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Application

  • General information

    Applicants can apply from 15th November 2024 to 28th February 2025 for the following study programs:

    • Fictional Direction (Department III)
    • Documentary Direction (Department  IV)
    • Editing (Department III and IV)
    • Media Production (Department V)
    • Screenplay (Department VI)
    • Cinematography (Department VII)
    • Visual Effects (Department VII)

     

    Trigger warning for applicants for a degree at the HFF

    Filmmaking means getting deeply involved with reality, whether we are working in the documentary, hybrid or fictional field. It is an exploratory journey into the worlds, fantasies and emotions of other people and of ourselves. It is also an exploration of diverse ways of thinking, ideologies and systems. This includes dealing with one's own limits and possibilities, as well as one's own (pre)judgments. It can be painful, with ups and downs. Within our seminars, we show future filmmakers examples of relevant, controversial or forgotten films from film history as well as current film examples. There are always films that contain racist or sexist language and depictions that deal with forms of violence, including sexualised violence, and abuse or the oppression of individuals or classes, poverty, exploitation and suffering. Often in an enlightening or accusatory sense, sometimes, especially in older films, also affirmatively. We always strive to contextualize these film examples and classify them from a critical perspective. For many reasons, however, it is important to us to show you the entire range of cinematic work and to subject it to a new consideration. Only then, can we sharpen and develop our own positions. We would like to encourage future filmmakers to be open towards and confront problematic, socially relevant issues, as this is part of our responsibility as filmmakers. We will not leave you alone with this task.

    Mandatory Courses

    For students at HFF München mandatory are courses in:

    • Media Studies (Department I)
    • technology (Department II)

     Please note: the HFF Munich does not accept applications for these departments.

    In-Depth Courses

    Additional courses are offered in the following fields:

    • Television Journalism
    • Advertising
    • Creative Writing
    • Serial Storytelling
    • Image, Light, Space

      Please note: the HFF Munich does not accept applications for these departments.

    Degrees

    The HFF Munich awards a diploma after the successful completion of one of our degree programs. A bachelor or master degree is not awarded.

    Study Start and Duration

    Yearly, each degree program begins in the winter semester.  Each degree program is designed for nine, full-time semesters.

    Tuition Fees

    The HFF Munich does not charge tuition. However, both national and international students must pay a Munich  Student Union fee of approximate 85,00 €  per semester.

    Application Period

    Yearly, the application period begins on November 15 and closes on February 28 of the following year. 

    The application period for the winter semester 2024/25 starts on November 15, 2024 and ends on February 28, 2025 (deadline).

    Application Procedure

    The initial  application procedure (first round) requires two steps:

    1. All requested documents must be submitted online on the applicant's portal. Then, the candidate will be guided from the applicant's portal to the application task portal.
    2. All tasks must be uploaded in the application task portal.

    Please note: the current application tasks are posted online on the German site only. The application tasks must be fulfilled in German.

    From the initial applications received, the HFF Munich chooses candidates for the second round of the application procedure. Candidates will receive either an invitation for the second round or a rejection notice from the HFF Munich.

     

    Applicant's Portal

    The application for the first round of the admission procedure for the winter semester 2024/25 must be uploaded in our  applicant's portal and in the application task portal

      

    Admission Requirements

    A German university entrance qualification is needed to apply to the HFF Munich. Uni-assit determines if a foreign degree certificate or diploma  qualifies to higher educational studies in Germany.   A candidate will receive a preliminary review documentation  (VPD) from uni-assit that  shows if the candidate is eligible to apply to the HFF Munich.

    If the candidate’s degree certificate or diploma does not grant direct admission to higher education studies in Germany, the candidate must attend a Studienkolleg before applying to the HFF Munich.

    See here "Applying with Foreign Certificates of Qualifying Education" for additional information.

    If there are further questions, please contact the registrar's office: studierendensekretariat@hff-muc.de.

    Application tasks 

    The application tasks for the admission procedure can be found under the category "Bewerbungsaufgaben" on HFF Munich’s German site.

    Language Proficency

    The HFF Munich requires a German language proficiency to be at least the equivalent of the second level (B2) of the German Language Diploma of the European Framework.

