On this page you will find information about studying and applying to Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Studying at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, founded in 1915 by Paul Thiersch, means learning different forms of action and design, formulating points of view and trying out artistic forms in the field of tension between the diverse disciplines of art and design. The aim is to develop your own artistic language and attitude or your own repertoire for solving design tasks.
Studying here at the BURG also means entering into dialogue with others, discussing in a team, experimenting in the studio - and all this on a campus whose facilities are unparalleled in Germany. At the same time, the BURG's international network offers a wide range of opportunities to establish contacts in other countries. Dedicated lecturers and staff support the approximately 1,000 students in projects, seminars and individual discussions, in studios and workshops, in an interplay of theory and practice.
The degree programme ends with a Diplom or State examination in the Art Faculty and a Bachelor of Arts in the Design Faculty, which can be followed by a Master's degree. Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle also supports its graduates after graduation with scholarships, counselling, alumni exhibitions and support for setting up a business at Designhaus Halle.
Choosing to study at the BURG means taking the risk of freedom, taking responsibility for the path you have chosen, savouring your freedom and shaping it in equal measure. It also means utilising the opportunities to reflect on the world we live in, to take a stand, to actively shape things and life, to transform one's own observations, observations and thoughts into visually tangible worlds.
The BURG offers ambitious young people a broad spectrum of artistic and theoretical teaching and a place where they can test and professionalise their skills in intellectual exchange and practical collaboration with university lecturers and fellow students.
Visionary thinking and design beyond commercialisation contexts are encouraged, as is the development of practical professional skills. In the spirit of art and design, freedom is offered and individual and unconventional paths are encouraged. With their ideas and works, their visions and positions, students are encouraged to contribute to the social discourse as mature, critical and independent individuals. The broad-based basic training in theory and practice, well-equipped laboratories and workshops, research and project plans - also in cooperation with institutions and companies – and interdisciplinary networking and discourse form the framework for this.
Our staff at the Study information centre are ready to listen and provide detailed information on all degree programmes. A visit to the annual exhibition or the study information day as well as individual portfolio counselling also provide a wide range of insights.
The BURG offers eleven study programmes in the study courses Painting/Graphics, Sculpture and Art Education. The degree programme concludes with a Diplom, while graduates of the Art Education course are awarded the First State Examination.
The standard period of study is 10 semesters, of which 4 semesters are completed in the foundation course and 6 semesters in the main course. The two-year foundation course provides students with the starting point for intensive study in their chosen degree programme. The 'Grundlagen' fundamentals are studied on an interdisciplinary basis and across all degree programmes.
All students have permanent studio spaces at their disposal where they can experiment and explore their own formal language. Every year in mid-July, at the end of the academic year, the workrooms are transformed into exhibition spaces for the annual exhibition, in which the projects and works are presented.
The standard period of study for study courses in the Art Faculty is ten semesters. The degree programme concludes with a Diplom in Fine Arts.
The Design Faculty offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes. The Bachelor's programme at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle leads to a B.A. degree after eight semesters. A subsequent Master's programme lasts two semesters, while a Master's programme in another design discipline is usually completed in four semesters.
For all study courses, the curriculum always includes intensive 'Grundlagen' fundamentals training as well as design and art scientific components in addition to the specialist studies.
Die BURG bietet im Fachbereich Kunst elf Studienrichtungen in den Studiengängen Malerei/Grafik, Plastik und Kunst/Lehramt an. Das Studium schließt mit dem Diplom ab, im Studiengang Kunst/Lehramt erhalten die Absolvent*innen das Erste Staatsexamen.
Die Regelstudienzeit beträgt 10 Semester, wovon 4 Semester im Grundstudium und 6 Semester im Hauptstudium absolviert werden. Durch die zweijährige Vermittlung der Grundlagen im Grundstudium erhalten die Studierenden den Ausgangspunkt für ein intensives Studium in ihrem gewählten Studiengang. Die Grundlagen werden interdisziplinär und studiengangsübergreifend studiert.
