Which documents are required for the admission test?
How much does it cost to take the admission test?
When do I have to pay for the admission test?
How long is the admission test valid?
I don't have a secondary education degree yet, what is possible for me to do at the Conservatory?
Which documents will I need later?
When will the exemptions be decided?
How can I obtain an attestation of enrolment for the admission tests?
I have a question about scholarships, housing, tuition fees, ...
What will my study program for the coming year look like?
I have a question that's not mentioned in the FAQ.
For Music you can assist lessons during the info moments (12-02-2024 till 16-02-2024).
For the admission test we only need your registration on this site and your CV ("résumé"). All other administrative requirements will be handled after you succeed for the admission test.
In order to process your registry for the admission test we ask a one-time administrative fee of 30 euro. If you enrol for more than one admission test we only charge this fee once. You will receive more instructions about payment after you have registered. Students of the Conservatory are exempted of this cost.
Your registry for the Admission tests is only official upon payment of this fee.
Pay the cost as soon as possible, so the administration will keep you informed about your admission tests.
The result is only valid for the following Academic Year. A result for 2023-24 can't be used in 2024-25. In exceptional, motivated cases an exception can be permitted (for scholarships, visa,...).
There are two possibilities.
Or you finish your high-school education during your study at KCB. You can register for the admission test as a Young Talent and take one or several courses under what is called "credit contract".
Or you have to succeed a general competency test (in English). If you pass, you can enroll in the academic bachelor Music from the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (School of Arts van EhB). If you pass, there is no limit in your inscription program. Watch out: this is a very rare situation.
After a successful admission test we'll need the following documents when you want to enrol:
Hint for foreign students: bring these documents already with you when you come to Brussels!
First you have to succeed for the admission test and deliver us the necessary proof of your previous studies.
If you already obtained credits, chances for getting exemptions are quite strong. In the assessment the most important criterium is the level (at least Bachelor) and content.
Once you paid the cost for the admission test, you can request an attestation. Please contact the students office at secretariaat.kcb@ehb.be Non-EU candidates will receive an attestation (needed for obtaining the visa) by email. A paper version sent by postal mail can be requested at the students office.
Please check the Conservatory website since this part only deals with admissions.
Please check the Conservatory website.
Study programs are flexible. Individual programs are possible. Please check with the Study trajectory counsellor after succeeding for the admission tests.
Please take a look under 'Music', 'Musical' or 'Teacher Training' further on this page. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact the student administration at secretariaat.kcb@ehb.be.
All admission tests are planned in May. Can I also do an admission test in September?
Which documents do I need for the admission test?
Why are there more documents required for Conducting and Composition?
How does the music admission test work?
What do I have to play at the admission test?
Can I have a lesson with a faculty member of the Conservatory before the admission tests?
Can I warm up before playing/singing at the auditions?
What is the exact time I'll have to play?
Is there piano accompaniment provided by the school during the admissions?
Do I have to take the basic music skills test?
When is the basic music skills test?
What's the best way to prepare for the basic music skills test?
I don't have a secondary education degree yet, what is possible for me to do at the Conservatory?
I didn't finish my Bachelor yet, can I already start in Master?
I already have a Master degree, what can I do at the Conservatory?
Can I enrol for one or more courses without the intention of obtaining a degree?
Can I combine two education programs?
For some serious reason I couldn't participate in the admission test. What happens?
What is an abbreviated bachelor?
Do I qualify for an abbreviated bachelor?
Why can't I register for jazz-composition in Bachelor 1 or 2?
If you pass in May, you have more time to prepare a good start: asking necessary documents (for example VISA, translations of previous studies), finding a place to stay,...
Only when not all places have been taken, additional entrance exams will be organised for a limited number of diciplines in September. Half July we will publish more information about this for each specialization.
For the admission test we only require you to register on-line on this site and we'll also need your CV (résumé). All administrative steps will follow after you succeed for the admission test.
Watch out: during the admission test, we only check the artistic level. The administrative aspects will follow later (for example all administrative entrance conditions).
