Requirements for incoming students
International applicants can find the following information here:
- Recognition of foreign school certificates and where to apply (Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart for German applicants with foreign certificates, Studienkolleg Konstanz for foreign applicants)
- Additional certificates for applicants from China, Vietnam and Mongolia
- Required German language skills and recognised certificates
- Entry and stay in Germany, including visa application, proof of financial means and health insurance
- Registration formalities after arrival at the Residents' Registration Office and the Foreigners' Registration Office
- Tuition fees for non-EU/non-EEA citizens
Certificate recognition
If you did not complete your school-leaving certificate in Germany or at a German school abroad, you must have your certificate recognised before applying. During the recognition process, the relevant authority will check whether you can study at a university of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg with your school-leaving certificate and will convert your grade to the German grading system. You will receive a certificate of recognition, which you can use to apply to the HdM. Note: Please note that it may take some time for your certificate to be recognised. You should therefore allow enough time to submit your application on time.
Foreign applicants who have obtained their school-leaving certificate in Germany or at a German school
In this case, no certificate recognition is required; you can apply directly to the HdM with your German certificate.
Please note, however, which other documents you will need for your application regarding residence permit/visa.
German applicants with a foreign school-leaving qualification
You must have your higher education entrance qualification recognised by the Regional Council in Stuttgart before applying. You can find all information on this under the link:
Website of RP StuttgartForeign applicants with a foreign school-leaving qualification
Applicants from abroad must provide some additional documents: You must enclose a certificate of recognition with your application, for enrolment you need proof of your German language skills and a residence permit/visa.
You must have your certificate recognised by the Studienkolleg in Konstanz. You can find out which documents are required and exactly how the process works here: http://www.htwg-konstanz.de/Studienkolleg-Konstanz.107.0.html
Allow enough time for the certificate recognition, as this process can take several weeks depending on how busy the Studienkolleg is.
If the Studienkolleg Konstanz determines during the examination that your school-leaving certificate does not fulfil the requirements for direct admission to the university, you can attend the Studienkolleg for one year and take an assessment test at the end. If you pass this successfully and the subject focus matches the degree programme, you can apply to the HdM.
Please note: You only need to have your certificate recognised by the Studienkolleg Konstanz if you wish to apply to a university of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg. Applications to universities or colleges in other federal states have different requirements.
Information for applicants from China, Vietnam and Mongolia
In addition to the required documents, applicants from China, Vietnam and Mongolia must also submit the original certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) to the Studienkolleg Konstanz in order to have their certificate recognised. The certificate can be applied for at the German embassy in your home country.
The APS certificate is mandatory - even for applicants who are already in Germany. A certificate from the APS can only be waived if you have previously been granted admission to study in Baden-Württemberg and have passed the assessment test or the German language test (DSH).
In addition to the recognised certificate, you will also need proof of your German language skills and a residence permit/visa.
Application for a Master's programme with a foreign Bachelor's degree
If you would like to apply for a Master's degree programme and have completed your undergraduate studies abroad, you must have your degree certificate recognised by the Studienkolleg Konstanz. You can find out which documents are required and exactly how the process works here: http://www.htwg-konstanz.de/Studienkolleg-Konstanz.107.0.html
Allow enough time for the certificate recognition, as this process can take several weeks depending on how busy the Studienkolleg is.
In addition to the recognised certificate, foreign applicants also need proof of their German language skills and a residence permit/visa.
Special features and criteria
The language of instruction in the courses at the HdM is predominantly German (with the exception of the English-language degree programmes "Print Media Technologies" and"Social Media Marketing & Management"). German language skills are very important for your academic success. You must therefore provide proof of your German language skills before starting your studies.
Proof recognised for the application is, for example
- TestDaF certificate, if at least TDN 4 has been achieved as an average in the four parts of the exam
- German language examination for university admission for foreign applicants (DSH-2)
- Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs Level II
- Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom of the Goethe-Institut
- Central Upper Level Examination of the Goethe-Institut (ZOP)
- Grand German Language Diploma of the Goethe-Institut (GDS)
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2 - Large German Language Diploma
- telc German C1 University
- German exam PNDS
- German assessment test at a German preparatory college
- School-leaving certificate from a German school abroad with predominantly German-language lessons
Further information on recognised language certificates can be found in the"Framework Regulations on German Language Examinations for Studies at German Universities" and the resolution "Admission of Foreign Applicants with Foreign Educational Qualifications to Study at German Universities: Proof of language proficiency" of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.
Citizens from non-EU/non-EEA countries
- You successfully apply to the HdM and receive a letter of admission.
- In your home country, you apply for a visa to enter Germany at the German Embassy / German Consulate - for this you will need the letter of admission from the university as well as proof of funding for living costs in Germany and health insurance.
Find out what the conditions are for your home country and note that visa applications can take several weeks to process. - In Germany, everyone is required to register: When you arrive, register your German address at the residents' registration office (Bürgerbüro) and you will receive a registration certificate. Then apply for a residence permit for study purposes at the relevant immigration office with your valid visa.
- You must present your registration certificate, residence permit for study purposes and proof of language proficiency at the university's study office by the start of your studies at the latest.
Tip: Information on residence permits can be found on the Baden-Württemberg service portal (German and English).
Citizens of EU / EEA states / Switzerland
- You successfully apply to the HdM and receive a letter of admission.
- In accordance with the freedom of movement regulations, you can stay within the EU for study purposes without special authorisation - you only need to be in possession of a valid passport.
- In Germany, registration is compulsory for everyone: When you arrive, you must register your German address at the residents' registration office (Bürgerbüro) and you will receive a registration certificate.
- You must present your registration certificate and proof of language proficiency at the university's study office by the start of your studies at the latest.
Further information on studying in Germany:
- DAAD (German and English): https://www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/bewerbung/en/9199-visas/
- University Compass (German and English): https://www.hochschulkompass.de/en/degree-programmes/prerequisites-for-studying/citizenship.html
Tuition fees apply to international students who are not citizens of one of the following countries:
- Germany
- EU member states
- EEA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
This regulation applies to all students of this origin who enrol for an undergraduate Bachelor's degree programme or a consecutive Master's degree programme.
Regulations regarding the Tuition fees for international students in the amount of 1500 € per semester
Information form for the assessment tuition fee exemption for international students (non-EU / non-EEA)
From application to visa
Step by step to the HdM
The preparation list for a stay abroad is long. We have summarised all the important steps and hurdles. At the end of this journey, we would like to welcome you to an unforgettable time studying at the HdM.
Contact us
International Office
You can reach us here
Hochschule der Medien
Nobelstraße 10
Main building, room 123-125 (1st floor)
70569 Stuttgart
Counselling by appointment only
Please make an appointment using our contact form.
Student Services & Examination Office
You can reach us here
Hochschule der Medien
Nobelstraße 10
Modulbau 3, room m063
70569 Stuttgart
Advice by appointment only
International degree programmes Social Media Marketing & Management and Print Media and Packaging Technologies