To enroll in a bachelor programme at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts you have to meet certain conditions, and pass the entrance exam.
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Diploma conditions
For enrolment in the academic Bachelor of Visual Arts programme the candidate-student must hold one of the following:
- a secondary school diploma;
- a diploma of higher education of the short type with full curriculum;
- a diploma of higher education for social promotion, excluding the certificate of Pedagogical Competence;
- a diploma or certificate awarded in the context of higher vocational education;
- a study certificate recognised as equivalent to one of the previous diplomas by virtue of a legal standard, a European directive or an international agreement.
These include the following foreign study certificates:
Foreign study certificates
Germany
- Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife
Finland
- Ylioppilastutkintotodistus / Studentexamenbevis
France
- Diplôme du baccalauréat général
Hungary
- Gimnáziumi Érettségi Bizonyítvány
Italy
- Diploma di superamento dell’esame di stato conclusive (issued by a liceo classico/scientifico/linguistico/scienzo umane)
Israel
- Te’udat Bagrut
Latvia
- Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Luxembourg
- Diplôme de fin d’études secondaires classiques/techniques
- Diplôme de fin d’études secondaires (until 2017)
Netherland
- VWO (Preparatory University Education)
- HBO-Propedeuse (Higher Vocational Education)
Ukraine
- Svidotstvo pro zdobuttja povnoj zagalnoj serednjoj osviti (since 2019)
- Atestat pro povnu zagalnu serednju osvitu (old name until 2019)
Austria
- Reife(prüfungs)zeugnis
Poland
- Świadectwo dojrzałości
Portugal
- Diploma / Certificado / Certidão do Ensino Secundário
Romania
- Diploma de Bacalaureat
Russia
- Attestat o srednem obsjtsjem obrazovanii
Spain
- Título de Bachiller (Bachillerato)
Turkey
- Lise Diploması
United States of America
- High school diploma with a record or transcript listing at least 4 APs (advanced placements)
United Kingdom
- GCE (General Certificate of Education) with mentioning of 3 A-levels with grade A*, A, B, of C.
- SQC (Scottish Qualifications Certificate) with 4 Highers + 2 Advanced Highers
Switzerland
- Maturitätszeugnis / Maturitätsausweis / Certificat de Maturité
If you have obtained a diploma or certificate in a country outside the European Union, not mentioned in the list above, the admissions committee may give you permission to enrol for a bachelor programme if your diploma gives access to a bachelor’s programme in that country, comparable to a Flemisch bachelor programme.
The application must contain the following documents:- a completed Application Form for admission with a foreign diploma;
- a legalised copy of your diploma;
- if your diploma was drawn up in a language other than Dutch, French, English or German, please enclose a sworn Dutch translation;
- a declaration from the embassy or consulate stating that this diploma gives you access to a bachelor's programme in the country where you obtained the diploma. This is not necessary if this is already stated on the diploma itself or if it is a bachelor's degree.
->The Candidate-students must file the application to the Student Center at the latest on the 15th of October.
E-mail address: Student Center (toelating@ap.be)
After the admissions committee has examined your application, it will let you know whether you can enrol.
For specific questions about the admission requirements or your diploma, please contact the student administration office (see email adress above)
For more detailed information concerning the conditions of admission, please read our Education and Examination Regulations 2022-2023.
APS screening for Chinese candidate students
Candidate students with a Chinese diploma need to obtain a certificate from the Center for Academic Assessment (APS) in Beijing, when applying at a Flemish higher education institution. The APS certificate is also required for obtaining a student visa at the Belgian Embassy or Consulates General in PR China.
The APS screening is not an academic selection procedure, but is meant to avoid document fraud and to guarantee a sufficient language knowledge.
In order to start up the procedure, contact the APS administration: info@aps.org.cn.
More information about the APS procedure is available on www.aps.org.cn.
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Language conditions
To enrol in a bachelor or master programme at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, you need to prove having sufficient knowledge of the language in which the programme is taught.
Language requirement for enrolment in the English-taught bachelor and master programme
For the English-language academic Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Fine Arts, you must have sufficient knowledge of the English language (CEFR level B2).
Flemish candidate students can prove this through an ASO diploma, Dutch candidate students through a VWO diploma.
Language level can also be proven through:
- Proof of at least one successfully completed year of study in English-language secondary education, or
- Proof of at least 60 obtained ECTS in English-language higher education, or
- A language certificate (CEFR level B2, see below).
English Language Test
Language certificates that suffice:
- ITACE
- IELTS (Academic) - with a minimum score of 6.0
- TOEFL iBT - with a minimum score of 79
- Cambridge B2 First, or C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency
- Duolingo English Test - with a minimum score of 100
- Linguapolis
At Linguapolis (Interuniversity Test of Academic English (ITACE) an English language tests can be taken. Taking a test is possible by appointment at a generally scheduled test moment or during an individual test moment. You can always contact them directly via www.uantwerpen.be/en/centres/linguapolis/language-tests/english-language-tests/itace/itace-students-dates/ But they can also be taken in other language centres in Flanders or in your home country.
