Foundation Year
In September 2025 Design Academy Eindhoven is starting a new Foundation Year for anyone* who is interested in entering our DAE Bachelor course, who feels they lack the skills and content to put together an effective portfolio or is not sure if a design education is right for you. The Foundation Year takes place at our Academy in Eindhoven on Saturdays only.
*: Dutch and English-speaking candidates who live in the Netherlands or nearby, and have the intention to start a Bachelor's in an arts and design institute.
Are you attempting to identify your talents and want to confirm you have chosen the correct course of study? Or do you want to invest in developing your creativity?
Starting in September, 2025, the Foundation Year takes place during 26 Saturdays at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Participants will have first-hand experience of DAE’s working methods and teaching staff. The course has a hands-on approach, providing students with a knowledge of different research methods. This allows participants to develop a portfolio that can be the basis for their application for a degree course at DAE.
The Foundation Year incorporates an assessment procedure. Completion of the course does not guarantee admission but certainly increase participants’ chances.
→What does the course cover?
Your own vision, interests and senses are paramount. You will experiment and conduct research and develop your sense of design in a very playful way. You will learn new techniques and discover how to ‘make’ with meaning and how to analyse and give concrete form to a variety of assignments. At the end of the course, you will be able to create a solid portfolio that showcases your qualities and insights. You will have a better idea of your possible future options in the design field.
All lecturers are professional designers with their own practice. At the end of the course, your development will be evaluated, and you will receive advice about your future options.
We request full commitment and attendance from our students and tutors to aid a fruitful learning environment and group dynamic.
The course covers the following topics:
- form studies,
- colour studies,
- materials research,
- techniques and media,
- experimentation and prototyping (making things yourself),
- visual research
- documenting your work,
- introduction to professional terminology
- portfolio as an archiving process
- social orientation
- museum visits
- and many other skills.
Completion of the course gives you:
- an admission assessment for the bachelor degree course at DAE
- excellent preparation for the bachelor degree course at DAE
- a certificate of participation (on request)
If you are unsure whether the Foundation Year is right for you, you can request an interview to discuss your options or mail to Foundationyear@designacademy.nl.
There is a maximum number of candidates so please do not wait too long for showing your interest.
General Conditions
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Participants in the foundation year are not formally enrolled as students and do not receive student finance, but they do receive a student card (for zBar payments) and an electronic key for access to the DAE building.
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Cancellation is possible only in writing up to one week before the start of a course; in case of later cancellation, or cancellation during the course, the full course fee remains payable.
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The Academy reserves the right to cancel a course if there are insufficient registrations. In that case, the course fees already paid will be refunded as quickly as possible.
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No claim can be made for a refund if no use is made of one or more parts offered during the course.
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Receipt of payment counts as definitive confirmation of registration, whereupon places can be assigned and it can be determined whether the course can take place.
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In principle, the materials required for the course will be provided during the lessons and are included in the course fee. This excludes special materials required by participants and printing costs, which must be covered by the student.
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Completion of the course does not automatically lead to admission to DAE and does not bestow any rights. Completion of the course does increase your chances of admission. An admission assessment is included in the course.
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Participants in the course must have a valid civil liability insurance.