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Admission in the Bachelor and Master of Arts in Visual Arts Programmes

To enrol in a Bachelor or a Master of Arts in Visual Arts Programme at the
Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp you have to meet the diploma and language conditions and to either pass the artistic entrance examination (Bachelor) or follow the application procedure (Master).

Follow the links below for more information about the admission procedures.

  • Artistic entrance exam Bachelor

    For enrolment in 2025-2026

    The artistic entrance exam will be organised ONLY ONCE in 2025.

    The Bachelor of Visual Arts programme is only accessible after passing the artistic entrance exam. You can only participate in the artistic entrance exam after pre-selection, which is based on your digital portfolio. This round is digital for every discipline (including Fashion).

    Once you have passed the pre-selection, you can participate in the artistic entrance exam for enrolment in the 2025-2026 academic year. This will be organised only once, more specifically in the week of 30 June - 4 July 2025. The entrance exam is spread over three days. If you are still undecided between two different disciplines, you can take part in the artistic entrance exam of those two different disciplines. The period will then be extended to five days. You can participate physically or digitally, although we recommend you attend physically.

    Note: Are you a candidate for FASHION? Then you can attend the entrance exam in July physically only. There is no digital entrance exam for Fashion in July.

    Note: A positive outcome of the artistic entrance exam is only valid for enrolment in the next academic year, i.e. 2025-2026. If you wish to apply for 2026-2027, you will take the admission test in 2026.

    Register for the entrance exam and follow these steps:

    1. Read the admission requirements.
    2. Register your participation.
    3. Upload your portfolio.
    4. Check your mailbox for the result of the portfolio.
    5. Take part in the artistic assignments.
    6. Check your mailbox for the result of the artistic assignments.
    7. Passed? Complete your registration online!

    1. Admission requirements

    To enroll in the bachelor's programme, you need to meet the diploma and language requirements. Check these carefully in advance to make sure you meet them.

    2. Registration

    • till 28 March 2025 (14h Belgian time) for FASHION.
    • till 26 May 2025 (14h Belgian time) for all other disciplines.

    2.1 Registration

    You complete the registration fully and correctly. If you apply for the Fine Arts, you must specify the discipline (Sculpture, In Situ, Painting or Printmaking & Drawing).

    For smooth registration, keep the following documents ready: identity card, photo (or webcam), diploma and language certificate (if necessary). You can upload your diploma and any language certificate later.

    2.2 Administrative fee

    In the registration environment, you pay an administrative fee of  30 euros for the admission test If you take part in two different admission tests, you will pay 45 euros (30 + 15) for the two tests in total. The administrative fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

    For smooth payment, keep your bank card at hand. If you cannot pay online, please send an email to enrolment@ap.be.  

    Note: A payment from abroad can take several days. Do not delay, so make your payment on time!

    Registration for the artistic entrance exam Bachelor for the academic year 2025-2026 will be possible from  15 January 2025.

    3. Pre-selection: Portfolio

    Upload your portfolio.

    • until 3 April 2025 (14h Belgian time) for FASHION. 
    • until 2 June 2025 (14h Belgian time) for all other disciplines. 

    After registration and payment, you will receive by e-mail (also check your spam box) a link to upload your portfolio. Based on your portfolio, the jury will decide whether you can participate in the artistic assignments in July.

    Note: If you apply for two disciplines, you will submit a portfolio for both disciplines. You can tailor this content to the respective disciplines as you wish.

    CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

    Your portfolio bundles the following four items in Pdf format: 1. curriculum vitae, 2. motivation letter, 3. cultural inspiration report and 4. artistic work. If you participate in the admission test of graphic design, jewellery design or costume design, your portfolio will contain a fifth section (see below).

    1. CURRICULUM VITAE

    Your CV contains the following personal data: name and contact details, studies and projects completed, interests or personal activities that characterise you. Your CV fits on 1 A4.

    2. MOTIVATION LETTER

    You write a motivation letter in which you explain concisely and to-the-point your choice for 1. the arts, 2. for this discipline and 3. for the Academy. Your letter should be 300 to 500 words.

    3. CULTURAL INSPIRATION REPORT

    You present three cultural activities or artists that have recently inspired you and you indicate in what way they inspire you. You make an explicit link to the discipline you are applying for. Think of exhibitions, literature, music, theatre, film, dance, documentary, meeting with artist-designer-writer-illustrator, ...

    You introduce these three recent sources of inspiration textually and add one image per activity. With this text, you give an insight into your discursive skills and your cultural interest. Your text should not exceed 500 words.

    4. ARTISTIC WORK

    You create an overview with your own work. It should give a representative and visual image of your creative-visual talent and your personality.

    To this end, you make a selection of autonomous artistic work, assignments you made in school and/or artistic work you designed for third parties, such as drawings, photos, sketches, graphic work, stylings, texts, poems, music, computer prints, performances or other creations.

    5. REEL

    Note: Exclusively for COSTUME DESIGN – GRAPHIC DESIGN 

    Interested in graphic design or costume design? Then briefly introduce yourself in a 1-minute reel. You are free to decide what you want to share and how you want to introduce yourself.

    TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

    Your application will be valid only if the following technical requirements are met.

    • Your portfolio consists of four components (curriculum vitae, motivation letter, cultural inspiration report and artistic work) which you compile into 1 pdf file of maximum 50 MB. Your portfolio should contain all the information you wish to share. The jury will NOT review the information you share through an online platform, personal website or storage service.
    • If you apply for graphic design, jewellery design or costume design, your portfolio comprises five sections. You add one page with a direct link to your reel posted on an online platform.  If your reel is in a secure online environment, add access details or password. Your reel should not last more than 1 minute.
    • Should your portfolio exceed the maximum file size of 50 MB, you can reduce its size via www.smallpdf.com.
    • You can only UPLOAD your portfolio only ONCE, so double-check. Additional submissions will be deleted.

