Academy of Media Arts Cologne
Köln, Germany
Quick facts
- World rank
- Unranked
- Acceptance rate
- —
- Students
- 400
- International students
- 40%
- Institution type
- Public
- Founded
- 1990
Overview
Founded in 1990, the Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln (KHM) – Academy of Media Arts Cologne – is a state specialist art academy offering the interdisciplinary study programme 'Mediale Künste' (Media Arts). The programme is available as a 9-semester Diplom 1 or 4-semester Diplom 2, both internationally equivalent to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA). The curriculum spans animation, camera, experimental film, sound, photography, video, performance, computing, net art, queer studies, multispecies storytelling, literary writing, screenplay and direction for documentary and feature films. A doctoral programme (Dr. phil.) in art and media studies is also offered. Approximately 400 students, at least 40% international, work in professionally equipped ateliers, studios and labs in central Cologne. Graduates work as artists, filmmakers, designers, programmers, writers and producers.
Fields of study
- Animation / 3D
- Computational Thinking & Aesthetic Doing
- Globalisierungsdiskurse und digitale Transformation
- Literarisches Schreiben
- Sound
- Transformationsdesign
- Spielfilm / Regie
- Dokumentarfilm
- Fernsehformate
- Drehbuch
- Bildgestaltung / Kamera
- Kreatives Produzieren / Produktion
- Filmgeschichte / Filmtheorie
- Experimenteller Film
- Künstlerische Fotografie
- Malerei / Skulptur
- Multispecies Storytelling
- Netze
- Videokunst / Performance
- Zeitgenössische Kunst / Globaler Süden
- Kunstwissenschaft mit erweitertem Materialbegriff
- Queer Studies in Künsten und Wissenschaft
- Transversale Ästhetik
Accreditation: Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen
Admissions requirements
- IELTS (minimum)
- —
- TOEFL iBT (minimum)
- —
- GPA (minimum)
- —
- Intakes
- Winter Semester
- Application deadlines
- Annual application window: late October to January/February for Winter Semester entry
- Rolling admissions
- No
- Admissions contact
- studoffice@khm.de
Requirements differ between programs. Check the program page and the university's admissions office for the latest criteria.
Tuition & costs
International students
Free / semester
From about Free / year
Domestic students
Free / semester
No tuition fees. Semester contribution of approximately 375–400 EUR per semester covers the Deutschlandsemesterticket (nationwide public transport), Studierendenwerk contribution, and equipment insurance.
Tuition varies by program. Confirm with the university before applying.
Programs
| Program | Level | Duration | Tuition | Deadline | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediale Künste (Diplom 1) (opens in a new tab)German, English · Full Time | Bachelor's | 54 months | Varies | Varies | Winter semester |
| Mediale Künste (Diplom 2) (opens in a new tab)German, English · Full Time | Master's | 2 years | Varies | Varies | Winter semester |
| Promotionsprogramm (Dr. phil.) (opens in a new tab)German · Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Varies | — |
Information last verified Oct 3, 2026. Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Fees, deadlines and requirements change — always confirm with the university.