Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle
Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
- Founded
- 1915
- Students
- 1,100
- International
- 12%
- Programmes
- 16
- Taught in English
- 4
About Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle (Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle) is a specialist state art and design university in Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt. Founded in 1915 by architect Paul Thiersch and aligned with German Werkbund principles, it has historically been ranked alongside the Bauhaus as one of Germany's most influential art schools. It is a member of the Rectors' Conference of German Art and Music Schools (RKM).
The university offers around 20 degree programmes at Bachelor's, Master's, and Diploma level across two faculties - Art and Design - spanning fine art, sculpture, ceramics, textile design, industrial design, communication design, time-based arts, and more. Programmes are studio- and workshop-intensive, with access to well-equipped specialist facilities including BurgLabs (an experimental research unit established 2020).
With approximately 1,100 students, the Burg is a small, specialised institution. All taught programmes are delivered in German; no English-medium degree programmes are offered. International exchange students are welcomed through Erasmus+ partnerships with 53 European institutions and direct partnerships in the Americas, Asia, and beyond.
Founded 1915 - one of Germany's oldest and most historically significant art and design schools
Historically positioned alongside the Bauhaus as a leading German arts institution
Two faculties: Art and Design, with ~20 specialised degree programmes
Tuition-free; semester contribution approximately €325
All programmes taught in German; C1 German required for admission
International exchange via Erasmus+ (53 European partners) and direct global partnerships
BurgLabs experimental research unit focused on materials, technology, and sustainability
Key facts
- Type
- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen
- Founded
- 1915
- Students
- 1,100
- International
- ~12%
- Faculties
- 2
- Programmes
- 16
Study programmes
16 accredited degrees at Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle, 4 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–16 of 16 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Tuition-free for all students (no semester tuition fee). A composite semester contribution is payable each semester: approximately €324.80 for winter semester 2026/27, comprising a semester fee (€90), student body fee (€8), and Germany-wide semester public-transport ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket, €226.80). Saxony-Anhalt does not charge additional non-EU international student fees.
Admission requirements
Admission is highly selective and portfolio-based. Applicants submit a digital portfolio (up to 20 works for Art; minimum 20 samples for Design) and sit an entrance examination including portfolio review and practical creative/drawing tests. International applicants whose school-leaving or higher-education qualification was obtained abroad must submit pre-examination documentation (VPD) via uni-assist e.V. (allow 4-6 weeks processing). German proficiency at C1 level is mandatory for all degree programmes (DSH 2, TestDaF TDN 4, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule); B2 is not sufficient. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants should additionally check APS certificate requirements with the German Embassy - the VPD via uni-assist is a parallel requirement specific to this university.
Application deadlines
Undergraduate (Art Diploma): applications for entrance examination by 30 September for the following winter semester. Undergraduate (Design BA): portfolio submission window in late June (e.g. 22-26 June 2026 for WS 2026/27). Master's (Design): application deadline approximately 1 July for the following winter semester. Master's (Design Studies): extended deadline, e.g. 12 June 2026. Note: the online application portal opens on 1 December each year for the following year's cycle for some programmes. Always confirm exact dates on the official application page.
How international applicants apply
Hybrid model: uni-assist VPD is mandatory for undergraduate applicants with a foreign higher-education entrance qualification - certificates go directly to uni-assist (member since 2019), which issues the Vorpruefungsdokumentation (VPD) to be presented at the entrance examination. The application itself runs through the BURG's own portal my.burg-halle.de. Master's applicants apply directly via the same portal WITHOUT uni-assist VPD.
Languages of instruction
All degree programmes and entrance examinations are conducted in German; DSH 2 / TestDaF level 4 (C1) required for admission, at least B1 recommended before the entrance exam.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle
2 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Deutschlandstipendium
Supports students whose record suggests outstanding achievement; currently 2 awards funded by Hallesche Wohnungsgenossenschaft FRE...
Amount: 300 EUR/month
Deadline: 22 July - 18 August 2026 (24:00), digital submission only
bachelor, diploma, state_examination, master
Graduierten-Stipendium des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt (graduate promotion)
Internal graduate scholarship for artistic/scientific junior talent; two formats: GSD (designers) and GSK (artists), decided by th...
Amount: 1,400 EUR/month base plus possible childcare supplement
Deadline: Announced via the BURG website (rolling calls)
master, diploma, state_examination, meisterschueler
Student accommodation
What Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Halle
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
From the university
Student housing is available through the Studentenwerk Halle. Halle (Saale) offers affordable rents and a vibrant arts community.
Campuses & locations
Historic castle site housing the Art faculty
Design faculty facilities established in the 1970s; Neuwerk 7, 06108 Halle (Saale)
Living in Halle
Halle (Saale) is a city of approximately 240,000 in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany. It is a university city with a large student population (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is also based here), a lively cultural scene, and low cost of living compared with western German cities. Halle is well-connected by rail to Leipzig (30 minutes) and Berlin (under 2 hours).
Student life & support
The Burg's small size (around 1,100 students) fosters a close-knit studio culture. Students have access to specialist workshops in metalworking, ceramics, textiles, printing, and digital fabrication. The annual Rundgang (open studios event) is a major public showcase. Student housing is available through the Studentenwerk Halle. Halle (Saale) offers affordable rents and a vibrant arts community. The university cooperates with Martin Luther University Halle's Language Centre for German-language support.
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