Application and admission

The master’s course Critical Fashion Practices welcomes participants from a variety of backgrounds. If you want to follow the master's course Critical Fashion Practices, the first step is to apply for admission. Learn about the process step by step and what to expect. You'll also find important dates and deadlines.

Applications for September 2025 for the master's degree in Critical Fashion Practices are now closed.

Applying for admission

You can apply for this course through Studielink. First, please read the admission process for the master's course Critical Fashion Practices below and find general admission information for ArtEZ here. Once you've applied, you'll receive a confirmation email from ArtEZ Student Affairs. After that, the course will provide you with further details regarding the admission process.

Applications for September 2025 for the master's degree in Critical Fashion Practices are now closed.

Important dates and deadlines

Applications for September 2025 for the master's degree in Critical Fashion Practices are now closed.

There will be three admission moments. Non EU/EEA applicants need to apply in Admissions 1. EU/EEA applicants can choose Admissions 2 or 3. Please follow the deadlines as stated for each admission moment.

Admissions 1 (Non EU/EEA applicants)

2 February 2025 - Apply through Studielink
17 February 2025 - Submitting documents
13 March 2025 - Admission interviews

Admissions 2 (EU/EEA applicants)

6 April 2025 - Apply via Studielink
21 April 2025 - Submitting documents
15 May 2025 - Admission interviews

Admissions 3 (EU/EEA applicants)

6 May 2025 - Apply via Studielink
19 May 2025 - Submitting documents
19 June 2025 - Admission interviews

Any questions on the deadlines can be addressed to our coordinator Ms Karin Rooijakkers via CriticalFashionPractices@artez.nl

Admission criteria

If you want to follow the master's course Critical Fashion Practices, you must at least fulfil these requirements to be eligible to apply:

you need to have a bachelor’s degree (preferably in a creative field) and a deep affinity with fashion;
you need to have a positive result of the admission examination;
and you need a proof of your language proficiency. For more information, please check the general language requirements for ArtEZ master's courses.

Are you in doubt whether you meet the admission requirements for this master's course? Feel free to contact coordinator Karin Rooijakkers at CriticalFashionPractices@artez.nl.

Admission procedure: here's what to expect

Step 1: Apply via Studielink (open as from 1 October 2024)

You first apply via Studielink. Depending on where you live and what stage of your studies you are at, you need to submit some important documents, such as a copy of your passport and your bachelor's degree. Studielink will help you through this step by step.

Step 2: Submit other, relevant documents

After you applied via Studielink, you will receive an email how to upload your application files through the Application Tool:

your CV (in English);
a letter of motivation (in English);
your digital portfolio (PDF file or URL in PDF).

The portfolio contains a coherent overview of former work, potentially consisting of free work, assignments, written articles, etc.

Step 3: Admission examination

The admission committee will check submitted letters of motivation, resumes and portfolios and make a selection. If you got selected, you will be sent an assignment. This assignment consists of an essay in which you reflect on your work, how it relates to the topics discussed in this master’s course and on your future ambitions. After receiving the completed assignment, the admission committee will review your work. Applicants who are not selected for the second phase or for the interview will be notified within four weeks after sending the required documents at the initial phase.

During the admission examination, the applicants will be evaluated in terms of:
- Their reflective ability on the current state of fashion.
- How they consider their work to be relevant within the context of our Master course. (this is evidenced in their admission assignment).
- Their capability to consider how they can both benefit from and contribute to the Master Critical Fashion Practices course and its Learning Community (this is evidenced in their letter of motivation).
- The connections between the course and the future ambitions of the applicant.
With this process we aim to assess the chances of completing the course successfully. We will admit a maximum of twelve applicants for the master’s course Critical Fashion Practices.

Step 4: Admission and enrolment

After the interview, you will be notified within two weeks on whether you are admitted or not. If the committee needs more time to make an admission decision the outcome will be known within two weeks after the next round of admission interviews. Once you are admitted, you will receive more information about how to enrol.

Scholarships

If you are a non-EU/EEA resident, there are two scholarships you can apply for: the ArtEZ Scholarship or the NL Scholarship. Deadline for both scholarships is the 1st of May, so you need to be admitted before this deadline. Please contact the Student Affairs department for information about scholarships, residence permits, accommodation and any other related questions.

More information?

For more information on the admission process or in case you missed a deadline, please contact the coordinator, Karin Rooijakkers at CriticalFashionPractices@artez.nl.