Study Goals
Media and Fine Art Studies
The Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM), inaugurated in 1990, offers an educational concept that cross-links and integrates the fields of film, art and theory in one single degree course titled Media and Fine Art (since summer term 2011, before called Audiovisual Media). This is unique in Germany and contrasts with the traditional academic class or master student principle of art academies and other art schools where study courses are divided into classes or subjects.
The curriculum promotes an interdisciplinary and multifaceted engagement with media arts. A three-semester fondation imparts the basics of theory and artistic practise. A six-semester main course concentrates on individual specialisations in artistic disciplines based in the spheres of film and art. The KHM offers direct access to the sixth semester to students with a degree from another art school or university or with the relevant practical experience not less than two years. This foursemester course also leads to the award of an Academy of Media Arts Cologne diploma and is postgraduate in character. Specializing in disciplines ranges from, for example photography, feature film, documentary and experimental film, animation, video and light art, design, sound, scenography, experimental informatics, sculpture, art in public space and architecture to theory, aesthetics and the history of machines, the arts and the media. The major study areas are organized in fields, and during their studies students can individually select their areas of interest and interdisciplinary combinations as desired. Student work is project-orientated and takes place in workshops, studios and labs, accompanied by lectures and seminars that convey the historical and theoretical basics of media arts.
The KHM has on average 360 students a year, who are intensively tutored by an international team of professors and colleagues, as well as by a network of fellows and guest lecturers. The ongoing collaboration - with national and international academies, cultural institutions, festivals, exhibition organizers, as well as the media and film industry - promotes and enhances the teaching.
The curriculum at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne offers two qualification levels, each concluding with a degree.
The KHM also offers a Doctoral Programme leading to a PhD in philosophy ("Dr. phil.").
Application requirements
There are different admission requirements and application dates for the above-mentioned courses of study.
Begin of studies
All studies begin annually in the winter semester, approx. 60 students are accepted.
Application deadlines
End of January / beginning of February. The exact application deadline is announced in October by the student office or can be found on the website www.khm.de, where application forms are also available.
Admission requirements
Higher education entrance qualification and confirmed artistic skills are required for all courses of study.
4-semester degree course (II): A completed degree course in an area relevant to the intended postgraduate course of study or two years practical work experience in art and design.
Fees
approx. € 230 per semester for AStA, student services, NRW ticket, health insurance, etc.
The courses offered in the fields of film – art – theory (art and media studies)
Film
— Animation
— Documentary
— Dramaturgy
— Script
— TV formats
— Camera
— Directing for television
— Production expertise
— Directing
— Sound
— Feature film
— Cartoon
Art
— Animation
— Design
— Experimental film
— Experimental informatics
— Photography
— Graphics
— Holography
— Hybrid space
— Interactive dramaturgy
— Sound
— Art in public space
— Light media
— Painting/drawing
— Mise-en-scène / installation / video art
— Media art
— Multimedia
— Performance
— Surveillant Architecture
— Scenography
— Video
Theory (art and media studies)
— Aesthetics
— Experimental informatics
— Film studies
— Communication studies
— Art theory / Art history in a media context
— Media studies
— Media and cultural studies [gender]
— Theory and design of the hypermedia
The broad spectrum of classes is reflected in the course catalogue, which is published each semester.
In addition, students gain experience in communicating and presenting their artistic projects at the annual showcase of student work, annual exhibition in summer, through the Academy of Media Arts’ participation at exhibitions, fairs, and festivals, as well as presentations in cinemas or on television.