In the Conducting and Composition programs a higher level of solfeggio and harmony are required.
Either you prove having this knowledge by credits from previous studies, for which extra documents have to be sent to secretariaat.kcb@ehb.be,
or you prove your knowledge by an extra test of Solfeggio and Harmony during the admission test.
You could also consider to take the admission test for Music Writing (Harmony in our listing) with an optional subject 'Conducting Technique' or 'Introduction to Composition' to obtain the necessary knowledge and credits. In that case, the following year you can apply for the Conducting or Composition program.
Composition: All candidates have to participate in the part specific for Composition, consisting of an interview with the jury about your previous compositions. If you didn't obtain credits yet that certify a sufficient level for AMV (solfeggio) and Harmony, you'll have to take tests for these two subjects before taking the Composition test. An example of the level required can be found in this exercise. After registering here on-line and sending us the proof of the credits we'll let you know ASAP which tests to take.
Orchestra and Hafabra Conducting All candidates have to participate in the part specific for Conducting, consisting of an interview with the jury about an imposed composition you prepared. If you didn't obtain credits yet that certify a sufficient level for AMV (solfeggio) and Harmony, you'll have to take tests for these two subjects before taking the Conducting test. An example of the level required can be found in this exercise. After registering here on-line and sending us the proof of the credits we'll let you know ASAP which tests to take.
Instrument-Voice: Candidates have to play the mandatory program. Details will be communicated after enrolment. The jury may additionally ask you to play a simple sight reading after a short preparation time. There will also be an interview with the jury, within a given time slot which will be communicated to you on the day before the interview.
Music Writing: During the interview we will examine the level of your general and specific theoretical knowledge, your personal motivation and your piano playing experience. In case you already followed lessons of Harmony and/or Counterpoint, we invite you to present us recent exercises. This portfolio will be send digitally before a deadline. Details will be communicated during the enrolment procedure.
Jazz-instrument: After taking a theoretical test (on-line) and sending in a video recording of the requested repertoire, a first selection will be made. The candidates who pass this first selection are invited to play a short set for the jury. A sight-reading may also be requested. There will be a short interview with the jury. More details will be provided when you register.
Jazz composition: The candidates send in a portfolio. A short interview with the jury will follow later. More details will be provided when you register for the admission tests.
Follow this link to find the answer
This is not mandatory, but most faculty members would definitely like to meet with you before admissions.
You're free to contact our faculty members on their school email addresses.
For their mail addresses please visit mail addresses.
Yes you can. Our building opens at 08:30 and there are rooms available for this purpose.
For most admission tests there is no detailed planning. you come at the start and await your turn.
If it's expected the tests will take longer than 3 hours, you will receive a planning.
For standard repertoire accompaniment is provided by one of the school accompanists. Accompaniment for non-standard or new works can not be guaranteed.
Contacting the accompanists prior to the auditions is not provided. Rehearsing on the day of the audition will be possible in as far as time allows.
Participation in the basic music skills test is compulsory. Only if you obtained at least one credit in Higher Music Education, you're exempted of this test.
The basic music skills test needs to be taken prior to the specific test and only takes place on-line.
Dates for the 2024-25 admission tests Classical/Historical programs.
The basic music skills test assesses your general music knowledge (music theory/reading/hearing, recognition of intervals, ...) and motivation.
The test consists of a written part ( theory and hearing ) and an oral part (intonation, rhythm, improvisation,...). You'll also perform a short sight-reading in treble clef, get a hearing test (identifying intervals and, triads,...) and interactive rhythmical exercises.
Overview of the skills / competences to be tested Classical/Historical programs.
Example of an oral test Classical/Historical programs.
Example of written test Classical/Historical programs.
You can register on this site for a program under credit contract, generally known as the "Young Talents Program".
You'll have weekly lessons with the professor of your main discipline.
Normally, this is possible during one year (the last year of your secondary education).
People who have the 'Virtuozenstatuut', can also enrol for one or two extra courses (AMV, Music History, ...).
