Photography is an art form centered on creating images. Some people choose photography as a career, and a photography degree can help students build technical, critical, and creative foundations. By studying in this field, students can develop their individual perspectives and skills while learning from the work of others.
In this guide, we discuss five European schools that offer photography-focused study options. Let’s take a look at the best photography schools in Europe.
Top Photography Schools in Europe
1. Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art offers a full-time Photography MA that carries 180 credits and runs for one year, or 45 weeks. The program treats photography as an expanded and evolving practice, covering still and moving images as well as formats such as publishing, performance, installation, sound, synthetic media, text, and writing. It also examines digital and analog photography in relation to contemporary debates and the exchange between theory and practice.
The program is delivered across three terms. Students take part in inductions, workshops, presentations, and collaborative work. In the third term, they complete a 60-credit Independent Research Project and work toward presenting their independent project publicly through an exhibition.
2. Paris College of Art
Paris College of Art follows an American higher education model informed by its European setting. The institution is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and holds degree-granting authority from the State of Delaware’s Department of Education. It is also recognized by the French Ministry of Education as a private establishment of higher education. Its degrees are American degrees rather than French national diplomas.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography includes one foundation year followed by three years of photography study. It balances analog and digital technologies while emphasizing creative identity and a solid understanding of image-making. The current curriculum covers still and moving images, multimedia, production workflows, ethics, and the ways photographs are presented, discussed, documented, and archived. At the graduate level, students can study Photography & Image-making through a one-year Master of Arts or a two-year Master of Fine Arts. Paris College of Art also offers a one-year Master of Arts in Fashion Film & Photography.
3. Barcelona School of Design and Engineering
Elisava offers a Master’s Degree in Photography and Design. This is a university-specific degree issued by UVic-UCC. The program carries 60 ECTS credits, runs from September to July, is taught in English, and is based in Barcelona.
The master’s program approaches photography as an open discipline and emphasizes innovation, experimentation, and research. Students develop theoretical and practical skills while completing photographic projects that communicate complex ideas. Elisava also publishes master’s scholarship calls. Its current scholarship page states that it awards 28 scholarships covering 50% of a master’s degree and that the next call will take place in March 2027. Applicants should review the official scholarship page for the latest eligibility criteria and deadlines.
4. Accademia Italiana
- Study Program
- Location: Italy | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Accademia Italiana was founded in 1984. Its Photography and New Media department has programs in Florence and Rome, and its faculty includes professionals who also work in their fields outside the classroom.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Photography and New Media lasts three academic years, is available in Florence and Rome, and is taught in Italian and English. Students build technical and theoretical foundations in photography and video production, develop their artistic language, and create portfolios and professional profiles. The program covers areas such as fashion, still life, photojournalism, studio photography, and outdoor photography. Accademia Italiana also offers a Photography Master of Fine Arts. The master’s program lasts two academic years, or four semesters, is taught in Italian and English, and includes approximately 1,200 classroom hours and 120 CFA/ECTS credits. It develops students’ technical skills through new approaches, professional practice, and integrated media.
5. Gerrit Rietveld Academie
The Gerrit Rietveld Academie is a small-scale, independent, and internationally oriented university of applied sciences for fine arts and design in Amsterdam. Its four-year full-time bachelor’s degree program begins with the Basicyear, a general formative year. After completing the Basicyear, students choose from 12 specializations, including Photography. Graduates may use the title Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design.
The Photography department focuses on developing an autonomous artistic practice. Lessons and assessments are generally held in a group setting, and the department has partnerships with galleries, museums, and festivals. Students also conceive and produce exhibitions and presentations outside the academy. During the final department year, students formulate and produce a thesis with support from a theory teacher. The bachelor’s program concludes with a final presentation during the public annual Graduation Show.
We hope that you found this article on photography schools in Europe informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Programs in Europe for International Students to learn more!
