Admissions process

To enrol in the tailor-made Music in Education bachelor's programme, you first need to apply for admission. Think of it as an introduction: the admissions process is designed to assess whether you are a good fit for the programme, but also to allow you to determine whether this programme is truly what you are looking for. On this page, you can read about what the admissions process entails and what you need to do to apply.

Admissions process

After submitting your application, you will receive an email from the programme asking you to complete a portfolio demonstrating your competencies. This portfolio will serve as a guideline for your entrance exam, which will be conducted by a committee.

Entrance exam

If you do not have a conservatory diploma, you will also take a theoretical, instrumental and vocal entrance examination.

The instrumental and vocal entrance examination consists of:

• A recording of four instrumental pieces performed on your main instrument. The pieces must differ in style, character and expression.
• A recording of four pieces showcasing your singing voice. These could be pop songs, musical songs, classical songs, children's songs or jazz standards. These songs must also differ in style, character and expression. You must accompany yourself on a chord instrument.
• If you play another instrument in addition to your programme, you may send a recording of this and incorporate it into your programme. If you have written your own piece of music, we would love to hear it.

The music theory entrance exam, which will be held live at the academy, consists of:

• Singing intervals and major and minor scale figures.
• Naming notated triads and tetrads and a number of scales.
• Performing a number of rhythms in different time signatures.
• Naming a number of intervals and triads that you hear.
• Noting a number of short melodic and rhythmic dictations.

You have a good command of general music theory terms from one of these two works:

• Nelleke B. (2002). Simple general music theory (9th edition). Chapters 1, 2, 8 to 11, 18 to 21.
• Pinkersterboer H. (2019). Tipboek muziek op papier: basistheorie (13th revised edition). Chapters: 2 to 4, 5, 10 to 13.

Open Days

Would you like to prepare for the entrance exam? Then come to an Open Day or taster week. This will give you a good idea of your level and possibilities. You can also discuss the programme components for a possible entrance exam. Taster days are always possible after consultation. Request a lesson via email and mention tailor-made Music in Education/Docent Muziek op Maat.

Crash course in music theory and ear training

In addition, you can prepare specifically for the theoretical part of the entrance exam with the Crash Course in Music Theory and Ear Training.

Outcome and validity

After the assessment and any entrance examination, the admissions committee will submit its recommendation to the Exam Committee of the Academy of Music. This committee will check whether the admissions process has been carried out correctly and will ultimately decide whether you will be admitted. You will be notified of the results in writing. If you are eligible for admission, we will invite you for an interview to discuss exemptions and your study programme.

A positive admission to the Tailor-made Music in Education programme is only valid for the ArtEZ location for which you have applied (the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle). Admission is only valid for the academic year immediately following the entrance examination. If you wish to start a year later, you can submit a written request to the Examination Board to retain your results for a period of one year.

If you disagree with a negative admission decision or believe that incorrect procedures were followed during the admissions process, you may lodge an appeal with the Exam Committee.