Akademie der Bildenden Künste Nürnberg

Admission is highly competitive and portfolio-based. Applicants must demonstrate pronounced artistic-creative talent in their chosen specialisation. The main application window for new students runs 15 March - 15 April each year (high-school transfers within Germany/EU until 15 May; guest students until 31 March). Prospective students are encouraged to attend optional portfolio consultations with professors before applying. International applicants from non-EU countries follow the same application process and must provide proof of sufficient German language proficiency. APS certificate: AdBK Nürnberg is a Bavarian state university; Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese nationals applying must hold a valid APS certificate before the visa application stage (APS is a German embassy/consulate requirement for these nationalities, not separately listed on the academy's own pages). Proof of financing is required: €11,904/year (€992/month, as of WS 2024/25), consistent with the nationally required blocked-account amount.

Main intake (winter semester): 15 March - 15 April. High-school transfers (within Germany/EU): until 15 May. Guest students: until 31 March. Dates apply for the 2025/26 cycle; verify annually at adbk-nuernberg.de.

Direct portfolio-based application - no uni-assist. Main intake window 15 March - 15 April (higher-semester transfers within Germany/EU until 15 May; guest students until 31 March); optional portfolio consultations with professors beforehand; artistic aptitude assessed in an entrance procedure. Non-EU applicants follow the same process with German-proficiency proof; APS certificate needed for Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese nationals at visa stage.

Instruction is predominantly in German. The Live Art Forms Master's programme has an international profile and uses English alongside German. German language proficiency is expected for most programmes.