Gerrit Rietveld Academie
About
Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam teaches design and arts for €10,500/year, a moderate rate for a specialised Western European arts university. IELTS 6.0 keeps entry accessible, Amsterdam's dense creative networks help with internships, and graduates get the Zoekjaar year plus €5,000 Holland Scholarship.
Amsterdam is expensive, crowded, and beautiful—a cultural capital where galleries, performance venues, and artists' collectives set the tone. If you can afford the rent, the city rewards you with endless creative networks and inspiration. Rietveld sits in a creative neighbourhood close to the Museum Quarter.
Application deadlines
- SeptemberJan 15
Portfolio + interview required. Non-EU: Jan 15. One of Europe's most prestigious art academies.
Accommodation
Extremely competitive market. Apply for SSH/DUWO waiting list at the moment of admission offer. Budget €1,000+/mo realistic in private market.
SourceScholarships
- 🏛Holland Scholarship (€5,000)
Holland Scholarship: one-time €5,000 first-year grant for non-EU students. Apply directly to the institution. BY eligibility uncertain for 2026 intake.
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- EU diploma with a 1-year Zoekjaar orientation permit lets graduates job-hunt across the Netherlands after graduation.
- Tuition of €10,500 per year is moderate for a specialised arts university in Western Europe.
- IELTS 6.0 entry bar is accessible for CIS applicants who have studied English without intensive test prep.
- Amsterdam is a global creative hub with dense arts, design, and cultural industry networks for internships and contacts.
- The Holland Scholarship offers €5,000 in year one to non-EU students including RU, UA, KZ, and UZ nationals.
- Students may work 16 hours per week during term and full-time in summer without a separate work permit.
What to check
- Amsterdam has one of the highest costs of living in the Netherlands; private housing averages €700–1,500 per month.
- Russian students face SWIFT transfer blocks to the Netherlands and must arrange alternative payment methods for tuition and living costs.
- Belarusian students have no confirmed standard visa pathway; individual IND consultation is required.
- Admission involves a selective portfolio review; acceptance is not guaranteed even if English and academic thresholds are met.
- Financial proof requires roughly €13,569 in a blocked account or sponsor letter, which can be a barrier for many CIS families.
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Figures are indicative and change by academic year. Always confirm tuition, deadlines and visa requirements on the official institution and government sources before applying.