OPEN CALL: Diploma in Media Arts Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM)

The Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) is a renowned state university and introduced the Media Arts degree program when it was founded in 1990. The program is offered as a nine-semester undergraduate degree (Diploma 1) and a four-semester postgraduate degree (Diploma 2) and is comparable to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in an international context.

In Cologne, studios, laboratories, and workshops offer around 400 students—at least a approximately 40 per cent of whom are from abroad—an inspiring environment for their individual artistic development. The interdisciplinary, project-oriented curriculum allows students to freely choose and combine artistic specialisations, thus promoting a high degree of autonomy. Through close cooperation with national and international universities, cultural institutions, festivals, and the media and film industry, students are specifically prepared for careers as artists, filmmakers, programmers, or media professionals.

Application deadlines
Diploma I: February 2, 2026 / Diploma II: January 21, 2026

All applicants take part in an application procedure, in which samples of artistic/design work are submitted (e.g. videos/films, photographs, computer graphics/animation, drawings, texts, compositions, music videos).

Applicants to the nine-semester course (1) are asked to interpret a given theme in artistic and written work. The Abitur (or an equivalent school-leaving certificate) is prerequisite. Applicants without a relevant school-leaving certificate can be accepted if the commission takes the view, based on the submitted documents, that they are especially suitable to take on study at the KHM. As part of the application to the four-semester postgraduate course (2), prospective students are required to produce an outline for a potential project.

The most important information about the Media Arts programme at a glance:
–One programme, two paths: undergraduate (nine semesters) or postgraduate (four semesters).
–Freedom instead of a rigid structure: interdisciplinary, individually combinable—your artistic project takes centre stage.
–Start & application: Always in the winter semester. Apply with work samples that demonstrate your artistic aptitude (application period: January/February for a start in October).
–Costs: Around 375 euros per semester (including social contributions, semester ticket, insurance, etc.).
–Language: German, some teaching is in English.

Artistic focuses can include—from A to Z: Whether animation, sound, photography, film, performance, net art, literary writing or queer studies—you will find your way here. Examples: Art and media studies/Queer studies, Animation/3D Animation, Art in public spaces, Artistic photography, Camera/Image design, Contemporary Art/Global south, Direction for feature films and documentaries, Experimental film, Experimental computer science/Net art, Literary writing/Screenwriting, Live directing/TV formats, Multispecies storytelling, Sound art, Video art/Performance.

More Info here