Academy for transcultural exchange (ATA)

Applications for 2025

The application period for the winter semester 2025/26 starts on March 1, 2025, and ends on May 31, 2025.

The following documents must be submitted in German or English:

1.    Short Motivation Letter indicating the desired field of study

2.    Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Including personal details (e.g., date of birth, nationality, contact information, address), previous education, and artistic activities
• Indicating the level of German language proficiency

3.    A Selection of Up to Five Artistic and Design Work Samples related to the intended field of study (or a link to a portfolio, e.g., Instagram or personal website)

4.    Proof of Residence
• Positive residence permit from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), if applicable, a copy of the refugee travel document or residence permit, or
• Proof of an ongoing asylum procedure, or
• Proof that temporary protection under § 24 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) according to EU Directive 2001/55/EC applies to the applicant

5.    Proof of University Entrance Qualification such as an Abitur certificate, the latest school certificate, or proof of prior academic achievements (e.g., transcripts from previous studies). If any of these documents are missing, please contact us for further guidance.

Applicationprocess

•    Please combine all documents into a single PDF (max. 25 MB) and name the file as follows: FirstName_LastName_AtA2025

•    Upload your file by May 31, 2025, HERE
Due to data protection regulations, no further modifications to the file will be possible after upload.

•    The application documents will be reviewed formally and for artistic suitability.

•    If the application is successful, the applicant will be invited to the artistic entrance examination, which takes place from June 16 to June 19, 2025.

•    Following participation in the artistic examination, applicants will receive written notification of the results.

•    If admitted, applicants can enroll in the AtA program at the HGB.

Further Information on the application process and the program can be found here...

The AtA program lasts for a maximum of four semesters. After successful participation, students can apply for admission to the basic study program or one of the specialized classes of the main study program to obtain their diploma degree. The prerequisite for transferring to the regular study program is confirmation of artistic aptitude in the desired field of study within the diploma program. Additionally, students must achieve the required language level through the TestDaF exam. The AtA program itself does not grant a degree. However, achievements made during the AtA program can be credited when transitioning to a diploma program at the HGB, provided the student meets university entrance qualification requirements.

For the linguistic qualification of AtA students, subject to continued funding of the program, the HGB offers specialized German language courses. Currently, regular German courses at different levels are provided in cooperation with the Leipzig Adult Education Center (VHS Leipzig). These courses prepare students step by step for acquiring the language skills required for the diploma degree. In addition to traditional language instruction, the courses include subject-specific and academic vocabulary. Intensive courses may be offered during lecture-free periods. The language lessons are open to interested students also after passing the required language level, if students need additional help concerning language problems with their subjects.

AtA students participate in shared study sessions within the foundation courses, where they learn the fundamentals of their field of study.

Students can familiarize themselves with the graphic arts and audiovisual workshops through weekly courses.

AtA workshop program

The AtA workshop program supplements the content of the course and is specifically geared towards the interests and needs of the students in the AtA program, but is available to all students. Workshops in the program can be taken and credited as elective courses by AtA students. The AtA workshop program can be found in the course catalog.

Further information on the AtA workshop program will follow...

The application takes place digitally via the online platform of the HGB Leipzig:

• 31 May for admission to the following winter semester
• 30 November for admission to the following summer semester

Applications submitted after these deadlines cannot be considered for admission to the following semester.

Different deadlines and a different procedure apply for AtA students who do not have a university entrance qualification (HZB). They must apply for the first semester of a Diplom degree program with an application period from 15.12. - 01.02. of each year.
 
The application must include the following documents, without the documents an admission is not possible:

1. a selection of degree course-related / subject-related art and design samples
2. letter of motivation including the intended specialist class and the semester you want to join
3. CV with essential information about previous education and artistic activities
4. complete and authorised transcript of your university entrance qualification / graduation certificate / final school report
5. Complete proof of credits you already obtained and certificates of exams you took before
6. a photo of yourself (attached to the application)
7. proof of language poficiency in German by one of the following certificates:

• “Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang” (DSH)
• “Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache” (TestDaF) achieving at least level 3 in all parts of the test
• “telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule”
• “Prüfungsteil Deutsch” as part of a preparation course

Proof of language proficiency is not required for:

• international applicants who are German native speakers
• applicants who acquired their university admission certificate (Abitur, completed professional education, completed degree course) at a German-speaking institution,
• applicants who got the certificate of the Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz - Level II (DSD II);
• applicants who got the certificate of the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) issued by the Goethe-Institut or an institution commissioned by the Goethe-Institut
• applicants who got the certificate of the Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (level C2) or Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (level C1) issued by the Goethe-Institut.

Scholarship Regulations (August 2021)
Only available in german