To take part in the course-related artistic qualification test, a digital registration is required. Registration is possible from March 1st until April 15th via the link in the sidebar on the right. There you can register for the artistic qualification test by entering your personal details.

Your artistic qualification will be determined on the basis of your portfolio, a homework assignment and an expert interview.

After the registration deadline at April 15th, you will receive an e-mail with all further information on the procedure of the artistic qualification test, the topic of the homework assignment, and a link where you can upload your digital portfolio and the results of your homework assignment by May 5th.

After the portfolio and homework have been reviewed by a faculty committee, you may receive an invitation to the expert interview. The expert interviews will take place in early june. During the interview, which lasts about 15 minutes, you will have the opportunity to explain your motivation for studying at the Faculty of Design at HTW Dresden, answer questions from the committee, and ask questions yourself.

You will be informed of the result of the artistic qualification test in writing by post as soon as possible. Unfortunately, telephone enquiries cannot be answered for data protection reasons. If you have successfully passed the artistic qualification test at the Faculty of Design, the next step is to submit your formal application to study at HTW Dresden by July 15th.

Please note the different application deadlines for international degree seeking applicants. For the start in winter semester, apply until: June 15th of the same year.

Please prepare your portfolio as a PDF document. Upload your portfolio by May 5th using the upload link sent to you after registration.

The portfolio should contain about 10 works in different presentation techniques. A project can consist of several parts and take up several pages in your portfolio. The portfolio should not exceed a total of 25 pages and the PDF-file should not exceed 50 MB.

Concentrate primarily on your artistic and creative work that was created outside of typical school assignments. Demonstrate your specific interests and your own view of the world. Your work examples should be presented in such a way that your curiosity and your will to engage deeply with your surroundings become apparent, be it via primarily sensual or intellectual means.

The range of representational techniques chosen is also important. Conceptual thoughts and the exemplary documentation of a creative development process can usefully complement the portfolio. Supporting audio-visual or interactive work samples can be linked accordingly in the PDF. If you show collaborative work or projects from internships, make your own contribution clear.

As a cover sheet, please include a meaningful description of your professional and educational background as well as an affirmation in lieu of an oath, confirming that all submitted work was done independently by you. The use of AI-supported tools for text and image production must be clearly identified in terms of type and extent.

After registering by April 15th via the adjacent link, you will receive an e-mail with a design task (homework assignment).

Please work on the assignment independently and upload your designs by May 5th via the upload link also sent in the e-mail.

In order to be considered for a place on the degree programme, a formal application at HTW Dresden is necessary in addition to passing the artistic qualification test at the Faculty of Design. The adjacent link will take you to the formal application to study at HTW Dresden.

Please note the different application procedure for international degree seeking applicants. Click here for more information.

In order to apply for the Master's programme, you should compile a meaningful portfolio (approx. 20-25 pages). This should include around five projects and present processes and reflections of your work and methodology.

One of these projects should be a short presentation of your Bachelor's thesis, even if it is not yet completed. If you show collaborative work or projects from internships, please make your own contribution clear. Supporting audio-visual or interactive work samples can be linked accordingly in the PDF.

Free artistic works that were created outside of your studies can also be part of the portfolio, especially if they show your specific interests and your own view of the world.

In addition to the portfolio, you must present all stages of your artistic and creative training in a tabular curriculum vitae and declare, in lieu of an oath, that you have produced the submitted works independently.

Please submit the digital application portfolio as one PDF document (max. 50 MB) with the required documents: Curriculum vitae, affidavit, portfolio.

Applicants whose portfolios receive a sufficiently positive evaluation will be invited to an expert interview via video conference.

During the half-hour interview, you will have the opportunity to present your motivation for studying, answer questions from the commission, and ask questions yourself.

Applicants will receive a written decision on whether they have passed or failed the interview.

If you have passed the artistic qualification test, you can formally apply to HTW-Dresden by January 15th. Please also note the general information for the application to the Master's programme.

Please note the different application procedure and application deadline for international degree seeking applicants. Click here fo more information.

We welcome international degree seeking applicants for the Master's programme.
Please note the different application procedure and application deadline for international degree seeking applicants. Click here for more information.

International degree seeking applicants have to apply formally via the uni assisst portal until November 30th of the previous year.

Foreign University Degree

In order to study at the HTW-Dresden, your educational qualifications must entitle you to study at a university in Germany. You can check whether your foreign educational qualification is recognised for German universities on the following portals: anabin oder uni assisst.

German Language Skills

The degree programme is offered mostly in German, so you will need one of the following language certificates for admission:

•     DSH-2
•     TestDaF 4
•     telc German C1 University
•     Goethe Certificate C1
•     the certificate of the assessment test at the Studienkolleg (this includes the DSH-2)
•     the German Language Diploma of the Kultusministerkonferenz, second level

Please contact the International Office (international@htw-dresden.de) if you have any questions about the language level or about applying from abroad in general.

International Exchange Students

The faculty is happy to accept international exchange students for a guest semester as part of an international university exchange.

Please contact the International Office (international@htw-dresden.de) if you have any questions about the language level or about applying from abroad in general.