Study With Degree

All degree programs are open to foreign applicants with the appropriate qualifications; admission requirements and the application procedure apply accordingly. Written application documents/work samples must be submitted in German. Foreign educational certificates must be submitted as originals or as officially certified copies. If certificates are not in German or English, an officially certified translation in the original or as an officially certified copy must be enclosed.

Special regulations apply to the application procedure for applicants who have acquired their university entrance qualification or their first degree qualifying for a profession abroad. In addition to the general application documents, you may have to submit additional proof of your degree certificate and your German language proficiency. Please inform yourself about the applicable regulations. 

Information on the recognition of foreign school-leaving certificates as university entrance qualifications in Germany is available on the website www.anabin.kmk.org. In addition, the Film University's International Office is available to answer questions about the equivalence of foreign educational certificates.

Degree Programs and Credit Points

The Film University awards credit points according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). 1 ECTS corresponds to approximately 30 hours of workload. A full semester corresponds to 30 ECTS.

Bachelor Programs at Filmuniversity Babelsberg

Master Programs at Filmuniversity Babelsberg

Health Insurance and Visa

All students must have health insurance in Germany, regardless of whether they are program students or exchange students, to be able to enroll at a German university and apply for a residence permit. Students from European Union countries with EHIC are exempt from further insurance requirements. 

Students from other countries that do not have a separate social security agreement with Germany must first check with the insurance provider in their home country to see if their insurance is recognized in Germany. If this is not the case, students must take out additional insurance in Germany.

More Information on Health Insurance in Germany

Health Insurance Fact sheet

Visa

Citizens from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Germany.

Citizens from other countries, for which there is currently no visa requirement, can stay in Germany for 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. The currently valid visa regulations are available on the website of the German Foreign Office. The visa application process may take several months. Therefore, please consult the German embassy of your respective country in good time for further information on regulations and any changes.

More information on Visa Requirements in Germany

Support and scholarship program STIBET

DAAD Award

The DAAD Award, endowed with 1,000 euros, honors outstanding international students or doctoral candidates who have distinguished themselves both through special academic achievements and remarkable social or intercultural commitment.  Nominations for the award are made by teachers at the Film University.

 

STIBET Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports the STIBET scholarship and mentoring program with funding from the German Foreign Office. In cooperation with the Presidential Board, the International Office awards scholarships to foreign students. The scholarships are awarded for special commitment or more equal opportunities.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to Bachelor and Master students who

  • are regularly enrolled at Filmuniversität Babelsberg and are aiming for a degree at the university
  • are not in possession of German citizenship,
  • who have acquired their university entrance qualification at a school abroad (this also includes German schools abroad) or who have supplemented school qualifications acquired abroad with a German preparatory course, or who have acquired their Master's entrance qualification at a university abroad, as well as
  • can demonstrate good academic performance in conjunction with special commitment in an international context. 
  • or who have a special need with regard to equal opportunities

Please note: Exchange students who study at the Film University for only one or two semesters and do not earn a degree are unfortunately not eligible for funding.

By when do I have to apply?

The application deadline is April 15.

What documents do I need to submit?

The complete application consists of:

  • Application form (download)
  • Letter of motivation (1 page)
  • curriculum vitae
  • current certificate of enrollment
  • current transcript of records
  • proof of the commitment described in the letter of motivation

Please make sure that your application documents are complete and contact the International Office if you have any questions in advance. No additional documents will be requested.

Where do I submit the application?

Please submit your application electronically as one PDF document to the International Office: internationaloffice(at)filmuniversitaet.de.

Who selects the scholarship holders?

The Board of the Film University decides on the awarding of the scholarships on the basis of the complete and timely application.

How many scholarships are there and how much is the funding?

Depending on the number of applications, scholarships can be awarded for a maximum of two months. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the number of applications. On average, it is around 600 euros per month.

Financing your studies

BAFöG

Foreign students can receive BAföG benefits if they have a legal residence status, for example, EU citizens with a permanent right of residence, refugees with a right of residence for humanitarian reasons or legally tolerated persons. In addition, they must fulfill certain other requirements. Please contact the Studentenwerk Potsdam's Office for Student Financial Aid for individual advice.

 

Scholarships

There are many scholarships, but it is difficult to find one's way through the large number of offers. Scholarships range from very small scholarships (e.g. for literature) to non-material support (access to professional networks) to material support (a monthly sum of money). The decisive factor is not always good grades, but also social commitment.

The majority of scholarships require eligibility for funding in accordance with §8 BAföG. In Germany, there are scholarship programs of foundations that are close to a political direction, but are independent of political parties. Here you can find the best-known foundations. You can find more scholarships via the following databases:

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
MyStipendium
Stipendiumplus

Scholarships that do not have the eligibility according to §8 BAföG as a prerequisite:

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Please be sure to note the application deadlines for the scholarships and apply as early as possible.

Part time Job

Different legal regulations apply to international students from different countries of origin. Briefly explained, you will find information here about the requirements for working during and after your studies (German & English). The DAAD also provides information about the various options for working during your studies.

The Studentenwerk Potsdam offers further advice for students as well as a job exchange.

The university team of the Potsdam Employment Agency also provides advice on labor law issues.

 

Information resources for international students

Contact

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