International applicants

The Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden offers two faculties with the following fields of study:

• Faculty I (standard period of study 10 semesters, graduation: diploma)
  Fine Arts
• Faculty II (standard period of study 10 semesters, graduation: diploma)
  Restoration with specialisations:
  • Art Technology, Preservation and Restoration of Paintings on Mobile Picture Carriers
  • Art Technology, Preservation and Restoration of Sculptures and Room Setting
  • Art Technology, Preservation and Restoration of Mural Paintings and Architectural Colours
  Stage Setting and Costume Design 
  (standard period of study 10 semesters, graduation: diploma)
  Technical college study programme “Theatre Setting”
  (standard period of study 8 semesters, graduation: Diploma Designer (technical college)) with the fields of study:
  • Costume Design
  • Make-Up
  • Theatrical Painting
  • Theatre Sculpture

Course of study for graduates

For graduates, the academy offers postgraduate study programmes (four semesters) in the following specialisations:  

• Fine Arts (master class programme)
• Stage Setting and Costume Design (master class programme)
• Postgraduate programme  Art Therapy (diploma)

For foreign applicants, the conditions and procedures are largely the same as for German applicants.

In addition to the required language skills, you only need to provide proof of an equivalent to the German university entrance qualification.

Here is some information on the university entrance qualification:

1. You can check for yourself in the "anabin" database (of the German Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - Central Office for Foreign Education) whether your foreign school-leaving qualification - possibly in conjunction with periods of study in your home country - is equivalent to the German higher education entrance qualification.
2. Please pay particular attention to the country-specific requirements:
   • China: Original APS certificate from the Beijing Academic Testing Center
   • Georgia: Certificates must be provided with an apostille
   • India: APS certificate from the Academic Evaluation Center in the original or digitally signed. Submission possible until enrollment
   • Iran: Certificates must be submitted as copies legalized by the German Embassy in Tehran. Submission of legalized copies may be necessary in individual cases.
   • Mongolia: APS certificate from the Academic Evaluation Center Ulan Bator in the original, if available
   • Vietnam: original APS certificate from the Hanoi Academic Evaluation Center
3. Foreign certificates must always be accompanied by a German translation, the accuracy of which has been certified by the responsible German diplomatic or consular mission in the country of origin or translator in the Federal Republic of Germany

Details on the application formalities for the individual degree programs can be found here.

Start preparing early for your stay in Germany. Experience has shown that you need at least a year from the first application to the beginning of the study.
You can obtain information about study opportunities and immigration formalities at German diplomatic missions (embassies, Consulate General).
You can find out about study and funding opportunities in the Federal Republic of Germany at the branch offices and information centres (Information Centre, IC) of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (also see www.daad.de).

If you would like to complete your entire degree program at our university, you will need to provide proof of language proficiency by the time you enroll at the latest:

• For undergraduate degree programs, you must demonstrate a German language level of B2 (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe) with a grade of at least GOOD.
• For a master's degree program, you must provide proof of a German or English language level of B2 (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe).
• For the postgraduate program in art therapy, you must provide proof of a German language level of C1 according to the European Framework of Reference. The following certificates are recognized for this purpose:

1. Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF), provided that at least level TDN 4 has been achieved in all four parts of the test.
2. Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), provided that the DSH has been completed with at least level DSH-2.
3. Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz - Stufe II (DSD II).
4. Telc German C1 University,
5. Goethe Certificate C2: Grand German Language Diploma (GDS).
6. German Language Examination II of the Language and Interpreting Institute Munich.

Please note that the language levels specified are minimum requirements for enrollment. We recommend that you continue to improve your language skills beyond these levels.

Please inform yourself in good time about the entry requirements for both the aptitude test and the start of your studies.

You can find the dates of the aptitude tests here: https://www.hfbk-dresden.de/studium/bewerbung/termine 

Information on applying for a visa can be found here:

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/visa-und-aufenthalt 

https://www.study-in-germany.com/de/studium-planen/voraussetzungen/visum/ 

New enrollment to the study program is possible again for the winter semester 2025/26. A change of university can take place for the summer semester 2025 (deadline for application: 01.01.2025).

Prerequisite for enrollment in a degree program at the HfBK Dresden is proof of artistic aptitude as well as an admission qualification to universities in the Federal Republic of Germany.

You can check for yourself in the "anabin" database (of the German Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - Central Office for Foreign Education) whether your foreign school-leaving qualification - possibly in conjunction with periods of study in your home country - is equivalent to the German higher education entrance qualification.

Prospective students who do not wish to take up studies until the winter semester 2025/26, i.e. from October 2025, apply by the regular deadlines. Information on this and on the standard application procedure of the HfBK Dresden for prospective students with foreign educational certificates can be found here.

For refugees who will be registered in Germany after 01.01.2025, there is the possibility to apply for a study place in a simplified application procedure outside the regular procedures and deadlines (but no later than 01.07.2025).

New enrollment to studies with intended degree at the HfBK Dresden 

For consideration of admission outside of the standard application process, please submit the following documents:

• Application form for refugees
• Proof of residence permit in Germany in accordance with § 24 AufenthG (Residence Act)
• Submission of the application together with the documents listed in the application form to the Office of Student Affairs (referat-sta@hfbk-dresden.de)
  • Information on pre-study internships/hospitations or adequate practical experience can be found here
  • Artistic work samples in a merged PDF file (please note the requirements of the individual study programs).

You may submit simple copies of your transcripts; official certification is not initially required.

Change of university:

If you have already started studying art in your home country and wish to continue this at the HfBK Dresden, the following documents must be submitted:

• Application form for refugees and request for a change of university
• Proof of residence permit in Germany in accordance with § 24 AufenthG (Residence Act)
• Submission of the application together with the documents listed in the application form to the Office of Student Affairs (referat-sta@hfbk-dresden.de)

Please note that a change is only possible with the approval of the subject class professor.

Provided that the participation in the courses and examinations is ensured by sufficient knowledge in another language, the proof of German language skills on the level B2, grade "GOOD", can be postponed.

IMPORTANT: In order to be able to carry out written work up to the diploma thesis in German, it is absolutely necessary to acquire the above mentioned German language skills.