Why should I study at the RITCS?
The RITCS is a unique art school with a special biotope. The various courses we offer make our school a melting pot of young makers who find and inspire each other.
Your fellow students are your future colleagues who you will get to know not only at school but also outside of your courses. For example, the RITCS has its own café where, in addition to a series of cultural activities and parties, you can also meet your fellow students and teachers to discuss the necessary collaborations and projects in an informal atmosphere. At the RITCS you can be inspired by the various cultural activities that you have access to as a student. From Monday to Wednesday you can take a seat in CINEMA RITCS for interesting and challenging films selected by Wouter Hessels and our ciné club. The Drama students get together several times a year for a series of show moments that you can attend. Central point of appointment: the RITCS café, where, in addition to cultural activities, you can often find radio students from XL AIR who dare to hijack the café.
The RITCS is a Brussels School of Arts. As the capital of Europe, Brussels is a window on the world. As a student of the RITCS you will discover how people from different corners of the world, each with their own stories and traditions, seek and find a way to live together. It is a city that rebels, inspires and charms those who love disorder, color and variety. Through an 'introduction week' at the start of each course, the RITCS dives into the city together with its students to gradually discover the different faces of our metropolis. The RITCS also collaborates with many Brussels cultural partners in order to have both feet in the capital's artistic sector.
What does it cost to study at the RITCS?
As a RITCS student you pay two types of costs: the 'registration fee' and the 'additional costs'. The registration fee is equal to that of other universities of applied sciences. As a non-scholarship student, you paid around €961.90 in 2021.The 'additional costs' differ depending on the study program or specialization. These costs are used for the extra costs that are incurred in function of your training program. Fees are collected in full at the beginning of each academic year. Only students who have paid the additional costs may use the goods and/or services made available by the RITCS. More information about the study costs can be found on this page.
Am I too young to study at the RITCS?
The majority of students who study at RITCS follow the course after secondary education or after a previous study. It is absolutely not a requirement to follow another form of education before you start at the RITCS. On the other hand, it is never 'too late' to follow a course at the RITCS. It can even be an asset to have followed another course that broadened your view of the world. If you wish to combine a study at the RITCS with your work, you can discuss the necessary matters with our trajectory counselor.
Do I need any previous education, knowledge or skills?
In principle, you do not need to have completed any previous education. Each training starts from the basics, and emphasizes a balance between theory and practice, a critical mind and subject-theoretical training. At the RITCS you will find students with very diverse previous education and backgrounds. It is therefore possible to move on to the RITCS from all directions. Depending on the chosen study programme, you may have to study just that little bit more for certain subjects.
For the animation film course, your artistic talent is also assessed, which you will have to demonstrate on the basis of a portfolio.
Specific diploma conditions do apply for educational courses.
More important than any previous education is your interest, motivation and drive to start the training. How important is the training to you, are you prepared to throw yourself completely and do you have an aptitude for the profession? These matters are also assessed during the admission test.
What exactly does the admission test entail, and from when can you register?
The content of the artistic admission tests differs from course to course and from year to year. For each admission test, a jury is composed of teachers from the RITCS and external experts from the artistic field. Depending on the study program for which you want to be admitted, they try to gain insight into your imagination, playfulness, flexibility, film language, personal fascination, style, current knowledge and enthusiasm. In short: it is mainly a first meeting.
The admission tests usually take place in the period from June to August. You can register from the spring, usually in the course of March. To stay informed, keep an eye on our website and social media.
What can I do after my education?
If you graduate from RITCS, you will find yourself in a broad sector with various job opportunities. In the theater world and the world of the audiovisual arts you will be able to hold positions that you were not aware of until now. You must of course be prepared to continue working on your path even after your training.
In addition, the field of work in which you can end up is much broader than the art and culture sector. Many students naturally start working within cultural institutions, but they also move on to companies in other sectors. Students also work in production houses, advertising agencies and other professional institutions that are less directly connected to the artistic field.
Do I have to live in Brussels?
Staying in a dorm, student housing or private flat in Brussels is not a must, but if it is financially feasible, we definitely recommend this. It is not only good for your self-reliance, it is also unusually fascinating. Brussels is part of the DNA of the RITCS and is an important source of inspiration for our work. In addition, Brussels offers an interesting range of museums, theatre, films and other student activities. You can also attend all kinds of cultural activities at the RITCS itself, such as the performances by the Drama students, the screenings in CINEMA RITCS, the radio shows of XL AIR and the activities in the RITCS café. Things that you can attend more easily if you have your own place in Brussels. Brussels is a big city, where you have to make some effort to find your place. That is not always obvious or easy. But the RITCS is a good base.
What is the relationship between theory and practice?
Practice is embedded in the DNA of a School of Arts. Depending on the training you choose, the ratio between the two can change. In order to sharpen your critical mind and impart a solid basic knowledge, the RITCS works with basic subjects for all training courses. In addition to the basic subjects, you also take subject-theoretical subjects that are related to your study programme. You can consult the different courses per study program and per year on the various study program pages.