International Students at FABW

From autumn 2023, the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW) is offering English-language project-based studies in various subject focus areas, and thereby opening its doors to international students.  

On this website, prospective students can find the key facts about the subject focus areas, the qualifications required for admission, and the application process.

APPLY by 28 April 2023

FABW in figures

1
students
(68 from abroad)
1
international
study courses
1
international
partner institutions
1
lecturers & guest teachers
1
employees
1
films in all genres and formats each year

Interesting facts about FABW

Education of the highest standard

FABW is one of Europe’s leading film schools. 412 top experts in the film and media industry from Germany and further afield provide a strong practical focus. Since the Academy was established in 1991, the institution’s development has been guided by a pioneering project-oriented teaching concept. Each year, the interdisciplinary project teams produce 254 films in all genres, and these regularly win prizes at film festivals, among them 7 Student Academy Awards (Student Oscars). Studying at FABW prepares students in the best possible way for successful careers in the film and media industry, and provides you with a great basis for developing a unique industry network.

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Technology: state of the art

At FABW, extensive access to cutting-edge production equipment – from recording technology, studios and post-production to presentation and cinema equipment – is guaranteed. The technical infrastructure is the state of the art in terms of industry standards, and also incorporates future technological developments through a close collaboration with the Research & Development department. Our students enter the job market armed with experience of working with the technology of tomorrow.

Campus: home base of opportunities

The campus is the only one of its kind in Europe and is home to the Filmakademie and its Animationsinstitut, as well as the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris (ALP) and the Academy of Performing Arts (ADK) all next door to each other. Countless opportunities for interdisciplinary and trans-media networking, and for gaining skills and qualifications open up for students here. The numerous interdisciplinary works are just as important a part of the student experience at the Filmakademie as the large programme offering with international partner universities and in-house events. For example, FABW is responsible for organising FMX, one of the world’s most influential conferences on digital entertainment.

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Perfect Match?

What awaits you

Learning by doing
Here, you learn to make films through a balanced mixture of theory and practice.

Interdisciplinary education
You develop your film projects as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes representatives of all film-making crafts.

Access to an industry network
You establish valuable contacts and build a network in the film and media industry.

High artistic standards
Thanks to generous financial support, students achieve high artistic quality in their final examination films.

Developing your personal style
FABW offers a protected space for developing your creative identity.

What you need

Personal characteristics 
Open-mindedness, cosmopolitan personality, ready to work with people with different world views and cultural backgrounds.

Prerequisites 
Degree in a related discipline, practical prior knowledge in the field for which you’re applying.

Motivation 
Searching for the professional specialisation that would be perfect for you, full of drive, pioneering spirit and passion for the best idea.

Mindset 
Ambitious and confident personality, team player when realising projects, ready for the multi-faceted challenges of the next 2.5 years.

Range of Courses

FABW Advertising Film Producing
Advertising Film Producing
Read More
FABW Executive Line Producing
Executive & Line Producing
Read More
FABW TV Journalism
Film Journalism
Read More
FABW International Producing
International Producing
Read More

Hard facts about
project-based studies

Application deadline28.04.2023 – postmark date applies
Teaching languageEnglish
Start of studiesWinter semester (September 2023)
Standard period of study4 semesters + 1 diploma semester

Please note that this is a full-time course and that it is usually not possible to work part-time alongside your studies due to the demands on your time.
Final degreeWhen you successfully complete the course, you are awarded a Diplom degree from the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.

"The academies are tertiary education institutions. The successful completion of four years of studies at the Filmakademie (...) is equivalent to a comparable, qualifying certificate of a state-run art college."
Study fees for international studentsEU citizens: no study fees
Non-EU citizens: €1,500 per semester
Please note that the state of Baden-Württemberg has been charging fees for second degree courses since winter semester 2017/2018 in cases where the first degree was completed in Germany.
Admission requirements 1
Evidence of general/subject-linked university entrance qualification and of a pre-diploma, diploma, Bachelor or Master degree (officially certified) in a related discipline – please take into account special prerequisites and specialist fields in every subject focus area.

2
Evidence of practical industry experience through:
- reference letters
- certificates
- work contracts

3
A work sample that represents you and your creative approach, in accordance with the requirements of the respective subject focus area – please take into account special tasks in every subject focus area.

STUDENT COST
OF LIVING IN LUDWIGSBURG

AN ORIENTATION

Personal needs and expenditures are individual.

Download an overview of the minimum spendings you should calculate for living and studying in our region:

Application process & procedure

1
Online registration
Online registration is open for applications for the academic year 2022/23.


Apply now
2
Application documents
Please send the signed application form with the required evidence (internship certificates, certified attestations) and the corresponding work samples to the FABW postal address.

Confirmation of receipt of the submitted application will be issued within a period of around 4 weeks.

Information about the date of the admission exam will follow.
3
Preselection & invitation to the admission exam
An examination board will look through and evaluate the application, including the submitted work sample, without the applicant being present.

After passing the preselection stage, you will receive an invitation to the admission exam (April/May).
4
Admission exam
The admission exam begins with a one-to-one interview between you and the departmental head.

After this interview you will be given an examination task on a set topic, which must be completed within 72 hours.
5
Oral examination & feedback
You present the result of your 72-hour task before the examination board, which is made up of the senior lecturers from all departments.

A discussion of around 15 minutes then follows.
6
Admission
Within 8–10 days, you will receive a letter by post informing you whether you have passed the admission exam and are granted admission to study here.

Apply Now

Register online here

INFO ABOUT APPLYING

Here you can download general information and a checklist of application documents

Any questions?

For questions regarding the application process and admission requirements, please contact Lucy-Ann Bauer:

Get In touch

Any questions about studying at FABW?

Our Admissions Office will be delighted to hear from you:
studienreferat@filmakademie.de

Specific questions about the subject focus areas?

You’ll find contact details on the study course’s respective specialisation page.

Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH

Akademiehof 10
71638 Ludwigsburg 

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