University in Germany
Halle (Saale), Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
University profile
Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle (BURG) is a public university of art and design in Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt, founded in 1915 by Paul Thiersch. It is a public corporation supervised by the Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment. About 1,100 students from many countries study in studios and workshops, combining theory and practice in projects, seminars and individual tutoring.
Teaching is organised in two faculties. The Fachbereich Kunst (Art) offers eleven study directions within the programmes Malerei/Grafik, Plastik and Kunst/Lehramt: Malerei, Grafik, Malerei/Glas, Buchkunst, Textile Künste, Bildhauerei/Figur, Bildhauerei/Materialität und Raum, Keramik, Schmuck and Zeitbasierte Künste. Degrees are the Diplom (ten semesters, four of them foundation studies), the Erstes Staatsexamen for art teacher training, the Kunstwissenschaften Master and Art Education (M.Ed.), and postgraduate Meisterschüler and Aufbaustudium courses.
The Fachbereich Design offers five Bachelor programmes in eight study directions (Industriedesign, Produktdesign/Keramik- und Glasdesign, Spiel- und Lerndesign, Modedesign, Textildesign, Kommunikationsdesign, Innenarchitektur and Multimedia|VR-Design), each of eight semesters, together with ten Master programmes of two or four semesters, including Design Studies, and doctoral study. Foundations are taught across disciplines, and every student has a fixed studio place during the semester.
The university works on two sites: Campus Design at Neuwerk in Halle, and Campus Kunst at the historic Unterburg Giebichenstein with the Hermes building nearby. A new building for art, with more than 3,000 square metres for studios and workshops, a university gallery, an audio and video studio, a canteen and printmaking workshops, is under construction beside Campus Kunst; the ground-breaking took place on 3 August 2026. Research is pursued through the BurgLabs (SustainLab, BioLab and XLab), and the Burg Gallery in the Volkspark, the annual exhibition each July and the GiebichenStein Design Prize present student work.
Student support includes the Study Information Centre in the former Kutscherhaus on Campus Design, which houses the enrolment, examinations and international offices and student advice; the student council (Stura); Studentenwerk Halle services for housing, finance and counselling; a Buddy programme and the Intercultural Kitchen project for international students. Graduates can set up businesses at the Designhaus Halle. All programmes are taught in German. The university supports the German Rectors' Conference campaign Weltoffene Hochschulen and was the first signatory of the Halle Declaration of the Many.
Study at the BURG is free of tuition fees up to the first professional degree (Bachelor) and for a consecutive Master programme, and the Diplom and Staatsexamen in the Fachbereich Kunst are also free of tuition. The compulsory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), which is not tuition, was 274.40 euros for summer semester 2025 (general contribution 90 euros, semester ticket 176.40 euros, student body contribution 8 euros). For winter semester 2025/26 it was 306.80 euros, including a semester ticket of 208.80 euros. Guest students pay 50 euros per semester for theory courses or 250 euros for other courses.
Enrolled students, and applicants who have passed the entrance examination and start in the following winter semester, can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium for talented students with outstanding achievements, taking social commitment into account. It pays 300 euros per month (150 euros from the federal government and 150 euros from a private sponsor) for 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. Two scholarships were advertised, with the application period 22 July to 18 August 2026. Documents: application form, a motivation letter of no more than one A4 page and evidence of achievements. Contact: [email protected]. Details: Wettbewerbe und Stipendien.
Graduates of Diplom, Staatsexamen and Master programmes and Meisterschüler of the BURG can apply for the Graduierten-Stipendium for designers (GSD) or artists (GSK) under the Saxony-Anhalt graduate funding law, including doctoral projects in Design. The basic amount is 1,400 euros per month, plus a childcare allowance where applicable, for 12 months. Applicants submit a form, a two-page exposé with up to four pages of images, a CV and two professorial references, one of whom mentors the project. Applications are digital; the next closing date shown is 1 June 2027. Contact: Teresa Falkenhagen, +49 345 7751 533.
Outstanding graduates of the Fachbereich Art whose last degree is no earlier than 2020 can apply for a three-month residency at a house of the Künstler:innenhäuser Worpswede, rent and utilities free, with 1,600 euros per month and up to 1,000 euros of material costs against receipts. The 2026 call closed on 17 April 2026. See Worpswede-Stipendium.
