Royal Danish Academy logo

Royal Danish Academy

Copenhagen, DK · Ranking #1001

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts is Denmark's oldest and most prestigious art and design academy, founded in 1754. Located in Copenhagen, it is a public institution specializing in visual arts, architecture, and design education. The academy consists of several schools including the School of Architecture, School of Design, School of Visual Arts, and the Conservation School. The institution emphasizes artistic excellence, creative innovation, and professional practice. Students work in state-of-the-art studios and workshops, learning from renowned artists, architects, and designers. The academy maintains strong connections with the Danish and international art and design communities, providing students with opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations, and professional development. The institution plays a central role in shaping Denmark's cultural and architectural landscape.

Royal Danish Academy logo

Royal Danish Academy

About the university

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts is Denmark's oldest and most prestigious art and design academy, founded in 1754. Located in Copenhagen, it is a public institution specializing in visual arts, architecture, and design education. The academy consists of several schools including the School of Architecture, School of Design, School of Visual Arts, and the Conservation School. The institution emphasizes artistic excellence, creative innovation, and professional practice. Students work in state-of-the-art studios and workshops, learning from renowned artists, architects, and designers. The academy maintains strong connections with the Danish and international art and design communities, providing students with opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations, and professional development. The institution plays a central role in shaping Denmark's cultural and architectural landscape.

Key information

  • Location: Copenhagen, DK
  • Ranking #1001
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Architecture
  • Design
  • Visual Arts
  • Conservation
  • Fine Arts
  • Industrial Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Spatial Design
  • Textile Design

Programs (4)

  • Architecture
  • Art and Design
  • Art History
  • Fine Arts

Campus life

Royal Danish Academy offers a vibrant artistic campus life with state-of-the-art studios, workshops, and exhibition spaces spread across multiple locations in Copenhagen. Students work in dedicated studios equipped with professional tools and materials for their artistic practice. The academy regularly hosts exhibitions, lectures by renowned artists and architects, workshops, and cultural events. Students enjoy access to extensive library resources, specialized workshops for various artistic techniques, and collaborative spaces. The academy maintains strong connections with galleries, museums, and cultural institutions in Copenhagen, providing students with opportunities to showcase their work and engage with the professional art and design community. The strategic location in Copenhagen offers students easy access to the city's vibrant cultural scene, museums, galleries, and creative industries.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €800 - €1,500 / per month

Housing options

  • Student dormitories
  • Private apartments
  • Shared apartments
  • Homestay
  • Off-campus housing

Student clubs and organizations

  • Art clubs
  • Design societies
  • Architecture groups
  • Exhibition organizations
  • Cultural clubs
  • International student associations

Career & internships

Employment rate: 92%

Partner companies

  • BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)
  • Henning Larsen Architects
  • 3XN
  • Cobe
  • Norm Architects
  • Hay
  • Muuto
  • Kvadrat
  • Artek
  • IKEA
  • LEGO
  • Various architecture firms and design studios

Internships: Royal Danish Academy maintains strong connections with leading architecture firms, design studios, galleries, museums, and cultural institutions, facilitating internship opportunities for students. The academy's career services office assists students in finding internships aligned with their artistic programs and career goals. Many programs integrate internships as part of the curriculum, allowing students to gain practical experience while earning academic credit. The academy partners with major architectural firms, design companies, art galleries, and cultural organizations in Denmark and internationally. Career fairs, portfolio reviews, and networking events provide opportunities for students to connect with potential employers and collaborators. International students can access internship opportunities both in Denmark and abroad through the academy's extensive network of partner institutions and companies. The academy emphasizes the importance of professional practice and real-world experience in artistic and design education.

Admission requirements

Required documents

  • Application form
  • Portfolio of artistic work
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Motivation letter
  • CV or resume
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Proof of identity
  • English language proficiency test results

Tuition costs

  • €0 - €15,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 12.00%
  • Scholarships available: Royal Danish Academy offers various scholarship opportunities for students, including merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid. The academy participates in Danish government scholarship programs for non-EU students. Additionally, the institution provides tuition waivers and partial scholarships for outstanding students. Exchange students may be eligible for Erasmus+ funding. The academy's financial aid office assists students in identifying and applying for relevant scholarship programs. Some programs offer specific scholarships tied to artistic excellence or research contributions. The academy also collaborates with foundations and cultural organizations to provide additional funding opportunities for students pursuing studies in arts, architecture, and design.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1754
  • Teaching languages: english, danish
  • Study formats: offline

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