- Founded
- 1954
- Students
- 800
- International
- 17%
- Programmes
- 22
- Taught in English
- 1
About Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf
Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, located in Potsdam-Babelsberg, is Germany's oldest and largest film university. Founded in 1954 as the German Academy of Film Art, it gained full university status in 2014. The institution sits adjacent to the historic Babelsberg Studios - one of the world's oldest large-scale film studios - and trains students in all core disciplines of film and media production.
The university offers Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral programmes in directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting and dramaturgy, film and TV production, sound design, film music, animation, and digital media culture. All study programmes are practice-oriented and taught in small cohorts, making it one of the most selective film schools in Germany, accepting only a small fraction of applicants.
The university hosts Sehsüchte, the largest student film festival in Europe, every spring on campus. Its library holds over 160,000 media items and more than 4 million press clippings. The campus is located 30 minutes from central Berlin, giving students access to the city's vibrant film and media industry.
Germany's oldest and largest film university, founded 1954
Single-campus university adjacent to historic Babelsberg Studios (Europe's oldest large-scale film studio)
Highly selective admissions across all programmes - portfolio and artistic entrance exam required
Home to Sehsüchte, the largest student film festival in Europe
No tuition fees for any nationality; semester contribution ~€380 includes Deutschlandticket
30 minutes from Berlin by public transport, with direct access to Germany's film and media industry
Key facts
- Type
- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen
- Founded
- 1954
- Students
- 800
- International
- ~17%
- Faculties
- 2
- Programmes
- 22
Study programmes
22 accredited degrees at Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, 1 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–22 of 22 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees for any nationality. A semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of approximately €379.80 per semester applies to all students and includes a Deutschlandticket (nationwide public transport). A one-time application administration fee applies to most programmes (waived for Digital Media Culture B.A.).
Admission requirements
All degree programmes require a relevant artistic entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung) including portfolio submission and, typically, an interview. A university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, e.g. Abitur or recognised equivalent) is required. German language proficiency at B2 or C1 level (depending on the programme) must be demonstrated via a recognised certificate (DSH, TestDaF TDN 4, Goethe, telc, or ÖSD); applicants holding at least a B1 certificate may apply and must upgrade before enrolment. Applicants from the PR China must additionally submit an APS certificate from the German Embassy's Academic Examination Office in Beijing. APS is not required for Indian or Vietnamese applicants to this institution (check the official foreign-certificates page for updates). Foreign qualifications are assessed individually; applicants with non-German certificates should check the university's Foreign Certificates page. Applications are submitted directly to the university - uni-assist is not required.
Application deadlines
Degree programmes admit once per year for the winter semester only. Programme-specific deadlines apply - for example, the Cinematography B.F.A. application window runs from 1 January to 29 January. Prospective students should check each programme's application page on the official website. Exchange students (Erasmus/bilateral): deadline 15 May for the following winter semester, 15 November for the summer semester. Freemovers: same deadlines (15 May / 15 November).
How international applicants apply
uni-assist VPD required. Applicants whose higher education entrance qualification (or, for masters, whose prior degree) was obtained abroad - including German citizens with a foreign qualification - must have their certificates reviewed by uni-assist e.V. BEFORE applying (processing up to 6 weeks, fee-based; special APS rules for India, China, Vietnam). The resulting Vorpruefungsdokumentation (VPD) is then uploaded to the Filmuniversitaet's OWN Studienbewerbungsportal (bewerbung.filmuniversitaet.de) together with the regular application - the actual application itself is NOT submitted via uni-assist. Documented per programme on all Bewerbung pages and on the Auslaendische Zeugnisse page.
Languages of instruction
Primarily German-taught. Most Bachelor's and Master's programmes require German proficiency (B2 or C1 depending on the programme). A small number of courses and summer programmes are offered in English.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf
1 scheme run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Student accommodation
What Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk West
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
Campus life centres on the atrium cafeteria (filmriss, run by Studentenwerk Potsdam), student project screenings, and workshops in the university's professional-grade studios. Student dormitory rooms managed via Studentenwerk Potsdam are available from approximately €140 to €320 per month.
Campuses & locations
Single campus at Marlene-Dietrich-Allee 11, 14482 Potsdam, adjacent to Babelsberg Studios. Includes recording studios, workshops, cinema halls, and the filmriss cafeteria.
Living in Potsdam
Potsdam is the state capital of Brandenburg and a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its palaces, gardens, and Prussian history. It borders Berlin to the west and is directly connected by S-Bahn and regional rail, making Berlin's film industry, cultural venues, and job market easily accessible. The Babelsberg district is home to both the university and the historic Babelsberg film studios, creating a unique professional environment for film students. Housing costs are lower than Berlin, and the semester ticket covers public transport across the entire Berlin-Brandenburg region.
Student life & support
Campus life centres on the atrium cafeteria (filmriss, run by Studentenwerk Potsdam), student project screenings, and workshops in the university's professional-grade studios. The annual Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival, the largest of its kind in Europe, takes place each spring on campus and draws industry guests from Germany and abroad. The university maintains a CampusCard system for facilities access. Student dormitory rooms managed via Studentenwerk Potsdam are available from approximately €140 to €320 per month.
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