Application

We are pleased that you are interested in studying at our university. Here you will find information about the application process as well as about the documents and work samples you must submit.

Admission can only be granted to those who meet the admission criteria and have successfully demonstrated their artistic eligibility for the respective program. The procedure for determining artistic eligibility is divided into preselection and eligibility assessment and is carried out in accordance with the currently valid regulations and statutes of the Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.

The link to the university application portal can be found in the application process under Section 1 - Application Instructions.

Application deadline

Applications are accepted only once a year for the Winter Semester. The application period is January 1, 2024 through January 31, 2024. Please note that this is a receipt deadline, not a postmark deadline.

Attention: Please note that changes regarding the application deadline and the procedure for determining program-specific eligibility are possible. We therefore recommend that you check this website regularly for information.

Application procedure

1. Notes on the Application Process

All applicants must apply online. Please use the Film University's application portal for this purpose.

ATTENTION! Shortly before the application deadline, server problems and delays in the online application process may occur due to many (last minute) applications. So do not wait until the last day of the deadline! Applications and late submissions after the application deadline will not be accepted!

ATTENTION! You should have prepared all the required files before registering in the university application portal.


Please note:

  • Applications in paper form will NOT be considered.
  • Registration/application in the university application portal is exclusively possible during the application period. Please note that the application deadline is a cut-off deadline.
  • An administrative fee is charged for the application. Applications for which the administrative fee has not been remitted will not be considered for the assessment procedure.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered for the assessment procedure.
  • You can track the processing status of your application in the university application portal. Please refrain from making inquiries by telephone.

1.1. General documents

  • Table of contents of all submitted documents, materials, and work samples (PDF)
  • Curriculum vitae in table form (PDF)
  • Reasons for choice of study or letter of motivation (no more than 1 page) (PDF)
  • Proof of practical work experience (PDF)

1.2. Proof of University Entrance Qualification

If you have acquired your university entrance qualification in Germany, please inform yourself about the required proof in the paragraph 'German Certificate’. If you have acquired your university entrance qualification outside Germany, please inform yourself about the required documents you must submit under ‘Foreign Certificate’.

For the B.A. program Cinematography the regulations of Section 9 para. 2-4 BbgHG (Brandenburg Higher Education Act) apply.

German Certificate:

Please submit your university entrance qualification (PDF) with your application, usually:

  • General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or subject-specific university entrance qualification
  • General or subject-specific entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences
  • Other university entrance qualifications as per Section 9 para. 2 BbgHG (Brandenburg Higher Education Act)
  • Applicants who do not hold any of the aforementioned qualifications or an equivalent qualification are requested to submit their most recent school report (PDF)


Foreign Certificate:

If you obtained your university entrance qualification or first academic degree abroad, please submit the university entrance qualification/school leaving certificate (PDF).

 

Please note:

  • Special regulations apply to applicants from the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, please inform yourself.

1.3. Proof of German Language

If you obtained your university entrance qualification at a non-German-speaking institution and do not hold German citizenship, you must provide evidence of sufficient German language proficiency at least at the DSH-1 level or an equivalent language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Please upload this with the other application files in the university application portal.

The recognized language examinations for the Bachelor program Cinematography are detailed here.

Please note:

If you do not have a language certificate for the level required by the degree program by the application deadline, please  inform yourself here.

1.4. Certificates / references of practical experience

  • Certificates / references (originals or certified copies!) providing evidence of at least 20 weeks of practical experience in the relevant professional field (film, TV, media art) at the time of applying. Certificates should detail the type, scope, and quality of work performed (e.g., as an intern, as clapper loader, focus puller, film / TV lighting technician, or video assistant). In exceptional cases, the practical experience can be completed until the beginnig of the program.
  • a table listing your professional experiences (click here for the template)

1.5. Work samples

Work samples showing the applicant's suitability for the program, including each of the following:

  • A series of 10 self-produced black-and-white photographs (JPG, PNG, max. 400 KB/Foto). The preset subject matter is the photographic examination of one or more people. The narrative and visual thought process should be recognizable in the resulting series. The photographs can be produced digitally or analog (format 2000 x 3000 pixels or a comparable image area). The sequence of the photographs should be recognizable by their filenames.
  • 15 thematically non-specified self-produced photos of free choice of subject (JPG, PNG, max. 400 KB/Foto), showing artistic expression, observation skills and visual design intentions (produced digitally or analog, color or black and white / format 2000 x 3000 pixels or a comparable image area). The sequence of the photographs should be recognizable by their filenames.
  • A maximum of two filmed work samples in which the camera work was carried out by the applicant and which show the applicant's own style (MP4, MOV, max.500 MB/Film). Showreels will not be considered!
    Total length of the filmed submissions: should be no longer than 15 minutes (codec H.264, should have a resolution of HD 1920 x 1080p).

The restrictions specified by the university application portal apply. Video files must be playable in current browsers without additional software/codecs.

2. Pre-Selection

The selection process consists of the pre-selection of applicants and the admission test, which comprises two stages. Based on the materials submitted, the admissions committee will decide which applicants will receive permission to take the admission test and inform them in writing. 

3. Admission test

The eligibility assessment consists of the following components:

Artistic/practical Component: 

  • Applicants are given a topic for a practical assignment, which must be completed within the examination period.
  • After viewing a film, the applicants prepare a film analysis within the examination period.
  • Applicants submit a pitch of a maximum of 2 minutes of an idea for a documentary within the examination period, which could be realized immediately on commencement of the program as a film exercise.

Depending on the quality of all submitted and prepared documents and materials, the applicant will be invited to the oral component of the eligibility assessment (examination interview). 


Oral Component: 

  • Interview on the results of the practical/artistic assignments, on the tasks of the written component, on the application documents and on the professional/artistic and personal starting position and motivation. 

The result of the eligibility assessment will be communicated in writing no later than 4 weeks after the last part of the assessment.

ATTENTION! Shortly before the application deadline, server problems and delays in the online application process may occur due to many (last minute) applications. So do not wait until the last day of the deadline! Applications and late submissions after the application deadline will not be accepted!

Office of the Course

Do you have questions about the application?

For questions related to the program, please contact the program office to book an academic advising appointment.