Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM) Summary
The Royal Danish Academy of Music is one of Denmark’s leading specialized higher education institutions for classical music, performance, composition, conducting, church music, music pedagogy and top artistic development. RDAM is located in Frederiksberg, close to central Copenhagen. It provides a conservatory environment for students who want serious musical training at bachelor, master and advanced postgraduate level. It is not a broad university or a general college of arts. Music, artistic performance, individual instruction, ensemble work, concerts, masterclasses, repertoire development and professional preparation for the world of music comprise the complete academic identity.
RDAM is ideal for students who want a conservatory-like education with a high level of intensity. Academy has a strong international profile and is specialized in classical music training on a high international level. A study in Denmark notes that the academy has about 400 students, more than half of whom are international students and has study programmes in English. This makes RDAM one of the most internationally relevant music institutions in Denmark for students who want a serious European conservatory environment.
At undergraduate level, RDAM offers three-year bachelor’s programmes in music. Program routes include orchestral instruments, piano, voice, composition, church music and related studies in classical music; Students receive individual tuition and work closely with teachers in technical training, repertoire, interpretation, chamber music, ear training, theory, music history, performance classes and ensemble participation. The bachelor’s level is oriented to the construction of the foundation of artistic identity and professional discipline.
RDAM offers two-year master’s programs in classical performance and related fields at postgraduate level. Master's programs give students the opportunity to specialize further in instrumental performance, voice, conducting, composition, church music, music pedagogy, and other advanced fields. The master’s level generally consists of advanced individual training, artistic project work, reflection on research, ensemble practice, concerts, examinations and final artistic presentation. RDAM also provides two- to four-year advanced postgraduate programs for highly specialized artistic development.
RDAM does not function like a large standard doctoral catalogue research university at the PhD level. However, doctoral and research progression in music may be pursued through artistic research routes, external university collaboration, practice-based research, advanced postgraduate study and relevant research institutions. Students wishing to pursue a formal PhD should check exact route with RDAM or Danish research universities directly.
Facilities are one of the academy’s great strengths. There are concert halls, practice rooms, recording facilities and performance spaces for the students to use. RDAM’s environment is a full symphony orchestra, frequent concerts and chamber music activity, masterclasses and working with professional music organizations. The location in Copenhagen allows students to take advantage of orchestras, choirs, churches, opera, music festivals, cultural institutions, recording environments and international artists.
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA will need to pay tuition fees unless they are exempt. RDAM’s tuition page for the 2026-2027 academic year lists different annual tuition fees depending on the instrument category and program. For instance, the three-year bachelor’s program in orchestral instrument costs EUR 13,400 per year, the bachelor’s piano EUR 11,500 per year, the bachelor’s composition EUR 14,800 per year and the bachelor’s church music EUR 10,100 per year. Master’s fees also vary by route and applicants should check the exact RDAM tuition page before applying.
Overall, the Royal Danish Academy of Music is a pretty good choice for serious music students looking for classical conservatory training in Denmark, strong artistic mentorship, international exposure, performance opportunities, and a Copenhagen-based route into professional music careers.
RDAM is ideal for students who want a conservatory-like education with a high level of intensity. Academy has a strong international profile and is specialized in classical music training on a high international level. A study in Denmark notes that the academy has about 400 students, more than half of whom are international students and has study programmes in English. This makes RDAM one of the most internationally relevant music institutions in Denmark for students who want a serious European conservatory environment.
At undergraduate level, RDAM offers three-year bachelor’s programmes in music. Program routes include orchestral instruments, piano, voice, composition, church music and related studies in classical music; Students receive individual tuition and work closely with teachers in technical training, repertoire, interpretation, chamber music, ear training, theory, music history, performance classes and ensemble participation. The bachelor’s level is oriented to the construction of the foundation of artistic identity and professional discipline.
RDAM offers two-year master’s programs in classical performance and related fields at postgraduate level. Master's programs give students the opportunity to specialize further in instrumental performance, voice, conducting, composition, church music, music pedagogy, and other advanced fields. The master’s level generally consists of advanced individual training, artistic project work, reflection on research, ensemble practice, concerts, examinations and final artistic presentation. RDAM also provides two- to four-year advanced postgraduate programs for highly specialized artistic development.
RDAM does not function like a large standard doctoral catalogue research university at the PhD level. However, doctoral and research progression in music may be pursued through artistic research routes, external university collaboration, practice-based research, advanced postgraduate study and relevant research institutions. Students wishing to pursue a formal PhD should check exact route with RDAM or Danish research universities directly.
Facilities are one of the academy’s great strengths. There are concert halls, practice rooms, recording facilities and performance spaces for the students to use. RDAM’s environment is a full symphony orchestra, frequent concerts and chamber music activity, masterclasses and working with professional music organizations. The location in Copenhagen allows students to take advantage of orchestras, choirs, churches, opera, music festivals, cultural institutions, recording environments and international artists.
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA will need to pay tuition fees unless they are exempt. RDAM’s tuition page for the 2026-2027 academic year lists different annual tuition fees depending on the instrument category and program. For instance, the three-year bachelor’s program in orchestral instrument costs EUR 13,400 per year, the bachelor’s piano EUR 11,500 per year, the bachelor’s composition EUR 14,800 per year and the bachelor’s church music EUR 10,100 per year. Master’s fees also vary by route and applicants should check the exact RDAM tuition page before applying.
Overall, the Royal Danish Academy of Music is a pretty good choice for serious music students looking for classical conservatory training in Denmark, strong artistic mentorship, international exposure, performance opportunities, and a Copenhagen-based route into professional music careers.
