Akademie der Bildenden Künste Nürnberg

Diplom Bildende Kunst (Freie Kunst, Grafik-Design/Kommunikationsdesign, Schmuck und Gerät)

Applicants need the general or a relevant subject-specific Hochschulreife or a completed vocational training. The academy may make exceptions for exceptional artistic talent, which must be shown in the aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung). A practical placement of at least eight weeks in a relevant trade is required before the start of studies, with the employer's certificate due at the latest at the start of studies; it is waived with a journeyman's examination in a relevant trade. The regular study period is nine semesters, with the Diplomvorprüfung at the end of the fourth semester.

Kunstpädagogik (Lehramt an Gymnasien, Fach Kunst, Doppelfach)

The general or a subject-specific Hochschulreife, or the general or subject-specific university access for vocationally qualified applicants, is required, together with the eight-week practical placement. No second subject is needed in Bavaria. Admission is on probation for two semesters (Probezeit). The educational-science component (35 ECTS) is taken at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; the subject-science component (235 ECTS) is taken at the academy. A shortened Qualifizierungsprogramm of five semesters is open to applicants with a completed degree in fine or free art from a German or foreign art academy obtained no more than ten years ago.

Application and aptitude test

Applications are made only online through the application portal (opens 15 March, deadline 15 April, an absolute cut-off; first-semester entry is only in the winter semester). Applicants may apply for one programme only: Bildende Kunst, Kunstpädagogik or MA Live Art Forms, and choose one to four preferred classes in order of preference. Documents: motivation letter naming the preferred classes, detailed CV, passport photo, school and qualification certificates, a digital portfolio of at least 20 artistic works (time-based works can be uploaded), a declaration that the works are the applicant's own, any internship certificate and any language certificate. The aptitude test has two stages: a portfolio pre-selection and an oral individual examination of about ten minutes, for which the portfolio is brought in the original. Enrolment follows in person in mid-July. Portfolio consultations with professors are offered but are not a condition of a successful application. Deadlines for the winter semester 2027/28 entry are 15 March to 15 April 2027.

International applicants

Applicants from non-German-speaking countries must show German at level B2 (CEFR) for the Diplom in Bildende Kunst and level C1 for Lehramt Kunst an Gymnasien; applicants for the teaching degree should check which certificate Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg requires for the educational-science component. Applicants whose school-leaving qualification was gained abroad should upload all certificates needed for recognition and describe their schooling in the CV. Applicants from China, Vietnam and India should upload the APS certificate. International students can take the DSH at the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg language institute.

Master Live Art Forms

A first professionally qualifying degree at bachelor level in an artistic or design subject, or a degree of at least eight semesters in the humanities, social, political or natural sciences, is required; applicants whose highest degree is a bachelor must show at least one year of independent professional practice. English proficiency is shown by, for example, TOEFL iBT 72-94, IELTS 5.0-6.5, Cambridge FCE or telc English B2, plus German level A1 by the start of studies. Applicants submit, in English, a one-page motivation letter, a project description of up to two pages, a CV of up to two pages, certificates, language proof if already held and a portfolio of up to 40 pages. Shortlisted applicants have an online interview of about 30 minutes in English. The regular study period is four semesters, leading to the Master of Arts. Non-EU admitted applicants can contact the programme director about entry and student visas.

Transfer and guest students

Transfer students (Hochschulwechsler) enrolled at an art academy in Germany or the EU apply directly to the Studierendensekretariat by 15 January for the summer semester or by 15 April (15 May for 2027 entry) for the winter semester; those who passed the basic course or probation elsewhere may be exempted from the oral examination. Guest students apply by 31 March (summer semester) or 30 September (winter semester); the fee per semester is EUR 100 for life drawing, EUR 100 for art-science lectures and EUR 300 for artistic classes.

Doctoral admission

The academy offers no doctoral programme.

Campus Bingstraße 60, Nuremberg (main site): all degree programmes. Historic Sep Ruf pavilions (1954-56, listed) with studios, workshops, library, canteen and administration, plus the 2013 extension with studios, seminar rooms, communication pavilion (large-format space, picture store, multi-purpose room with stage and cinema) and open courtyards.

• Workshops: analogue and digital workshops, photography, plaster casting, gold and silversmithing, wood and stone sculpture, woodwork, ceramics, lithography and screen printing, painting materials, Media Lab, metal and welding, paper, textile, intaglio printing and etching, XR and Visual Lab, MIRACL.
• Library and media library: over 28,000 publications and over 800 video works.
• Exhibition hall on campus and the display case Die Vitrine.

Akademie Galerie Nürnberg, Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg: student exhibition space in the city centre.

The Studentenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg provides student housing and social support.