FAQ

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about studying at Animationsinstitut.

If you still have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly.

General Questions

You can find more detailed information about studying at Animationsinstitut here.

Do you charge tuition fees?

There are no tuition fees for first degree students.

For students who have already completed their first degree in Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg in general charges secondary tuition fees of €650 per semester but Filmakademie's postgraduate studies (Animation/Effects Producing, Interactive Media and Technical Directing) are an exception to this rule: there are no tuition fees involved.

For international students from non-EU countries the state of Baden-Württemberg does charge tuition fees of €1,500 per semester.

You can find further information regarding tuiton fees on Filmakademie's website.

What is the main language of instruction at Animationsinstitut?

Most of the basic study courses are taught in German.

Project and postgraduate studies are mainly held in English. English is the only language used in the Technical Directing course.

When does the study programme begin?

Studies at Animationinstitut always begin in the winter semester.

Is it a full-time study programme?

Yes, you are a full-time student at Animationsinstitut.

What's the difference between basic and project studies?

The basic studies span the first two years of your time at the Animationsinstitut, during which you will be taught all the basics of film and media production. In the following 2,5 years of project studies, you will choose a specialization, for example character animation or concept art, and focus on building your skills working on different projects with other students.

Is it possible to study in parallel at another university?

No, the studies are full-time and parallel studies are not possible.

Is it possible to change a course of study or a specialisation during the course of study?

In principle this is possible, the Examination Office will advise you in your specific case.

Do you offer portfolio consultations?

Unfortunately we do not offer portfolio consultations. If you have general questions about your studies, please contact us by phone or e-mail.

Does Filmakademie have its own student accommodation?

No, please contact the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart. However, you are welcome to send us your accommodation request. We will put it on our “blackboard”.

What kind of final degree does Animationsinstitut offer?

After successfully completing a study course, students are awarded with the Filmakademie’s diploma.

Application

You can find more detailed information about applying at Animationsinstitut here.

What are the requirements to apply?

In general, you need a diploma equivalent to the German Abitur. If you do not possess a university entrance degree, you have the option of proving your specific artistic proficiency in a particular test.
Furthermore, you will need to provide evidence of practical experience (e.g. an internship) in the film and media industries.
You can find further information regarding the application requirements on Filmakademie’s website.

How many months of internships or other work experience do I have to prove?

In order to apply for basic studies, you will have to provide evidence of twelve months of practical experience. At the time of application, you will need to have completed at least six months.
For project studies or one of the postgraduate courses, you will need to have completed six months of practical experience.

Until when do I have to complete my internship?

You have to complete your internship by the time you start your studies at Filmakademie. At the time of application you must have already completed six months.

What kinds of work experience should I gain ahead of my studies?

You should gain work experience in the film and media industries (e.g. broadcasters, production companies, editorial offices, agencies, publishing houses, at the theatre, or other media companies).

How many times can I apply at Filmakademie?

You can apply three times maximum.

Can I apply for multiple study specializations at the same time.

No, this is not possible.

Can I apply for direct entry into the postgraduate courses or project studies without completing the basic studies course program?

Yes, generally, it is possible to enter the postgraduate or project studies without prior basic studies at the Filmakademie if you provide sufficient evidence of your qualification.

You can find detailed information about the admission requirements here.

Can the work sample be longer than indicated in the application form?

We kindly ask you to comply with the specifications laid out in the application form.

International Applicants

You can find more detailed information about applying at Animationsinstitut here.

What proof of language proficiency is required when applying?

DSH Level 2, TestDAF Level 4, Level B2 (Goethe Institute) for the Basic Studies.

There's no german language certificate necessary for the project studies and postgraduate study courses. Here English speaking skills are mandatory, however no language certificate is required.

Does Filmakademie offer any German lessons?

No, we don't offer any German language classes.

What qualifications/certificates must be submitted?

Certificates of education acquired abroad must be sent to the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart before applying to the Filmakademie in order to determine their equivalence with the German higher education entrance qualification (Abitur). The confirmation letter from ABK Stuttgart can be submitted latest until enrollment in September. You can find detailed information on Filmakademie's website or on the website of ABK Stuttgart.

Animation

You can find more detailed information about studying Animation here.

Who can apply?

