.png)
How much does Münster Art Academy cost for international students?
The Kunstakademie Münster is a public academy in North Rhine-Westphalia and charges no tuition fees, for EU and non-EU students alike. Each semester every student pays a semester fee, which is a contribution to student services, not tuition.
| Item | Cost for international students |
|---|---|
| Tuition, Fine Arts and teacher training | None |
| Semester fee (incl. Deutschlandsemesterticket) | Around 350 EUR per semester |
The semester fee includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket for local and regional public transport across Germany, and gives access to subsidised meals and student housing of the Studierendenwerk Münster. The academy gives "around 350 EUR" as the amount, so please confirm the exact figure with the Studierendenservice before you pay.
Whatever the tuition position, 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?
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application (all programmes, winter start only) | 1–15 March (cut-off) |
| Portfolio, handed in person | Mid-April (three days; dates announced on the application page) |
| Portfolio, sent by post | From mid-March, must arrive by 30 April (cut-off) |
| Result | Usually mid-May, by email |
There is only one application round per year and no summer intake for first-semester students. The same dates apply to international applicants; there is no uni-assist step. If you send your portfolio from outside the EU, post it early: the academy will not accept parcels with customs charges, and delays at customs can exclude you from the procedure. Teacher training applicants must also apply to the University of Münster for their other subject(s) and education studies.
How do you apply to Münster Art Academy?
Apply online
Between 1 and 15 March, apply through the Kunstakademie's online platform (the link is published on the application page). Choose one programme and upload your school-leaving certificate, any university certificates, your CV and, if available, your German certificate. Certificates not in German or English need certified translations. Applicants from China, India and Vietnam also upload an APS certificate.
Submit your portfolio
With your application number, hand in your portfolio in mid-April or send it by post to arrive by 30 April. Include at least 20 original works, or at least three films/videos. Purely digital works are uploaded as one PDF instead.
Wait for the result
A commission of artist professors assesses your portfolio. You receive the decision by email, usually in mid-May.
Teacher training: apply at the University of Münster
For teacher training, apply to the University of Münster for your other subject(s) and education studies, and include the Kunstakademie's admission letter.
Enrol by 30 September
Enrol with your German certificate (B2 or C1) and pay the semester fee. Studies start on 1 October.
How many programmes are taught in English?
No degree programme at the Kunstakademie Münster is taught in English; all theory courses and workshops are in German. To enrol you need German at B2 level for Fine Arts (DSH-1, TestDaF TDN 3, telc B2, Goethe B2 or DSD II at B2) and C1 for the teacher training programmes (DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, telc C1 Hochschule, Goethe C2 or DSD II at C1). B1 is recommended when you apply. The academy offers no German courses itself.
The academy offers 9 German-taught degree programmes: Fine Arts (Freie Kunst, ending with the Akademiebrief/Diplom) and art teacher training for four school types, each as a Bachelor's followed by a Master of Education. Add-on teaching qualifications (Drittfach and Erweiterungsfach) are not counted.
About Münster Art Academy
The Kunstakademie Münster was founded in 1971 as an institute of the Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf for training art teachers and became an independent academy of fine arts in 1987. It is one of the few German art academies with the right to award doctorates and habilitations, which gives it university status.
About 380 students study Fine Arts or art teacher training in studio classes led by artist professors, with focuses such as painting, sculpture, film/video, photography, performance and art in public space. Workshops cover digital arts, film, photography, wood, metal, ceramics, etching and screen printing. The teacher training programmes are run together with the University of Münster, and the academy sits on the Leonardo-Campus in Münster.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kunstakademie Münster charge tuition fees?
No. The Kunstakademie charges no tuition. You pay a semester fee of around 350 EUR, which includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket. You still need to show 11,904 EUR per year for your visa, usually in a blocked account.
Do I need a portfolio to apply?
Yes. The decision is based only on your portfolio of at least 20 original works (or at least three films/videos), judged by a commission of artist professors. There is no practical exam, and school grades don't count. Applicants without a general university entrance qualification can be admitted to Fine Arts if the commission finds an outstanding artistic talent.
Can I study at the Kunstakademie Münster in English?
No. All courses are in German. You need B2 for Fine Arts and C1 for teacher training before you can enrol.
Sources and Maintenance