Information for students

Studying at Burg Giebichenstein

Burg Giebichenstein is a modern art and design university that combines elements of a design school, an art academy and a media university. It is renowned internationally and can boast well-equipped studios and workshops for almost all technical and craft processes.

The standard course duration in the Art faculty is ten semesters. The course of study leads to a ‘Diplom’ degree in fine art.

The Design faculty offers bachelor’s and master’s courses. Bachelor’s courses at Burg Giebichenstein take eight semesters and lead to a B.A. degree. A follow-on master’s course takes two semesters, while a master’s programme in a different design discipline generally takes four semesters.

In all courses, intensive training in fundamental skills and elements from design/art studies are always part of the curriculum alongside the study of the respective major discipline.

Master’s courses

The application deadline for master’s courses is 15 May and, for certain courses, 15 November too. Master’s courses can be started in the summer or winter semesters.  

The master’s courses at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design are directed at graduates of bachelor’s or ‘Diplom’ courses with an artistic/design emphasis. All applicants have to take a course-specific entrance test; interested graduates of other disciplines who have relevant qualifications may also be admitted to a master’s course after taking this test. Most courses also require proof of relevant practical placements or comparable practical experience along with this test.

The objective of every master’s course is the preparation of an individual master’s thesis. Upon successful completion of this thesis, students receive the title of Master of Art. The duration of the course is flexible and depends on the number of semesters of the degree previously completed: the duration can range from a two-semester course (if applicants have a four-year bachelor’s degree in the same subject with 240 ECTS credits or a comparable ‘Diplom’ degree) to a four-semester course (if applicants have a three-year B.A. degree or ‘Diplom’ degree in the same subject, or for graduates of other artistic/design disciplines or other areas).