Exchange

HKU offers a wide variety of bachelor and master courses in fine art, design, music, theatre, media, games and interaction, arts education and arts management.

Explore your options

HKU offers a wide variety of bachelor and master courses in fine art, design, music, theatre, media, games and interaction, arts education and arts management.

As an exchange student you can take part in the courses offered in the bachelor programmes. In general, exchange possibilities are available in the 2nd and/or 3rd year of the study program. The Utrecht Conservatory also welcomes students in the Master of Music programme.

Exchange Courses

Study at HKU

Here you can find more information about academic info as credit & grading, language and guidance during your stay.
  • At HKU the first semester runs from the first week of September through the end of January. Except at HKU Fine Art where the first semester continues until the end of December.

    The second semester is from the first week of February until the end of June.

    Academic year 2023-2024

    First semester: 4 September 2023 - 2 February 2024
    Second semester: 4 February 2024- 1 July 2024

    Academic year 2024-2025

    First semester: 2 September 2024 - 31 January 2025
    Second semester: 3 February 2025- 1 July 2025


    These are the general semester dates. The precise start and end dates differ per course and will be communicated to you after acceptance.

  • Different schools at the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht use different grading methods.

    HKU grading scales

    Grading scale(s) used per HKU school:

    HKU Arts and Economics: Alphanumeric 1, Numeric 2
    HKU Fine Art: Alphanumeric 1, 2 and 3
    HKU Design: Alphanumeric 2 and 3, Numeric 2
    HKU Creative Transformation: Alphanumeric 2 and 3
    HKU Games: Alphanumeric 2 and 3
    HKU Media: Alphanumeric 1, 2 and 3, Numeric 1 and 2
    HKU Music and Technology: Alphanumeric 1 en 2 en Numeric 1 and 2
    HKU Theatre: Alphanumeric 1 and 2
    HKU Utrechts Conservatorium: Alphanumeric 1 and 2, Numeric 1 and 2
    HKU seminars use all four grading scales according to the content of the module.

    The grading scale in the Netherlands

    In the Netherlands, the traditional grading scale is from 1 through to 10, where 1 is the lowest and 10 the highest grade. Grades 1 through to 4 are very rarely given, and the same is true for grades 9 and 10. The most common grades in both secondary and higher education are 6, 7 and 8.


    The grading scale at HKU

    Many programs at HKU use an alphanumeric grading system due to the complexity and subjectivity of artistic processes and expressions. Art and creativity are difficult to quantify with numbers, as they often involve not only knowledge and skills but also the process and personal growth of the student. An alphanumeric grading system allows for more flexibility in appreciating the various aspects of the work and the student's development.


    Credit system

    The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard for comparing the study accomplishment and performance of students across the European Union and other collaborating countries.

    A student's workload is measured in ECTS credits. One credit represents 28 hours of work and 60 credits represent one year of full-time study. 60 ECTS credits are equivalent to 1500-1800 hours of study in all countries.

    Assessment

    All programmes are characterised by a balanced combination of taught elements and project-based work. In assessment of the art based projects it is not only the result that counts. The individual working process and the artistic development of the student, the decisions that have been made, the explanation and reflection on these decisions are of equal importance. The formative assessment process will take this into account through its emphasis on evidence of a reflective process as well as completed artefacts.

    The intended learning outcomes - in addition to the individual one’s formulated by the student themselves - are specified in the module descriptors. These detail aims, objectives and learning outcomes and assessment evidence. The outcome for each module is determined on a summative judgement of all the assessment criteria and the level at which they have been met. Assessment guidelines to specifying the procedures and criteria for of assessment are detailed in the Assessment Plan of the school or programme.

    The application of module assessment criteria to work submitted for individual units, involves the careful and considered professional judgement of academic staff. The Boards of Examiners monitors the overall quality of assessment.

  • Almost all HKU bachelor courses are taught in Dutch. Exchange students may attend and will be supervised in English.

    As an exchange student you should realise that you will be in a Dutch speaking environment. Although most Dutch speak excellent English, being able to speak and/or understand some of our language will greatly improve the quality of your time here.

    Dutch language course

    Erasmus Student Network Utrecht offers a Dutch language course on beginner's and intermediate level.

    Read more about these courses and other options to learn Dutch.

  • If you have a disability, you can request adjustments or extra provisions. Please contact HKU via sz@hku.nl

Application Procedure

To apply for an international exchange to HKU University of the Arts Utrecht you follow an online procedure. This procedure is outlined for you on this page.
  • 1. Application deadlines

    First semester (Sept.-Dec/Jan.): 15 April.

    Second semester (Feb.-June): 1 October.

    HKU Utrechts Conservatorium has one deadline for both semesters: 1 May.

    In order to apply, your home university must have an (Erasmus) bilateral exchange agreement with HKU.

