Golden prospects: HfBK Dresden

It began in 1764 as the "Haupt-Kunst-Akademie". The HfBK Dresden is one of Europe's oldest schools of fine arts. Artists such as Canaletto, Giovanni Casanova, Caspar David Friedrich, Gottfried Semper, Oskar Kokoschka and Otto Dix worked here as professors, and today approximately 550 students are taught here by internationally renowned artists. 

The golden goddess Fama greets us from the glass roof of the main building on the famous Brühl's Terrace. In northern Johannstadt in Dresden, you'll find studios and workshops for three-dimensional work, while the courses of study in restoration, stage and costume design, and theatre design are housed in the former Staatliche Hochschule für Werkkunst in southern Johannstadt. There are regular exhibitions open to the public at all locations, especially in the fascinating main building – including the annual and Diploma exhibitions in the summer.

Fine arts, restoration, and stage and costume design culminate in a Diploma after five years. In that time, you'll learn a lot of art theory, theatre history and philosophy, in addition to your actual craft. There is an emphasis on international collaboration. The HfBK Dresden is one of the 41 "European Universities". Students and teachers can gain intensive experience with different teaching approaches and cultures through the eu4art alliance.

Also on offer: the four-year university course in theatre design, the only one of its kind in Europe. Here you can specialise in scenic painting, theatre sculpture, make-up design or costume design. The postgraduate programme in art therapy is the only programme of its kind to offer you a state university Diploma.