Best Art Schools in Europe

Europe has a rich and artistic history of art that spans many centuries and includes many significant art movements, artists, and landmark works that have influenced and shaped the aesthetic landscape worldwide. European institutions provide a diverse range of opportunities for students interested in pursuing the arts, from prestigious art academies to thriving creative communities. We list the best art schools in Europe, breaking down how they were ranked, what they teach. This guide will help you find the best art school in Europe, whether you want to focus on a particular artistic discipline or receive a well-rounded art education.

Why Study Art in Europe?

Painting, sculpture, and architecture are the three primary forms of fine art in Europe. They're sometimes referred to as the major arts, with minor arts referring to more practical or ornamental forms of creativity. The many periods of European art's stylistic classification overlapped with one another historically as various styles flourished in various contexts. 

The arts and artists have always flourished throughout Europe. It is a continent that is apotheotic for growth, with its beautiful coasts, magnificent mountains, exquisite cities, and ancient landmarks. It gives even the brightest minds a platform for self-expression, and the results are eerily convincing.

Many people who are interested in the arts come to this continent in the hopes of starting successful careers here. Learn a new language, learn about different cultures, and broaden your understanding of the world. A creative spark and fresh interests can be sparked by taking an art class in a city like London, Berlin, Paris, or somewhere in Europe that is known for its artistic brilliance.

Best Art Schools in Europe

Nearly a hundred institutions across the continent, from the streets of Paris to art-influential countries like Italy, provide a wide variety of programmes and chances for young artists and designers. Here are 2023's top art schools, as determined by the QS World Ranking of Art and Design.

Below are the best art school in Europe by QS rankings:

1. Royal College of Art

In the city of London, you'll find the public research university known as the Royal College of Art (RCA). It is the only university in the United Kingdom that offers postgraduate degrees in art and design. Students come from over 60 different countries to attend this prestigious art school to pursue postgraduate degrees in art and design. They get access to the most cutting-edge technologies as well as the most contemporary design trends as a result of the strong linkages that exist between the academic world and the business world at this school. 

Students at the postgraduate or undergraduate level who are planning to pursue master's degrees are the target audience for their condensed courses, which reflect a more advanced level of instruction. 

In addition to this, RCA runs its Executive education programme and Summer school throughout the entire year. A prospective student who wants to improve their academic English stability in order to meet the College's entry standards can also take advantage of the English for academic purposes (EAP) courses that are provided.

2. University of the Arts London

According to the QS World University Rankings for Art & Design in 2023, the University of the Arts London (UAL) has maintained its position as the world's second best university in this subject area. This is considered one of the best art schools in Europe. The University of the Arts London (UAL) is the largest public university in Europe that focuses specifically on the arts and design. UAL is one of the major performing art specialists in the world, and it is also the most prestigious university in terms of practice when it comes to art and design research (A&D).

In addition, UAL is made up of six prominent colleges that were established in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These colleges are focused on the arts, design, fashion, and media. UAL's new Institute is pioneering new territory. They provide both pre-degree and degree programmes in a variety of artistic disciplines, including photography, interior design, product design, graphics, and fine art. They also offer online classes in a range of subjects, such as art, design, fashion, communication, and the performing arts, among others.

3. Aalto University

Aalto University is a public university in Finland that specializes in the arts, design, and architecture. It began operations in 2010. It is the university that holds the position of being Finland's second-largest. Several projects from the Aalto School of Arts have been put forth for consideration for prestigious awards on both the national and international levels, including the Finlandia Prize. Aalto University is no exception to Finland's strong scores in international comparisons in education, and it has great ranks all around the world. It is considered one of the best art schools in Europe.

Aalto is a fantastic educational option for students from other countries because it provides a one-of-a-kind mix of classes in the areas of technology, design, and business, the vast majority of which are taught in English. In addition, degree programmes are organized into five departments, which include architecture, art, design, cinema, television, and media respectively. Because of its one-of-a-kind blend of courses in technology, design, and business, the vast majority of which are presented in English, Aalto University is an excellent alternative for students from other countries.

4. Politecnico di Milano

The Politecnico di Milano is an educational institution that may be found in Milan, Italy. In addition to being one of the most illustrious and oldest universities in Italy, it is also widely regarded as being among the very best educational institutions in the world for the study of architecture, design, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering. According to the QS World University Rankings by subject, Parsons School of Design is now at eighth place.

