Study Theatre, Dramaturgy, Direction in Germany

Programmes in theatre, dramaturgy and direction comprise various fields of study with very different focuses and orientations. Some are more theoretical, others more practical. Some focus on writing, others more on technical and artistic activities.

• Stage design, set design: In this field of study, you will design sets, rooms and decorations for theatre, film and television productions. The degree programmes are often very practical and teach you technical and manual skills.
• Dramaturgy, screenplay: In addition to learning about theory, the focus here is on writing – be it for plays, films or series.
• Direction: In this field of study, you will learn how to realise stories in a scenic or documentary style. Technical aspects such as camera work also play an important role here.
• Theatre studies: This is the ideal field of study for theory enthusiasts. Here, you will study the history, methodology and aesthetics of theatre in order to skilfully analyse productions and place them in their societal context.
• Performing arts: In performing arts, on the other hand, you will learn skills for theatre work in the areas of language, music and physical forms of expression, such as dance.
• Costume design: As the name suggests, this field of study is primarily concerned with the design of costumes. Of course, this requires practical skills, but also theoretical knowledge so that the costumes can be successfully integrated into the overall composition.
• Scenic writing: In addition to basic knowledge of theories, the focus here is once again on writing, especially your own theatre texts.

All individual subject areas have many points of contact with one another, so interdisciplinary work will be commonplace in many degree programmes in this field.

In general, you need a higher education entrance qualification or an equivalent qualification to study in Germany. For a degree programme in theatre, dramaturgy or direction, there is usually an internal selection process by the higher education institution in which your artistic aptitude is assessed. This can vary greatly depending on the field of study; submitting a portfolio with, for example, writing samples, sketches or drafts is common. In some cases, there are additional assessments in which you are allowed to present yourself artistically and personally during an interview.

If you have exceptional artistic talent, you may also be accepted without a higher education entrance qualification.

To be on the safer side, you should thoroughly enquire and obtain information from your chosen higher education institution and degree programme in advance.

In most cases, there are no tuition fees at public higher education institutions in Germany—only the semester contributions. These usually range between 100 and 400 EUR and often include a ticket for local public transport. Depending on the higher education institution, your ticket may only be valid for the respective city, for the region or for the whole of Germany. It is best to enquire about the details directly at your higher education institution. The semester contribution also lets you eat in the cafeterias of the student union at a reasonable price.

There are exceptions: some public higher education institutions do charge tuition fees for particular degree programmes, as do private and distance-learning higher education institutions for most of theirs. These fees can be quite high.

You will need to set aside the largest part of your monthly budget for rent and living costs. Exactly how much depends on where you are studying. Rent is particularly high in popular cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Traditional student cities are also often above average in terms of cost. It is cheaper in smaller towns or in certain regions, such as the Ruhr area or the states in East Germany. You should always start looking for accommodation early. You can even apply for student accommodation at the same time as you apply for a place at a higher education institution. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities.

Your personal lifestyle also naturally impacts your budget.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

Following a successful graduation, your career opportunities can be just as diverse as the fields of study. Many graduates go on to work in theatre, film and television or in opera houses and other cultural institutions.

You should be aware of one thing in advance: a career in this field requires not only talent, but also a great deal of idealism and commitment. Irregular working hours are quite customary, especially in a theatre or at the opera, as performances often take place in the evenings and on weekends. Compared to other professions with a higher education degree, the pay is usually below average.

However, you are free to take up a job outside of the traditional professions. Obvious choices would be media and public relations work or event management. Or, if you have also trained in teaching and pedagogy during your degree programme, you can also work in educational institutions, such as schools or kindergartens.

Find out more information on the current labour market in this field by searching job listings on the website of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). By selecting the subject of your degree programme here, you can use the career perspectives listed to find out what jobs are available and where you can apply (only available in German). Take a look around! Learn more about your opportunities as an international skilled worker in Germany and the requirements on the Make it in Germany website.