! Attention
A valid proof of language is a necessary and mandatory document that you need to start your enrolment.
So be sure to check in advance whether you already meet the conditions.
If this is not the case, we advise you make reservations for the test in time and also take into account the costs.Language requirement for enrolment in the Dutch-taught bachelor and master programme
For the Dutch-taught academic Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Fine Arts, you must meet the general admission requirements and have sufficient knowledge of Dutch. The required language level is B2 (CEFR). You meet this if you:
- Have successfully completed at least one year of secondary education in Dutch, or
- Passed a programme or one or more programme components, totalling at least 60 credits in Dutch-language higher education, or
- Can provide one of the following language certificates:
- ITNA certificate (Interuniversitaire Taaltest Nederlands voor Anderstaligen)
- Attestation of level 3 of a CVO (Centre for Adult Education): either 2 partial attestations of level 3 of 120 teaching periods each (3.1 oral and 3.2 written) or one training attestation of the entire level 3 of 240 teaching periods.
- Atlas - Civilian test Dutch B2 / Certification language test Dutch B2
Attestation B2 of CNaVT - Dutch State Examination NT2 II
Dutch Language Test
The Interuniversity Dutch Language Test for Foreign Language Speakers was developed by the language centres of four Flemish universities. The language test is conducted by Linguapolis, among others: https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/centres/linguapolis/.
If in doubt, please email toelating@ap.be.
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Artistic entrance exam Bachelor
The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts programme is only available to candidate students who have passed the artistic entrance exam.
The information about the entrance exam for the academic year 2024-2025 will be published below in January 2024.
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After the artistic entrance exam
If you pass the artistic entrance exam this year, you can enrol in your chosen specialization in the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts Programme for the academic year 2023-2024. To enrol, you must also meet the diploma and language requirements by the beginning of the academic year:
- 18 September 2023 for academic year 2023-2024
Read more about the admission requirements on the top of this page.
Additional information
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Residence card
Are you an international student who wants to study at the Academy?
Bear in mind that you need to apply for a residence permit.
Depending on your country of residence, you need to follow a different procedure.Find more information by following this link.
Contact
E-mail: studentenadministratie@ap.be
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Study fees
The payment of the study fee is one of the enrolment conditions. When enrolling or re-enrolling, you sign a study contract. The study fee is due as soon as you sign your study contract.
How much you pay each academic year for your study fees depends on a number of factors, including:
- Your fee status: Belgium/European Economic Area (EEA)
EEA = EU + Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - Your programme
- Additional costs
To find a breakdown of the study fees you can expect, consult the regulations for the tuition fees, study costs and various expenses for the academic year 2023-2024.
To give you an indication of the amount of the study fee, you can find below an example for a programme of 60 credits.
- A student from within the EEA enrolling for 60 credits with a diploma contract pays 1302,10 euro:
282,1 euro fixed part of the tuition fee +
810 euro (13,5euro variable part of the tuition fee x 60 credits) +
210 euro course related fees
Total: 1302,10euro.
- A student from outside the EEA enrolling for 60 credits with a diploma contract pays 8356,4 euro:
886,4 euro fixed part of the tuition fee +
7260 euro (121 euro variable part of the tuition fee x 60 credits) +
210 euro course related fees
Total: 8356,4 euro.
The following students pay extra fees:
- Fashion and Graphic Design students pay a deposit of 25 euro for the badge that grants them access to their campus.
- Fashion students pay 200 euro extra to participate at the Fashion show in June.
Paying your study fees
Study fees are paid in full at the start of the academic semester.
After signing your contract, you will receive an invoice on your school e-mail address to pay for the study fee. You can pay by card or by bank transfer. No cash payment is acceptedOur bank details:
KBC Bank nv
Havenlaan 2
1080 BrusselAccount Name: AP Hogeschool
Address: Lange Nieuwstraat 101, 2000 Antwerpen
Account Number: IBAN: BE62 7350 2845 7461
BIC Code: KREDBEBBYou must use your student number + first name & last name as the reference for your bank transfer so we know who the payment is for.
You must pay the full amount of fees for the new academic year in one instalment.Other costs
A student must have sufficient means of subsistence to cover all study, living and healthcare costs, including potential repatriation costs.
Besides the tuition fee and cost for flights and visa, students need in general approximately 9.000 euro per year:- Housing: student room (rent, electricity, water and internet): +/- 450 euro/month
- Meals: +/- 10 euro/day or +/- 300 euro/month
- Transportation and travel: bus/tram/metro: buzzy Pazz De Lijn +/- 212 euro/year; bicycle: Velo +/- 49 euro/year.
- Your fee status: Belgium/European Economic Area (EEA)
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Financial support
Higher education studies are not cheap
A student must have sufficient means of subsistence to cover all study, living and healthcare costs, including potential repatriation costs.
