Bachelors Q&A

BA APPLICATION DEADLINES

→ What is the deadline for BA applications?
The BA Online admission week will take place on:
10-21 March 2025

BA PORTFOLIO

→ What should my portfolio include?
Your portfolio represents you – your passions and interests, your qualities and skills, the way you see the world. It should consist of your most recent work. This might include – but is not limited to – drawings, idea sketches, photography, videos, model making or (printed) digital work. It can be work from school or course assignments, but it should also include work produced under your own initiative, in your leisure time.

The admissions panel is very interested in understanding how you work and think, so it is important to show more than just the result of your projects. This means you should include research, ideas, choices you have made and each step in your process.

You should also add (pictures of) the results of your two DAE home assignments to your portfolio before you submit it. If you feel that you don’t have enough 3D work to present, you can complete and add an extra DAE home assignment.

→ What should my portfolio look like?
The portfolio should be a simple A4 folder or document. It does not need to be designed – the focus should be on the content.

→ What kind of work should I present / put in my portfolio?
We are very much interested in your way of working and thinking, so please show all steps in your process (ideas, sketches, choices) don’t just show end-results. Show what represents you the best, models, 3D projects, drawings, pictures, movies, etc.

3D WORK

→ What is meant by 3D work in the portfolio requirements?
3D work means spatial work (in three dimensions), so it is not flat like a drawing or made in a 3D computer program. Think of projects and models made of cardboard, clay, wood, metal, textiles, plastics, ceramics or other materials.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BA

→ What are the qualification requirements
To be admitted you need a Dutch HAVO-, VWO- or MBO-4-diploma or international equivalent (senior general secondary education, pre-university education, or senior secondary vocational education). Our admissions page includes information on how to check if your international qualification meets the requirements.

→ Can I still apply if I don’t have a HAVO-, VWO-, MBO-4-diploma or equivalent qualification?
This is possible if you are over 21, but you must pass a test to prove you are capable of working and thinking at the required level. For more information on this, see our BA admissions page.

We do test the English proficiency of all candidates during the interview process. Students at DAE are required to be proficient in English, both to facilitate communication with their tutors and to develop and write their research thesis. If you are not fluent in English, you should consider delaying your application until your English language skills reach the level required.

FINANCE

→ How much is the tuition fee?
The statutory tuition fee is set by the Dutch government every year. The institutional tuition fee is set by the board of DAE and is based on the statutory rate. The tuition fees will be published in December. Tuition fees are outlined in full here.

→ What other costs should I take into account?
DAE asks students to set aside funding to cover living expenses, which are outlined in the right-hand column of the tuition fees. International students might need to prove they can pay these expenses.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

→ What is taught in the first year?
In the first year, students are introduced to a wide range of techniques and develop basic skills. These include drawing, painting, form research, architecture, working with textiles, metalwork, woodwork, using digital software like Photoshop and Illustrator, and 3D modelling.

→ How long does it take to graduate?
The bachelor programme lasts for four-years. The first year is a basic year. After you have passed the first year, you are asked to choose one of the design departments for the remainder of your studies.

→ Is it possible to skip the first year?
All candidates must go through the same admissions procedure. All BA students start in the first year, known as the Propaedeutic Year, in September; transferring into a higher year is not possible. From experience, we know that students need to develop a strong foundation that reflects the DAE approach – with relevant skills, knowledge and experiences – to be able to feel at home and to grow within the DAE environment.

→ Can I get exemptions for classes that I have already taken somewhere else?
No, there are no exceptions or exemptions.

→ Does the Academy provide housing or rooms for students?
No, but we do have a list of agencies we can recommend for students to begin their search for housing. We advise you to start looking for a room as soon as you know you are accepted at DAE. More information can be found here.

→ Can I get a scholarship?
No, not in Holland or from the Academy. Sometimes, international students can access scholarships in their own country for international programmes.

→ I want to design fashion/furniture/cars, is DAE right for me?
That depends. DAE has no specific graphics/fashion/car design departments. If you are sure you want to design in only one specific field, a specialised academy might be a better solution for you. DAE teaches design from a broad perspective. This means that students learn and are exposed to a lot of different areas of design and come into contact with other industries that are impacted or intersect with design.

→ I have dyslexia, will I be given more time to complete written exams or tests?
Yes, you will be given more time and a laptop from DAE. However, you must discuss your situation with the student counsellor first.