If you are already enrolled in KCB, it's enough if you have obtained 135 credits in Bachelor to have access to Master.
If you still are studying somewhere else, and you'll obtain your Bachelor degree in the coming year, you can ask the trajectory counsellor whether it's possible to start the Master in KCB.
Depending on the credits you already obtained, it might be possible you get a positive advice.
After obtaining your Master degree, KCB offers different programs to continue your studies:
For all students, no matter where you obtained your master degree:
1. Postgraduate:
This is an extra program of 20 credits per semester.
You specialize in an instrument (admission test in September), piano accompaniment (admission test in September), voice or ensemble (chamber music), also for jazz and historical instruments.
You work on a personal musical project (soloist program, preparation of orchestra auditions, preparation of doctorate, ...) under guidance of a mentor.
The postgraduate chamber music is only accessible for ensembles.
You have to pass an admission test.
Cost: 1,500 EURO per semester.
2. PhD in the Arts:
The goal of the PhD is research in the Arts, where research and artistic practice are integrated.
More info here.
For those students who obtained their master elsewhere:
3. Master music:
If you obtained your master in another conservatory, you can also obtain a master from Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel.
In most cases, the program is limited to instrument, chamber music and orchestra.
For more information, please contact the trajectory counsellor.
If the difference between all options is not completely clear, it will be discussed further after the entrance exam.
Most students wish to obtain a nice Master degree at the end of their studies. Even if for you this is not important, the conservatory has to offer several possibilities.
All programs can be decided individually and flexibly. After the admission tests, you can ask the trajectory counsellor about this.
It is also possible to enrol for some collective courses without artistic specialization, as long as you have the required prior knowledge and are motivated.
The following courses are possible:
Artistic Research Practices
Historical documentation
Encyclopaedia and Research
Historical Music (about the history of the guitar)
Philosophy & Aesthetics of Historical Music
Rhythm & Intonation; Theory & Ear Training (you have to pass a selection test)
Introduction to Philosophy
History of Culture
History of Music
History of Jazz
Choir (if you pass the selection test)
Orchestra/consort (if you pass the selection test and if there are places available for the specific instrument)
For more information, please send an email to secretariaat.kcb@ehb.be.
Some students combine two music programs at the same time (f.i. Instrument and Music Writing, Instrument and Conducting, ...).
If you're talented enough and have the necessary drive, this is absolutely possible.
Some students want to combine music studies with another study.
This is a different matter. Exceptional students do succeed, but you have to be strong in both fields.
Music studies require daily a lot of practising.
If you do want to try this combination, we advise you consider a part time program.
You can discuss this matter with the trajectory counsellor.
You can send a motivated request to the Head of the Music Department. Depending on the possibilities (and available places) this will be or not be allowed.
We strongly advise you to participate in the admission test on the planned dates.
If you have at least a Bachelor degree you have access to the corresponding Master program.
You can also consider to switch to a related instrument (f.i. violin-viola, piano-harpsichord, oboe-baroque oboe, ...).
A solid foundation on the instrument is mandatory!
Depending on the relation between instruments, a preparatory year might be necessary (in the abbreviated bachelor).
During your study of the first instrument you can already enrol for a year of the second instrument in minor to prepare as well as possible.
In all cases you'll have to take the admission test for the main discipline.
You need at least a Bachelor degree to qualify. Click here to find out to which abbreviated programs your degree gives access.
You can't start the Bachelor of Jazz-composition unless you first took at least two years of Bachelor Jazz-instrument.
You can find a list of KCB faculty members and their e-mail addresses here.
For more information about our Musical program (taught in Dutch but accessible for foreign students), please contact the student administration.
Students who succeeded for at least one year of secondary education in Flemish/Dutch comply with the language requirements for the Teacher Training. All other students need to take a language test before they have access to the Teacher Training. For more information, please contact the Head of the Teacher Training Department Mrs. Ruth Rondas at ruth.rondas@ehb.be