Posted by If you grew up admiring the great works of medieval artists, architects, and photographers and thought to yourself, “I want to do that when I grow up”
Then we have news for you.
We have selected 30 of the best art schools in Europe that are recognized for their high standards of providing art and art history education.
These schools are widely credited as the top schools for wannabe artists to attend. So, if you or your kid has any ambition to become an artist–at any level or specialization– these are the best schools for them to enroll.
Table of Contents
Overview of European Art Schools
European art schools are the best in the world for several reasons, including their focus on specialized training and high-quality student life.
In addition, many European countries are credited for their rich history in art. E.g., France and Italy. So, it just makes sense for any student passionate about art to want to study on this continent.
If you’re looking for more options when studying in art schools in Europe, you can browse their full list by region using the latest QS University Rankings.
Generally, European art schools are generally known for their high-quality education and a strong focus on practical training. They often have distinguished faculty and notable alumni and offer a wide range of programs in areas such as fine arts, design, and fashion.
In general, studying at a European art school can be a valuable and enriching experience for aspiring artists and designers.
Career Prospects
The career prospects for art professionals are extremely high. As the world becomes more globalized and technology improves, you’ll be able to find work anywhere in the world. You could work as an artist, illustrator, or cartoonist; do graphic design; make advertisements or create websites; or become a teacher or professor at an art school.
The List of 30 Best Art Schools in Europe
Below is a list of the 30 best art schools in Europe:
- Royal College of Arts, London
- University of the Arts London
- University of Combridge
- Politecnico di Milano
- Aalto University
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- The Glasgow School of Art
- Delft University of Technology
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- University of Nottingham
- The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
- Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts
- Loughborough University
- Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs (ENSAD)
- Zurich University of the Arts
- Universität der Künste Berlin
- École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle, ENSCI Les Ateliers
- University of Manchester
- University of Oxford
- Umea University
- Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
- Politecnico di Torino
- University College London
- Lancaster University
- Design School Kolding
- Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm
- University of Applied Arts Vienna
- University of Gothenburg
- The University of York
- Aarhus University.
30 Best Art Schools in Europe
From the streets of Paris to art-influential countries like Italy, these 30 institutions offer a diverse range of programs and opportunities for aspiring artists and designers to hone their skills and make a name for themselves in the art world.
1. Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art was founded in 1837 and has consistently remained one of the best art colleges in the world. It is located in London. It has undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs available to international students and those with a degree from another country.
There are strong links between industry and academia at this school which provides them with access to cutting-edge technology as well as contemporary design trends.
Tuition fee: £3,500 to £18,000 per year.
2. University of the Arts, London
The University of the Arts, London (UAL) is a public university in London, England which specializes in art, design, fashion, and performing arts.
According to the latest QS rankings, it is one of the top art schools in Europe. It is well-known for its contributions to art and its rich history in the UK.
Tuition fees: £9,250 to £23,610.
3. University of Cambridge
In 1209, a group of exceptional individuals founded the renowned research institution known as the University of Cambridge. With many incredible accomplishments, it is one of the oldest schools in Europe.
Their academic success and well-organized art school facilities are well-known. They have a renowned library that houses a substantial collection of magazines, books, and catalogs related to the visual arts.
In order to promote interdisciplinary research and give students the opportunity to meld their artistic practice with other academic subjects, their educational system has been meticulously designed.
The school also provides a venue where students may share their works with a larger audience and get comments from other artists.
Tuition fee: £27,330
4. Politecnico di Milano
Politecnico di Milano is a university in Milan, Italy. It is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in Italy and is also considered one of the best universities for architecture, design, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Tuition fees: Tuition fees for EEA students and Non-EEA students resident in Italy range from about 888,59 € to 3.891,59 € per year.
5. Aalto University
Aalto University is a university mainly located in the city of Espoo, Finland, but also has three other campuses in Helsinki and Pori.
Tuition fee: €12,000 per year.
6. Design Academy Eindhoven
Design Academy Eindhoven is a Dutch art school. It is located in Eindhoven in the Netherlands – one of the best destinations for international students to study.
In addition, it is one of the best art schools in Europe and one of the best design (multimedia) schools in the world. The school offers courses at different levels, from a fixed diploma to advanced master’s programs.
Tuition fee: €10,208
7.The Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is a public art school in Glasgow, Scotland.
