If you have come to Germany as a refugee and are interested in beginning or continuing your studies at Folkwang University of the Arts, we would like to offer information and support.
Information on our commitment to Ukraine as well as projects and support options for refugees (e.g. information on entry to Germany, accommodation options and social security benefits) is available here.
If you meet the admission requirements, you can apply for any study course. Information on the admission requirements and the aptitude test can be found on the "Basic Info & Application" page of the study course in question. One of the prerequisites for admission is passing aptitude test for that study course.
For general information on how to submit an application, take a look at our website on our application process.
Folkwang University of the Arts would like to support refugee students in continuing their studies as quickly as possible. In individual cases and as long as places are available in the respective faculty, we can offer students a short-term stay as a "free mover" or as a guest auditor for one or two semesters.
Students who are enrolled at a university outside Germany may apply for a temporary stay at Folkwang as a free mover. Free movers can attend courses in their chosen degree course and take exams. They are registered as students, so they ´receive a student ID card as well as a semester ticket. However, their studies are limited to one or, at most, two semesters.
Prospective students with a refugee background who are already in Germany and are not concurrently studying at another university may apply for a temporary stay as a guest auditor. Guest auditors with a refugee background have the opportunity to take part in individual and small group lessons and to take exams. However, they are not enrolled as students, i.e. they do not have student status. Guest auditor status is granted for the duration of one semester at a time.
Participation in individual and small group lessons outside of a regular study course - i.e. as a free mover or guest auditor - is limited to a maximum of two semesters. Prerequisites for admission are available places in the desired course of study and, if applicable, with the desired instrument, a complete and timely application, and the passing of a small entrance examination or audition. The application deadline is May 1st for the following winter semester and December 1st for the following summer semester.
Guest auditors who do not wish to participate in individual or small group lessons may apply through the regular application process for guest auditors instead.
If you are interested in becoming a free mover or guest auditor, please contact the Student Advisory Service
For refugees who do not have all of their documents with them, other ways of documenting or assessing their educational career may be accepted.
For more information, please contact the Student Advisory Service with details of your desired study course, your educational background and whatever documentation you have.
Folkwang University of the Arts does not offer German language classes. Refugees may choose to take German lessons as part of an integration course (e.g. at the local Volkshochschule/VHS).
Depending on the type of school-leaving certificate, applicants from Ukraine usually have to prove that they have successfully completed one or two years of study at a university in order to be able to apply to a German university. You can check the requirements for specific certificates here.
At universities of the arts, however, admission to many undergraduate (e.g. bachelor's) courses is also possible for applicants who do not meet this requirement if they have exceptional artistic talent. Check our "Basic Info & Application" website for your chosen study course to see if this applies.
Exceptional artistic talent can be demonstrated in the aptitude test, which is part of the application process for all applicants to Folkwang University of the Arts.
Some German language skills are generally required; the degree of proficiency that you need to have depends on your chosen study course. This information can be found on our "Basic Info & Application" website for the study course in question.
If you have not reached the required level of German proficiency yet, admission as a free mover (for one or two semesters) or as a guest auditor may still be an option. For more information on this, contact the Student Advisory Service.
If you meet the admission requirements, you can apply for any study course. Information on the admission requirements and the aptitude test can be found on the "Basic Info & Application" page of the study course in question. One of the prerequisites for admission is passing aptitude test for that study course.
Once you have passed the aptitude test and enrolled as a student, you can submit an application for recognition of examination performances. This is a way to receive credits towards your study course at Folkwang for classes you have taken at a different university. In order to be recognized, these academic achievements must be equivalent (especially regarding learning outcomes, academic level, workload and profile of the study course) to the corresponding classes at Folkwang University of the Arts. Depending on the extent of this recognition, it is then possible to enter a higher semester.
If you do not have your transcript of records or comparable documents with you due to the current crisis, please contact the Student Advisory Service (studienberatung(at)folkwang-uni.de) for more information.
If you have questions or need help with your application, you can reach the Student Advisory Service by phone, by e-mail or in person, during our open consultation hours
Mon - Thu, 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. in room V015, Essen-Werden Campus
There is no need to sign up for a consultation in advance, drop-ins are welcome.
Department Studies and International Affairs | Student Advisory Service | International Office