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How much does University of Fine Arts Essen (HBK) cost for international students?
HBK Essen is a private university and charges tuition. Students from outside the EU pay a higher rate than EU students, billed per semester and due on the first working day of each semester (1 April or 1 October). The rate drops from the eighth semester in the Bachelor's programmes and after the standard period in the Master's.
| Item | Cost for non-EU students |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts B.F.A., semesters 1–7 | 4,200 EUR per semester |
| Fine Arts B.F.A., from semester 8 | 2,000 to 2,100 EUR per semester |
| Design B.A., semesters 1–7 | 5,200 EUR per semester |
| Design B.A., from semester 8 | 2,500 EUR per semester |
| M.F.A. Art and Cooperation | 4,500 EUR per semester (2,000 EUR after the standard period); 5% off when paid in full in advance, 12,825 EUR in total |
| M.F.A. Professional Games and Digital Media | Ask HBK |
| Enrolment fee / final examination fee (one-time) | 200 EUR / 300 EUR |
| Semester ticket | About 200 to 230 EUR per semester; confirm with HBK |
HBK publishes no separate semester contribution and no validity year for its rates, so confirm the current fees before you apply.
On top of tuition, you need proof of funds for the student visa: 11,904 EUR for the year, usually in a blocked account.
What are the application deadlines?
HBK Essen publishes one rule for all applicants: you can apply at any time, with no separate non-EU date. Applications go through HBK's own online form, not uni-assist. Admission is decided on a portfolio, with an interview where needed; the Design Bachelor's programmes also list an entrance examination. Applicants hear back within 14 days of a complete application.
| Degree | Intake | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Arts B.F.A. and both M.F.A. programmes | Summer (1 April) or winter (1 October) | No deadline; applications accepted at any time |
| Design B.A. (Digital Media Design, Game Art and Design, Digital Fabrication Design) | Winter (1 October) only | No deadline; applications accepted at any time |
German at B2 (TestDaF 3 or DSH-1) is needed by enrolment for German-taught programmes, not to apply. Apply several months before the semester to leave time for the visa.
How many programmes are taught in English?
Two programmes at HBK Essen are taught in English:
| Programme | Note |
|---|---|
| Digital Fabrication Design (B.A.) | Taught in English since winter 2023/24 |
| Art and Cooperation (M.F.A.), English track | English at B2 required |
All other programmes are taught in German. Ask HBK about the English level required for Digital Fabrication Design.
About University of Fine Arts Essen (HBK)
The University of Fine Arts Essen (Hochschule der bildenden Künste Essen) is a private, state-recognised art university in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 2013, with around 300 to 400 students. It is a separate institution from the Folkwang University of the Arts.
It offers Bachelor's and Master's programmes in fine arts and digital design, and since winter 2025/26 it has been on a single campus in a former church at KreativCampus City Nord.
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