Antwerp Fashion Academy and Conservatory increase tuition fees for non-European students
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp will sharply increase tuition fees for students from outside Europe from the next academic year. The measure was reported on Thursday by Gazet van Antwerpen and has since been confirmed by AP University College.
As a result, students from countries such as China or Brazil will see their annual tuition rise from around 8,000 to 13,500 euros. The increase follows a decision by the Flemish government to reduce public funding for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), shifting a larger share of the cost onto institutions and students themselves.
“Because the fashion academy attracts a large number of international students, that department has been hit hard,” said Karolien Loriers, spokesperson for AP University College. “Funding for non-European students was limited to 2 per cent of the student population per institution. Fashion, in particular, is a very expensive programme; students sometimes receive almost one-on-one instruction.”
Impact of Flemish government funding cuts
The change comes amid broader budgetary pressures on education and culture in Flanders. The Flemish government had announced structural cuts and spending caps across both sectors, prompting criticism from universities, arts institutions and trade unions, who warn that the measures risk undermining international competitiveness and cultural excellence. Institutions with a strong international profile, such as the Antwerp Fashion Academy and Conservatory, are particularly affected by the reduced subsidies.
Currently, nearly 20 per cent of students at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Royal Conservatory come from outside the EEA. In the fashion programme, the proportion rises to around 30 per cent. Despite the substantial fee increase, Loriers said she does not expect enrolment to decline as a result of the measure.
#FlandersNewsService | End of year fashion show showcasing the creations of students from the bachelor's and master's degree of the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts - AP Hogeschool, in Antwerp, 2023.
©BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
Related news