Allen Studierenden stehen feste Atelierplätze zur Verfügung, an denen experimentiert und die eigene Formsprache erforscht werden kann. Jährlich Mitte Juli, zum Ende des Studienjahres, verwandeln sich für die Jahresausstellung die Arbeitsräume in Ausstellungsräume, in denen die Projekte und Werke präsentiert werden.
Der Fachbereich Design der BURG bietet fünf Bachelor-Studiengängen in acht Studienrichtungen sowie zehn Master-Studiengängen an. Die Regelstudienzeit der Bachelorstudiengänge beträgt an der BURG acht Semester. Dies ist bundesweit eine Seltenheit und gleichzeitig ein Privileg, denn so kann ein vertieftes Studium der künstlerischen und gestalterischen Grundlagen absolviert werden.
Die Grundlagen des Fachbereichs Design werden interdisziplinär und studiengangsübergreifend vermittelt. Auch die semesterübergreifende Projektarbeit hat an der BURG einen hohen Stellenwert.
Allen Studierenden stehen im Semester feste Atelierplätze zur Verfügung, an denen studiert und experimentiert wird. Mitte Juli verwandeln sich bei der Jahresausstellung zum Abschluss des Studienjahrs die Arbeitsräume in Ausstellungsräume, in denen Werke und Ergebnisse präsentiert werden.
Applications for an undergraduate degree programme are again possible from 1 December 2025.
Note: For Bachelor degree programmes in the Design Faculty, the application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 2 p.m.
The application deadline for the Faculty of Art already passed on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
The entrance examinations will take place digitally and on site 2026.
Online registration for Master's applications is open for internal applicants for the 2026 summer semester from 1 October to 15 November 2025.
External applicants can only apply for Multimedia Design M.A., Interior Architecture M.A. and Furniture and Interior Design M.A. in the summer semester.
Online registration for Master's applications is open for internal and external applicants for the 2026/27 winter semester from 1 April to 15 May 2026. The entrance examination for external applicants is only possible for the Interior Architecture M.A. and Furniture and Interior Design M.A. programmes in the summer semester. Applicants who have obtained their BA at BURG are also welcome to apply for the winter semester.
You can find detailed information on the application process here.
If you are interested in applying for one of our study programs, please take note of the following important information: The entrance examination and all of our study programs are conducted in German. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take the entrance examination only if you have sufficient proficiency in the German language, at least at the B1 level, to avoid any misunderstandings. For admission, you will need to provide proof of your German language skills. Accepted certifications for sufficient German language proficiency include the DSH certificate (Level 2) or the TestDaF (with a minimum score of Level 4 in all sections).
VPD - Preliminary review documentation. Please submit your school-leaving certificates (university entrance qualification) directly to the agency uni-assist to receive the VPD - preliminary review documentation. You can apply through their website: https://my.uni-assist.de/. Uni-assist will evaluate your documents and issue a certificate confirming whether your qualifications meet the requirements for university admission in Germany. This certificate is called the VPD - preliminary review documentation. If your school-leaving certificate does not meet the necessary requirements, you will receive the certificate reflecting this outcome. However, we kindly ask that you still submit the certificate. If you can demonstrate exceptional artistic talent, there may still be an opportunity for you to enrol at BURG.
Proof of sufficient German language skills is required. For the entrance examination, we recommend having at least a B1 level. However, for admission, you must provide proof of German language skills at a C1 level. This can be done by submitting a DSH certificate (level 2) or a TestDaF certificate (level 4 in all test sections).
Pre-study internship. This is required only for undergraduate studies in the degree programs within the Design department. The duration of the pre-study internship depends on the specific study program to which you are applying. More information here.
Successfully passed Entrance Examination of our university (artistic and creative skills)
1. Please complete your online registration and submit your application documents, along with your digital portfolio, on the portal: my.burg-halle.de.
2. Your application documents and portfolio will be reviewed, after which you will receive a notification from the BURG via the portal my.burg-halle.de.
3. Entrance Examination and interview
4. Decision on the application with notification by BURG via the application portal my.burg-halle.de.
Kindly note that the entire application process, including all related information, emails, and notifications, will be conducted in German.
More Information here!
