General information

Application deadline

15 September to 15 October 2025 for the summer semester 2026
Please note: Applications are only accepted every two years.

• admission requirements

  • Proof of exceptional artistic talent
  • Language skills German C1 according to CEFR

• Duration of studies

  8 semesters, not modularised (no credit points)

   

• Degree

  Absolvent*in (Abs.) of the Berlin University of the Arts 

   

Your application – step by step

All of the steps listed below must be completed within the application period for the respective study programme. We recommend that you submit your application as early as possible within the application period so that you can clarify any questions that may arise with our StudyGuide in good time.

• 1. Payment of the application fee

  Fee per application: EUR 30.00 (plus fees for international transfers)

  Proof of payment: bank statement or transfer confirmation with value date

  Kasse der UdK Berlin
  Berliner Volksbank
  IBAN: DE 72 1009 0000 8841 0150 46
  BIC: BEVO DE BB XXX
  Payment reference: 35/01036, study programme, name, application number
  
  Berliner Volksbank eG
  Budapester Straße 35
  10787 Berlin
  Germany

  For international transfers:
  Please ensure that you cover all transfer fees incurred (OUR – sender pays costs) when making the transfer.

• 2. Prepare documents as PDF files

  During the application process, you will be asked to submit formal documents. Please prepare these as individual PDF files (max. 5 MB each).

  Formal documents:

  • Curriculum vitae
    Written by yourself, if possible including your own expectations of the programme
    Note: No photo is required.
  • Language skills German C1 according to CEFR
  • Proof of payment of application fees
  • Application for a higher semester / change of university: 
    Transcript of records

• 3. Create an application account

  Register and verify your identity (if you have not already done so) on the UdK Berlin application portal: https://my.udk-berlin.de

• 4. Submit an application

  Log in to the application portal (https://my.udk-berlin.de) and submit an application for admission to your desired study programme within the application period and upload the formal documents.

Application procedure

The application procedure consists of two steps: pre-selection and entrance examination.

• Pre-selection:
  An initial selection is made on the basis of the texts or scenes submitted during the application period.

• Entrance examination:
  Selected applicants will receive an invitation by email. The examination usually takes place at the end of January / beginning of February and consists of a trial seminar and an in-depth interview. The interview will focus on the work samples you have submitted as well as your own interests and expectations of the programme.

• Information on pre-selection

  All four tasks must be completed and uploaded within the upload deadline. Only complete documents can be processed.
  The specified page requirements must be strictly adhered to. One page is defined as 2,000 characters, including spaces.
  The tasks and your own texts may also be submitted in English. However, the working language of the seminars in this programme is German.
  No AI-based tools (ChatGPT or similar) may be used when writing the texts. The use of such unfair methods will be considered an attempt at cheating. A signed waiver must be submitted. A sample letter can be found here.

  The texts you submit will be read thoroughly by the admissions committee. If you pass the pre-selection process, you will receive an invitation to the entrance examination by mid-December 2025 at the latest.
  The entrance examination will take place on 28 and 29 January 2026 in Berlin. Please keep both days free. The programme begins in the summer semester on 1 April 2026, lasts four years (8 semesters) and is a full-time programme.

  The artistic work samples (all four tasks) must be uploaded to the Bemus upload portal.

  Bemus	https://bemus.udk-berlin.de/
  upload deadline	15 September 2025 till 15 October 2025 11.59 p.m. (MESZ)
  File format	PDF
  File size	500 MB
  file set	2 (Tasks 1 to 4 must be submitted in one file.)
  Maximum file size	1 GB
  Labelling	Surname_First name_Application number.pdf

  The tasks will be published on 29 August 2025.

   

• 1st task: your own dramatic text (no guidelines provided)

  This text can stand alone as a scene or short play. It can also be an excerpt from a play that is still in progress or already completed. If applicable, please add a brief description of the context.

  Formal requirements:

  • 8–10 pages
  • No monologues
  • Max. 20,000 characters, including spaces

   

• 2nd task: a scene according to specifications (writing task)

  Write a dialogue with a turning point between at least two people in a specific situation, developing one (or more) of the following differences that could lead to conflict:

  1. Generational difference
  2. Difference in background
  3. Difference in political beliefs
  4. Difference in status
      

  Formal requirements:

  • 3–5 pages with two to three people
  • Maximum 10,000 characters, including spaces

• Task 3: another scene

  Let one of the two attached images of Yoko Ono and John Lennon (WAR IS OVER! IF YOU WANT IT) inspire you to create another scene. You are free to choose the setting and theme. Your text does not have to relate to the image itself or its content. The main focus is on what the image triggers in you artistically. The connection between your scene and the image is purely associative.

  Formal requirements:

  • 3 - 5 pages at least two people
  • max. 10,000 characters including spaces
     

  Image 1
  Image 2

   

• Task 4: Analysis of a given piece

  Comment on the play DIE UNVERRÜCKBAREN (The Unshakeables) by Sèdjro G. Houansou. Briefly describe what appeals to you and/or what you view critically! Relate yourself and your writing to the text! What connections – similarities and differences – do you see with your own texts?

  Formal requirements:

  • 2–3 pages
  • max. 6,000 characters including spaces
     

  DIE UNVERRÜCKBAREN von Sèdjro G. Houansou