Application and Aptitude Test

 

The prerequisite for applying for a bachelor's degree in teaching art at the University of Cologne is passing the qualifying examination, which must have been taken at the Department of Art and Music within the last two years.

The aptitude test is held every year in June and takes place before and independently of the application for a place at the University of Cologne. Students can begin their studies in the winter semester or in the summer semester. Under this link you will find further information and current activities of the Art & Art Theory at the Department of Art and Music: kunst.uni-koeln.de

The application for the qualifying examination and the digital application portfolio must be received by us in digital form by June 1, 2026, 12:00 h. The submission of an analog application portfolio is not possible. Late, incomplete and/or e-mailed applications or subsequently submitted documents cannot be considered.

 

The following application steps are required to participate in the qualifying examination:

1. Online application

The application for the qualifying examination must include the following documents:

- completed and signed application form „Antrag auf Teilnahme zur Feststellung der besonderen Eignung zum Studium des Unterrichtsfaches Kunst an der Humanwissenschaftlichen Fakultät“. Multiple entries of school types are possible.

- Proof of general university entrance qualification (§ 65 Abs. 1 WissHG) or a certificate of admission to the Abitur as a copy

- Tabular curriculum vitae with signature 

- Proof of relevant university degrees, if applicable

Please send these documents in a single pdf file (file name: anmeldung_last_name_first_name), max. file size 5 MB to Barbara Gehlen. 

 

2. Digital application portfolio and interview video

 

Afterwards, upload your application portfolio at this link:  

 

Please note the following requirements for the creation of your digital application portfolio:

- The digital application portfolio must include 20 artistic works from the past two years and be combined into a single pdf file (file name: Mappe_LastName_FirstName).

- The examples of work in the digital application portfolio must include at least four media (three media for an application to teach elementary school), which you are free to choose: Artistic Work with Digital Media, Three-Dimensional Design, Conceptual Stratagies, Performance, Collage, Print, Photography, Painting, Textile, Video, Drawing. Videos can be uploaded to Youtube or Vimeo and shared via a link in your application packet.

- All examples of work must be labeled with title, year created, dimensions, and technique.

- The file size of the digital application portfolio is limited to 15 MB.

Record an introductory video of yourself briefly introducing yourself and your work. The video should be a maximum of 3 minutes long and have at least 720p resolution (1280x720 pixels). Upload the video to Youtube and include the link on the cover page of your digital application folder (including password, if applicable). Alternatively to the video you can submit a short introduction text (max. one DIN A4 page, 12 pt font, normal line spacing).

Address the following question in the video or text: What is your name and for which teaching position are you applying? List the work processes/techniques (elementary school at least three, HRGe, GymGe, SoP at least four) that are part of your exam. Pick one work from their portfolio that is particularly important to you. Please show and explain what criteria make this work relevant to you. What art have you been involved with recently, what exhibitions, museums, performances have you attended recently? What makes the work as an art teacher relevant to you?

By uploading your application files, you are participating in the aptitude test and agree to the rules of the process. Your personal presence at the presentation is not required and not foreseen.
After the application deadline, an examination board will review the application files. Following the review process, you will receive notification of the outcome of your application by mail within 30 days. We ask that you refrain from making inquiries in the meantime.

Important notes:

- An online portfolio consultation will take place at the beginning of May (see menu item "Mappen Beratung" ).

- In the case of a downstream application for a place at university: All documents submitted as proof of general university entrance qualification (including Abitur certificates, translated university certificates from abroad, and proof of completed courses of study) will be checked to the best of our knowledge. However, a final examination and recognition of the documents will only be carried out by the Registrar's Office of the University of Cologne. Passing the aptitude test does not imply general admission to the intended course of study.

- An application for a master's degree in art does not require an aptitude test, but a relevant bachelor's degree.

If you have any further questions, please contact Barbara Gehlen gehlenb@uni-koeln.de.