Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Founded: 1773
Students: 600
International: 26%
Programmes: 4

Overview Programmes4 Admissions & fees Scholarships21 Campus & life

About Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts) is one of Germany's most prestigious specialist art academies, founded in 1773 by Elector Carl Theodor as the "Kurfürstlich Pfälzische Academie der Maler-, Bildhauer- und Baukunst". It became a Royal Prussian Academy in 1819 and today operates as a public-law corporation of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The academy offers three programmes - Fine Art (Freie Kunst), a postgraduate Architecture programme (Aufbaustudiengang Baukunst), and Art Teacher Education (Lehramt Kunst) - across 23 artist-led studio classes (Klassen) supplemented by 13 specialist workshops and a broad theoretical curriculum in art history, philosophy, sociology, and pedagogy. Admission is highly selective and based exclusively on portfolio assessment (Mappenprüfung) conducted by professor committees.

The academy's influence on 20th-century art is exceptional: Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter taught here, and graduates are consistently represented in the international art scene. It operates the Akademie-Galerie at Burgplatz 1, a public museum presenting works by faculty and notable alumni.

Founded 1773 - one of Germany's oldest and most influential fine-art academies

Highly selective admission based solely on portfolio (Mappenprüfung); no NC or entrance exam

23 artist-led studio classes across painting, sculpture, photography, film/video, stage design, and architecture

Former faculty include Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Paul Klee, and Günther Uecker

Graduates are consistently active in the international contemporary art scene

No tuition fees; semester contribution of approximately €372 (NRW state-funded institution)

Key facts

Type: Kunst- und Musikhochschulen
Founded: 1773
Students: 600
International: ~26%
Faculties: 2
Programmes: 4

Admissions & fees

What it costs

No tuition fees are charged. Students pay only a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag): approximately €372 per semester for Fine Art and Teacher Education students, and approximately €326 per semester for Architecture students. North Rhine-Westphalia does not levy additional non-EU surcharges.

Admission requirements

All programmes admit students exclusively through a portfolio assessment (Mappenprüfung). There are no numerus clausus scores or entrance exams. Portfolios are evaluated by professor committees on three criteria: artistic design capability, technical realization, and conceptual originality. Fine Art and Architecture portfolios must contain 20-25 original works (up to DIN A0, max 5 kg); Film/Video applicants submit at least 2 MP4 files digitally. An application fee of €30 is required. International applicants must submit all documents with certified German translations. APS certificate is required for applicants from China, Mongolia, and Vietnam. Indian applicants are not required to obtain an APS certificate for this institution. Language certificates must not be older than 6 months at the time of submission.

Application deadlines

Applications for Winter Semester (October start) open in mid-February and close in early March (for Winter Semester 2026/27: 16 February - 10 March 2026, 12:00 noon). Portfolio submissions by post: same window. In-person portfolio drop-off: 2-10 March 2026 (10:00-12:00, weekdays only). Admission decisions communicated in mid-May. Enrolment period in August. There is no Summer Semester intake for most programmes.

How international applicants apply

No uni-assist. Applications run exclusively through the Kunstakademie's own online application portal (email/post submissions not accepted). International applicants (HZB or schooling not acquired at a German-language institution) upload certificates directly, with certified German translations, and - for applicants from China, Mongolia and Vietnam - an APS certificate (otherwise only via assessment of 'hervorragender kuenstlerischer Begabung'). German B2 (Goethe B2/DSH1/TestDaF TDN3/telc B2) for Freie Kunst/Baukunst, C1 for Lehramt, due by enrolment. Per Einschreibungsordnung par. 3(3), foreign school leavers without proven equivalence can still be enrolled on the basis of outstanding artistic talent. Not on the uni-assist member list.

Languages of instruction

German is the language of instruction for all programmes. Fine Art and Architecture applicants must demonstrate B2-level German (Goethe B2, DSH 1, TestDaF TDN 3, or telc B2). Art Teacher Education (Lehramt) requires C1-level German (Goethe C1, DSH 2, TestDaF TDN 4, or telc C1).

Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.

Campuses & locations

Eiskellerstraße campus

Main academy building at Eiskellerstraße 1, 40213 Düsseldorf - studios, workshops, library, administration

Akademie-Galerie

Public gallery space at Burgplatz 1, 40213 Düsseldorf - exhibits works by faculty and graduates

Living in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia and a major centre for contemporary art, fashion, and finance. Home to Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, the K20 and K21 museums of the Kunstsammlung NRW, and a dense gallery district, the city has long been a hub of the German art market. It is well connected by ICE rail and has an international airport, making it accessible for students travelling from abroad.

Student life & support

Students have access to 13 equipped artistic workshops (including facilities for sculpture, printmaking, photography, and stage design), a specialist library and archive, and theoretical seminars. The AStA (general student committee) and StuPa (student parliament) represent student interests. SPARTA (Room R216) is an independent, cross-class space used for student-organised lectures, workshops, and projects. The academy supports international mobility through a studio space in the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, a summer programme at the College for Art and Music in Montepulciano (Italy), and travel stipends.

International Office [email protected] International students page →

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Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

About Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

Key facts

Study programmes

Kunst - Lehramt an Gymnasien und Gesamtschulen (Ein-Fach), B.Ed.

Kunst - Lehramt an Gymnasien und Gesamtschulen (Ein-Fach), M.Ed.

Kunst - Lehramt an Gymnasien und Gesamtschulen (Zwei-Fächer), B.Ed.

Kunst - Lehramt an Gymnasien und Gesamtschulen (Zwei-Fächer), M.Ed.

Admissions & fees

What it costs

Admission requirements

Application deadlines

How international applicants apply

Languages of instruction

Scholarships at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

Anschlussperspektiven – PP-Stipendium für Studentinnen

Atelier in der Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris

BAföG (keine Studiengebühren an staatlicher Kunstakademie)

BEST GRUPPE Kunstförderpreis

Bundespreis für Kunststudierende

Cusanuswerk (für Kunsthochschulen)

Deutschlandstipendium an der Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Stipendium

KfW-Studienkredit / Bildungskredit / DAKA-Darlehen

Kolleg für Kunst und Musik Montepulciano (Labor der Künste / SummerLab / Kurzresidenz)

Konrad-Krieger-Stipendium

Kunststipendium der apoBank (Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank)

Projektförderung der Freunde und Förderer der Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

PROMOS-Stipendien für Auslandsaufenthalte (DAAD)

Provinzial Kunst-Stipendium

Reise-Stipendium der Gingko-Foundation und des Art Hotel Ufer

Reisestipendien des Kunstvereins für die Rheinlande und Westfalen (mit Kulturstiftung Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf)

Stipendium der Gaul-Stiftung

Stipendium der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung

Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (Nominierung durch Akademie)

Van-Rinsum-Stipendium

Campuses & locations

Living in Düsseldorf

Student life & support

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Kunstakademie Düsseldorf?