Update

Gerrit Rietveld Academie has suspended our exchange agreement with Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and Jerusalem School of Visual Theater as there is sufficient doubt whether the academies can operate independently from the Israeli government.   

It is and remains of vital importance to emphasize that all students, regardless of their nationality, are and remain welcome to enroll at the academy.  Our academy does not reject anyone based on ethnicity or nationality.   

Exchange

The Gerrit Rietveld Academie has an international network of foreign art academies with which it has agreed bilateral exchange contracts. Students from participating academies can apply to do an exchange for a maximum of one semester at one of our educational departments, so long as they meet the conditions that are outlined at the bottom of this page.

Each academic year is divided into two semesters:

  • Semester 1 (Autumn semester): 1 September - 31 December;
  • Semester 2 (Spring semester): 1 January - 31 August.

Estimated period of exchange (first day to be present until the last day to be present:

  • AUTUMN SEMESTER: the estimated class period runs from 1 September to 20 December 2025. We start with an introduction day for all new students around 28 August, 2025.
  • SPRING SEMESTER: the estimated class period runs from 5 January to end of June 2026. The graduation exhibition is in the beginning of July 2026.

Partners

As of 31 May, 2023, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie is no longer affiliated with the Erasmus programme.

List of bilateral exchange partners

OUTGOING EXCHANGE

For GRA students interested in applying for exchange in the academic year 2025/2026, please refer to our intranet page: outgoing exchange. 

Please note: 

- exchange is only possible in the first semester of your second specialization year. 

- the first kick-off meeting will be in the first week of November, information will follow shortly. 

INCOMING EXCHANGE

Admission procedure for semesters academic year 2025-2026

NOTE: exchange application for 2024-2025 is closed.  

 

In February, all partner institutes with which we have a contract will receive an email to nominate their students for an exchange at Gerrit Rietveld. The nomination deadline is April 7th, 10 AM.  

Nominated students will receive information on where to upload their portfolio and motivation before April 15th.  Students will have the time until April 28th to upload the required documents.  

If the partner institute has not received the invitation to nominate their students, please contact the international office: international@rietveldacademie.nl 

Application deadlines for Fall AND Spring semester 2025-2026

  • April 7: All students have to be nominated by the international office of our partner institutes before April 8th. See the email sent to all partners for the link. 
  • April 7-15: Students will receive an email with a link to upload all required documents.   
  • April 28 10 AM – Deadline for students to upload all required documents.

    NOTE: an exchange at our Fine Arts and Architectural Design departments is only possible in the 1st semester. 

Conditions

  • You are studying as a bachelor student at one of the art academies with which the Gerrit Rietveld Academie has an exchange agreement
  • You have written permission from your academy to apply for an exchange semester
  • Your portfolio is complete and submitted prior to the deadline
  • Your portfolio is approved by our admissions board
  • For non-EU candidates, it is compulsory to apply for a residence permit via the International Office of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie (you can find more information here).
  • You submitted a proof of English proficiency. See the section below for more information.

Proof of English proficiency

Candidates need to provide proof of English proficiency during the application process. We accept:

  • a copy of your European high school/secondary school diploma, with English as exam subject (before 1 May 2024), or
  • your Academic IELTS certificate, with minimum overall band score of 6.0, with at least 6.0 for Speaking (IELTS before 1 May 2024 at the latest, or
  • proof that English is your mother tongue (f.e. a copy of your passport, or high school diploma of English speaking country), which has to be submitted with your portfolio application.

NOTE: we do not accept TOEFL!

Costs

During your exchange, you continue to be registered at your home institution and pay tuition fees there. You do not pay any tuition fees to the institution that is hosting the exchange. However, you should allow for the cost of accommodation, maintenance and additional study costs, such as excursions.

Accommodation

The academy has a limited number of rooms available for exchange students. If you are admitted for an exchange semester at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, it is possible to make a reservation via the International Office to rent a room. You can also search for a room yourself.

Exchange in Corona times

We follow the guidelines of the Dutch RIVM. Find the latest information here.

Contact: International Office

international[at]rietveldacademie.nl