February 4 to March 5, 2026, 4 p.m. (deadline)

Applications are only possible for the winter semester.

Students are entitled to study the Master’s degree program in Fine Arts (Master of Fine Arts) at HFBK Hamburg if they can demonstrate an independent artistic position in an entrance examination in accordance with Section 39 (3) of the Hamburg Higher Education Act and have a university degree (including degrees from a university of applied sciences) of 240 ECTS points in the regular case.

The decision on the existence of an independent artistic position is made by an entrance examination committee. The entrance examination committee decides on the basis of the work submitted whether an independent artistic position exists.

Applicants who do not yet have a university degree at the time of the application deadline, but will obtain one in the six months following the application deadline, may apply and must provide proof of their university degree by the start of the programme at the latest.

Applicants whose university degree comprises fewer than 240 ECTS credits (e.g. 180 ECTS credits in the case of a three-year Bachelor’s degree) are still encouraged to apply and are asked to submit evidence of at least one year of artistic practice, activities in the field of cultural and artistic institutions, internships or previous studies. Outstanding artistic achievements can also be recognised by the admissions committee amounting to 60 ECTS.

Proof of German language skills is not required. However, we strongly recommend that you have knowledge of German in order to be able to take full advantage of the courses on offer (seminars, lectures, group and individual discussions, workshops and more).

Please create an applicant account in HISinOne. As soon as you start your application, it will receive an application number to which you can refer if you have any questions. Once you have entered and submitted your application in HISinOne, an upload link will be available in the inbox of your applicant account.

Upload your digital artistic application portfolio with works* from the past two years along with the documents listed below, summarised in one PDF document:

• For applications in the departments Painting/Drawing, Stage Design, Time-based Media, Sculpture, Design, Film, or Graphic Art/Photography: a draft for an artistic project three to five A4 pages in length, which is to be pursued as a focus of study

• For applications in the department Design additionally: a freely written letter of motivation

• For applications in the department Theory & History: a written presentation of three to five A4 pages should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to formulate and express himself/herself; it must include the following: reasons for choosing the Master’s program, an exposé of the scientific project, own objectives. The exposé must include the name and address of the applicant.

• Curriculum vitae in German or English language

• A proof of school and if applicable university education**

The file size is limited to 8 GB. It is no longer possible to submit a physical application portfolio. Late, incomplete and/or by e-mail received applications or subsequently submitted documents cannot be considered.

All documents/work uploaded with the digital application portfolio will be considered for your application to the HFBK Hamburg. Links to external platforms will not be considered.

At the end of the application period, an entrance examination committee will examine the application folders. The commission is composed of three professors, one member of the intermediate academic staff with voting rights and two students without voting rights.

The commission evaluates the digital application portfolios and decides on admission.

If the admission committee is not already able to make a clear decision based on the digital portfolio, you may be invited to a short personal interview with your physical application file (application file with the original artistic works). The interviews usually take place from mid to late May.

The decision on admission to the program is made until the mid of June of the application year at the latest.
Please refrain from making inquiries until then!
You will find all information and decisions in your applicant account in HISinOne.
Your application data will be stored for a maximum of 12 months.

After passing the entrance examination, applicants receive admission to the University of Fine Arts Hamburg. Admission is only valid for the following winter semester.

Enrollment is carried out in accordance with the enrollment, part-time, and visiting student regulations of the HFBK Hamburg.

In order to enrol successfully, you must first accept the study place. The deadline for accepting a place will be stated in the letter of admission. To do this, log in to the application portal HISinOne with your access data and go to your application. There you will now find the “Accept place” button. If you are unable to start your degree programme, you also have the option to decline the place here.

Once you have accepted the place, you can enrol online at the start of the enrolment period. You will be asked for further information and documents relevant to enrolment.

If the place is not taken up, the admission expires and a complete application must be submitted by the next application deadline.

If you do not pass the entrance examination, you can submit a complete application by the next application deadline.

If you would like to transfer from another university, please apply as a first-year student using the application process described above. Admission is only possible for the first semester.

Study or examination credits already earned in Germany or abroad can be submitted for recognition after admission by June 15 using this form. Once you have been admitted to the program, you can apply for recognition of your (prior) study achievements. Crediting of (previous) academic achievements is only possible upon your application and only once for the entire study program: at the beginning of your 1st semester.