Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Founded
- 1857
- Students
- 800
- International
- 40%
- Programmes
- 42
About Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stutt
The Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart (HMDK Stuttgart) is the oldest and largest university of music and performing arts in Baden-Württemberg, founded in 1857. With approximately 800 students drawn from around 50 countries, it offers 37 accredited degree programmes across four faculties and 11 institutes in the fields of music, theatre, puppetry, and the performing arts.
The university operates its own Wilhelma Theatre, houses a collection of eleven organs in various historical styles, and runs more than 500 public events per year. It maintains approximately 90 international partner universities and reports an internationalisation rate of 40%, reflecting a strong emphasis on student and staff mobility.
Admission to all degree programmes is based primarily on artistic aptitude demonstrated through an entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung) rather than solely on prior academic qualifications. The university awards approximately 250 graduates annually and attracts around 85,000 visitors to its events each year.
Oldest and largest university of music and performing arts in Baden-Württemberg, founded 1857
~800 students from approximately 50 countries, with a stated internationalisation rate of 40%
37 accredited degree programmes across 4 faculties and 11 institutes
Operates its own Wilhelma Theatre and a unique collection of eleven organs
Approximately 90-100 international partner universities; active Erasmus+, DAAD, and Fulbright scholarship programmes
Admission based on artistic entrance examination - a standard school-leaving certificate is not always required
Key facts
- Type
- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen
- Founded
- 1857
- Students
- 800
- International
- ~40% internationalisation rate; students from approximately 50 countries
- Faculties
- 4
- Programmes
- 42
Study programmes
42 accredited degrees at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stutt.
Showing 1–24 of 42 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
As a public university in Baden-Württemberg, HMDK Stuttgart charges no general tuition fees for first-degree students from EU/EEA countries. All students pay a semester contribution of €176.50 (as of Summer Semester 2025), comprising an administrative costs contribution of €80.00 and a student services contribution of €96.50. Non-EU/non-EEA international students are subject to the Baden-Württemberg non-EU tuition fee (currently €1,500 per semester under state law); the university's fees regulations PDF and an information form for international students detail the exact amounts. Additional fees may apply for second-degree programmes and concert examinations.
Admission requirements
Admission is based on an artistic entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung); a standard school-leaving certificate is not always required - applicants without one sit an approximately 2.5-hour aptitude test covering written and oral components. A non-refundable application processing fee of €50 per application applies. All applicants must demonstrate at least German B2 by the time of enrolment; certain master's programmes require C2. Indian applicants must register with the APS (Academic Prüfstelle) at the German Embassy in New Delhi before the visa stage. Chinese applicants must provide either an APS certificate from the German Embassy in Beijing or a non-evaluability certificate. Certain international qualifications (Gaokao, Turkish YKS, Korean and Taiwanese aptitude tests) may substitute for the internal aptitude test component. Application deadlines (published for upcoming cycles): Winter 2026/27 - 2 March to 1 April 2026; Summer 2027 - 1 October to 2 November 2026; Winter 2027/28 - 1 March to 2 April 2027. Most programmes start in the winter semester; Acting begins exclusively in the summer semester.
Application deadlines
Winter semester: application window opens 1-2 March and closes 1-2 April each year. Summer semester: application window opens 1 October and closes 2 November. Specific published windows: Winter 2026/27 (2 Mar - 1 Apr 2026); Summer 2027 (1 Oct - 2 Nov 2026); Winter 2027/28 (1 Mar - 2 Apr 2027). Acting degree starts in summer semester only; most other programmes are winter-semester entry.
How international applicants apply
Not used. Registration for the entrance examination (Aufnahmepruefung) is exclusively online via the HMDK's own application portal during the application windows, plus printed signed forms and documents sent by post to the examination office within seven days after the deadline; EUR 50 processing fee per application. No uni-assist or VPD is mentioned in the official application pages.
Languages of instruction
Instruction is primarily in German. Bachelor's and master's applicants must hold at least German B2 before completing enrolment; some master's programmes (e.g. Music Pedagogical Research) require C2. No fully English-taught degree programmes are listed; language support is available through the Vespa network and the university's international office.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stutt publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Stuttgart
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
From the university
Student housing is managed externally through the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart.
Campuses & locations
Urbanstraße 25, 70182 Stuttgart - primary teaching, concert halls, studios, and administrative offices
Opera and theatre performance venue operated by the university in Stuttgart
Living in Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Württemberg and home to approximately 630,000 residents, making it one of Germany's major economic and cultural centres. The city hosts the headquarters of Daimler, Porsche, and Bosch, and is known for a strong arts scene anchored by the Stuttgart Ballet, Stuttgart Philharmonic, and the State Opera. It offers excellent public transport, a compact and walkable city centre, and relatively good student housing availability through the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart.
Student life & support
International students are supported by the International Office (contact: [email protected]; Erasmus and scholarships: Sarah-Kay Shehata). The office coordinates incoming and outgoing exchange through approximately 90-100 partner universities, Erasmus+ mobility funding, DAAD prizes, Deutschlandstipendium, and Fulbright scholarships. German language courses are available via the regional Vespa network (semester-length and intensive formats); students also have access to free Speexx e-learning software covering German, English, Spanish, and French. Student housing is managed externally through the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart. The university's calendar includes over 500 events per year, providing performance opportunities from the first semester onward.
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