PhD in Art Practice – University of Fine Arts (HFBK) Hamburg

Institution providing the doctoral degree

University of Fine Arts (HFBK) Hamburg – Hochschule für Bildende Künste Hamburg

Location

Hamburg | Germany (Hamburg)

Name of PHD

PhD in Art Practice (practice-based doctorate)

Research Clusters

• Fine Arts – Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Drawing, Decorative Art, Scenographic Art
• Multimedia Arts, Audio-visual Techniques and Media Production
• Design – Graphic Design; Industrial Design; Fashion Design; Textile Design…
• Other fields

Duration

Typical duration: 3 years. One single extension is allowed (max 4 additional semesters).

Public / Private institution

Public University

Financial terms of the PHD position

Self-funded PhD – you must provide both tuition and your own maintenance
PhD Fully or partially externally funded, with a stipend, through private or public foundations, scholarships, grants, one or more companies, or public institutions that you have to find on your own

Fees: no tuition fees. There may be general semester contribution or administrative fees (amount not specified).

Funding resources: PhD students must secure their own funding through external scholarships, grants, or sponsorships.

Depending on the topic of the project one may try receiving funds from the following scholarship foundations:
https://www.boell.de/
https://www.rosalux.de/
https://www.boeckler.de/
https://www.fes.de/
https://www.evstudienwerk.de/
https://www.studienstiftung.de/

The following database may as well help: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/

Final output

Artistic Doctoral Thesis:

Consists of a substantive artistic work (an ensemble or body of artworks) publicly displayed—usually during the Graduate Show.
Accompanied by a written explanation of the methods, critical reflections, and contextual positioning of your art practice.
Includes a concept for documentation, ensuring that the artwork and process can be archived in a media-appropriate form.

Disputation (Defense):

Publicly held at the HFBK; the candidate explains their project’s artistic and research value.
Must show one’s capacity to analyze and articulate the knowledge generated by your artistic practice.

Publication/Documentation:

Instead of conventional “publication,” an approved documentation of the artistic work must be provided. This can involve detailed multimedia records, an exhibition catalogue, or another format acceptable to the Doctoral Committee.

How to apply

1. Check Deadlines: typically, the application cycle for doctoral admission closes around mid-October.

2. Application Submission:

A short summary of the planned work (maximum ~15 lines).
A portfolio illustrating your artistic background, methods, media, format, and past achievements relevant to your proposed PhD.
Official degree certificates (master’s or equivalent) typically graded “good” or better, or an approved exception.
CV (Curriculum Vitae).
Proposed primary advisor (from HFBK’s artistic disciplines) and a secondary advisor relevant to the research focus.

3. Admission Review:

Once accepted, you must enroll (Immatrikulation) as a doctoral student at HFBK

The Doctoral Committee may invite you for an interview if needed.

Entry requirements

• Academic Degree:

A recognized Master’s or equivalent (e.g., Diplom) in a relevant art/design field, typically with a final grade of “good” or above.
Foreign degrees require an equivalence check.

For the PhD in Art Practice, you need a strong artistic background (through portfolio, exhibitions, or other proof of artistic proficiency).

Supervisor Confirmation: at least one professor from HFBK (in the right discipline) must agree to supervise your project.

Language proficiency:

Additional steps may be required if you submit work in another language.

German is standard

English is allowed if supervision and committee members approve.