Studying Art in Germany: What To Expect

Studying art is like diving into the center of creativity, ingenuity, and history. It’s a field that transforms and evolves through time.

If you want to pursue a degree in the arts, consider taking one in Germany. The country is one of the most popular places in Europe to study art. The best part is, tuition is mostly free.

Here are other things you can expect if you’ll study art in Germany:

Why Pursue an Art Degree in Germany

Germany is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for budding artists. It’s home to world-renowned art academies like the  Berlin University of the Arts. 

Studying in Germany is also affordable. Public universities offer free tuition to both local and foreign students.

There are also academies in German that are specifically for artistic pursuit. This will give students better room for growth in the field of the arts. 

What Type of School Should You Apply For

In Germany, there are three types of universities. These are Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences, and Academies of Arts, Science, and Film.

If you want to pursue an art degree, you must apply to an academy of arts, science, and film. These universities focus on artistic training to develop creative production and innovation.

These academies operate based on the artistic sphere of things. From practical application to one-on-one lectures with professors.

Programs and subjects in these academies are arts-oriented. But art students can also crossover to a more scientific program. This is because the learning process integrates training into theoretical knowledge.

Academies of Arts, Music, and Film

Here are some academies of art, music, and film in Germany. The following academies offer arts-related programs:

• Berlin University of the Arts
• Academy of Media Arts Cologne
• Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
• Folkwang University of the Arts
• Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design
• University of Fine Arts Münster
• Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle
• Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences
• Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design
• University of Art and Design Offenbach am Main

Medium of Instruction

German is mandatory for certain programs, particularly those that involve communication. Programs such as acting or theater are often taught in German.

Some programs have fewer German language requirements. These are usually programs that don’t solely rely on talking. 

Most art courses concentrate on training, that’s why German requirements aren’t too high. There are also institutions that offer English art programs.

Approach to Teaching

Each art academy has its own curriculum and education philosophy. Classes and training also vary in terms of structure and organization.

In general, you can have a lot of freedom with choosing your art program. These programs are also offered as thematic classes. Instead of years of study, each program is organized per style and technique. 

You can also use workstations, materials, art resources, art studios in your academy. But, this is only possible if there’s a professor supervising you. 

As mentioned, practical training and scientific theories are combined as a teaching method. Some academies even offer business courses for aspiring independent artists. 

Germany is a great destination to take an arts program. Find more programs for international students here at MSM Unify.