    2. Nomination

    You must be nominated via email- preferably latest one week before the application deadline - by the exchange coordinator of your home institution before you can start the online application tool.

    The following information is required:

    • Name student
    • E-mail address
    • Study programme at home institution
    • Prefered study programme at HKU
    • Current year of studies
    • Desired exchange period (1st semester/2nd semester/whole academic year)
    3. Online exchange application

    Go to Osiris International Office Application and create an account.
    Complete and submit your application. After submitting your application you must confirm your account. You will be notified of this via an automatically generated e-mail.

    After we receive your application it will be checked for completeness. You will be notified via a system e-mail if there is anything missing.

    You can start your online application from:

    • 15 March for the first semester or whole academic year and for students applying to HKU Utrechts Conservatorium.
    • 15 August for the second semester.

    Please note!

    • All students should choose request 'Exchange students from partner institutions'.
    • Only applicants for the School of Art and Economics, should choose request 'Exchange students for Art and Economics'.
    • HKU cannot accept EASY Mobility Online applications for HKU Utrechts Conservatorium.

    4. Selection procedure

    When your application is complete, it will be forwarded for selection to the HKU department. About six weeks after the application deadline you and your exchange coordinator will be notified by e-mail whether you are accepted or not.

    5. After acceptance The confirmation e-mail contains practical information regarding you exchange period in Utrecht.

  • The following documents are required as digital attachments to your application. All documents should be uploaded as pdf-files.

    • Letter of motivation
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Letter of recommendation, optional. Please note for students applying for Games it is compulsory.
    • Transcript of records with grades and credit information from home institution.
    • Scanned copy of your passport or European i.d. card.
    • Portfolio of your work or recordings (see requirements below), not applicable to applicants for the School of Art and Economics.
  • A portfolio should be a collection of your best and most recent work. It is a crucial part of your application. The portfolio helps HKU evaluate your achievements and potential and represents your view of yourself and your work.

    VISUAL WORK

    The digital portfolio (PDF or link to website) should include fifteen to twenty photos or slides. Fewer pieces might not offer an accurate assessment of your potential.

    NON-VISUAL WORK

    • Music - upload an audio/visual recording or a YouTube link.
    • Theatre - upload a statement with an explanation of your educational goals for your exchange period.

    NB the maximum size of your digital portfolio is 200 MB.

Practical information

There are some practical matters to arrange before and upon your arrival in the Netherlands.
  • The campus system does not exist in the Netherlands. Students find rooms all over the city in student houses or as tenants.

    Most students live in a radius of about 20 minutes (by bike) from school. Rents vary between €375 to €700 per month. However, due to a shortage of student housing, it is not uncommon to pay more than €1000 per month.

    HKU has made arrangements with SSH, a student housing agency in Utrecht. At the Kruisstraat (shared rooms) in Utrecht and the Warande (private rooms, with shared common areas) in Zeist, there are a certain number of rooms reserved for exchange students. Rents vary between €400 and €500 per month. Check the video Living at the Kruisstraat and Living at Warande to get an idea of these SSH accommodations.

    Please note: there are not enough reserved rooms for all exchange students.

    Apply for student housing

    Follow the required steps on our page about the SSH application procedure.

    Find accommodation yourself

    If you prefer to find a room by yourself, you will find more information on the page Housing. Since there are not enough reserved rooms for all exchange students, make sure you find other options yourself as well.

  • Once you have been admitted to a course at HKU University of the Arts Utrecht, you may need to arrange your visa and/or residence permit. Which documents you will need to live and study in the Netherlands depends on your nationality. Please note, this only applies to exchange students with a Non-EU nationality.

    Read more

  • Before you come to the Netherlands, it is important to make sure that you have made arrangements to be properly insured for medical costs.

    Read More

  • There are various ways of integrating into the Utrecht student life. You can join a student organisation and/or find a Dutch buddy to help you along. Some suggestions are:

    Erasmus Student Network organises activities such as sporting events, theme and international parties, excursions and city trips. They also offer a mentor system linking a group of international students to a Dutch student.

    Read more about ESN

    Buddy Go Dutch helps international students meet Dutch people and vice versa. They provide a personal buddy program for Dutch students and international students from all over the globe. www.buddygodutch.nl

  • HKU Service Desk Student Affairs has put some useful information together about living in Utrecht. Here you can find more info about health, exercise, culture and transporation.

    Read more

  • When your exchange period is coming to an end, there are certain matters you should consider.

    Read more

Course Catalogue

The ECTS course catalogue is intended for exchange students and international partner institutions. It contains information about the available courses as well as information about the administrative process and practical matters, before, during and after the exchange period. This Course Catalogue summary document refers frequently to more detailed information on our website.

Click here to view the Course Catalogue summary document

Erasmus +

HKU participates in Erasmus+, the EU's programme for education, training, youth and sport and has been awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027 (ECHE).

Read more about Erasmus+