It was founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Government School of Design and remains the only Scottish educational establishment for tertiary-level studies in art, architecture, and design.
GSA offers degree-granting programs in various art areas including architecture, interior design, communication design, fine art, photography, painting, and printmaking.
Tuition fees: £9,250 to £21,360.
8. Delft University
The Delft University of Technology is a university in the Netherlands that was founded in 1842.
It is located in Delft, the Netherlands. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands and is well known for its science programs, especially aeronautics, and astronautics.
But it also offers art programs in art history, archaeology, design, and painting.
Tuition fee: €15,950
9. Goldsmiths, University of London
Goldsmiths is a constituent college of the University of London. The college has an international reputation for its research profile and teaching quality.
Tuition fee: £9,250 to £17,560.
10. University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a piler of academic excellence that was established in 1881. It is located in England and has a motto that means “A city built in wisdom” which signifies its objectives toward society.
The University of Nottingham’s art school offers its students a variety of chances to exhibit their work and interact with the larger artistic community. They are equipped and capable of assisting aspiring artists in becoming great members of the art community.
Tuition fee: £16,500
11. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts is one of the oldest art schools in Scandinavia, founded in 1754. It is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts, architecture, design, and conservation.
Tuition fee: €7,000 to €8,500.
12. Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts, and Design
The Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts, and Design is a university located in Stockholm, Sweden. It was founded in 1844 as the Royal School of Arts and Crafts. It’s one of Sweden’s largest art schools.
The school offers studies in painting, photography, sculpture (metalworking), ceramics (pottery), glass-blowing, and printmaking.
Tuition fee: 297,000 SEK.
13. Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a university in Loughborough, England. The school offers a wide range of programs for students, including Arts and Humanities, Engineering, and Physical Sciences.
The Arts program at Loughborough University allows students to study subjects like English Literature, Fine Art, Music, and Drama.
Tuition fee: £17,250
14. Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratis (ENSAD)
ENSAD is a leading institution of higher education in the arts. It provides undergraduate and graduate programs for students who wish to study art, design, fashion, and architecture.
ENSAD is located in Paris, France; it offers courses in the following areas: Arts, Design and Architecture; Fashion; Interior Design; Product Design; Visual Communication; Visual Arts; Graphic Arts & Photography.
Tuition fee: €438
15. Zurich University of the Arts
The Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is a popular Swiss university (Switzerland) of the arts that offers degrees in fine arts, design, music, and dance. It is a state-run institution, which means that it is funded by the government. This means that tuition costs are very low—in fact, they’re free for EU students.
Tuition fee: CHF 730 per semester.
16. Universitat der Kunste Berlin
Universitat der Kunste Berlin is a school that specializes in arts and design.
It was founded in 1919 by the Prussian government as an academy of fine arts, and it has since grown into one of Germany’s leading institutions for higher learning.
The school offers several different programs for students interested in the arts, including design, fine arts, and media. It is located in Berlin, Germany.
Tuition fee: €313.49 per semester.
17. Ecole Nationale Superieure de Creation Industrielle ENSCI Les Ateliers
Located in Paris, France, the arts program at Ecole Nationale Superieure de Creation Industrielle ENSCI Les Ateliers is a rigorous curriculum that has been designed to prepare students for careers in the creative industries. The program combines practical technical training with broad exposure to art history, theory, and criticism.
Tuition fee: N/A
18. University of Manchester
It is a well-renowned university that is located in England. It is one of the 35 art schools in Europe with an excellent academic program for its students.
They have a track record of nurturing exceptional artists who go on to become well-known figures in the field. Additionally, they continue strong collaborations with regional galleries, museums, and other cultural institutions, giving students exceptional chances to interact with the larger art scene.
the University of Manchester Art School to give their undergraduates the expertise, information, and inspiration to make a significant contribution in the rapidly changing field of the arts.
Tuition fee: £20,000
19. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It is located in the city of Oxford, England.
It offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees including arts, social sciences, and medicine as well as postgraduate degrees such as doctorates and master’s degrees.
Tuition fee: Between £28,950 and £44,240.
20. Umea University
Umea University is a public university in Umea, Sweden. The school was founded in 1965 and has over 37,000 students. The school is known for its strong arts program, which offers degrees in fine art, dance and media arts, music, and design.
