REGISTRATION AND ADMISSION

Admission is granted through a two-step online application process.

1. Online Registration and Submission

Within the application deadline, register online for the admission exam and then submit the complete application documents required for the respective degree program via the application portal calls.kunstuni-linz.at/calls .

The admissions committee reviews the application materials for completeness and evaluates the submitted documents and portfolio in terms of artistic aptitude.

You will be invited to the second step of the application process only if your portfolio receives a positive evaluation.

2. Online Admissions Interview

Based on your submitted portfolio, the admissions committee will decide whether to invite you to a personal online admissions interview with the committee. The invitation to the admissions interview, along with a detailed schedule, will be sent to you via email.

During the online admissions interview, the submitted work, your motivation, and your artistic and creative interests and goals will be discussed. Based on the portfolio and the interview, the admissions committee will assess your artistic suitability for the respective degree program.

For organizational reasons, we are unfortunately unable to offer individual consultations to applicants regarding portfolios and the application process.
 

BACHELOR’S PROGRAM IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Admission Requirements

• Assessment of suitability is based on the complete portfolio submitted and the admission interview
• No prior relevant high school diploma required
• Artistic and creative potential
• Communication skills
• Interest in social and societal developments
• Ability to work conceptually and creatively
• Proficiency with Windows and Mac · Basic knowledge of professional image editing and vector graphics software is desirable (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, ...)

Documents to Submit

• Resume: max. 1 A4 page, without photo
• Statement of purpose: max. 200 words; 
  Why do you want to study graphic design and photography? 
  Why are you a good fit for this program? 
  How do you plan to apply your knowledge and skills in the future?
• Portfolio: max. 25 personal projects and a written assignment, PDF file 
  The work should demonstrate your creative potential and your personal engagement with design
• Exam paper: practical assignment on a given topic
• Digital works may also be submitted via URLs

The assignment for the exam project will be published in March 2027. You can find the assignment for the exam project here. Please upload your digital application materials between March and June 2027 at calls.kunstuni-linz.at/calls .

Dates for the Entrance Exam for the 2027–28 Academic Year

Online registration: Expected to be from March through June 2027

Online submission of application materials: Expected March through June 2027, 12:00 p.m.

Online admissions interviews: Expected in early July 2027

Next program start date: October 2027

Language of instruction: German

Proof of German language proficiency at the B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages must be submitted no later than the start of the third semester.

↪ Proof of language proficiency
 

MASTER’S PROGRAM IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree program with a focus on visual communication: 
  e.g., in Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Photography, Communication Design, Media Design, Information Design, or Time-Based and Interactive Media.
• Specialized knowledge and practical experience in the field of visual communication
• Engagement with current artistic and design trends
• Knowledge of art and design history
• Depending on individual areas of focus, knowledge and experience in the fields of graphic design and/or photography
• Technical knowledge of photography, lighting, and camera technology—both analog and digital—as well as experience working with space, time, and perspective.
• Basic knowledge of workflow and prepress, as well as proficiency in professional software.

Documents to be submitted

• Resume, without a photo
• Statement of purpose: max. 3 A4 pages 
  Why do you want to study Visual Communication? 
  What substantive and artistic areas of focus would you like to explore during your studies? 
  Details regarding the proposed topic for a potential master’s thesis
• Portfolio: max. 25 pieces of independent work, PDF file (including bachelor’s thesis, if already available). The portfolio should demonstrate your artistic and design development to date as well as your individual areas of focus.
• Exam: practical assignment on a given topic
• Digital works may also be submitted via URLs

The assignment for the written exam will be published in February 2027. You can find the assignment for the written exam ↪ here .

Please upload your digital application materials to calls.kunstuni-linz.at/calls between February and April 2027.

Dates for the Entrance Exam for the 2027/28 Academic Year

Online registration: expected to take place from February through April 2027

Online submission of application materials: tentatively February through April 2027

Online admissions interviews: expected in April 2027

Next program start date: October 2027

Language of instruction: German or English

You must submit proof of German language proficiency at the B1 level or proof of English language proficiency at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

If you choose to study in German, you must submit proof of German proficiency at the B1 level no later than the start of the third semester.

If you choose to study in English, you must submit proof of English proficiency at the B2 level upon admission or enrollment.

↪ Language Proficiency Certificate