Application

Attention: The application process for the practice-based doctoral programme in Art and Design with the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is now available online via the . The application can only be submitted via the applicant portal.

Admission to the doctoral programme generally requires a successful artistic diploma, State Exam, Magister or Master's degree (with at least a final grade of »good«) from a German university or an equivalent degree from a foreign university that corresponds to the profile of the Faculty of Art and Design.

Applicants from other disciplines who are aspiring to a doctoral degree at the interface between the respective discipline and art or design can be accepted into the doctoral programme, provided that supervision and assessment is ensured in the relevant specialist discipline. The Ph.D. graduate admissions committee decides on a case-by-case basis regarding possible additional requirements in the artistic field.

The Ph.D. programme at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar does not automatically assign professors as mentors. Applicants are requested to directly contact professors at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar based on their research profile and specialist expertise along with a short letter of motivation and a summary of the research project. For inquiries to artistic/creative mentors, please also include your portfolio.

Language requirements:
Teaching in the doctoral programme is conducted in German and English. With the  publication of the new study and examination regulations , the following language requirements apply:

Either

  • very good knowledge of the German language (at least level C1 GER)
    • Proof of native language proficiency (acquisition of the higher education entrance qualification or a higher education degree in a German-speaking country) or
    • Proof by means of one of the following certificates:
      • DSH-2 or TestDaF, at least 4 x TDN 4
      • or equivalent proof
  • and good knowledge of the English language (at least level B2 GER)
    • Proof of native language proficiency (acquisition of higher education entrance qualification or a 1st professional qualification in an English-speaking country) or
    • Proof by means of one of the following certificates:
      • IELTS Band 6,5
      • TOEFL Internet-based Score 85 or better
      • Cambridge Certificate B2 First (FCE)
      • or equivalent proof

or

  • very good knowledge of the English language (at least level C1 GER)
    • Proof of native language proficiency (acquisition of a university entrance qualification or a university degree in an English-speaking country) or
    • Proof by means of one of the following certificates:
      • IELTS Band 7,0
      • TOEFL Internet-based Score 108 or better
      • Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced English (CAE)
      • or equivalent proof
  • and good knowledge of the German language (at least level B2 GER)
    • Proof of native language proficiency (acquisition of a university entrance qualification or a university degree in a German-speaking country) or
    • Proof by means of one of the following certificates:
      • DSH-1 or TestDAF, at least 4 x TDN 3
      • or equivalent proof

Important: Please submit a current language certificate with your application documents which shows that you will reach the required language level by the time of your matriculation at the latest.

Please apply up to and including 31 March of the year via our online applicant portal with the following details and documents:

  • stating your specialisation in art or design, working title and names of at least two mentors, one of whom must be a member of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
  • Curriculum vitae with list of educational and professional achievements.
  • Degree certificates from a university/college of art or design and proof of language proficiency (see above); Foreign-language certificates and documents have to be accompanied by certified translations in German or English.
  • Exposé of an innovative PhD project (3,500 to 4,000 words in length) including concrete research question(s) or thesis statement and depiction of the intersections between artistic/creative work and theoretical discourse.
  • A work schedule and time plan that indicates that the project can be completed within three years.
  • Documentation of previous artistic or design works (portfolio), and if available, exhibition catalogues, list of exhibitions and public presentations, press reports, etc.
  • List of scientific publications.
  • Written confirmation (declaration of mentorship) from an artistic/creative mentor and a scientific mentor that he/she will assume responsibility for the supervision of the doctoral research during the duration of study based on the proposed concept.
  • optional: A short cover letter explaining the motivation to apply to the Ph.D. programme of the Faculty of Art and Design at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar can optionally be attached.

Admission to the Doctoral Programme in Art and Design is decided by the Ph.D. graduate admissions committee based on a set of quality criteria. After the first round, a selection of applicants will be invited to a half-hour interview with the Ph.D. graduate admissions committee. Generally, 12 to 15 applicants are accepted each year. Criteria for selection include excellent professional qualifications, high visibility, willingness and ability to work on a long-term research project, innovative methods, a clear depiction of the relationship between theory and practice in own work, and a high degree of critical reflection especially regarding overarching research interests of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.

Due to the current situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus, it is uncertain whether interviews can take place in person. You may receive an invitation to a video conference. We will inform you in time about how to proceed.
We kindly ask for your patience during the admissions process.

For further information concerning the application, please contact:
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Alexandra Toland: alexandra.toland[at]uni-weimar.de
or Katarina Steinbiß: katarina.steinbiss[at]uni-weimar.de

Application deadline:
The digital application can be uploaded expected as of 1 December until 31 March of the respective year.

Promovieren im Ph.D.-Studiengang »Kunst und Design« an der Fakultät Kunst und Gestaltung

Click the Play button to load and view external content from Vimeo.com.

Automatically load and view external content from Vimeo.com (You can change this setting at any time via our »Data protection policy«.)