an mbo (Dutch Intermediate vocational education) course. During the selection process we will assess whether the Preparatory Course is right for you.

The admission procedure for the Preparatory Course is the same as for the bachelor program. You always do admission for the Bachelor of Music or Music in Education program, but the admission committee allows you to enter the Preparatory Course.

Important Dates

All admissions for the academic year 2025-2026 will be scheduled from 31 March to 11 April 2025.

You can apply for the academic year 2025-2026 from 1 October 2024 to 1 February 2025.

You apply via Studielink for the Bachelor of Music or Music in Education program. The admission procedure for the Preparatory Course is the same as for the bachelor program. You always do admission for the Bachelor of Music or Music in Education program, but the admission committee allows you to enter the Preparatory Course.

Click here for information about the admission procedure for the Bachelor of Music courses; Jazz & Pop, Classical Music, Historical Performance Practice and Musician 3.0.

Click here for information about the admission procedure for the Music in Education program (Bachelor of Education in Music).

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