Parsons School of Design has been at the forefront of design education innovation, which has had far-reaching effects on creativity, culture, and industry. Today, it is regarded as the best university in the whole wide world. Parsons School of Design has been voted the finest art and design school in the United States for the fifth year in a row, and it is currently ranked third best in the entire globe.

Scholarships awarded on the basis of creative and/or intellectual aptitude are open to everyone who applies for them, including overseas students and students transferring from another institution. The several fellowships that make up the scholarship, such as the Full Bright fellowship and the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Programme inlays Scholarships, are all included.

5. Design Academy Eindhoven

If you're looking for a top-notch art school in the Netherlands, go no further than Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE). The institution offers a diverse selection of arts-related courses. According to the latest QS World University Rankings, this institution is the world's ninth-best art school. There is no better place to study art or design (multimedia) in the world than this prestigious European institution. Classes range from those leading to a standard diploma to those leading to a master's degree. It is considered one of the best art schools in Europe.

Contextual design, digital design, social design, and environmental design are the other five tracks available to Master's degree holders. Laboratory for Geodesign and Analytical Thinking. There are eight different kinds of bachelor's degrees, and the creative fields (such art, architecture, fashion design, graphic design, and industrial design) are among them.

The school's Readerships programme is another excellent extracurricular opportunity for students, and it frequently involves collaborations with other schools, corporations, and even government agencies.

6. The Glasgow School of Art

The Glasgow Government School of Design is still the only school in Scotland that offers courses at the tertiary level in the fields of art, architecture, and design. The GSA's studio-based, specialist, practice-led education attracts bright students from all over the world who share a passion and concern for visual culture. This is because the GSA has a demonstrated history of creating some of the world's most important and successful artists, designers, and architects. As a result of the decision of many graduates to remain in Glasgow after receiving their degrees, the city now features one of the largest and most active creative communities in the United Kingdom. 

GSA provides courses leading to degrees in a variety of artistic disciplines, including architecture, interior design, communicative design, fine art, photography, creating artwork, and printmaking.

7. Delft University of Technology

The Netherlands are home to a number of educational institutions, including the Delft University of Technology. It is widely recognised as one of the most renowned universities in the Netherlands and is particularly well-known for the scientific programmes that it offers, particularly in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics.Also this is one of the best art schools in Europe.

However, in addition to that, it provides art courses such as art history, archaeology, design, and painting.

8. Goldsmiths, University of London

Goldsmiths, which is widely regarded as one of the most prominent art institutions in the UK, is home to what is arguably the most extensive range of artistic training opportunities across all of Europe. The college has its own curriculum dedicated solely to creative writing, theater, design, and academic languages. In addition to this vast assortment of courses, the educational institution provides them at all levels, ranging from the bachelor's degree all the way up to the doctoral degree. The research profile and teaching quality of the college have earned it an excellent reputation on a global scale.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Which country is the best for studying art?

Some of the most well-known works of art in the history of civilization came from Italy. The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Capitoline Museum in Italy are a few such. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, three well-known artists and scientists, were born there.

Are there any grants or scholarship options at these art schools for international students?

Yes, some of these European art schools provide financial aid to students enrolled in their programs. To discover how to apply and find out this information, you might need to visit their websites.

Can I pursue a wide range of artistic and design specialties at the institutions on this list?

Researching the individual programmes and fields of study available at each school is essential because the art and design disciplines offered at the institutions on this list may differ. Others may concentrate on a particular field of study, while some schools may provide a wide choice of programmes spanning several disciplines.

What is the most affordable country in Europe to study in?

Germany. It is renowned for providing a variety of scholarships for low-cost and higher education abroad.

Our Concluding Thoughts

Because of the relatively inexpensive cost of living in Europe, it is one of the best destinations in the world to pursue an education in the arts. Because of this, we have compiled a list for you that details the most reputable art schools in Europe. The universities that we have just gone over are only a few of the most prestigious art schools in all of Europe. All of these educational establishments provide students the opportunity to improve their abilities and broaden the scope of their portfolios, laying the groundwork for a successful art career. We really hope that you found this article that we wrote about the best art schools in Europe to be both useful and helpful.