Application and admission
Application and admissionBEAR is looking for contrary thinkers and makers, who long for an environment in which they can experiment freely and radically.
Admission requirements
To apply for the BEAR Fine Art bachelor's course, you must meet the following conditions:
- Completion of pre-university education (vwo), upper general secondary education (havo), secondary vocational education (mbo: level 4), or an equivalent foreign qualification.
- Proficiency in English, as the course is delivered in English. See our language requirements for further details.
- Successful completion of our admissions procedure.
If you are unsure whether you meet the diploma requirements at the start of the course, please contact Student Affairs before submitting your application.
Application process
Applications for the BEAR Fine Art course in Arnhem must be submitted via Studielink. Once your application has been received, you will be sent an email with a link to an online questionnaire in OSIRIS. After completing the questionnaire, you will be able to download the home assignments, which consist of six compulsory tasks, along with instructions for submitting your portfolio (maximum 30 pages).
Your portfolio can include a range of media, such as drawings, paintings, photos, videos, animations, websites, furniture, clothing, posters, and more. For videos, please include links for viewing. We encourage you to include not only finished pieces but also sketches or works in progress to provide insight into your creative process.
You will also be able to choose an online or on-site entrance examination date, as well as instructions for uploading your home assignments and portfolio via OSIRIS.
After submitting your application, the committee will review your documents and if successful you will be invited for an interview. During the interview, we assess whether BEAR Fine Art is the right course for you.
Apply via Studielink
Admission dates
- 26 November 2024 (online)
- 18 February 2025 (online)
- 25 March 2025 (online)
- 22 April 2025 (on site, at the academy)
- 20 May 2025 (on site, at the academy)
- 24 June 2025 (online)
Study Try-Out day at BEAR Fine Art in Arnhem
Experience what it’s like to study at BEAR by joining a first-year class. This try-out class gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the programme, ask all your questions, and get a first-hand impression of the learning environment. At the end of the class, you’ll also have the opportunity for a portfolio review.*
*Please bring your physical works for review - works displayed on a mobile phone will not be discussed.
You can sign up for a study try-out at any time throughout the year - there is no fixed date. To register, send an email to bear@artez.nl with the subject “Study Try-Out”.
Entrance examination
The Entrance examinations are an opportunity to evaluate your suitability for the BEAR course, your creative ability, your understanding of form, your communication skills in English, your motivation, and your ability to critically reflect on what you make. We seek candidates with an inquisitive and experimental attitude, curiosity, and a genuine interest in contemporary art practice and research.
On-site (in-person) entrance examination
If you reside in the Netherlands, or are able to travel to Arnhem, we recommend attending one of our on-site admission days.
During the on-site entrance examination, you will have the opportunity to experience a day at BEAR while we assess your suitability for the programme. The day usually begins at 10:00 am with a short introduction to BEAR. From 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, you will participate in a collective workshop led by our tutors, with all necessary materials provided. The results of the workshop will then be presented to the admissions team.
Each applicant will also have an individual interview with the admissions team, lasting approximately 20 minutes. During the interview, we will discuss your motivation, home assignments, and portfolio. It is essential that you bring your portfolio and home assignments in physical form. If any of your work is too large to bring, please provide comprehensive documentation. Applicants will only be considered if they have completed the home assignments and uploaded them via OSIRIS beforehand.
Online entrance examination
For those participating in the online entrance examination, this will take place via a video call on Zoom. Based on a pre-selection process, you will be invited to one of our admissions interviews. A timeslot and a Zoom link will be emailed to you after you have passed the pre-selection.
Each applicant will have an individual interview with the admissions team, lasting approximately 20 minutes. During the interview, we will discuss your motivation, home assignments, and portfolio. It is essential that you bring your portfolio and home assignments in physical form. If any of your work is too large to bring, please provide comprehensive documentation. Applicants will only be considered if they have completed the home assignments and uploaded them via OSIRIS beforehand.
Results and validity
The admissions committee will provide a recommendation to the Board of Examiners regarding your admission status. You will be informed of the outcome within three working weeks of the entrance examination.
Please note that admission is valid only for the specific course to which you applied. If you wish to apply for a different course or specialisation at another location, you will need to register separately. Admission is valid for the academic year immediately following the entrance examination.
Preparation for the entrance examination
If you plan to enroll in the BEAR propaedeutic year immediately after secondary school, we strongly recommend completing the preparatory course in Art & Design or the Pre-Academy in Arnhem.
For more information about BEAR Fine Art's application and admissions process, please visit our website.