Everybody with basic animation skills who wants to specialize in character animation, concept art or animation directing later on. To get an insight into studying and the various specializations it´s best to join us at our open day, which takes place every year at the end of November.

What industries are most suitable to gather practical experience before starting my studies?

Animation and illustration companies, but also film and TV production companies in general give valuable insights.

What are my job opportunities after receiving my diploma?

During your studies, you already get in touch with your potential employers, so your career prospects are excellent, especially if you are willing to move for your work. Permanent positions are common as well.

Visual Effects

You can find more detailed information about studying Visual Effects here.

Who can apply?

Our Visual Effects studies are suitable for technology-oriented world builders who already have gained experience in the field of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), enjoy working on a computer and have an eye for detail.

What industries are most suitable to gather practical experience before starting my studies?

You can gather experience in the field of post-production, ideally in a company that works a lot with VFX. Other options are advertising agencies, communication offices or even architecture offices.

What are my job opportunities after receiving my diploma?

During your studies, you already get in touch with your potential employers, so your career prospects are excellent, especially if you are willing to move for your work. Permanent positions are common as well.

Technical Directing

You can find further information on studying Technical Directing here.

What is a Technical Director?

Technical directors are responsible for the technical supervision of film projects, meaning that they manage the technical aspects of the production. By joining a production team, Technical Directing students at Animationsinstitut learn to solve problems and handle pipelines. Among others, they develop plugins and applications, define workflows and production requirements and engage in current research projects.

Why should I study Technical Directing?

Career opportunities for technical directors are very good. For instance, alumni find work in the large Animation Studios of Hollywood like Pixar or Industrial Light & Magic. The mix between technical precision and artistic creativity makes working as a technical director varied and appealing.

Who can apply?

Candidates should hold a first degree in computer science or a similar subject and be interested in animation and VFX projects.

Animation/Effects Producing

You can find further information on studying Animation/Effects Producing here.

What is an Animation/Effects Producer?

As an animation/effects producer, you control the technical production of animation and effects projects. You will be responsible for tasks such as calculation, scheduling, project management and team building. An animation/effects producer thinks solution-oriented and outside the box.

Who can apply?

Candidates should hold a first degree in economics, media, design or communication and provide proof of practical experiences. Ideally, candidates have already acquired some work experience in production.

Do I already have to have animation or VFX skills in order to apply?

Knowledge in these areas is an advantage, but not mandatory for the application. It is more important that you are keen to familiarize yourself with animation and VFX and to learn the basics of various animation techniques.

Why should I study Animation/Effects Producing?

As an animation/effects producer you play a central role in projects. From the beginning of your studies you take responsibility for your teams. In addition to valuable on-the-job training, the program includes special lectures and workshops on production-related topics such as calculation, scheduling, project management, team building and contracting. By working on these projects during your studies, you get to know your future tasks first hand and are thus optimally prepared for the demands of the market.

What are my job opportunities as an Animation/Effects Producer?

Career opportunities are excellent, since the international animation and VFX industry has a high demand in various fields of production.

Interactive Media

You can find further information on studying Interactive Media here.

Who can apply?

In order to apply for the basic studies of Interactive Media you should ideally have a general or subject-related university entrance qualification (Abitur) and approx. 12 months of practical experience in the media field.
The ideal basis for the postgraduate course is a degree in media sciences, communication sciences, humanities, natural sciences, journalism or a related discipline.
Regardless of whether you would like to start as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, the Interactive Media course is suitable for you if you are keen to experiment, creative and interested in new technology.
As a Transmedia/Games Producer you should also have good communication skills and enjoy team leadership and project management.

What industries are most suitable to gather practical experience before starting my studies?

If you want to study Interactive Media, you should gain experience in the media field before applying at Animationsinstitut. This includes game studios, publishers, advertising and communication agencies, TV and television stations, animation studios and much more.
Ideally, depending on the company and area of interest, you can work in the fields of game design, game mechanics, animation, UIX, illustration, project management, concept art, non-linear storytelling, visitor guidance, spatial communication, etc.

What are my job opportunities after receiving my diploma?

Job opportunities are very good. People use apps and games on their smartphones and tablets every day and the young VR industry is also gaining momentum, hence the demand for well-trained creative minds in the media industry is growing steadily. The study of Interactive Media prepares you comprehensively for your professional life in the media industry.

Contact

Any more questions? Send us a message!