Information about the minimum admission requirements, portfolio submission deadlines and steps of the application procedure for candidates who wish to register to the bachelor and master programmes offered at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK).
Application & Admission instruction video
Deadline for submitting your portfolio
You can submit your application for the 2025 – 2026 academic year from 1 October 2024.
The final deadline for submitting your application is 1 March.
You can find more information about the deadlines and admission requirements on the page of the study programme for which you want to apply.
Entry requirements
High school diploma comparable to a Dutch VWO, HAVO or MBO 4 diploma. You can check the equivalent Dutch level of your diploma, through the list of common diplomas from your country on the Nuffic website.
If you do not have the required diploma, please mention this during your admission interview. In exceptional cases, the department can decide to offer you the chance to prove that you function at the desired level by way of an official competency test.
You must hold at least a Bachelor's degree. Some programmes have additional requirements related to the field of study of your Bachelor's degree. Please check all additional information on the 'How to apply' page under the programme of your choice.
You can check the equivalent Dutch level of your diploma, through the list of common diplomas from your country on the Nuffic website.
All students (bachelor's or master's degree level) should be able to write and speak sufficient English to follow and complete their studies at the Royal Academy of Art.
Please find information on minimum English language requirements, which tests/certificates we accept, who must submit a certificate/test result and when, under English language requirements.
Every study programme has its own specific requirements regarding portfolio, admission assignments, interviews etc.
Related information and tips can be found under the 'Admission requirements' page of each bachelor and master programme.
Steps application procedure for bachelor & master programmes
Read below the steps you need to take in order to start your application for a bachelor or master study programme at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK).
Studielink is the common registration and enrolment application system for all non-private institutions of higher education in the Netherlands.
- Create a Studielink account: provide personal details (as stated in your passport or ID card) and previous educational information (studies, diplomas and exam results).
Official residents of the Netherlands have to use their DigiD to login to Studielink.
International students create an account with their own username and password. - Once your account is created you can ‘add a new enrolment’ by indicating the study programme of your choice under the ‘Royal Academy of Art/Royal Conservatoire’. Follow carefully the steps and at the end confirm your application. Detailed instructions are provided on the website of Studielink to assist you with the procedure.
Please note! You will receive an automatic reply in your mailbox with the subject "Upload the required documents". Check your spam box if you have not received it within a day.
After your enrolment via Studielink is confirmed, you will receive an e-mail by the Student Administration of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague with instructions on how to submit your portfolio, motivation letter and in some cases an assignment or other related documents.
PLEASE NOTE: Every study programme has its own specific requirements; related information can be found under the Admission requirements submenu page of each study programme.
Selected candidates are invited to attend* an entrance examination day/interview at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK). In most cases this includes presentation of work (portfolio), an assignment and interview.
Every study programme has its own specific requirements; related information can be found under the Admission requirements submenu page of each study programme.
After the admission interview you will be informed whether or not you are admitted to our programme. All students who are offered a place in our programmes will need to upload some supporting documents to complete their enrolment. These documents include:
- Copy of your passport* (a scanned version of pages with photo and personal information)
- Copy of your high school and/or bachelor diploma (if applicable)
- A profile picture (to print on your student card)
- Proof of English proficiency of English proficiency (for non-EU/EEA students only)
- Documents for residence permit (non-EU/EEA students only)
*if you have a double nationality, please add a copy of your second passport as well
Your official enrolment at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) is completed upon payment of the tuition fees. Related information will be sent to you by our student administration office via e-mail.
International students can find practical information on what to arrange before and during their stay in The Netherlands.
Exchange students
Every semester the academy welcomes a number of exchange students. Go to Exchange: Incoming students to read how you can study as an exchange student at the KABK for one or two semesters.
Preparatory courses
If you wish to develop your work to a level at which you can apply for admission to one of our bachelor's degree programmes, or if you want to find out which programme at the art academy really suits you, you can apply to one of the preparatory courses (e.g. Preparatory Year or Orientation course).
Participation in the preparatory courses is subject to an admissions procedure, including showing work/portfolio, providing a motivation letter or filling in a questionnaire, and in some cases completing an assignment.
Questions?
Contact
Check our FAQ or contact the student administration via studentadministration@kabk.nl and/or the international office via international@kabk.nl