Degree Course I (9 semesters)
The Nine Semester Undergraduate Programme in Media and Fine Art (since summer 2011, before called Audio-Visual Media) is subdivided into two study periods: a Foundation Study Programme (semesters 1 to 3) and a Main Study Programme (semesters 4 to 9). The 9th semester generally includes the final examination for a diploma.
Note: The courses are held in German!
Foundation Study Programme
The Foundation Study Programme places particular value on giving students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the entire spectrum of creative, technical and media disciplines, without specializing in any one particular subject area. At the same time, however, they are required to complete a compact structure of introductory courses, theoretical and historical seminars and classes with the aim of gaining a realistic overview of the diversity and complexity of the media landscape. On the basis of a first independent project at the end of the 4th semester, undertaken either individually or in groups, each student's ability to continue their studies on into the specialized Main Study Programme is assessed. (This project also serves as an important part of the intermediate examinations.) According to the results of the assessment, they will then decide upon the area of specialization for their final diploma project.
Main Study Programme
The Main Study Programme concentrates on the intended field of creative professional work (such as directing for film and television, desktop publishing or video design) and on possible creative disciplines such as photography, holography and spatial design or experimental film. This part of the programme is primarily designed for the development of projects and demands a high level of motivation and ability from the student to produce work independently and creatively. The Main Study Programme also allows the Audio-Visual Programme to expand in two specific directions: in the theoretical and historical section, students will have the opportunity to supplement the courses offered at the Academy of Media Arts by enrolment in related seminars at universities and other academies, or to improve their scientific abilities through participation in colloquia, workshops or symposia; a wide selection will aid students in making a choice essential to their own specialized requirements.
In the second period of study, the specialized seminars should and can take the form of collaborative work with museums, art galleries, production companies, television broadcasters, etc. (also in the form of work experience or more extensive work placements). By virtue of its overall structure, the curriculum ensures that students from different backgrounds and with different interests can realize their potential and achieve the qualification they require. The two ends of this spectrum might be characterized on the one hand by students who wish to concentrate on a particular area of specialization, (such as artistic photography, applied telematics or film direction), and on the other by students keen to avail themselves of the whole range of creative media practice.
A well balanced course programme is just as possible as an individual course programme focused exclusively on one area of specialization. For this reason, the flexibility of choice between the seminars of the Foundation Programme and the Main Programme is an indispensable element. The division of the course into two periods of study applies mainly to the aesthetic and technical parts of the workshop, studio and lab work.
A high-level course of study demands, over and above the basic organisational plan, a flexible time-frame, to allow creativity to unfold and realize its full potential. For this reason, the study workload has been reduced to an essential and sensible level. On average, students are required to enrol in three courses per semester. However it should be noted that projects place significantly more demands on time than a seminar or an introductory course.
Entry requirements for the 9 semester undergraduate programme: higher education entrance qualification / baccalaureate (Further information in the application forms)