Application process: step by step

Step 1: Study requirements

For enrollment the following is required:

A relevant bachelor or diploma degree (if it has not yet been completed at the time of your application, the degree must be proven by March 31st (summer semester) / September 30th (winter semester) at the latest. Necessary grades for admission to the individual master’s courses are:

• Editorial Design: Bachelor or diploma degree with at least grade 2.3 and 210 ECTS
• Creative Audio Director: Bachelor or diploma degree with at least grade 2,0 and 210 ECTS
• Film: Bachelor or diploma degree with at least grade 2,0 and 210 ECTS
• Photographic Studies (3 semesters): Bachelor or diploma degree with at least grade 2,3 and 210 ECTS
• Photographic Studies (4 semesters): Bachelor or diploma degree with at least grade 2,3 and 180 ECTS
• Scenographic Design & Communication: Bachelor or diploma degree with 210 ECTS

If your degree only includes 180 ECTS, you can prove the remaining 30 ECTS by successfully completing an internship or several internships or practical projects with a duration of 20 weeks.

In addition, for studying at the Department of Design, a course-related artistic-creative suitability must be proven (by the aptitude test taken at the FH Dortmund - see step 4).

German language skills must be certified by the university entrance qualification, the university degree of a German-speaking institution or an acknowledged language test. An overview of all German tests that are acknowledged can be downloaded in the right column on this page. One of these tests is the TestDaF. The Fachhochschule Dortmund is a licensed TestDaF center, which means that you can take this exam at our university.

For courses with an English language focus, English language skills must be proven by one of the following tests:

• TOEFEL-iBT with at least 90 points, the proof may not have been taken more than two years before your application.
• IELTS, Academic level with at least 6.5 average points, the proof may not have been taken more than two years before your application.

At the latest when registering for the master's thesis, students with an English language focus of their studies must still have a language certificate (German) proving at least level B1. 

You can find further, detailed information on the individual courses and the study requirements for national and international applicants here (some only in German). An English version of the curriculum (Course overview) for each study program can be found on this Website (go to "Downloads" in the menu at the top of the page).
 
Step 2: Application deadlines:

Application deadline for degree programs (via the university portal):

• January 15th (for the summer semester)
• July 15th (for the winter semester)

Application for aptitude test:

• 15. January - March 01 (use online form of the FH Dormund)
• separate application deadline only for the Master Scenographic Design & Communication: December 15th (for the summer semester) / May 15th (for the winter semester): via post or in person to: the dean of the Department Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund, Max-Ophülsplatz 2, D-44137 Dortmund

Step 3: Application

Via this link you can reach our university portal, there you have to do the following:

• Register
• Verify account + activate
• Login + start application
• Click on add application + complete your data
• Apply (= send application)

Applications for several courses can be sent if you want.

During the online application you will need to upload the following documents (PDF Format):

your bachelor or diploma certificate or your preliminary transcript of records (in German or English). All of the following information must be recognizable on the document(s):

• your name
• the name of the issuing university
• the name of the study degree you attended
• a list of the courses attended
• the total number of ECTS points required to complete the course you attended
• the ECTS achieved so far
• the (preliminary) average grade

The module manual (in German or English) of the course you visited is also required.

All documents must be official documents from your university. Documents you have created yourself will not be accepted.

After the deadline, you will receive the letter of admission via the online study place portal of the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and can then enroll online, provided you have also passed the aptitude test.

Step 4: Aptitude test

The aptitude test takes place at least once a year and requires an additional application (in addition to the application at the university portal). The application for the aptititude test has to be done online on the website of the FH Dortmund and must contain the following:

• a portfolio with work samples (further details on the specific requirements of the respective course can be found on the website of the FH),
• a list of the submitted work samples,
• a written declaration that the work was carried out independently and by yourself.

You may be invited to a colloquium. In justified exceptional cases, the colloquium can also be held in the form of a video conference. With a corresponding overall average grade, the degree-related artistic-creative suitability is awarded. The following grading is required for admission to the individual master's programs:

• Editorial Design: aptitude test passed with a minimum grade of 4,0
• Creative Audio Director: aptitude test passed with a minimum grade of 2,0
• Film: aptitude test passed with a minimum grade of 1,7
• Photographic Studies (3 semesters): aptitude test passed with a minimum grade of 1,7
• Photographic Studies (4 semesters): aptitude test passed with a minimum grade of 1,7
• Scenographic Design & Communication: aptitude test passed with a minimum grade of 4,0

Step 5: Entry and residence regulations

Non-EU citizens have to inform themselves about entry and residence regulations and apply for them at the German embassy if necessary. Proof of financial resources (usually 720 Euro per month) and proof of health insurance are also required. Further information and the addresses of the German embassies can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Step 6: costs during the stay

During your studies you have to think about the following expenses: semester fee, housing costs, health insurance, radio fee, meals, cell phone contract and private expenses for your leisure activities. Generally you need at least 800 € per month. You can find more information about the costs here.