Besides the tuition fee and cost for flights and visa, students need in general approximately 9.000 euro per year:
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Housing: student room (rent, electricity, water and internet): +/- 450 euro/month
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Meals: +/- 10 euro/day or +/- 300 euro/month
- Transportation and travel: bus/tram/metro: buzzy Pazz De Lijn +/- 212 euro/year; bicycle: Velo +/- 49 euro/year.
Please note that it is not possible to pay the study fees in instalments. The study fees are paid in full at the start of the academic semester.
Funding your studies
There are a number of facilities that help you fund your studies:
1. International scholarships
For general information about international scholarships, please check http://www.studyinflanders.be/en/scholarship-programmes/ and https://www.studentsonthemove.be/
2. Scholarships from the Flemish Community
In order to receive a scholarship from the Flemish Community, you must fulfill multiple conditions. If you are temporarily staying in Belgium because of your studies, national conditions will be an obstacle and you might not be eligible to request this scholarship.
If you do not meet the requirements, you will have to fund your studies yourself and (if possible) apply for financial assistance and/or study aid in your home country.
For more information about the scholarship of the Flemish Community, please check https://centenvoorstudenten.be/english/scholarship-flemish-community/.
3. Financial aid from the AP University College
Only students from within the European Economic Area are eligible for financial aid from the AP University College, and this if they meet certain conditions.
For more information about the financial aid from the AP University College, contact our student services: stuvo@ap.be.
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Learning account
The learning account is applicable to each student who enrols in a University College or University in Flanders. With this tool the Government aims to encourage you to make the right study choice and monitor your study progress.
Principle
Every student starting higher education in Flanders receives a learning account of 140 study credits. Study credits are deducted from your learning account for each subject you enrol for. If you pass your exam you earn back your credits. If you fail your exam, the study credits are irrevocably deducted from your learning account. If you don't have any credits left in your learning account you can no longer continue your studies.You can check the balance of your learning account on https://studentenportaal.vlaanderen.be/ (website in Dutch only).
Example
If you enrol for a subject of 6 study credits, then those 6 study credits will be deducted form your learning account. If you pass your exam with at least 10/20 then those 6 credits will be added again to your learning acount. If you fail, the 6 credits will be irrevocably deducted.Bonus
The first 60 credits you obtain under diploma contract in higher education in Flanders are doubled. Those 60 credits don't need to be earned in one academic year, one study programme or one institution.For whom?
The learning account applies to any student who enrols with a diploma contract or credit contract for a bachelor or master programme. It does not apply to students who enrol for a teaching qualification programme, for a bridging or preparatory programme or for a postgraduate programme. Also enrolments with an exam contract are not taken into account.Goal
The learning account aims to encourage you as a student to make the right study choice and to encourage you to change your study programme in time.Made the wrong choice?
Is your study not running so smoothly as you expected or do your realise that you made the wrong choice? Then you should make an appointment with your student counselor. You can withdraw or choose a new programme. This way you do not unnecessarily lose credits from your learning account. The quicker you decide, the more chance you have to gain back your credits.Already obtained a master's degree?
The balance of your learning account is reduced by 140 credits when you obtain a diploma for a master programme. If this results in a positive balance, you can use the remaining credits to enrol in an initial bachelor or master programme. If the balance of your learning account is less than 60 credits, you can build it up again to a maximum of 60. Ten credits are added to your learning account every academic year after you obtained your master diploma.More information about the learning account can be found in the Education and Examination Regulations under article 8.1 and on http://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/leerkrediet (Dutch website only).
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Students with specific needs
If you have specific needs you can request facilitating measures.
You can request facilitating measures if you:
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have a (learning) disability (dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism spectrum disorder, adhd, a motor, visual or aural disability …);
- suffer from a medical or psychological problem;
- combine top sport / work / family with studying.
The student counselor David De Roey (david.deroey@ap.be) will assist you in applying for facilitating measures to meet your individual needs.
Do you want to apply for facilitating measures? Do this as soon as possible and before 15 October.
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Regulations and academic calendar
Education and Examination Regulations
The Education and Examination Regulations lay down the rules relating to education, examinations and the student’s legal status at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.
The Education and Examination Regulations provide information on admission requirements for studies, enrolment, various types of study contracts, exemption applications, taking part in examinations, conditions to pass a study, the academic calendar, etc.
We recommend that you read the education and examination regulations at the start of the academic year.Conslult the Education and Examination Regulations of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp for the
academic year 2022-2023Academic calendar
The academic calendar includes the dates of: lessons, exams, catch-up exams, announcement of exam results, consultation and feedback, proclamations, artistic entrance examinations and holidays.
Consult the academic calendar of the Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp for the academic year 2023-2024.
Regulations tuition fees, study costs and various expenses
Consult the regulations for the tuition fees, study costs and various expenses for the academic year 2023-2024.
ICT regulations
The ICT regulations cover the agreements on the use of the ICT facilities offered by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and AP University College.
Library regulations
The library regulations lay down the rules relating to the access to and the use of the library of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and other libraries at the AP University College.
You can find all regulations and calendars on the website of AP University College:
https://www.ap.be/en/regulations.