Tuition fee: SEK 93,000 per year.
21. Universitat fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst
Located in Graz, Austria, the Universitat fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst is one of the leading art schools in Europe. The school offers programs in musicology, performance, and theater studies.
The school is located in Graz, Austria.
Tuition fee: €363 per semester.
22. Politecnico di Torino
Politecnico di Torino is an Italian technical university with a focus on engineering, architecture, and design.
It has been ranked as one of the top universities in Italy and is known for its innovative approach to education. The school has a strong Arts program that offers bachelor’s degrees in Visual Arts, Architecture, and Industrial Design.
Tuition fee: €350 – €3,500.
23. University College London
UCL is a globally-renowned research university that specializes in the arts, languages, and sciences. Founded in 1826, it has become one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The school’s Arts program is unique in that it allows students to specialize in any subject of their choice within the arts; including film studies, dance theory and practice, and theatre arts.
Tuition fee: £17,750
24. Lancaster University
Lancaster University is one of England’s finest public schools that was founded in 1964.
It is one of the 35 best art schools in the world having a strong desire to impact knowledge to the exquisite mind of their students
This famous art school have nurtured great mind and made them valuable in society. They have the learning tools that would be needed for students to accomplish their goals.
Tuition fee: £9,250
25. Design School Kolding, Denmark
Design School Kolding is a design and innovation school located in Denmark. It offers an Arts program that prepares students for careers in the field of visual communication.
The school offers classes in typography, color theory, illustration, graphic design, branding and packaging design, architectural drawing and illustration, photography, film studies, and animation.
Tuition fee: €14,000
26. Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm
The Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm is a world-class institution that offers students the opportunity to study under some of the most talented artists, designers, and architects in the world.
The school’s Arts program is among the best in Sweden and has been ranked as one of the top 10 most prestigious art schools in Nordic Europe.
Tuition fee: 331,510 SEK.
27. University of Applied Arts Vienna
The University of Applied Arts Vienna, also known as Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien, is a top university in Vienna, Austria. They also offer a strong art program for students who are keen on pursuing a career in art and history.
Tuition fee: €384.56 per semester.
28. University of Gothenburg
The University of Gothenburg’s Arts program is a great choice for students who want to study humanities and social sciences. The university is located in Gothenburg, Sweden, and offers bachelor’s degrees in fine art, as well as applied arts.
Some of the specializations available include music performance, photography, opera, film, dance, etc.
Tuition fee: Cost varies for different programs and courses. Find out the tuition fee for a specific course. E.g., the total cost of studying Bachelor of Fine Art in Opera is 1,638,000 SEK – about 273,000 SEK for the first payment.
29. The University of York
The University of York is a prestigious university that has a dignified academic program and accomplishments in the city of York. It was established in 1963 and has developed exceedingly well in its various learning departments.
The art course in this institute has broken down into various classes in other to help students focus on any field of their choice. They aim to improve their students’ performance in the art industry by nurturing them with the right methods.
Tuition fee: £22,250
30. Aarhus University
Located in Aarhus, Denmark, Aarhus University is a public university that is reputable for its art program. The school has a degree-granting art program that offers a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Tuition fee: €9,100
FAQs
Which of these art schools is the best in Europe?
The Royal College of Art is popularly considered the best choice.
Can international students enroll in these schools?
Yes, they can apply to any of these schools listed here provided that the candidate meet their requirements.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid opportunities available for international students at these art schools?
Yes, some of these art schools in Europe offer financial aid to study their programs. You may have to go through their websites to find out this information and learn how to apply.
Can I study a variety of different art and design disciplines at the schools on this list?
The art and design disciplines offered at the schools on this list may vary, so it is important to research the specific programs and areas of study offered at each school. Some schools may offer a broad range of programs across multiple disciplines (like Design, Architecture, Art Management, etc.), while others may focus on a specific area of study.
Which of these art schools is the oldest?
The oldest art school in Europe would be the Royal College Of Art.
Recommended Reads
- Study Abroad in England
- Study Abroad in Italy
- Study Abroad in France
- 10 Low Tuition Universities in the UK for International Students.
Wrapping It Up
We hope this guide has helped you choose the art school in Europe that’s right for you. If you still have questions, or if we didn’t cover a topic that interests you, please reach out to us. We’d love to hear from our readers—feel free to leave your comments below.
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