Classical Master's Degree Programme
Personal Curriculum
Each Classical master’s student follows an individually designed curriculum. The curriculum will be drawn up in consultation with the head of their section, principal subject teacher(s), research supervisor and study advisor. In this way, the student can make an optimal combination of courses and activities, tailored to their personal level, potential, ambitions and future professional profile and field of work.
The curriculum always consists of four main components, with a study load that is the same for all students:
Curriculum
Students on the master's programme focus on broad, in-depth study of their principal subject. See the programme details per principal subject under 'Principal Subjects'.
Master's students also carry out thorough research into a subject related to their principal study. Students conclude their research with a dissertation and a public presentation (e.g. a lecture, lecture-recital, workshop or interview). This research is supervised by either internal or external experts.
Each student should take at least two electives and earn a minimum of 20 credits with them in two years. Please click here for an overview of master electives.
To a certain extent master's students are free to spend time on professional activities in addition to the curriculum. They may, for instance, gain professional experience by being placed in a professional orchestra or ensemble. They may also choose to take masterclasses, attend workshops or international competitions, or concentrate on an early instrument, improvisation, ensemble playing or world music. Another alternative is to deepen their theoretical knowledge by taking extra master's electives or attending a single or even several series of lectures at the University of Amsterdam.
These four components offer a lot of room for personal choices. For example, in the principal subject component students can opt for additional (individual) lessons on a related (historical) instrument, chamber music, orchestral playing, répétiteurship, masterclasses, new music, electronic music and much more.
Additionally, the diversity of research expertise and facilities, a large and varied range of electives and the many possibilities to fill in the free space, both inside and outside the conservatory, give students ample opportunity to compose a personal curriculum at a high international level.
Each study, each final exam and each alumnus thus acquires their own strong musical identity, in which the artistic personality and wishes regarding the future career are paramount.
Credits
| principal subject | 80 |
| research | 10 |
| master electives | 20 |
| individual credits | 10 |
The master's degree programme in music comprises 120 credits (based on ECTS; the European Credit Transfer System) to be obtained in two years of study (1 credit = 28 study hours).
Accreditation and degree
The master's programme in Classical Music is a track within the Master Music. The quality of this programme has been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme students will receive an accredited master's degree in Music and the title Master Music. Only accreditated degree programmes are listed in the Dutch central register of higher education programmes (CROHO).
More information on accreditation and degrees
Programme Details
Study load
120 EC
Study length
2 years, full-time
Language of instruction
Dutch and English
CROHO code
44739 (M Music)
Title
Master of Music