About this programme
Bachelor of Music in Conducting is a Bachelor's Degree programme at Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, taught in English. It runs for 4 years and carries 240 ECTS credits. The register gives Oslo as the campus town. It lists the degree as Bachelor. Norwegian Academy of Music is an arts, music and architecture academy in Oslo.
How it compares
Bachelor of Music in Conducting is one of 3 English-taught Music programmes at Bachelor's Degree level in the register, offered by 2 institutions. 3 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
The Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) in Oslo offers a four-year, full-time Bachelor of Music in Conducting, 240 ECTS credits, taught in English. It is an academy of arts, not a university, and the programme is built around training conductors to work professionally.
What you study
The programme leads to a bachelor's degree in conducting. You choose a specialisation in either choral conducting or orchestra/wind orchestra conducting. Instrument performance is a central part of the programme: students study two principal instruments, conducting and a musical instrument, up to and including the penultimate semester.
The stated aim is to develop accomplished and independent conductors who can work with different types of ensembles and take responsibility for their own artistic and creative development. The learning objectives include conveying and realising artistic intentions at a professional level, working independently over time on artistic projects, understanding music from historical, cultural, social and academic perspectives, and communicating disciplinary knowledge orally and in writing.
How the programme is organised
The programme is organised into two modules, each lasting two years. In the first module you practise fundamental musicianship within a relatively rigid study programme, and you get conducting practice with the Academy's in-house ensembles as well as external ensembles. You must pass the conducting exam at the end of the first module to go on to the second, and there is also an instrument exam at that point. Instrumental tuition runs up to and including the autumn semester of Year 4 and ends in a final recital.
The second module widens the topics studied, and you may choose specialisations from a range of elective courses, either going deeper into the mandatory material or taking new courses and specialised topics. Some elective courses may have limited spaces. Teaching is teacher-led classroom instruction, academic supervision and independent study, and a significant part of your time goes to individual practice and preparation. Class attendance is generally not compulsory, but some courses require it because the classroom activity itself builds insight and skills that cannot be shown in a test; each course description says which. Assessment uses pass/fail or marks on a scale from A to F, where E is the lowest passing mark. Exchange is facilitated, and the third year is described as the ideal time for it.
Who it suits
This is a four-year professional training programme for people who want to work as conductors with choral or orchestral and wind ensembles. It asks for independence, sustained individual practice and the ability to work purposefully alone and with others. Instrumental performance sits alongside conducting throughout, so you should expect to keep developing on your instrument as well.
Admission, language and next steps
Admission requires general university and college admissions certification (or equivalent) and a successful audition. The programme is taught in English. Check the programme page at nmh.no for the application system and deadlines, which the institution sets. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions; other degree students normally pay a fee the institution sets.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Choral conductor
- Orchestra conductor
- Wind orchestra conductor
- Conductor working with different types of ensembles
- Independent artistic work and project development
- Work in the professional music industry
Before you apply
Study in Norway states that bachelor’s programmes taught in English are applied for through each institution’s own system. The basic entry requirement is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) for your country, and many programmes add language and subject requirements. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Bachelor of Music in Conducting taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Norwegian Academy of Music. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 4 years of study and 240 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Oslo as the campus town for this programme at Norwegian Academy of Music.
How do I apply?
Study in Norway states that bachelor’s programmes taught in English are applied for through each institution’s own system, while the national admission service (NUCAS) covers programmes taught in Norwegian. The basic entry requirement is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) for your country, and many programmes add language and subject requirements. Follow the steps on the programme page at Norwegian Academy of Music.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Norwegian Academy of Music.
What does it cost?
No annual fee is listed for this programme. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme, so ask Norwegian Academy of Music what applies to you. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at Norwegian Academy of Music is linked from this page so you can compare.
Same subject and level at other institutions
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All programmes →Norwegian Academy of Music · Oslo