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How much does Offenbach University of Art and Design cost for international students?
HfG Offenbach charges no tuition fees, because Hesse does not charge tuition at its public universities. This applies to international students too. The only regular cost is the semester contribution, which you pay every semester.
| Item | Cost per semester (winter 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (BFA, MFA, BA, MA) | None |
| Deutschlandsemesterticket | 226.80 EUR |
| Studierendenwerk Frankfurt | 106.50 EUR |
| Administration fee | 50.00 EUR |
| Student body (AStA) | 10.20 EUR |
| Call a Bike | 2.98 EUR |
| Total semester contribution | 396.48 EUR |
Returning students who pay late are charged an extra 30 EUR late fee. The ticket covers local and regional trains, buses and trams across Germany (not IC, EC or ICE trains).
Even without tuition, the proof of funds still applies. For the student visa you need to show 11,904 EUR for the year, usually in a blocked account, and that money has to be transferred months before the semester starts.
What are the application deadlines?
All programmes start in the winter semester only; there is no summer intake. Admission is by portfolio, followed by an entrance exam and an interview for shortlisted applicants.
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Portfolio upload (BFA and MFA Art, BA and MA Design) | 1–15 April |
| Proof of German at B2 level | By 15 April |
| Invitation to the entrance exam | About 3 weeks after 15 April |
| Entrance exams and interviews | Late May to early July |
| Proof of German at C1 level (or English C1 for the Master's route) | By 15 September |
| Start of studies | October (winter semester) |
Apply directly to HfG; uni-assist is not used. Because the results come in summer, start your visa preparations and blocked account early. A passed entrance exam stays valid for the following winter semester too.
How many programmes are taught in English?
No degree programme at HfG Offenbach is taught in English. Teaching is in German; some teachers hold parts of their courses in English by arrangement, but theory courses are always in German. HfG offers no language courses of its own.
HfG has four degree programmes: the Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts in Art (the Master can also be taken with a larger theory share), and the Bachelor and Master of Arts in Design. The old Diplom programmes stopped admitting students in 2022/23. The two-semester postgraduate study ends with a certificate, not a degree.
For the Bachelor's you need German at C1 level (DSH-2, TestDaF 4, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule or Goethe-Zertifikat C1). For the Master's you can instead combine German at B2 with English at C1. Applicants from China, Vietnam and India also need an APS certificate.
Which English certificates does Offenbach University of Art and Design accept?
English certificates only matter for the Master's route that combines German B2 with English C1.
| Certificate | Requirement (Master's, with German B2) |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | C1 level, test not older than two years |
| IELTS | C1 level, test not older than two years |
| Cambridge | C1 Advanced |
| English-taught degree | May be accepted by the admissions committee |
About Offenbach University of Art and Design
The Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Offenbach am Main is the state art university of Hesse. It has had university rank since 1970, and its history goes back to a school for craftsmen founded in 1832. It sits in Offenbach, right next to Frankfurt in the Rhine-Main region.
HfG has two departments, Art and Design, and teaches fine art, media and applied design side by side with theory. In winter 2025/26 it had 768 students, 191 of them with a foreign passport.
Frequently asked questions
Does HfG Offenbach charge tuition fees?
No. Hesse does not charge tuition at public universities, including for non-EU students. You only pay the semester contribution of 396.48 EUR (winter 2026/27).
When can I apply to HfG Offenbach?
Once a year. You upload your portfolio between 1 and 15 April, and studies start in the following winter semester. There is no summer intake.
Can I study at HfG Offenbach in English?
No. All programmes are taught in German. You need German at B2 by 15 April and C1 by 15 September. For the Master's, B2 German plus C1 English is accepted instead.
Do I apply through uni-assist?
No. You upload your documents together with your portfolio through HfG's own application links. Depending on your school certificate, HfG may enrol you at the Studienkolleg in Frankfurt after you pass the entrance exam.
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