Post Secondary HBO Diplomas

We are proud to announce that, as of 2026, DARA is accredited by the Centrum voor Post Initieel Onderwijs Nederland (CPION). Courses within our Trimester Programme are officially recognised by the Stichting Hoger Onderwijs, and our students are eligible to earn a diploma at the post-initial HBO level. Learn more about higher education levels >

Starting in Fall 2026, DARA offers three diploma-opleidingen (diploma programmes.) To earn a diploma, students must follow a specific pathway of courses, and complete certain course modules therein. There is also a one-time registration fee which must be paid per diploma-opleiding, separate from regular tuition fees, to be added to CPION's official register.
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Participating without seeking a diploma:

You are not obliged to register for a diploma-opleiding to participate in the Trimester Programme. Enrolling in courses "a la carte," studying only for a short duration of time, and skipping certain courses that would be required for students on a diploma track is possible. If your goals change in the future, you can always register at a later time and credit any relevant qualifications you have earned towards a diploma.
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Quick Links:

I want to register for a diploma

I do not want a diploma

Credits for studies pre-Fall 26

Registration for Diploma-opleidingen

What are the diplomas that DARA offers?

Starting Fall 2026, DARA now offers three diploma-opleidingen:

• Foundational Drawing
• Advanced Drawing
• Classical Oil Painting

​Diplomas earned for these courses of study are official qualifications at the post-initial HBO level.

How long does it take to earn a diploma?

Diligent students are able to earn a diploma in three trimesters (one academic year), and to therefore earn all three diplomas in three years. To meet this timeline, you must:

• be enrolled in at least two courses requisite for your diploma per trimester;
• pass every course module on your first attempt.

You are not required to enrol in two courses per term. Just note that if you can only commit to one course per trimester, a diploma will take you two years at minimum.

Your diploma will also take longer to earn if you do not pass one or more course modules by the end of a trimester. If you did not pass, then you will need to continue in the same module during the next trimester until all passing criteria is met.
Learn more about course modules and passing requirements >

Can I study for two diplomas at the same time?

Typically no. If you are studying for the Foundational Drawing diploma, then you most likely are still learning the skills needed to be accepted into advanced drawing courses; likewise, the skills learned in advanced drawing courses are needed for acceptance into oil painting courses.

It is therefore more realistic to focus on fulfilling the requirements of each diploma one at a time.
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What is the process for registering for a diploma-opleiding?

1) First, start an online application for the Trimester Programme. Applications are open three months ahead of each trimester. We encourage you to apply promptly when the registration period is open.

2) In your online application, you are asked if you are studying for a diploma. Select "Yes," and indicate which diploma-opleiding you are interested in.

3) Based on your selection, you will be presented with the specific courses in which you can earn credits towards your indicated diploma. If accepted, you must enrol in at least one required course per trimester. You are also welcome to apply for other courses outside your diploma requirements, too.

4) DARA will review your application and determine whether you meet all entrance requirements:

• Not Accepted: If you do not meet the admission requirements, then you are not accepted into the programme. We will advise you which Trimester Courses are a suitable alternative. There are diplomas available for all course levels, so you may opt to pursue a diploma at a more foundational level instead.
• Accepted: If you are accepted, you will need to pay a one-time registration fee of €150. This is separate from regular tuition fees, and covers the administrative costs of adding your name to CPION's official register, maintaining these records in their database, and issuing a diploma. If you later decide to study for another diploma, another one-time registration fee will need to be paid at that time.

How much does a diploma cost?

Registration Fee
Each diploma-opleiding requires a one-time registration fee of  €150. This covers the administrative costs of adding your name to CPION's official register, maintaining these records in CPION'S database, and issuing a diploma.

Tuition Fees
Please refer here for current tuition fees. To earn a diploma, you must complete six specified course modules. Each course module takes at least one trimester to complete, and will take longer if you do not pass on the first attempt. Note that if you are registered in a diploma-opleiding, then tuition fees for your requisite courses are discounted for you.

What if I don't finish my diploma in one year / three trimesters?

To complete your diploma within one academic year / three trimesters, you must enrol in two requisite courses per trimester, and you must pass every required course module on the first attempt.

If you do not manage to do this, then you can still continue to study for your diploma for an extended period of time. Please note that you might be subject to any annual increases in tuition fees.

