Gerrit Rietveld Academy

The Gerrit Rietveld Academie is a university of applied sciences for Fine Arts and Design. The academy offers two bachelor degree programmes and four master degree programmes. Within the bachelor they offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Design. Within these two programmes, there are various specialisations. Following a general first year, called the Foundation Year, the student chooses one of these specialisations. This is followed by three years of in-depth study within the specialisation. The Rietveld Academie also offers a part-time programme, in which the Foundation Year lasts for two years, followed by three years of in-depth study.

Graduates can study further at the Sandberg Institute, which offers the Master’s programmes of the Gerrit Rietveld Academy. There are currently four Master’s degrees: Master of Fine Arts, Master of Applied Arts, Master of Design, and Master of Interior Architecture.

They also provide preparatory courses for people who wish to prepare for a study programme at the Rietveld Academie. In the Orientation Year, people spend 30 Saturdays taking classes at the academy. This is sufficient to build up a good portfolio and to establish whether the Rietveld is right for the student. There is also a preparatory course, in which is 3.5 sessions a week. The prepartory year provides automatic placement to the Foundation Year.