About the entrance exams
ODENSE:
- Classical musician: Week 2
- Rhythmic musician: Week 3
- Choir director: To be announced later
- Advanced postgraduate diploma, classical: Week 17
- Advanced postgraduate diploma, rhythmic: Week 17
ESBJERG:
- Folk music: Week 2 or 3
- Electronic music and sound art: Week 2
- Classical musician/singer: Week 2
- Rhythmic contemporary musician: Week 3
- Musician and music education developer - MPU: Weeks 2 and 3
- Film composition: 21/1-22/1 (NOTE: takes place in KBH)
- Master programs: Interviews in March/April
- Advanced Postgraduate Diploma: Week 15
- Contemporary Creative Artist - CCA: Week 15
- Nordic Master in Folk Music - Not offered in 2025
BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMS:
Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon on December 1 (if this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next working day at 12:00 noon).
It is possible to apply for bachelor and master programs in the period from October 1 to December 1. Applications to all the country's conservatories are made via the conservatories' websites.
The application process is coordinated nationwide, and you can apply to several conservatoires in order of priority if the programme is offered in several places*
SOLOIST PROGRAMS:
Apply for admission via sdmk.dk no later than February 1 at 12:00 (if this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next weekday at 12:00)
NORDIC MASTER (NOFO):
Application for admission must be made via sdmk.dk no later than February 1 at 12.00 (if this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next weekday at 12.00). Admission to the programme is only available every other year. It is not possible to apply in 2025.
*) However, this does not apply to applicants for the rhythmic line at the Danish National Academy of Music. If you apply for admission here, you should be aware that there have been a few, but significant, changes in the application process. This is because the Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC) in Copenhagen is no longer part of the music conservatories' joint application process. If you send your application to RMC, you will no longer be able to apply to the Danish National Academy of Music in the same application, and you will not automatically be forwarded to us or other music academies if you are not admitted to RMC. If you wish to apply for admission to both RMC and the Danish National Academy of Music, you must therefore send an application to both academies.
Applicants applying for admission to a master's or soloist program and a bachelor's program as 1st priority at the Danish National Academy of Music must pay an application fee of DKK 500,-. The fee goes to partially cover expenses associated with the entrance exam and is non-refundable. Bachelor students at SDMK who apply directly to a master's program that does not require an entrance exam are exempt from this fee. Bachelor students at SDMK who apply directly to a master's program that requires an entrance exam must pay an application fee of DKK 500,-.
The fee is paid in connection with the application procedure.
Please note that your application including the application fee must be received by the Academy before the application deadline. If this is not the case, the application is considered invalid.
After the deadline, the application is binding and the fee is no longer refundable.
The Danish National Academy of Music does not cover the cost of any handling fees in connection with the payment. This expense is covered by the applicant alone. The applicant must therefore ensure that the Academy receives the full fee of DKK 500,-.
Cancellation of an entrance exam due to illness must be documented with a medical certificate if you want to be allowed to take a make-up exam (only applies to entrance exams for bachelor and master programs).
The medical certificate must be paid for by you and must be received by the Academy no later than three days after the scheduled time of the exam. The Academy will set the time of any medical exam and you will be notified as soon as possible.
ODENSE:
- Classical musician - Performer, chamber and orchestral musician/singer: Week 2
- Rhythmic musician: Week 3 (2nd round with physical attendance)
- Choir conducting: To be announced later
- Advanced postgraduate diploma, classical: Week 17
- Advanced postgraduate diploma, rhythmic: Week 17
ESBJERG:
- Folk music: Week 2 or 3
- Electronic music and sound art: Week 2
- Classical musician/singer - Performer, educator and entrepreneur - Week 2
- Rhythmic contemporary musician: Week 3
- Musician and Music Education Developer - MPU: Weeks 2 and 3
- Film Composition: 21/1-22/1 (Rehearsals are at the Film School in Copenhagen)
- Master programs: Interviews in March/April
- Advanced Postgraduate Diploma: Week 15
- Contemporary Creative Artist - CCA: Week 15
- Nordic Master in Folk Music - Not offered in 2025
THE CONTENT OF THE TESTS
In all bachelor programs, the applicant is tested in
- Major subjects or theses
- General subjects, e.g. ear training, theory, piano
If the major subject exam is not passed, the applicant will not be recommended for the other exams.
The main subject exam is assessed by an admissions committee consisting of
- Internal examiner (rector or his/her deputy)
- External external examiner
- Internal subject examiner
The supplementary subject exams are assessed by 2 subject teachers employed at the Academy.
There is a limited number of study places. Admission is primarily based on the results of the entrance exam, but other factors may also be decisive, such as special needs in musical life and the composition of chamber music ensembles and ensemble groups.
ACCOMPANIST/ASSIGNED GROUP
An accompanist must be brought along.
The Academy may assign an accompanist affiliated with the Academy, who is then paid directly by the applicant. If this is desired, the Academy must be contacted.
The team/group must be brought along. The Academy may be able to arrange contact. If this is desired, the Academy must be contacted.
Here are examples of a written test if you are applying as a classical musician:
https://www.sdmk.dk/uddannelsesretninger/klassisk-musiker/optagelseskrav-klassisk-bachelor?tab=2
Here are examples of written tests if you are applying as a rhythmic musician:
https://www.sdmk.dk/uddannelsesretninger/rytmisk-musiker/optagelseskrav-rytmisk-musiker-ba-1?tab=1
About studying at SDMK
Who can I ask?
All programmes in Esbjerg:
Contact Lene Kielsen (lki@sdmk.dk/63119918)
Classical programmes in Odense:
Contact Christina Strandby Krog-Jensen (ckj@sdmk.dk/48880077)
Jazz/pop programmes in Odense:
Contact Kathryn Holbech (kh@sdmk.dk/40423541)
Studying at SDMK is free if you are a citizen of an EU country. However, during your studies, you may be charged small fees for materials, etc.
If you are not an EU citizen, you will have to pay for your programme. See all prices here: https: //www.sdmk.dk/en/studies/guide-for-international-students
The studies at SDMK are full-time, but many of the hours you put into your studies are self-organized.
As an undergraduate student, you have 8-10 scheduled hours per week during normal teaching weeks. In addition, there is preparation, practice, clinics and masterclasses, concerts, social events, group lessons, etc.
Your active participation in the full range of activities is essential for a successful program.
See an example of a week at SDMK under the individual programmes.
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There are 149 study places at SDMK, Odense and 110 study places at SDMK, Esbjerg.
You can see this here: https://www.sdmk.dk/om-sdmk/ansatte?tab=0
It is SDMK's goal that all educators have a professional artistic and/or music educational activity in parallel with their employment at SDMK.
We encourage all our students to live close to campus to get the most out of their studies, enjoy all academic and social opportunities and contribute to the community.
Your studies at SDMK are full-time, but far from all activities are within "normal school hours". Projects, workshops, clinics, masterclasses, concerts, jams and social events, which are all a big part of being a student, often take place during focus weeks, evenings or weekends.
The programmes at SDMK are higher education programs and are therefore SU-eligible. You can read more about SU, student loans, etc. at www.su.dk.
As an SU recipient, you can always keep track of your support, cancel credits, etc. on minSU. Login to minSU requires that you have a digital signature, key card or key file.
Contact Lene Kielsen (lki@sdmk.dk or 63119918) if you have any questions.