    Student Housing

    The HFF Munich does not provide student housing. Student housing is centrally assigned by the Munich Student Union

    Financial Options

    Information and advisory can be found at the international office.

    Student Advisory Service

    Additional information about HFF Munich’s degree programs is provided at the  student advisory service.

    Please look also at the FAQs

    Open Day

    Information about the Open Day is available at the German HFF Home Site and on Facebook.  To stay up-to-date,  please like the HFF Munich on Facebook.

  • Application procedure

    The application procedure for winter semester 2024/25 in an online procedure for all degree programs.

    The application period for the winter semester 2023/24 starts on 15th of November 2023 and ends at 28th of February 2024 (deadline).

     The initial  application procedure (first round) requires two steps:

    1. All requested documents must be submitted online on the applicant's portal. Then, the candidate will be guided from the applicant's portal to the application task portal.
    2. All tasks must be uploaded in our application task portal.

    Please note: the current application  tasks are posted online on the German site only. The application tasks must be fulfilled in German.

    From the initial applications received, HFF Munich chooses candidates for the second round of the application procedure. Candidates will receive either an invitation for the second round or a rejection notice from the HFF Munich.

     

  • Dates for applications

    Yearly, the application period begins on November 15 and closes on February 28 of the following year.

  • Applying with foreign certificates of qualifying education

    Foreign educational certificates are all foreign certificates of education that have not been acquired in the German education system.

    Before applying at the HFF Munich, candidates must have all foreign education certified to be the same as the university entrance qualifications acquired in Bavaria, Germany. The certification needed is called “VPD“ (preliminary review documentation /Vorprüfungsdokumentation) and can only be issued by uni-assist .

    Please note: without a VPD by uni-assist, access to the application process at the HFF Munich is not possible.

    Also, if a candidate has already started studying at a German university, the foreign educational certificates must still be recognized by uni-assist.

     

     Uni-assist e.V.

     

    Uni-assist e.V. is the central point of contact for applicants with international educational certificates. Uni-assist e.V. processes and evaluates international student applications.

      

    Application Procedure

    Candidates must follow the guidelines from uni-assist to have their foreign educational documents recognized.  The first step is the application for a preliminary review documentation (VPD) at uni-assist via uni assist’s online applicant’s portal My assist.

    Applicant's Number

    Please note: the number assigned from uni-assist  is not identical with the candidate’s number obtained in the applicant’s portal on HFF Munich’s website.

    Required Documents

    Required documents are all foreign degree certificates or diplomas that qualify a candidate for higher education studies in the respective country of origin.  This includes courses and grades (i.e., a transcript).

    Please note: if documents are not issued in German or English, they generally must be translated in German or English.  All translations for uni-assist must be certified.

    Please note: if an international candidate decides to apply for a study program at HFF Munich, then applying via uni assist’s “My assist”from is mandatory. Therefore, registration in My assist and an upload of all documents should occur as soon as possible.

     

    Applicants from Mongolia, Vietnam and PR of China

    Please apply with your original APS certificate.

    University Entrance Allowance Abroad

    Please apply with the certificates of your university entrance allowance examination passed abroad and / or the letter of admission of your foreign university.

    University Certificates From Foreign Universities, Colleges etc.

    Please apply with all foreign certificates of higher education studies (e.g., colleges, universities, etc.). The corresponding overview of subjects and grades per semester and year of study (e.g., transcripts, academic certificates, index, etc.) must also be submitted.

    All university semesters completed or currently being completed in Germany must be verified by means of matriculation certificates.

     

    Having Passed the Feststellungsprüfung (Studienkolleg)

    If the Feststellungsprüfung at a Studienkolleg in Germany has already been passed, the candidate should send this certificate to th HFF Munich. One can apply with a G-course certificate for the degree programs in Departments III, IV, VI, and VII. A W-course certificate is needed for Department V. 

      

     Processing time

    Currently, uni-assist  needs at least 8 weeks to check a candidate’s educational certificates. Please submit certificates to uni-assist when one would like to apply to the HFF Munich.

