Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
- Founded
- 1938
- Students
- 938
- Programmes
- 19
- Taught in English
- 3
About Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Mai
The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main, HfMDK) is Hesse's sole public university dedicated to music, theatre, and dance. Tracing its origins to the Hoch Conservatory founded in 1878, it gained state university status in 1938 and today operates three faculties offering 28 degree programmes across instrumental studies, composition, teacher training, performing arts, and dance.
With around 938 students drawn from over 50 countries and approximately 2,200 applicants per year, the HfMDK is a selective, small-scale specialist arts institution. Teaching is provided by 67 professors, 39 artistic and academic staff, and 302 freelance lecturers, enabling close individual artistic and academic supervision. A new campus building is under development at Frankfurt's Kulturcampus in Bockenheim.
Admission to all programmes is through an aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung); academic grades alone are not sufficient. The institution works in close cooperation with Frankfurt's leading cultural institutions, including the Oper Frankfurt and the hr-Sinfonieorchester, and hosts the International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA).
Only public university for music, theatre, and dance in Hesse
Highly selective admission via aptitude test - approximately 2,200 applicants for ~938 places across all programmes
Host institution for the International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA), winner of the FEM Pin 2025
Three faculties covering instrumental performance, composition, teacher training, theatre, and dance
Strong institutional partnerships with Oper Frankfurt and hr-Sinfonieorchester
New campus building under development at Kulturcampus Frankfurt-Bockenheim
Key facts
- Type
- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen
- Founded
- 1938
- Students
- 938
- International
- Students from over 50 nations
- Faculties
- 3
- Programmes
- 19
Study programmes
19 accredited degrees at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Mai, 3 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–19 of 19 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees for any programme. The semester contribution for Winter 2025/26 is €339.38, which includes the semester ticket (€176.40), Studierendenwerk fee (€96.50), AStA (€12.00), Culture ticket (€1.50), Call a Bike (€2.98), and administration fee (€50.00). No non-EU surcharge is listed.
Admission requirements
All applicants - domestic and international - must pass a programme-specific aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung). Academic qualifications alone do not determine admission. Applicants submit an online application (€50 administrative fee applies) and are then invited to the aptitude test. Applicants from the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must provide an APS certificate (Academic Evaluation Service) as part of their application. APS is not required for Indian applicants. German language proficiency requirements vary by programme; some master's programmes accept English. A downloadable language-requirements document is provided on the Apply page listing exact levels per programme.
Application deadlines
Programme-specific windows published on the Bewerbung page; examples for the 2026/27 cycle: 01 Oct - 01 Dec 2026 for MA Instrumentalpedagogy, Young Academy, church music, composition, HIP and teacher-training programmes (summer semester 2027 entry), and 15 Nov 2026 - 01 Feb 2027 for BA Dance (winter semester 2027/28 entry). Subject to change.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist and no hochschulstart: everyone applies through the HfMDK's own online portal (hfmdk-cloud-application.academyfive.net), which opens only during the application window; a EUR 50 administration fee is invoiced after the deadline and processing starts once it is paid. Admission is decided by the Eignungsprüfung. Foreign school/university certificates need a certified German or English translation; applicants from the PRC and Vietnam need an APS certificate; language certificates per programme requirements. Questions: [email protected], +49 69 154007330.
Languages of instruction
Most programmes are taught in German. Some master's programmes (e.g. IEMA, CoDE, Master of Opera and Voice) are taught in English or are bilingual. Language requirements vary by programme.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Mai
3 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Deutschlandstipendium (HfMDK Frankfurt)
Germany Scholarship supporting talented HfMDK students expected to show, or already showing, outstanding results in studies or pro...
Amount: 300 EUR/month
Deadline: 1 - 31 July 2026 for enrolled students; 1 - 31 August 2026 for first-y...
Bachelor, Master
Emergency Fund for International Students (STIBET)
Financial assistance for international students facing financial hardship during their studies.
Bachelor, Master
Internal scholarships and grants (HfMDK sponsors programme)
Numerous internal scholarships and grants to cover daily living costs or artistic/educational projects, alongside external scholar...
Bachelor, Master
Campuses & locations
Current main site in the former Hessischer Rundfunk building; new Kulturcampus Bockenheim building under development
Living in Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt am Main is Germany's financial capital and a major international hub in the Rhine-Main region of Hesse. It offers a dense cultural landscape including the Oper Frankfurt, Städel Museum, multiple concert halls, and one of Europe's busiest airports. The city is cosmopolitan and English-friendly, with a large international student population and a relatively high cost of living compared to other German cities.
Student life & support
HfMDK students benefit from close collaboration with Frankfurt's leading arts institutions, regular public concerts, theatre productions, and dance performances staged on campus. Students receive a semester ticket for public transport in the Rhine-Main region and a 10% discount on language courses at the Goethe-Institut Frankfurt. Student body (AStA) organises cultural and social events. Erasmus+ exchange partnerships enable study or internship periods abroad.
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