Are there discounts or other perks for students studying for a diploma?

Yes! We have a number of perks available to you if you are registered for a diploma-opleiding:
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• ​Tuition fees for courses necessary for your diploma are discounted for you;
• You get a discount on all lectures and other paid events at DARA;
• You get a discount on all open model sketch sessions;
• You get free access to work in the DARA studios every Friday during the trimester, from 9:30 to 17:00;
• Before registration for the next trimester opens to the public, you get first priority to reserve your place.

What does 'post-initial HBO level' mean?

HBO (higher professional education) is post-secondary education in the Netherlands that prepares students for the labour market. This training normally lasts 4 years, and students can receive an Associate Degree or a Bachelor's Degree. Students generally need a HAVO or MBO (level 4) diploma, or an international equivalent, to enrol in an HBO programme.

Post-initial HBO training is a practice-oriented professional education. It is intended for people who have already completed higher professional education and want to increase your knowledge and skills. DARA's diploma-opleidingen fall in this category. Please note that unlike an initial HBO degree programme, we do not require any previous educational qualifications, such as a HAVO or MBO diploma. Earning a diploma within our institution requires approximately 1 year of study (minimum) and afterwards you will receive an officially recognised post-initial HBO diploma. To earn all currently available diplomas, approximately three years of study is required.

What are the benefits of having a diploma?

DARA is unique from many other private Dutch art schools, in that diplomas received from our institution are officially recognised documents at the post-initial HBO level.

Your diploma confirms the quality, level, and relevance of the training you have received. Because your diploma is registered with the Stichting Hoger Onderwijs (Foundation of Higher Education in the Netherlands), this means that it is formally recognised by other educational institutions, such as schools and universities, as well as by employers. This means that you can use your qualification to help apply for jobs or further education.

​Your diploma is also recognised by funding organisations which offer grants or other subsidies to artists in the Netherlands.

What if I lose my diploma?

​The diploma you earn from DARA is officially recorded in CPION's Abituriëntenregister. If you lose your diploma and would like a copy to be issued to you, you can request one from CPION by telephone or per e-mail.

I do not want a diploma

I do not want to register for a diploma-opleiding. Can I still participate in the Trimester Programme?

Yes, we understand that not everyone is seeking a diploma. Perhaps you only wish to follow one trimester at DARA - or maybe you are studying art for personal reasons, or you want to follow a different pathway than what a diploma requires. Whatever the case, you are still welcome to participate in the Trimester Programme.

Course tuition fees are a little bit higher for you if you are not registered in a diploma-opleiding. Otherwise, all of the same admissions requirements still apply, and so do the course completion requirements. You can simply study at your own pace, take trimesters off when you need it, and follow the path of study that is right for you.

Can I change my mind later?

Yes, you can always change your mind.

If you later decide that you do want to earn a diploma after all, then you will need to pay the one-time registration fee of €150 for your indicated diploma-opleiding. You will be added into CPION's official register, and any relevant course modules you have already completed will be credited towards earning your diploma.

If I am not seeking a diploma, do I still receive some other form of acknowledgement for the studies I complete at DARA?

Yes, DARA awards you a Certificate of Completion for every course module you complete.

​These certificates are not officially recognised documents, but they are proof of your achievements within our programme. And if you change your mind about seeking a diploma later, then you can credit the relevant certificates you earned towards your diploma.

If I am not seeking a diploma, will I be treated differently in class / given less feedback than others?

No. The admissions standards, quality of individual feedback, passing requirements, and all other aspects of a course are the same for all students.

Credits for studies completed prior to Fall 2026

If you were a student within DARA's Trimester Programme prior to Fall 2026, you may be able to credit your studies towards a diploma. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• You were a student in DARA's Trimester Programme at any time between January 2025 to June 2026.
• You earned a Certificate of Completion for one or more course modules during this period.

Did you earn a certificate for any Constructive Anatomy ​modules between 2025-2026? This counts as Tier 3 Drawing credit, and can be applied towards an Advanced Drawing diploma. (Please note - constructive anatomy is a major part of both the Academic Figure Drawing and Portrait Drawing courses, and has been discontinued as a standalone course from Fall 2026 onwards.)