    Please note: the candidate is responsibile that all documents can be checked by uni-assist in time.

    Handling Fees

    Uni-assist charges handling fees for processing and evaluating application documents. Fees must be paid prior to the checking procedure. Information about the current fee rates and payment methods can be found here.

    Please note: uni-assist begins to process an application only after a full payment and a complete online application has been received. Candidates with foreign educational certificates who apply at HFF  without preliminary review documentation (VPD) will be rejected on formal reasons by the HFF Munich

     Preliminary Review Document (VPD)

     If all required documents have been submitted, uni-assist will issue the preliminary review documentation (VPD). Uni-assist will send the VPD via e-mail.

    Please provide uni-assist with a current e-mail address.

     The VPD indicates if 

    1) A candidate can directly apply to the HFF Munich. If this is possible, then

    the candidate must upload the VPD along with the complete application documents in the HFF Munich`s applicant’s portal by February 28 (annual cut-off date ).

     2) A candidate must attend the Studienkolleg to qualify to complete the necessary qualification to apply to the HFF Munich.  If the VPD shows a university entrance qualification for the Studienkolleg, please send the VPD together with a CV and the study program the candidate wants to apply for at the HFF  Munich to the registrar`s office.

    3) A candidate is not qualified to apply at the HFF Munich.  If further information is necessary, please contact the registrar’s office.

    Studienkolleg

    If a candidate’s foreign degree certificate or diploma does not qualify them for higher education studies in Germany, the candidate must first attend courses at the Studienkolleg and then pass the exam called Feststellungsprüfung at a Studienkolleg .

    Course Assignment

    International school and university degrees must be recognized by uni-assist.e.V. as equivalent to the general university entrance qualification acquired in Germany. After certificates have been checked by uni-assist e.V. a candidate receives a so-called preliminary review documentation (VPD). If the VPD shows a university entrance qualification for the Studienkolleg please send the VPD together with a CV and the study program the candidate wants to apply for at the HFF Munich to the registrar`s office.

    Enrollment

    A candidate cannot directly apply to the Studienkolleg. After checking a candidate’s  VPD and CV, the registrar`s office will send the candidate a letter of acceptance for the Studienkolleg (a so-called ) with an invitation to the entry test at the Studienkolleg at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München.

    Duration

    The duration of the Studienkolleg is 2 semesters with 30-34 hours of class per week. Studying at Studienkolleg means being a full-time student and attendance is mandatory.

    Schedule

    In order to be eligible for admission to Studienkollg the entry test in German has to be be passed by all candidates. After being admitted to the Studienkolleg, students will attend a specific program (either G-Kurs or W-Kurs) that corresponds to their desired study program at the HFF Munich. During attendance, candidates will be enrolled at the LMU München and will take a final exam called the  Festsstellungsprüfung at the end of the second semester  By passing this exam a candidate is entitled to apply for admission at the HFF München.

    Language skills

    Language admission requirement for the entry test is level B1+ / B2 at the level of the German Language Diploma of the European Framework.

    Matriculation fee

    Although attendance at the Studienkolleg is free, students must buy all study material and books needed (approximately 50 € per semester). All students are required to pay a semester fee at the time of enrollment (currently, 147,00 € per semester).

    Additional entry tests

    To be eligible for admission to a W-Kurs, a candidate must pass an additional entry test in mathematics. Candidates for the G-Kurs and W-Kurs must pass a test in English to demonstrate knowledge in the English language.

    Admission requirements

    After receiving the "Zuweisungsschreiben" from the HFF Munich, a candidate must apply as quickly as possible for a valid visa category D for the purpose of studies.  Upon admission at the LMU München, health insurance is necessary.

    More information can be found here.

    Contact

    For more information please contact the registrar`s office at the HFF München. More information can be found here.

    If a state-recognized vocational training or at least 36 months of full-time relevant professional internships has been completed and exceptional talent and aptitude is demonstrated in the aptitude test, the HFF Munich may allow an exceptional application.

    Vocational trainings completed abroad and professional internships must be evaluated for recognition.

