Folkwang

_How to apply

 

Application deadlines

 

For the winter semester: May 1st (Nomination from your home university: by April 15th) 

For the summer semester: December 1st (Nomination from your home university: by November 15th)   

 

Application process

 

Once you have been nominated by the International Office of your home university, please send your complete application documents, consisting of:


1. Application form
2. Curriculum Vitae | CV
3. Letter of motivation
4. Artistic work samples (as a link, see explanation below)


by e-mail by the application deadline in ONE pdf document to international-office@folkwang-uni.de

 

Music and Performing Arts:
Please send us a link to your video recordings (3 pieces of 3-5 minutes each).

 

Design:
Please send us a link to your portfolio in pdf format (max. 30MB, named with last name, first name_degree program).

 

How to create a link with your work samples:

 

a. Link via video platform

Upload your video file to one of the popular video platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.). Depending on the platform, you can make settings that restrict the visibility of your recordings (e.g. deactivate the public listing on YouTube), so that only people who possess the link can access the video. But if you do so or set a password for the link, please ensure that the link is still usable for us and that you provide us with the password, if necessary.

If you want to provide several individual videos, you can also create a playlist or showcase with your videos in the respective video platform and then provide the link to this playlist or showcase in the application. (Instructions for YouTube can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10232933?hl=en-GB and https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3127309?hl=en-GB-- Instructions for Vimeo can be found here: https://vimeo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004610668-The-video-manager and https://vimeo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/228908367-Showcases) 

 

b. Link via Cloud

Upload your file/s to one of the usual cloud storage solutions (e.g. Dropbox, GoogleDrive, OneDrive, iCloud Drive). If you set a password for the file/s, please ensure that the link is still usable for us and that you provide us with the password, if applicable. In addition, the link has to be usable for people who do not have an account with your cloud provider or who are not logged in.

https://vimeo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/228908367-Showcases)

Please also note:

_Check the accessibility of your link in a private/incognito browser window before adding it to your application to ensure that we can retrieve your content. (Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/de/kb/privater-modus or Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464).

_Your video recordings do not have to be of professional quality; a smartphone recording is sufficient. Please ensure, however, that you record the sound in the highest quality possible.

_When uploading to a cloud, please make sure to use common file formats such as PDF, DOC or MP4.

  Contact information


Folkwang University of the Arts
International Office
Klemensborn 39
D-45239 Essen-Werden

Tel: +49-201-4903-307international-office(at)folkwang-uni.de
For faculty 4 | design, photography

Folkwang University of the Arts
Campus Zollverein | Quartier Nord
Faculty for Design
International Office
Martin-Kremmer-Str. 21
D-45327 Essen

Tel: +49-201-6505-1408
wallenzus(at)folkwang-uni.de

 

 

 

_Before arrival 

Visa

Students from countries within the EU do not require a visa to enter Germany. Students from other countries of origin should check in good time, e.g. on the website of the Federal Foreign Office, whether they require a visa. There, you will also find information on how to apply at the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad. Please also bear in mind that the application process can take several weeks or months. It is best to make an appointment as soon as you have been admitted to the exchange program at Folkwang.
Please note: Entry with a tourist or visitor visa is not sufficient for study purposes!

Health insurance

All students at a German university must have valid health insurance. For enrolment at Folkwang, electronic notification of your insurance status from a German statutory health insurance provider is required - even if you have an EHIC or are privately insured in Germany. For more information, check our enrolment requirements.


Students from the EU: For a stay of one to two semesters, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you can obtain from your health insurance provider in your home country, is usually sufficient.


Students from countries outside the EU: Find out whether health insurance is already required for the visa application. It is often possible to take out German health insurance from abroad. Otherwise, it is advisable to take out health insurance when you arrive in Germany at the latest.


There are public and private health insurance companies in Germany. Public health insurance companies bill doctors and pharmacies directly if you present your insurance card. Privately insured persons must pay bills themselves and then apply for reimbursement from the insurance company. Private health insurance companies sometimes advertise favorable conditions for international students, but often offer fewer benefits than statutory insurance companies. This may mean facing high costs in the event of illness or accident. Check the conditions of these insurance policies carefully before you sign a contract. It is not possible to switch from private to statutory insurance during your studies.

