Admission requirements
As part of the admission and selection procedure for our Bachelor Photography programme, you’ll be asked to provide examples of your work (portfolio), explain your motivation to study at the BA Photography department of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) and complete various assignments.
Read about the general eligibility requirements, the specific requirements regarding your portfolio and other required documents below.
PLEASE NOTE:
Non-EU/EEA applicants are only eligible to apply for the full-time programme.
A residence permit for part-time students cannot be arranged by the KABK.
General requirements
- High school diploma
High school diploma comparable to a Dutch VWO, HAVO or MBO 4 diploma.
You can check the equivalent Dutch level of your diploma on the Nuffic website. - Proficiency in both spoken and written English
Non-EU/EEA candidates are required to provide proof of English Language proficiency.
EU/EEA candidates' English language level will be assessed during their interview on the admission day.
Specific requirements
1 PDF file, max. 50MB.
Compile a portfolio of your photographs, and other visual work. We are curious about your visual interests, capabilities and potential. Show us a wide variety of your work: a series of photos with a theme, a subject, experiments, single photos that you are proud of. What resonates with you? Which stories do you want to tell?
Please note: Different institutions and different departments at KABK have varying definitions of a portfolio. When applying for KABK BA Photography, use your portfolio only for final works and project descriptions, keeping in mind overall number of images (not too little, not too many), and paying attention to the sizes and layout of photographs on the page. Do not include process and inspiration in the portfolio — you can show these in other assignments, read below.
Download and fill in the questionnaire. Keep a copy to bring with you on the admission day.
Select 10 photos from media channels, such as the internet, magazines, (photo) books, etc., and add a short explanation to each of the 10 photos.
- 5 masters: for example, images that inspire you, that you feel connected to, that grab your interest.
- 5 disasters: photos that really irritate you. This might be because of the visual language, content, photographer’s methodology, or even the broader context of how the photo is used.
PDF file (max. 20MB)
Using the theme ‘My Club’ as a starting point, create a concept that results in a series of 10 photographs, presented in a certain sequence. ‘Tell’ your story only through images. Give your series a title, but do not include any other text.
PDF file (max. 20MB)
Maintain a step-by-step workbook of your working process of My Club. Process may include a mind map of keywords, inspiration mood boards, references, rejected concepts, test shots, experiments, texts — anything that provides insights into how you work and think.
Do you have more examples of your workbooks or mood boards from previous projects? Feel free to share those as well.
PDF file (max. 20MB)
Assemble a collection that reflects your interest in photography, art, society and culture. You can make use of the following:
- Reviews of photography and art exhibitions.
- Articles on society and social issues, cultural themes, on photographers, photo books, photo exhibitions.
- Give examples of books, motion pictures, series that recently were of importance to you.
Comment on all of the above. Show your current personal insights into the world of professional photography.
PDF file (max. 20MB)
Application/portfolio deadline & admission dates study year 2026 – 2027
Application/portfolio deadline | Admission day/interview |
|---|---|
2 March 2026 | 8 April 2026 |
Application/portfolio deadline: In order apply, you must first register in Studielink (Dutch national database for admission to higher education) and then gain access to our online application system OSIRIS where you will be asked to submit your portfolio and other supporting documents.
Admission day/interview: Our selection committee will review your portfolio and other documents and decide within two weeks after the submission deadline whether you will be invited for an admission interview. If the committee decides positively, you will receive an e-mail with more information on this phase of the process.