    When the upload was successful, the message 'Uploading completed' will appear on your screen. This message serves as a confirmation message for the proper receipt of your portfolio.

    4. Announcement of pre-selection result

    Check your mailbox (and your spambox as well)

    • From 5 May 2025 for FASHION.
    • From 16 June 2025 for the other disciplines.

    A pre-selection will be made based on your portfolio. You will receive an e-mail telling you whether you will be invited for the artistic assignments in July. All practical information such as time & location or a digital link will be enclosed.

    5. Artistic assignments

    For all prospective students (including for FASHION):

    • From 30 June - 2 July 2025 (= standard)
    • From 30 June - 4 July 2025 (= if you have registered for two entrance tests)

    The assignments will be organised both physically and digitally, though we recommend you to participate physically and on campus.

    Note: Are you a candidate for FASHION? Then you can attend the entrance exam in July physically only. There is no digital entrance exam for Fashion in July.

    What can you expect? 

    Day 1 & 2: Artistic assignments in the studio, where you will work under the guidance of tutors and surrounded by other candidates. 

    Day 3: Drawing assignments on the main campus, where you can showcase your drawing skills. 

    Day 4 & 5: Artistic assignments in the studio, if you have registered for two entrance tests.

    During these three days, you will work in an inspiring and supportive environment. Together with fellow candidates and teaching staff, you will build a dynamic, creative atmosphere where you will not only share your artistic vision, but also learn from each other. It is an ideal opportunity to get a first insight into life at the Academy and to discover whether this programme really suits you. 

    How will you be assessed? 

    We are curious about your artistic process. The assignments are designed to get a clear picture of your creativity and imagination, your interest in general culture and specific focus on art/design and visual culture, your drawing skills and your ability to express ideas in image and in language. Our focus is on a balanced and inspiring assessment, so that you too can experience whether our programme is the right match for you. 

    Practicalities 

    You will receive the necessary information about location, time and materials when you are invited to the admission tests. Get ready for three days full of creativity, discovery and a taste of life as a student at the Academy! 

     

    6. Announcement of artistic assignments result

    For all prospective students (including for FASHION)

    • The week of 7 July 2025

    In the week of 7 July, you will receive a mail with the outcome of the artistic entrance examination. Keep a close eye on your mailbox and your spam filter.

    7. Enrolment in the programme

    Passed the artistic entrance examination? Congratulations! You will receive an email to finalise your registration. Remember, to register, you must meet the diploma and language requirements as described above.

    You can find the regulations for the artistic entrance examination via this link.

  • Application procedure Master

    Registration for the admission procedure for the academic year 2025-2026 will be possible from February/March 2025. The correct information will be published below in January 2025.

    Admission procedure for enrolment in the 2024-2025 academic year

    The admission procedure will be organized ONLY ONCE in 2024.

    Register for the admission procedure and follow these steps:

    1. Read the admission requirements.
    2. Register your participation and upload your diploma and language certificate.
    3. Check your mailbox for your link to upload your documentation for preselection.
    4. Check your mailbox for the pre-selection result.
    5. Take part in the online interview.
    6. Check your mailbox for the result of the online interview.
    7. Passed? Complete your registration online!

    1. Admission requirements

    If you want to apply for the master's programme in visual arts, you must meet the diploma and language requirements for the programme. Read these admission requirements carefully before starting the admission procedure.

    2. Registration

    Registration is open from 1 February to 29 March 2024 (12:00 AM, CET).

    You complete the registration fully and correctly, stating the title of your bachelor's degree. If you are applying for the Fine Arts, you should specify the discipline (Sculpture, In Situ³, Painting or Printmaking & Drawing).

    Regarding the admission requirements, you will upload the diploma/certificate of your previous and/or current bachelor's programme here. If you are still in the final year of the bachelor's programme, proof of enrolment in your current educational institution is required. You can also upload any language certificate here.

    In the registration environment you pay an administrative fee of EUR 25 for the admission procedure. This amount is not refundable under any circumstances.

    3. Documentation for preselection

    Until 15 April 2024 (12 AM, CET)

    After registration and payment, you will receive a link via e-mail (also check your spam box) where you can upload only 1 file in Pdf format (max. 100 MB) until 15 April 2024. It is the basis for pre-selection and eventual interview. Please note that this documentation is subject to strict requirements. Your application is only valid if your file meets these requirements. Click here for a description of the content and technical requirements. 

    Note: The requirements were previously published on this webpage. For reasons of readability, we have bundled them on a separate webpage. However, no changes have been made.

    4. Announcement of preselection result

    In the week of 2 May 2024

    Pre-selection is based on your personal file and portfolio. You will be notified by e-mail whether or not you will be invited for an online interview.

    5. Online interview

    May 2024

    If you pass the pre-selection, you will receive an invitation for an online interview. The interview is based on your personal file and portfolio. Only prospective students for Fashion may receive an extra assignment before the interview, depending on previous studies.

    6. Announcement of the online interview result

    From 22 May 2024 onwards

    You will receive via email the result of the online interview. If you have passed, it will indicate whether this applies to the master's programme, the preparatory programme or the bridging programme, provided all conditions are met.

    7. Enrolment in the master

    If you have passed the admission procedure, you can finalise your application.

     

    The regulations regarding the admission procedure can be found here.