    If a candidate wants to apply with these certificates, please send a copy of the foreign vocational certificate and/or proofs of full-time professional internship with a CV before the end of November of the current application period by e-mail to the registrar`s office.

    Please note: all pages of the certificates are required (including the front and back page of the certificate).

  • Applicants with educational certificates from the Federal Republic of Germany

    HFF Munichs´s admission requirements for candidates with German educational certificates can be found here.

  • Application tasks

    All application tasks must be fulfilled in German. The application can only be found on the HFF Munich’s German site. The application process begins yearly on November 15.  The assessments tasks (the second step of the application) must be completed and uploaded by February 28.

    Candidates are required to complete two steps of the application by:

    1. Uploading all required documents online in HFF Munich’s applicant's portal. The candidate is guided directly from the applicant's portal to the assessment task portal.
    2. Processing the tasks in the assessmenttask portal.

    Answers to the most common questions can be found in the FAQs.

    For additional questions concerning the formal admission requirements for application, please contact our Registrar’s office.

    For any unanswered questions, please contact our Admissions Counsellor.

  • FAQ – Frequently asked questions

    Here you will find the answers to questions shared by many applicants. For any additional queries, please contact our Admissions Counsellor.

    QUESTIONS about your application

    Which degree programs are offered at HFF Munich?

    HFF offers the following degree programs:

    • Fictional Direction (Department III)
    • Documentary Direction (Department IV)
    • Editing (Departments III and IV)
    • Media Production (Department V)
    • Screenplay (Department VI)
    • Cinematography (Department VII/k)
    • Visual Effects (Department VII/VFX)

    Does the HFF offer a degree in Television Journalism?

    No, the HFF Munich does not offer a separate degree in television journalism.

    Does the HFF offer a degree in VFX?

    Yes, the HFF Munich offers a degree in Cinematography with a Concentration in Visual Effects (VFX).

    Does the HFF offer a degree in editing?

    Yes, the HFF Munich offers a film editing degree either in the Feature Film and Television Feature Department or in the Film and Television Documentary Department

    Does the HFF Munich offer acting classes?

    No.
    In Munich, acting can be studied at the Hochschule für Musik – und Theater (Theaterakademie August Everding) or at the Otto-Falkenberg Schauspielschule.

    When is the Open Day?

    Usually in mid-Januar. The exact date will be posted on our website.

    Which qualifications are necessary to apply to the HFF Munich?

    Specific qualifications can be found here:

    https://hff-muenchen.de/en_EN/bewerbung#bewerber-mit-internationalen-bildungsabschluessen

    When is the application period?

    HFF Munich posts the assessment tasks on its website yearly on November 15.  The assessment tasks must be completed and uploaded by February 28.

    Where are the assessment tasks?

    Here.

    How often can one apply to the HFF?

    Only two applications per degree are accepted.  An exception may be possible if the department chairperson gives permission for a third application.

    Does the HFF Munich accept applications for different degree programs simultaneously?

    Yes.  All application forms and documents (application form plus the assessment task solutions) for each separate degree program must be submitted. On each program application form, candidates must note the other degree program to which the candidate is applying for.

    Will the school grade point average determine acceptance?

    No. Admission to study at the HFF Munich is based solely on qualification and aptitude.

    Is there an age limit for the application?

    No, there is not an age limit.

    How important are internships for the application?

    The HFF Munich does not require candidates to have had (experienced) an internship.  If one wishes to learn more about filmmaking or wants to determine if the degree program is one’s professional calling, internships and/or personal projects can be valuable.

    Can one transfer into the program? Can one transfer into an advanced level and skip the intermediate examination? 

    No, HFF Munich does not permit a transfer.  All applicants must take part in the annual admission procedure.

    How does the HFF select the candidates for admission?

    The HFF Munich preselects candidates from the submitted application portfolios.  These preselected candidates are then invited to the main selection procedure.  The main selection procedure consists of a multi-day aptitude test, in which the candidates receive a series of new tasks and an opportunity to introduce themselves to the selection committee.

    Are there application films or courses preparing for the entrance examination?

    No. Neither of these exist.

    Are additional works accepted with an application?

