Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg

Bachelor Bildende Künste (B.F.A.)

Admission requires proof of special artistic aptitude in an entrance examination under section 37(3) of the Hamburg Higher Education Act. A committee of three professors, one member of the academic staff and two non-voting students assesses a digital portfolio of work from the last two years. The applicant submits a CV in German or English, proof of school and any university education, and proof of German language knowledge. Applicants are sometimes invited to a short interview with their original portfolio. Admission is for the winter semester only. The application period for winter semester 2027/28 is 4 February to 5 March 2027, 16:00 (final deadline), applied for through the HISinOne applicant account; the decision is made by the end of April.

International applicants submit a copy of their school or university leaving certificate with a certified translation into German or English unless issued in those languages. Applicants from China, India and Vietnam are asked to have the translation certified by the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) of the German embassy. German is shown by a leaving certificate from a German-language institution or a recognised test such as TestDaF with at least TDN 4 in all parts or DSH with at least DSH-2. Participation certificates for German courses up to level A2 (about 360 teaching hours) are also accepted, provided the language is intensified in the first two semesters by at least half a CEFR level.

Bachelor Lehramt (B.Ed.)

Requires the Abitur (allgemeine Hochschulreife) or an alternative recognised in Hamburg, plus the artistic aptitude examination. The application period is 4 February to 5 March 2027, and a separate application to the Universität Hamburg for the second teaching subject and educational science follows between 1 June and 15 July.

Master Bildende Künste (M.F.A.)

Admission requires an independent artistic position proven in an entrance examination under section 39(3) of the Hamburg Higher Education Act and a university degree (including Fachhochschule) of normally 240 ECTS. Applicants whose degree is completed within six months after the deadline may apply and must show the degree before starting. Applicants with fewer than 240 ECTS, for example 180 ECTS, are encouraged to apply with evidence of at least one year of artistic practice, work in cultural institutions, internships or earlier study achievements; outstanding artistic achievements can be recognised by the committee for 60 ECTS. The portfolio contains work from the last two years, an outline of the planned artistic project of three to five A4 pages (a motivation letter additionally for Design; a written statement with a research exposé for Theorie und Geschichte), a CV and proof of the degree. Proof of German is not required, although German knowledge is recommended. The application period is 4 February to 5 March 2027, 16:00, for the winter semester only; interviews usually take place in mid to late May and the decision follows by the end of June.

Doctoral studies

The Dr. phil. in art. requires a Diplom or Master degree with at least the overall grade 'gut' from a German university or an equivalent foreign degree, plus proof of ability for academic work (which the doctoral committee may require to be acquired during the doctorate). Applications are for the summer semester only; the period for summer semester 2027 is 1 to 30 September 2026, 16:00. Documents include a summary of up to 15 lines, a ten-page exposé, proof of degree, CV and a written confirmation of supervision interest or supervision commitments.

The PhD in Art Practice requires a Diplom, Meisterschüler or Master degree with an artistic-practical focus, normally with at least 'gut', and proof of particular ability for artistic research. Applications are for the summer semester only, 1 September to 14 October 2026, 16:00, with a summary, portfolio, proof documents, CV and proposals for a first and second supervisor. The curriculum is taught in German and English.

Language of instruction

Courses are generally taught in German; English is used when internationally renowned visiting teachers are present. Two German courses per semester (levels A2 to C1) are offered to international students in the language workshop.

• Lerchenfeld 2, Hamburg-Uhlenhorst (main building): studios, ateliers, workshops, the library (Präsenzbibliothek with workspaces, two research PCs and a book scanner; Mon-Thu 11-19, Fri 11-18), the Mensa and the Aula.
• Wartenau 15: seminar and teaching rooms and the Abteilung für Studierenden- und Prüfungsangelegenheiten and International Office.
• Lerchenfeld studio building (opened 2022): studios for Master students, with the ICAT galleries and event space on the ground floor.
• Finkenau 42: teaching rooms used for Film (Filmhaus with its own cinema inaugurated in October 2024).
• Karolinenstraße: four live-work studio flats for 2 to 4 residents each, used by ASA incoming exchange students.

Workshops: audio lab, library, CAD/3D, computer lab, digital typesetting, digital editing, digital materials, printing techniques, fine metal, film studio, photography, photo studio, plaster, wood, camera/light/sound, ceramics, cooking workshop, plastics, painting technique, media technology and electronics, metal, mixed media and net art, sustainability, screen printing, textile and publishing workshop.