Accommodation

We guarantee affordable student accommodation for all exchange students who are accepted for our programmes (approx. 300 Euro per month). This is offered by the Studentenwerk Essen-Duisburg.
Please apply online until July 31st  for the winter semester or January 31st for the summer semester. (We recommend that you select the Essen location).
You won’t need to attach any other documents than a copy of your passport and your letter of acceptance. Four to five weeks after confirmation of your application you will receive your room offers.

ATTENTION: Please do not forget to confirm the answer on your application by e-mail!

To reserve your room, you will need to transfer a deposit of approx. 400-600 euros to the Studentenwerk; they will demand the payment of you. You will get your money back after you leave, as long as your room is left in good condition. The money will be transferred to your bank account.

If you would like to look for a room in a shared flat instead, you can find options online.

Living expenses

You should calculate monthly living expenses including rent of 934 Euro at the moment in Germany.

Transport

The closest airports are in Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Köln-Bonn and Frankfurt. From there you can reach Essen easily and comfortably by Deutsche Bahn. Travel time from Frankfurt Airport to Essen main station is around 2.5 hours. The airport Duesseldorf is approx. 20 minutes away from Central Station of Essen. Please have a look at our visitor’s page to find out about connections to our University as well as to our Bochum and Duisburg campus locations.

IMPORTANT! Please inform our International Office about your precise arrival date and time.

_On Arrival: First steps  

Please visit the International Office first!

Accommodation

If you have reserved a place in a Studierendenwerk student dorm, please make an appointment in good time before your arrival to sign the contract and hand over the keys. Moving in is only possible from Monday to Friday and not on public holidays.

More information on moving into a Studierendenwerk dormitory can be found here.

Registration | Residence permit

Students with EU/EEA citizenship: You do not need a residence permit, but must register at the Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving into your apartment or dorm. If you live in Essen, you can make an appointment via the website of the Bürgeramt Essen. If you live in a different city, please contact the Bürgeramt there.

The following documents are usually required for registration:

_Passport

_Rental contract

_Confirmation from your landlord (you can download a template here)

If you do not speak sufficient German, please bring someone with you to translate. Registration cannot be completed in English.

Students with non-EU citizenship: You must register with the Foreigners' Registration Office/Ausländerbehörde at your place of residence in Germany within two weeks of moving in. If you have entered Germany without a visa or your visa is not valid for the entire duration of your stay, you must also apply for a residence permit there.

The following documents are usually required for this:

  • Passport
  • Visa, if you entered with a visa
  • Biometric passport photo
  • Certificate of enrolment from Folkwang University of the Arts (can be downloaded from the Folkwang Organizer once you are enrolled)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Rental contract
  • Confirmation from your landlord (you can download a template here)
  • Proof of financial resources

For students with non-European citizenship who are already studying in another EU country, there is a different registration procedure which the International Office will help you with. Please prepare the above-mentioned documents and contact the International Office as soon as possible.

Bank account

After your arrival in Germany, you should open a German bank account. This is usually free of charge for students. Most banks require your confirmation of registration from the Bürgeramt or the Foreigners' Registration Office (see above).

How do I get to Folkwang University of the Arts? 

You can find directions to and campus maps for all of our locations here.

Enrolling at Folkwang University of the Arts

You can enrol at Folkwang approximately one week before the start of the semester. Exchange students from the Department of Design should enrol at the Quartier Nord campus. All other students enrol at our main campus in Essen-Werden. Please bring your passport or identity card with you to enrol.

Before enrolment, you also need to submit electronic notification of your health insurance status through a German public health insurance provider - even if you have an EHIC or private health insurance in Germany. 

Student Life

Take a look at the student life section of our website for information about student life at Folkwang, e.g.:

_Free entry to Folkwang concerts, exhibitions and events
_Mensa/dining hall and café on campus
_University sports

 

_Before departure

We will issue you with a transcript of records for all examinations taken at Folkwang. Please collect all module certificates and certificates of achievement that you have obtained at Folkwang and present them to the Examinations Office. 

Please also remember the following before returning home:

  • Students in the Design Department should hand in their magnetic cards and keys if necessary
  • Moving out of the hall of residence: Arrange an appointment for moving out and handing over the keys with the hall of residence administration at least two weeks in advance. The deposit will be transferred to your bank account approx. 8 - 10 weeks after the end of your contract.
  • Terminate contracts (health insurance, cell phone...) in due time!
  • Deregister at the Bürgeramt/foreigners' registration office
  • Cancel your mandatory Rundfunkbeitrag/ broadcasting fee "subscription"


We hope that you have fond memories of your time at Folkwang. We look forward to your feedback!

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