University in Germany
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
University profile
The Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch Berlin (HfS Ernst Busch) is a state university of the performing arts in Berlin, regarded as one of the leading institutions of theatre education in the German-speaking world. It teaches six degree programmes in the theatre arts: Schauspiel (acting), Regie (directing), Dramaturgie, Zeitgenössische Puppenspielkunst (contemporary puppetry), Spiel und Objekt (experimental and intermedia theatre) and Choreographie.
Study is built on a foundation in theatrical craft followed by in-depth diploma work, with a strong link to established stages and the independent scene. The Diplom programmes in Schauspiel, Regie and Zeitgenössische Puppenspielkunst run for four years; Dramaturgie, Spiel und Objekt and Choreographie are Master's programmes. Admission to most Diplom programmes is possible without Abitur, and some Master's programmes admit applicants on the basis of professional qualifications.
The university uses three venues: the central campus at Zinnowitzer Strasse 11 in Berlin-Mitte, in use since 2018, the bat-Studiotheater in Prenzlauer Berg, and the Uferstudios in Wedding, home of the Hochschulübergreifendes Zentrum Tanz (HZT Berlin). The central campus holds the two stages UNTEN and OBEN, numerous rehearsal stages, workshops, costume and prop stores, the library and the university canteen run by the studierendenWERK Berlin.
Teaching is done in small groups and through scene studies, project work and studio productions that are shown publicly on the university stages and at the bat-Studiotheater. The Labor für Digitalität offers all students equipment and advice for digital stages, bodies and objects, and the Werkstatt and Fundus supply costumes, props and puppets. Student representation runs through the Studierendenparlament (StuPa, 30 members) and the AStA.
The language of instruction in all programmes is German, and international applicants go through the same application and selection process as everyone else, via the university's online application portal. The university takes part in the Erasmus+ programme and international networks including the World Theatre Education Alliance (as a founding member) and the Alexandria Nova network of Nordic directing programmes. It is a university of the Land Berlin and a member of the Berlin art universities association.
The university charges no tuition fees. Each semester students pay the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag, not tuition), made up of the enrolment or re-registration fee, the social contribution to the studierendenWERK, the AStA contribution and the charge for the Berlin ABC semester ticket (public transport). The amount varies slightly from semester to semester with the ticket price.
The university may award up to twenty Deutschlandstipendien, paid at 300 EUR a month, half from the federal ministry and half from private sponsors (including Ortner & Ortner Baukunst, Felix Bloch Erben, Young Talent Foundation Berlin gGmbH and the university's Freundeskreis). Criteria are outstanding performance and talent, social commitment and personal educational background. Awards are independent of income, are given first for one year and can be combined with BAföG.
Students of Regie, Schauspiel, Zeitgenössische Puppenspielkunst and the Master Choreographie with outstanding achievements can be nominated by their department each early summer. These are full scholarships for the whole period of study, part of which is paid as a flat rate and part depending on parental income.
Graduates of art programmes with excellent final projects, within three years of graduating, can apply under the Nachwuchsförderungsgesetz for a one-year scholarship of 1,450 EUR a month to realise an artistic project.
With DAAD funds the university grants PROMOS scholarships for artistic projects, internships and courses abroad of up to six months (travel allowances and part scholarships), STIBET scholarships for international students, and the DAAD-Preis of 1,000 EUR once a year to an outstanding international student from the second year onward. Erasmus+ supports study at partner universities.
Details: Stipendien at HfS Ernst Busch. Contact: Dorothea Spiegel, Studierendenservice, +49 30 755 417-130.
Deutschlandstipendium at HfS Ernst Busch (Freundeskreis) →
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View scholarships for Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch Berlin →All applicants, whatever their nationality, apply through the university's online application portal and follow the same selection procedure; there is no separate international route and no uni-assist or hochschulstart application. Admission is by artistic aptitude test in several stages (pre-selection, then entrance examination in person), not by Numerus clausus. Each application cycle carries an application fee of 30.00 EUR; an invitation to the entrance examination does not incur a new fee. Participation is allowed only twice per programme.
Schauspiel and Zeitgenössische Puppenspielkunst require a special artistic talent with the aptitudes needed for the profession, completed compulsory schooling and adequate command of German. Applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate need not attend a Studienkolleg or take a Feststellungsprüfung; completed compulsory schooling in the home country is sufficient. Regie normally expects the Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) or equivalent, otherwise a special artistic talent, plus secure German at C1 level, to be proven by enrolment. Schauspiel applicants prepare two contrasting role excerpts of about five minutes and a song for pre-selection, and after passing submit a medical certificate and an ENT voice certificate no more than six months old. Roles must be performed in German; the song may be in any language. Puppenspielkunst applicants prepare a dramatic role excerpt, a scene with a puppet or object and a self-chosen song. Schauspiel applications ran from 21 May to 6 August 2026 for the summer semester 2027 (next window summer 2027 for the summer semester 2028), and Puppenspielkunst applications closed on 12 October 2026 (next window summer/autumn 2027). Regie applications for summer semester 2027 ran 1 to 30 September 2026, with written tasks and a three-day entrance examination.
Dramaturgie requires a qualifying degree (university, Fachhochschule or art university, in Germany or abroad), artistic talent and German at C1; documents are the degree certificate or transcript, a CV, a motivation letter and written answers to set tasks (maximum one A4 page each). Spiel und Objekt (admission every two years) requires a university degree certified copy, CV, a German motivation letter of up to 3,000 characters and written application tasks, followed by a two-day entrance examination with a portfolio. Choreographie (maC) requires a Bachelor's or equivalent degree, or professional qualifications with five years of relevant work, choreographic and dance ability, work shown in a public performance context and German at B2 by enrolment (A2 proof with the application if the entry qualification was not earned at a German-language institution); next application window 1 to 30 September for the Wintersemester 2028/29.
The language of instruction is German in all programmes, and German at the level required by the programme must be proven by enrolment at the latest. No English test (IELTS or TOEFL) is required since no programme is taught in English. Certificates not issued in German, English, French, Spanish or Chinese require a translation by a sworn translator, uploaded with the original in one PDF; originals or officially certified copies are shown at enrolment, together with proof of health insurance (a confirmation letter from the insurer).
Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland need no visa. Others apply at the German embassy in their home country, usually with the admission letter, proof of health insurance, proof of any previous study achievements, proof of German or planned German courses and proof of how the studies will be financed. Doctoral admission is not offered.
The library holds 19,730 books, 1,080 theses, 163 theatre programmes, 3,073 CDs, DVDs and videos and 405 scores (selection), with access to the Filmfriend video platform, and the university archive is open to all users by appointment in the library reading room.
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