Berlin University of the Arts

Berlin, Germany

Founded in 1696 as the Prussian Academy of Arts and evolving through its 1975 merger into the Hochschule der Künste, UdK became a full-fledged university in 2001. It is today one of Europe’s largest and most diverse arts universities, integrating Fine Arts, Architecture, Media & Design, Music, and Performing Arts.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at Berlin University of the Arts

Berlin University of the Arts Departments

  • College of Fine Arts
  • College of Music
  • College of Performing Arts
  • Inter-University Centre for Dance
  • Jazz Institute Berlin
  • Berlin Career College (Weiterbildung)

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Berlin University of the Arts

Berlin University of the Arts is a selective institution with its acceptance rate ranging from 10 to 20% depending upon the program. The university also boasts of a low student to ratio of 8:1 and smaller class sizes.

Berlin University of the Arts is accredited by Senate Chancellery for Science and Research of Berlin and offers exchange programs at partners institutions abroad. The university also attracts a number of renowned guest speakers each year.

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Distinguished Alumni of Berlin University of the Arts

Claudio Arrau

Chilean-born virtuoso revered for his profound interpretations of composers like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Liszt. He ... View More

Arnold Schoenberg

Pioneer of the twelve-tone technique and one of the most groundbreaking figures in 20th-century music, shaping modernist... View More

Otto Klemperer

Legendary conductor celebrated for his authoritative interpretations, especially of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler; he le... View More

Günter Grass

Nobel Prize–winning literary giant (1999), best known for The Tin Drum; also recognized for his striking graphic work�... View More

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Leading modernist architect whose minimalist designs—such as the Barcelona Pavilion—continue to influence contempora... View More

Georg Baselitz

Known for his expressive, inverted figure paintings, Baselitz is one of postwar Germany’s most influential and provoca... View More

Rosa von Praunheim

A trailblazer in queer cinema and activist film in German-speaking Europe, with over 150 productions since the 1970s  ... View More

Andrea Büttner

Works across painting, sculpture, woodcuts, video, and performance to explore themes of shame, social values, and religi... View More

Johanna Keimeyer

Known for immersive lighting installations and innovative experimentation in photography and design—presented at Art B... View More

Saskia Marka

Emmy- and SXSW-nominated for creating the main title sequences for Babylon Berlin, The Queen’s Gambit, and more .

Infrastructure & Facilities at Berlin University of the Arts

UdK Berlin operates as a multi-site urban university, with about 15 locations across Berlin–Charlottenburg and Schöneberg, each dedicated to Fine Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Media & Design, and Architecture—alongside collaborative centers like the Inter-University Centre for Dance and Jazz Institute Berlin  . The main buildings include studio ateliers, a historic concert hall (opened in the 1950s), performance venues, and the Institute of Electronic Business  . A shared canteen/cafeteria offers a relaxed social hub for meetings, meals, presentations, and informal relaxation.

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Berlin University of the Arts Student Life

UdK hosts over 500–600 annual cultural events, including exhibitions, concerts, theatre productions, readings, and festivals—mainly organized on-site and open to the public  . The iconic Rundgang (Open Studio Festival), held each year in June, showcases student work—from installations and performances to interactive projects—echoing the university’s vibrant creative community .

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Berlin University of the Arts Career support

Through the Career & Transfer Service Center (CTC), UdK offers free coaching, workshops, and guidance on career entry, entrepreneurship, job portal access (“Stellenticket UdK Berlin”), and start-up funding programs like EXIST Women @ UdK  .

The Studierendenwerk’s Job & Career competence network supplements UdK’s offerings with job search training and employment law workshops, particularly suited for freelancers and creatives  .

Additionally, UdK maintains a solidarity fund for financially distressed students—offering up to €500 one-time grants for materials, project costs, or fees .

 

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at Berlin University of the Arts

The below information is required while
completing the university application :

General Entry Requirements

University Entrance Qualification: An Abitur or equivalent (high-school diploma). Applicants may apply without an Abitur if they demonstrate outstanding artistic talent  .

Artistic Aptitude: Applicants must submit work samples—portfolio, homework assignment, or artistic audition depending on the department (e.g., music, architecture, visual communication)  .

