Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography Hochschule Hannover - University of Applied Sciences and Arts

All study modules can be completed in either German or English.

The Bachelor’s programme in Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography will open the door to editorial desks, publishing houses, and media companies. We teach multidisciplinary visual skills based on the media of photography and video, focussing on journalistic and documentary narratives.

Our graduates work in various fields. Some work as freelance photographers, video journalists, or camera operators, and they finance their freelance documentary projects with scholarships and grants. Others opt for a permanent position after graduation, e.g. as a picture or video editor at a newspaper, curator at a gallery, or multimedia producer at a NGO (non-governmental organisation).

We differ from traditional journalism programmes that focus on the visual (e.g. photography, video, and data visualisation). Unlike most photography programmes, we focus on journalistic and documentary storytelling. Because of our bilingual orientation and innovative teaching concepts, such as the educational newsroom, this results in a globally unique programme.

15 March

The first two semesters include seminars like Visual Language, Research, and Storytelling in Journalism, which teach the technical and methodological basics. From the third semester on, many elective courses, such as Photobook, Short Documentary, and Data Visualisation, will give you the opportunity to develop your profile. The fifth semester is for the 19-week compulsory internship, and the eighth semester is for the Bachelor's project.

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19-week internship in the fifth semester

No tuition fees

409 EUR per semester

According to a study, students in Germany need about 850 EUR per month to cover living expenses. There are regional fluctuations, but Hannover is in the middle range and roughly corresponds to this average. However, the data are from 2016, and prices are likely to have risen. Of course, there are also individual differences in living costs, so the figure given should be taken only as a guide.

To study with us, you will need a high school diploma ("Abitur", "Fachabitur") or an equivalent recognised degree. You will also need to show proof of artistic aptitude, which will be provided through an artistic aptitude test. Further information on the formal study requirements, particularly the required certificates and documents, can be found on our website.

If you hold foreign educational credentials, they must be verified for university admission regardless of your citizenship. This formal examination is currently being carried out by uni-assist, an institution that is jointly operated by the higher education institutions.

International students whose native language is not German are subject to lower language requirements than for other programmes, namely the “Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang” (DSH 1) or the “Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache” (TestDaF) level 3 in 4 skills. Private language certificates are not recognised.

After the first study period (semesters one through three), all students must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

The following evidence will be accepted:

a) Presentation of a certificate of achievement for (at least) the course English 7 (B2 CEFR) from the Z3-Language Center of Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts

b) Presentation of a certificate of achievement for a language course that proves the level B2 and was provided by a college or university. The language certificate must not be older than two years.

c) Presentation of proof of one of the following successfully passed tests: Cambridge English Advanced: level B2, Cambridge English Proficiency: grade C, IELTS (academic): at least 6.5 points in all areas, TOEFL (iBT): at least 80 points (TOEFL ID Code: 4782), TOEIC: 400 to 485 points (listening), 385-450 points (reading)

15 March

No

In Hannover and at the Hochschule Hannover – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, there is a large offer of student jobs.

Here you can find more information.

Please find more information on our university's website.