ArtEZ University of the Arts

Why this works

• Tuition of €10,500/year is competitive among Dutch arts universities and below many Western European art schools.
• IELTS 6.0 minimum is accessible for most CIS applicants without additional language prep.
• Holland Scholarship offers a one-time €5,000 grant in year one — available to RU, UA, KZ, and UZ students.
• EU diploma from an officially accredited Dutch university of applied sciences, recognised across the Schengen zone.
• Post-study Zoekjaar permit allows one full year in the Netherlands to find employment after graduation.
• Students may work 16 h/week term-time and full-time in summer (June–August) without a separate work permit.

What to check

• Russian students face SWIFT payment blocks to the Netherlands — tuition and living costs require workarounds.
• Russian visa applications must go through the Moscow embassy only; no confirmed third-country option.
• Dormitory availability is unconfirmed — contact the university directly; private housing in Arnhem costs €700–1,500/month.
• Financial proof requirement is strict: ~€13,569 (blocked account or sponsor letter) before visa approval.
• Arnhem is a mid-size Dutch city — daily life, housing search, and social services operate largely in Dutch.

Accommodation

€500-800/mo private — Affordable compared to Randstad cities. ArtEZ and HAN both in Arnhem.

Scholarships

Holland Scholarship: one-time €5,000 first-year grant for non-EU students. Apply directly to the institution. BY eligibility uncertain for 2026 intake.