Media and Fine Art

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35 Jahre Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln

Diploma program in Media Arts: When it opened in 1990, the KHM introduced the diploma program in Media Arts. It is offered as a 9-semester program (undergraduate, Diploma 1) or a 4-semester program (postgraduate, Diploma 2). In an international context, it is comparable to an MFA (Master of Fine Arts). It is interdisciplinary in nature: contemporary art media, painting, animation, photography, film, video, performance, sound, or literature, developed with analog, digital, generative, or interactive technologies, can be combined or developed into artistic specializations. The program is supplemented by theoretical and scientific specializations and the option of a philosophical dissertation (Dr. phil. / doctoral program).


The KHM laboratory: Most of the students' work takes place in the KHM's studios and laboratories, which are equipped with high-quality equipment tailored to the diversity of the subject areas taught. The combination of artistic practice with art and media theory discourses, film studies analyses and aesthetic, philosophical and technical questions is also an integral part of the programme, teaching and research.  


Guests in courses: KHM does not grant guest student status. Teachers have limited opportunities to admit guests to their seminars upon request. Guests are generally not permitted to participate in courses that use direct funds and/or laboratories, studios, or similar facilities.


Around 400 students are currently enrolled at KHM, at least one third of whom come from abroad. Between 60 and 75 applicants are accepted each winter semester.


Key points about the Media Arts program

  • There is a diploma program that can be studied as an undergraduate or postgraduate course.
  •  It is interdisciplinary in nature. It allows each student to freely choose and individually combine artistic specializations. The focus is on the individual artistic project.
  • The program begins in the winter semester. Applications must include meaningful work samples that demonstrate artistic aptitude. 
  • The application period is January/February for a start date in October.
  • The semester fee for all students is currently around 415 euros per semester (= social contributions, semester ticket, insurance, etc.).
  • English-language teaching: partial.

Possible artistic specializations (alphabetical and exemplary):

  •     Animation / 3D animation
  •     Image design / camera
  •     Experimental film
  •     Experimental computer science / net art
  •     Sound art / sound
  •     Artistic photography
  •     Live directing / TV formats
  •     Art and media studies / queer studies
  •     Multispecies storytelling
  •     Video art / performance / public art
  •     Literary writing / screenwriting
  •     Direction for feature films and documentaries


Good opportunities to get to know the KHM are the annual tour (in July) and the information day (in December).

An overview of the various student projects can be found here.

Artistic fields of study – organised into subject groups

Student office

Student Office

Karin Cordes

Juliane Schwibbert

Claudia Warnecke

Heumarkt 14, 50667 Köln

+49 221 20189 - 194 /119 / 187 / 249
studoffice@khm.de


Opening hours:   Mondays + Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. + Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For enquiries or appointments, please call us, Mon - Thu 9.30 to 1 p.m., or send us an e-mail.


Summer semester 2025

Lecture period:
​​​​​​​Apr. 14, 2025 until Jul. 25, 2025


Winter semester 2025/26

Lecture period:
​​​​​​​Oct. 20, 2025 until Feb. 13, 2026

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