Applications to the Preparatory Year are open from 1 December 2026 to 1 July 2027
General requirements
High school diploma comparable to a Dutch vwo, havo or mbo-4 diploma*
Level of English: The level of your English should be equal to that required of bachelor’s students. You are not expected to provide proof of your English language level by means of certification; your English language skills will be assessed during the admission day.
* Students holding a vwo, havo or mbo 4 diploma can apply to the Preparatory Year. If you do not yet meet this admission requirement, it is possible to take a special test to demonstrate that you have sufficient level of thinking. If the result of the test is positive, you can be admitted to the Preparatory Year. If the result is negative, you will not be admitted.
The cost of the competency test (€279) is to be covered by the applicant.
Specific requirements
Participation in the Preparatory Year requires completing the admissions procedure. You will be assessed on the following: whether you have the abilities needed to follow one of our regular professional art programmes and whether you are motivated enough to complete the Preparatory Year track. An open and experimental attitude is essential.
Find below some tips and advice to help you prepare for the admission day:
PDF (max 40 pages, including 2 pages of inspiration from the art world)
A portfolio is an overview of your own creations and the sources of inspiration. You can show your collection of drawings, sketches, designs, models, images, photographs, paintings, 3d, works in textile/wood/metal, movies and other works that you have created on your own initiative.
Also unfinished works, rehearsals, material experiments, examples, ideas and try-outs belong to the process of your works and are presented in your portfolio. The addition of a visual journal in which you record your sources of inspiration (artists, artworks, designers, designs, themes, stories, images etc.) and your ideas, plans, experiences and insights is also important.
We expect recent work (three years old maximum) and we will be judging your creative skills, motivation, ideas, work processes, originality, prospects of growth and learning, diversity and use of materials.
PDF (1 A4 max.)
In your motivation letter answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to follow the Preparatory Year?
- What do you expect from the Preparatory Year?
- Which artists/designers and artworks/designs inspire you and/or you admire?
- Which cultural activities did you visit/experienced recently (such as exhibitions, dance- or theater performances, movies, concerts, festivals etc.)?
- What is important for you in life? Which values are important for you in society?
- Which magazines/newspapers/blogs do you read in order to keep up?
- How did you find out about the KABK/Preparatory Year?
You will have the opportunity to give a short verbal explanation of the works you have selected to show during the admission day.
The admission days take place on the following dates:
Monday 19 April 2027 (at the academy)
Monday 3 May 2027 (online)
Monday 24 May 2027 (at the academy)
Wednesday 9 June 2027 (online)
Wednesday 23 June 2027 (online)
Wednesday 30 June 2027 (online)
Monday 12 July 2027 (at the academy)
There is the possibility that after the interview the decision is made to give an individual assignment. You will be informed when necessary by the student administration about this assignment, deadline and content after the admission day.
The conclusion of the admission can be one of the following:
- The applicant is admitted to the Preparatory Year.
- The applicant is not admitted to the Preparatory Year.
- The applicant receives an individual assignment with a deadline and a postponed conclusion.
Applications to the Preparatory Year open on 1 December.
The deadline for applications for the academic year 2026-2027 is 1 July 2027.
Note: Applications from non-EU/EEA students will not be considered, since the KABK cannot arrange a residence permit for non-EU/EEA applicants for the Preparatory Year course.
