Master Admissions

Prospective students must have completed a course in higher education to BA level or equivalent, preferably in design, architecture, art or science as a minimum requirement. Please read all of the below information about the application process before contacting DAE with any questions.

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE

For the first step, prospective students must complete the admissions form and submit this with a creative portfolio, a one-minute video introduction, a motivation letter, a CV and a digital portrait photograph. If their admission is of high quality in the eyes of the selection committee, they will be invited for an interview in MS Teams.

HOW TO APPLY

1/ Fill in an application request in Studielink. Studielink is the centralised enrolment platform for higher education in the Netherlands. You will receive an email with the login details of Osiris which will give you access to the application form and the option to upload the required documents.

2/ Complete the application form and upload the required documents (motivation letter, portfolio, MP4 introduction movie (1 minute), portrait picture and CV). The application form should be filled in first, the documents can be uploaded later.

3/ After each deadline, the admission committee will review the application form and documents (motivation letter, portfolio, MP4 introduction movie (1 minute), portrait image and CV). Within 2 weeks after the deadline, you will receive an invitation to an online interview, or a rejection. If you do not hand in all your application documents before the deadline, you will automatically be placed in the next application round.

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS

The motivation letter

This should include your Skype ID in the top right corner. This document should outline why you want to study at DAE, why you have chosen a particular programme, and some potential research topics you are interested in pursuing for your thesis. It should also include your professional expectations after your studies.

The video

This is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the selection committee. Please mention the kind of designer you would like to be and why you want to attend DAE and follow a particular Master programme. You do not have to be on camera for the entire video, but the committee needs to see you and hear you speak.

The portfolio

This should be one single document, with images and written examples of projects, research and processes. It should reflect your creative and critical position as a designer, as well as give the committee some insight into your interests. It can also include sketches, unfinished and conceptual work.

The application should also include:

→ a digital portrait photograph → a CV (PDF format or PDF with website link only)

These must all be uploaded to the applications platform. Please reduce all file sizes before submission. Videos can only be uploaded in MP4 format using Chrome, Firefox, IE or Safari.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants who are not native English speakers may be required to provide evidence of their English proficiency, although the application, video and interview process is usually enough to identify whether an applicant has sufficient fluency.

Please check the following flowchart for the Language Requirement and the Guidelines

NEXT STEPS

Guidance will be provided by the committee if applicants are expected to present their work or discuss specific topics in their interview.

There are three possible outcomes: admission, being placed on the waiting list, or rejection. All applicants will be informed of a decision via email at the earliest opportunity.

Once accepted, applicants will be sent a checklist to complete to formally confirm their status as an incoming student at DAE.

SUCCESFUL APPLICATIONS

If you are accepted, you will be sent a checklist to complete your admission.

This includes:
• Paying a €500 deposit on the tuition fee within 10 days
• Submit a certified copy of your BA certificate or equivalent. Students who have not yet graduated must send a certificate, issued by the Board of Exams of their current educational institution, stating that they are enrolled for the Bachelor level exam and stating the exam date
• Arrange your payment

Enrolment in the course is guaranteed only after the deposit has been paid and the student administration has received the certified copy of the BA Certificate. If you are not sure about the validity of your diploma you can contact Nuffic to check if your title can be certified as a Bachelor degree.

Non-EU students will receive an email with detailed information and guidelines on how to apply for a visa.

More information about studying in The Netherlands can be found via the Pathfinder application created by the Dutch Government.

Admission is valid only for the academic year applied for. Cancellation after May 31 will result in loss of the €500 deposit.