Study Art in Germany: From Portfolio to Degree, from €425/Month

Which art programmes are taught in English?

Honesty first: the vast majority of art programmes at private German universities are taught in German. If you do not speak German at C1 level, your options are limited to a handful of programmes.

English-taught or bilingual programmes

• UE (University of Europe for Applied Sciences) – Illustration (B.A.) and Photography & New Media (B.A.) in Berlin and Hamburg: some modules taught in English, international cohort
• Zeppelin Universität – Pioneering in Arts, Media & Creative Industries (M.A.): English-taught, interdisciplinary
• MSH Hamburg – Expressive Arts in Social Transformation (M.A.): English-taught
• Barenboim-Said Akademie – Music (B.A.) in Berlin: English-taught, highly selective elite programme

All other programmes – Alanus Hochschule, HBK Essen, Merz Akademie, SRH, HKS Ottersberg, HAM and AMD – are taught entirely in German.

Language requirements

What can you study? Fine arts, photography and more

Art programmes at private German universities cluster into four areas. Each institution has a distinct profile – from Waldorf-inspired studio education to internationally oriented media art.

Fine arts: painting, sculpture and drawing

The Alanus Hochschule in Alfter near Bonn offers a full fine arts curriculum: Painting (B.F.A.), Sculpture (B.F.A. and M.F.A.) and Fine Arts (Diplom). The programme is Waldorf-inspired, with studio practice from the first semester and cohorts of five to ten students. The Hochschule der bildenden Künste Essen (HBK) offers Diplom programmes in painting/drawing, sculpture/installation and photography/media art, supplemented by a Master in Art and Cooperation. The Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen Ottersberg (HKS) provides a B.F.A. in Fine Arts with an interdisciplinary, socially engaged approach.

Photography, illustration and media art

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) offers Illustration (B.A.) and Photography & New Media (B.A.) across campuses in Berlin, Hamburg and Potsdam – these programmes have the most international orientation of any art programme in Germany. The SRH University in Berlin runs its own bachelor programmes in Illustration and Photography. The Merz Akademie in Stuttgart combines art, design and media in an interdisciplinary B.A. and M.A. programme – ideal for students interested in the intersection of art and digital media production.

Art in social contexts, eurythmy and art therapy

Several private institutions offer art programmes with a therapeutic or social focus. At Alanus Hochschule you can study Eurythmy (B.A. and M.A.) – a movement art rooted in anthroposophy. HKS Ottersberg offers Art and Theatre in Social Contexts (B.A.), MSH Hamburg runs the English-taught master Expressive Arts in Social Transformation, and SFU Berlin provides a postgraduate Art Therapy programme (M.A.). For a broader view of art therapy options, see Art Therapy under Health Sciences.

Music, management and interdisciplinary programmes

The Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin is an elite music programme with an extremely small cohort. The Hochschule für angewandtes Management (HAM) offers Music Management (B.A.) as a part-time programme – one of only two non-full-time art programmes at private universities. AMD Akademie Mode & Design provides Costume Design (M.A.) at the intersection of art and fashion, and Zeppelin Universität runs the master Pioneering in Arts, Media & the Creative Industries – an interdisciplinary programme combining art with media and cultural management.

Complete programme overview

How to apply: portfolio and aptitude test

Unlike business or engineering programmes, art degrees in Germany require a portfolio and, in most cases, an aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung). Your portfolio matters more than your grades – it is the central element of your application.

What goes into a portfolio?

• Original work only: No copies, no exercises from tutorials. The panel wants to see that you develop your own artistic ideas.
• Breadth and depth: Show a range of techniques and media – drawing, painting, collage, photography, digital work – but also a recognisable personal voice.
• Process over polish: Include sketches, drafts and work-in-progress series. Admissions panels are often more interested in your artistic development than in finished pieces.
• Scope: Typically 20–30 works. Quality always beats quantity.
• Format: Some universities require a physical portfolio, others accept digital submissions (PDF or website). Check each university’s requirements well in advance.

Can I submit my portfolio in English?

For English-taught programmes (UE, Zeppelin, MSH, Barenboim-Said), yes – your portfolio, statement of purpose and any written materials can be in English. For German-taught programmes, the portfolio itself can be in any language (visual art is universal), but any written artist statements should ideally be in German. The aptitude test interview will be conducted in German, which is another reason to start learning the language early.

Credential recognition for international applicants

Your school-leaving certificate must be recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur. Use the anabin database (maintained by the KMK) to check whether your qualification grants direct university access. Commonly accepted qualifications include:

• IB Diploma: Recognised with at least 24 points and specific subject requirements.
• A-levels: Typically three A-levels at grade C or above grant direct access.
• US high school diploma + AP: Usually requires additional AP exams or a year at a US college.
• Other countries: Many require verification through uni-assist.

For master’s programmes, you need a completed bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS or equivalent). At some art schools, outstanding artistic talent can compensate for non-standard academic qualifications – artistic ability weighs more heavily than formal credentials.

Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany

Non-EU students need a student visa before arriving in Germany. EU/EEA citizens can enrol without a visa. Here are the essentials.

• Blocked account (Sperrkonto): You must deposit €11,904/year into a blocked account (e.g. Expatrio or Fintiba) to prove you can cover living costs. You can withdraw up to €992/month.
• Health insurance: Mandatory. Public student insurance costs approximately €120/month for students under 30 (providers: TK, AOK, Barmer).
• Working while studying: International students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year without a separate work permit (updated under the 2024 Skilled Immigration Act). Student assistant positions at your university are exempt from this limit.
• After graduation: Germany grants an 18-month job-seeking visa to graduates of German universities, giving you time to find employment or build a freelance practice.
• Deutschlandticket: Public transport across Germany for €63/month (discounted student tickets available in some cities).
• Living costs: Budget €900–€1,200/month outside of tuition for rent, food, transport and insurance. Cities like Stuttgart and Berlin vary significantly in rent.

What do art graduates earn in Germany?

Salaries for art graduates vary widely depending on whether you work in an employed position or freelance. The table below shows gross annual salaries for employed positions.

German salaries for art professionals are broadly comparable to the UK and somewhat lower than the US. However, Germany’s social safety net – universal health insurance, strong tenant protections, affordable public transport – means your disposable income goes further. Many art graduates work freelance: the average annual income of freelance artists insured through the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) is around €21,000. This figure is modest, but KSK membership halves your social insurance costs, and Germany’s cost of living outside major cities is manageable on this income.

Frequently asked questions

Related programmes at private universities in Germany

Art intersects with several neighbouring disciplines. Depending on your interests, these programmes may also be worth exploring:

• Fashion – fashion design, fashion management and costume design
• Media Sciences – media design, graphic design and UX design (some available as distance learning)
• Film – film arts, animation and screenwriting
• Art Therapy – therapeutic application of art in clinical and social settings
• Architecture – spatial design at the intersection of art and engineering