German Language:

 

Bachelor of Music and Composition: CEFR B2  .

Design, Visual Communication, Architecture: CEFR C1  .

 

Practical Experience: Certain programs require internships, e.g., 6-week internship for Fashion/Product Design Bachelor  .

 

 

Application Process

 

Register via the UdK campus portal (my.udk-berlin.de).

Pay the €30–40 application fee, depending on the program  .

Upload documents: CV, school/certificates, language proof, portfolio files (via Bemus platform).

Take part in portfolio pre-selection and entrance examination (creative task/interview).

 

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

The Career & Transfer Service Center (CTC) is Germany’s first career center embedded within an arts university. It supports students with job coaching, grant acquisition, internships, and seed funding for startups through initiatives like EXIST Women @ UdK.

Industry collaborations include material and architecture partners (e.g., copper installations, recording studios), and creative entrepreneurship programs like Creative Prototyping x Sustainability

 

 

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    Berlin University of the Arts Corporate Partnership

    • Oxford – UdK Berlin Partnership : A cross-disciplinary collaboration with the University of Oxford and TORCH, fostering joint seed‑funded arts and humanities projects like public symposia and digital sandpits.
    • TU Berlin – Joint Master’s in Design & Computation : Germany’s first dual‑institution master’s program, co-developed with Technische Universität Berlin to integrate design, computation, and media.
    • TU Berlin & UdK Shared Library : A centrally funded (~€56M) joint library (opened 2004) serving both universities with shared collections and modern facilities.
    • Career & Transfer Service Center (CTC) : Links students and grads with cultural businesses through consulting, seed funding (including EXIST Women @ UdK), jobs portal, and business plan contests.
    • NAVI BC – Hybrid Platform (2008) : A long-running urban revitalization project in collaboration with TU Berlin, integrating arts and science in city space interventions.
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    Notable Achievements of Berlin University of the Arts

    Berlin University of the Arts is the largest art school in Europe and is ranked 71st nationally and 1311th globally by UniRank rankings. The university is also ranked 78th in the country and amongst top 9% institutions in the world by EduRank university rankings.

    Berlin University of the Arts is also ranked 48th globally to study undergraduate program in Fashion Design by Business of Fashion. The university was highly rated for Global Influence, Learning Experience, and Long-term Value by Business of Fashion.

     

     

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    Achievements

    01.
    QS Ranking – #42 in Art & Design Worldwide

    UdK Berlin is ranked 42nd globally in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art & Design in 2025—with previously reaching #35 in 2024—reflecting its sustained excellence and global reputation.

    Year
    2025
    02.
    50-Year Anniversary Celebrations

    On February 8, 2025, UdK launched its 50th-anniversary celebrations (since the 1975 merger), marking the occasion with cross-disciplinary performances, exhibitions, and dialogue projects highlighting its artistic diversity .

    Year
    2025
    03.
    DAAD Funding for “FIT@UdK” Project

    UdK secured approximately €1 million in DAAD funding for the FIT@UdK – Study Successfully And Start Your Career in Germany initiative (2024–2028), supporting international students with tailored academic and professional development programs.

    Year
    2024

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development Berlin University of the Arts

     

    UdK integrates artistic practice with academic research, driven by permanent and temporary research centers striving for multi-disciplinary experimentation  .

    Engaged in partnerships such as UdK–Oxford via TORCH, backed by seed-funded cross-institution art and humanities projects since 2022

     

    Notable Innovation

    01.
    Terravision (early geospatial visualization system)

    Developed by media artist and long-time UdK professor Joachim Sauter, Terravision was a pioneering computer program for 3D visual mapping of the Earth—considered a forerunner to modern tools like Google Earth. The invention highlights UdK’s early role in merging art, technology, and cartographic visualization .

    Year
    1993
    02.
    Gravity Tool

    A creative interpretation device designed by UdK product design students, the Gravity Tool visualizes the complexity of magnetic fields and gravitational forces through intricate, sculptural shapes. Its recognition underscores the university’s innovative integration of scientific principles into design practice.

    Year

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    Connect With Berlin University of the Arts

    • Hardenbergstraße 33, 10623 Berlin, Germany
    • +49 (0)30 3185-1480

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