Studieren und Forschen in Deutschland

Colleges of Art, Film and Music

Painter, actor, conductor: Anyone wishing to turn their artistic talent into a profession is best served by studying at one of the 52 or so state-recognised Colleges of Art, Film and Music in Germany. The range of programmes extends from painting, design and architecture to directing, music and drama. Famous artists from home and abroad guarantee that the young artists are able to fully unfold and develop their talent and acquire the necessary finishing touches, whilst also giving them the requisite practical skills and focus. For example, the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg, the Munich Academy for Television and Film, and the Film & Television Academy (HFF) "Konrad Wolf" in Potsdam-Babelsberg offer extensively practice-focused programmes for directors, camera operators, script writers and production directors. While, for their part, the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne or the State Academy of Design Karlsruhe have established themselves as centres of academic training in media art and media technology.
The colleges of music are particularly popular among foreign students. These train future singers, conductors, instrumental musicians, music educators and music teachers. Besides these fields of musical training, some colleges of music also offer degree programmes in jazz (for example, the Dresden University of Music Carl Maria von Weber, the Cologne Academy of Music), opera directing (for example, at the Folkwang University in Essen or the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music Berlin), stage dance (such as at the Palucca School of Dance in Dresden or the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, Frankfurt/Main) or church music (University of Music Düsseldorf).

The following applies to colleges of music, colleges of art and colleges of film alike: the number of study places is strictly limited. Only applicants who pass an aptitude test to prove that they have the right feeling for rhythm and have an outstanding ear have a chance of being accepted. And without a portfolio of their own art work, references and frequently entrance examinations, there will be no admission to colleges of art or film either. On the other hand, particularly talented applicants can be admitted to studies, even if they don't hold a higher education entrance qualification.