Countries Introduction

Konrede's Guide to Top Countries for Studying Art & Design

If you are pursuing higher education and fulfilling career goals, you may consider studying abroad. It is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and experience multicultural environments. You’ll also learn from international industry professionals as well as have the chance to network, all of which will be very beneficial to your career development in the future. Here are some popular destinations to consider.

1. Australia

Australia is a renowned education powerhouse that is recognised globally. Equipped with some of the best facilities in the world and taught by reputable educators, Australia is the third most popular destination for international students to study in. Australia is also home of beautiful coasts, beaches and natural landscapes.

Home of world’s number 15th and 27th Art & Design schools*, namely the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Feature in top 50 ranked universities across multiple disciplines*.
The Australian Qualifications Framework is highly recognised.
International students are overall highly satisfied with their experience in Australia.
Offering over 22,000 courses in 1,100 institutions.
It has 6 of the 35 best cities globally for students to study in.

2. Canada

Canada is one of the top destinations for students who seek education abroad as they offer high quality education at all levels. It is consistently ranked as one of the best countries globally, especially in terms of quality of life. Canada is a progressive country that is well-known for being welcoming and embracing diversity.

The industry has a strong community of interdisciplinary artists, making the art scene highly diversified.
Outstanding quality of education which is recognised worldwide.
International students provide a steady growing work force in Canada, which is extended well beyond their periods of study.
It is one of the safest places to study in with relatively low crime rates and less cases of racial discrimination.
International students receive benefits from the universities and the government.
Astonishing and relatively peaceful environment to live in.

3. China

China is the world’s most populated and diverse multi-ethnic country. Recognised as 1 of the 4 earliest civilisations in the world, China has inherited a rich cultural history through time. A powerhouse in development with rapidly growing infrastructures, China has one of the strongest economies in the world.

China runs 2 of the top art schools in the world:
- Tsinghua University – ranked 20th for Art & Design and 9th for architecture*.
- Tongji University – ranked the 12th for Art & Design and 13th for architecture*.
International students will gain insight from China’s industrious developments.
Discover the rich Chinese culture and heritage that spans over 50+ different ethnic groups and regions.
Tuition fees and living costs are relatively inexpensive when compared to most countries.
Explore potential opportunities and improve your career prospects.
A great opportunity to learn Chinese, the language one-fifth of the world’s population uses.

4. Europe

Being a well-established region of the world, Europe can offer a multitude of different study options in different fields. High quality education is made more affordable for students because of European countries’ investments. Some European countries offer study programmes which are free of charge and students may apply for scholarships and financial support as well.

Europe runs 10 of the top 20 Art & Design schools in the world*.
Europe is known to be the pioneers in research and development across different fields, you’ll be at the forefront of innovative thinking and approach.
European universities emphasis a lot on creativity, innovation and support.
World-class education and research are offered from established institutions.
Courses are highly diversified, offering 100,000s degrees at different levels.
The multi-cultural experience will be a unique adventure for those who love to travel and discover dynamic environments.

5. Hong Kong, China

Exposed to both Eastern and Western cultures, Hong Kong gets the best of both worlds. The city is considered as one of the most international regions in Asia. Hong Kong is the financial hub of Asia and is an extremely vibrant city, you won’t be short of exciting events and things to do around town.

A small city which has the highest density of world-class universities and their performance is outstanding.
Home of great Art & Design schools:
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University – ranked 16th for Art & Design and 15th for Architecture & Built Environment globally*.
- The University of Hong Kong – ranked 14th for Architecture & Built Environment globally*.
Hosting some of the best business management courses in the world.
International standards are adopted in the curriculum design.
A cosmopolitan and urban city offers a unique school life and living experience.
As a financial centre in Asia, there are plenty of job and career opportunities on offer.

6. Japan

A study destination with growing popularity in the recent years. Japan is well-known for their technological developments and scenic historical towns where great care is taken in preserving their heritage. As the host of about 800 universities and numerous vocational schools, the Japanese government has plans to increase the number of international students significantly.

It provides high level of education and it has an iconic status in the Art & Design industry. For example, Bunka Fashion College is probably the most influential local art school. For architecture, The University of Tokyo is ranked 17th in the world*.
Institutes are introducing more programmes for foreigners, showing a welcoming attitude to international students.
Its cultural-rich environment offers you a great opportunity to study, work, live and explore.
Japanese culture is a unique blend of historical traditions and cutting-edge technological advances.
One of the safest countries in the world, stunning nature and city life.
Costs are relatively low when compared to USA or Europe.

7. United Kingdom (UK)

The UK offers world-class teaching and gets you ready for global opportunities in the future. In 2020/21, there were over 600,000 international students studying there. The UK is a historically rich country with an established Art & Design scene and strong foundation in Art & Design education.

One of the world’s most popular place to pursue higher education.
Study in some of the most prestigious Art & Design schools in the world, including Royal College of Art (RCA) and University of the Arts London (UAL), which currently rank number 1 and 2 respectively*.
Its degrees and qualifications are globally recognised.
UK degree courses have shorter durations in general, which will reduce tuition fee and other costs. It also means that you can get a step ahead in time to start your career.
Student can work part-time (following visa guidelines).
Majority of the universities guarantee or prioritise on-campus accommodation for 1st year students.

8. United States of America (USA)

USA universities are well-known for their quality of practical teaching and research. It is the largest destination for international students who want to purse higher education overseas. USA is a melting-pot of different ethnicities and diverse communities so you can learn about different cultures easily.

5 out of the top 10 Art & Design institutes are located in the USA*.
It has the most versatile education system in the world, allowing high degree of specialisation.
Excellent programmes across all fields and subjects.
Qualifications are recognised worldwide.
Whenever appropriate, students are trained with cutting-edge technology, preparing them for their future careers.
USA universities offer extensive research and teaching opportunities at the graduate levels.

*According to “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022”.