Zijp holds a Bachelor in Theatre Studies and Philosophy and a Master in Art Studies (all cum laude) and graduated in 2014 at the University of Amsterdam. He currently writes his PhD on the political implications of humour in the Dutch cabaret tradition (1960s-present). Zijp also works as a teacher in the Bachelor of Cabaret at the Koningstheateracademie in Den Bosch and as a cabaret critic for NRC Handelsblad and Theaterkrant.