    Only those required in the application tasks should be sent.

    Can one apply immediately after secondary school?

    Yes.

    Do all foreign degrees qualify to apply to the HFF Munich?  Where and how can the degree be assessed for the application?

    All foreign certificates must be checked by uni-assist. For more information, click here.

    What happens if the university qualifying certificate is not recognized?

    If a preliminary review documentation (VPD) is not granted from the uni-assist, then it is not possible to apply to the HFF Munich.

    Are German skills necessary?

    Yes. The HFF Munich requires very good German language skills at least at the level of the German Language Diploma, Second Level (B2) of the European Framework.  Documentation of this skill will be evident.  All application documents must be submitted in German.  Also, all lectures and examinations are held exclusively in German.

    However, a language certificate does not have to be submitted in the admission procedure for the winter semester 2025/2026

    Does the HFF offer German courses for applicants?

    No. The  Goethe Institute in Germany and abroad offers German language courses.

    Is there an age limit for the application?

    No, there is not an age limit.

     

    QUESTIONS concerning the actual application process (important in the application period from November 15 – February 28)

    How should a candidate’s current studies be indicated?

    Choose from the two options given: "studies completed" or "studies discontinued".
    If a candidate is currently enrolled in a study program, please select the option "Studies discontinued" and upload a current enrollment certificate.

    What should be selected if the selected if the applicant´s current study program is not on the list?

    Select the first entry: -

    Can an application still be submitted even if the recognition is not yet completed.?

    Yes. Please upload the notification from uni-assist on which the date of submission is noted.  Initially, the HFF Munich will send a formal rejection if a preliminary review documentation (VPD) is not uploaded.  The possibility to appeal this rejection exists.  The candidate has four weeks to upload the VPD.  After four weeks, the candidate will no longer be considered for the admission procedure.

    How can a candidate apply for more than one degree program when uni-assist only allows one selection?

    A candidate should choose at uni assist one degree program to apply for.  By returning to the applicant’s portal, a candidate can then apply for additional degree programs with the preliminary review documentation (VPD).

    Please note: a VPD in humanities/art (Geisteswissenshaften/Kunst) will not be accepted for the degree program “Media Production” and the VPD in Business (Wirtschaft) will not be accepted for any other program except “Media Production”

    When is the second round of the application?

    The dates will be posted under "Deadlines and dates" ("Fristen und Termine") as soon as known.

     

    QUESTIONS about the degree programs

    Is it possible to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree at the HFF Munich?

    Neither. For the completion of its degree programs, the HFF Munich issues only diplomas.

    Which degree does the HFF issue?

    The HFF Munich issues a diploma. The required study program comprises a core curriculum that is completed by passing an intermediate examination (prediploma) and the major studies that are completed with the diploma.

    How long do study programs at the HFF Munich take?

    The standard period of study is nine semesters. However, this period can be extended by leaves of absence, for example for semesters abroad

    Does the HFF Munich offer study programs in English?

    No, there are no separate programs in English.

    Is it possible to complete a doctorate program at the HFF Munich?

    Since 2013, the HFF Munich offers a single doctorate program in Media Studies. For more information, click here.

    Does the HFF Munich charge tuition?

    Students pay only a Student Union fee of 85,00 € per semester. Foreign students pay the same fee as German students.

    Does the HFF Munich grant student scholarships?

    No, the HFF does not grant scholarships. If admitted, one can apply for a variety of external scholarships.  See here for available scholarships.

    Does  the HFF Munich have student housing?

    No, student housing is centrally assigned by the  Munich Student Union.

    Can courses be audited at the  HFF Munich?

    Yes, new auditors are admitted each winter semester. Application forms for the current year are available from June/July here. Auditors are not offered a final exam and do not acquire a student status thru auditing. The auditing fee is 100 € per semester (for the attendance of up to five weekly class hours: Guest studies

     

    QUESTIONS concerning the HFF's Open Day

    When is the Open Day at the HFF Munich?

    Every mid-January, the HFF Munich offers an Open Day. The date of the current Open Day can be found here by the end of November. For more informations please contact our website.