The GiebichenStein Design Prize (fifteenth edition in 2026) recognises Design students with trophies of red porphyry and 500 euros from the Friends and Supporters' Association for each of five prizes. The Art Prize of the Saalesparkasse Foundation (2,500 euros in 2026) and the Gustav-Weidanz-Preis for young sculptors are awarded to Art graduates and young artists. The student council makes interest-free loans for study purposes. Studentenwerk Halle advises on student finance and housing; student apartments cost up to 250 euros per month. International students are referred to the DAAD for funding from their home countries.
Browse the scholarships listed for Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle →Admission to Bachelor, Diplom and Staatsexamen programmes requires passing the entrance examination, which establishes artistic and design aptitude for the chosen programme. Applicants also need the Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) or another qualification recognised for university entry; in exceptional cases outstanding artistic ability can substitute for this proof. Applicants must choose one study direction.
Design programmes require a pre-study internship (Vorpraktikum) showing practical and technical skills: Industriedesign, Produktdesign/Keramik- und Glasdesign and Spiel- und Lerndesign 6 months; Modedesign and Textildesign 3 months; Innenarchitektur 6 months (at least 3 months before study starts, the rest within the first year); Kommunikationsdesign 3 months; Multimedia|VR-Design 2 months. A completed relevant apprenticeship can be recognised.
Applications for undergraduate study open on 1 December 2026, with the closing date between mid-February and early March 2027, to be announced. Applicants register and upload documents at my.burg-halle.de: a tabular CV, a statement of motivation (Studienwunschbegründung), proof of the university entrance qualification and a portfolio as a PDF of up to 50 MB (up to 20 works in the Fachbereich Kunst). The 2027 entrance examinations take place digitally and on site and consist of portfolio review, tests of creative, drawing and course-related abilities, and an interview. Non-German documents need a certified translation into German or English.
Applicants whose entrance qualification was gained outside Germany, including German-speaking countries abroad, must submit a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist e.V. in addition to registering at the BURG; allow at least four to six weeks for processing. Where the qualification is not equivalent to the Abitur, direct admission is not possible and applicants attend a Studienkolleg and pass the Feststellungsprüfung. German must be proven by enrolment: Fachbereich Kunst C1 (TestDaF level 4 or DSH 2), Fachbereich Design B2. DSH 2, TestDaF 4 (TDN4), DSD II, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 and telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule are accepted as proof for the Master programmes. At the entrance examination adequate communication, at least in English, must be possible. Non-EU nationals need a visa for study purposes after passing the entrance examination; a tourist visa does not allow study. Visa applications need proof of health insurance, financing, previous studies, German knowledge or a planned language course, and the admission letter or confirmation of the passed examination.
Master programmes are aimed at Bachelor and Diplom graduates with an artistic or design focus; graduates of other subjects can be admitted if suitability is established. The first degree, the course-specific aptitude established in the admission procedure and the course-specific practical experience required by the study regulations are assessed. Duration is two semesters with a four-year (240 ECTS) Bachelor in the same subject or a comparable Diplom, and four semesters with a three-year Bachelor, a Diplom in a different subject or graduates of other disciplines. Documents: motivation letter, CV, degree certificate or transcript of records, portfolio as a PDF of up to 50 MB (written work may replace it for Design Studies M.A.), any publications, and German proof; two-semester applicants also describe their planned Master project. Qualified applicants are invited to an interview. All Master programmes are taught in German; DSH 2, TestDaF 4, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule is required by the start of study. No uni-assist VPD is needed for Master applications from international applicants.
Application windows: winter semester 2027/28 from 1 April to 15 May 2027 (14:00); summer semester 2027 from 1 October to 15 November 2026 (14:00), open to external applicants only for Multimedia Design, Interior Architecture and Furniture and Interior Design, which are the programmes that start in summer. BURG Bachelor graduates may also apply for the summer semester.
Doctoral study is possible in the Fachbereich Design (Design Studies, supported by a Promotionskolloquium) and the Fachbereich Kunst, with supervision by a BURG professor.
The library (Campus Design, Neuwerk 7) is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 outside term time and 9:00 to 20:00 during term, and offers an online catalogue, carrels and semester collections. Student housing is arranged through Studentenwerk Halle; the BURG states that a place at the university does not include a room reservation. Student apartments are listed at up to 250 euros per month.
Study programmes offered at Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle.
Experiences shared by students of Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle.
Studied here? Share your experience to help other applicants.
Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.
Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.
Enter your credentials to continue.
Join us and start your study abroad journey.
