The Master “Theatre and Digitality“ is an interdisciplinary, 3 semester, English-language study at the Faculty of Design of FH Dortmund - University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The planned start will be the spring semester of 2025. Graduates will be awarded the Master of Arts.
The study is implemented in cooperation of FH Dortmund’s Faculty of Design, of the worldwide renowned Academy for Theatre and Digitality (at the Dortmund Theatre), and FH Dortmund’s Faculty of Computer Science, in association with FH Dortmund’s storyLab kiU.
Study Requirements
Degree requirements
A. A diploma or bachelor's degree in fields such as Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Exhibition Design, Dramaturgy, Acting, Scenography, Object Theater, Visual Media, Set Design, Performance, Film, Directing, Dance, and Theater Studies, Applied Computer Science, Machine Learning, Actuators and Robotics, Creative Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Creative Coding, Theater and Event Technology, Lighting Technology, Sound Technology, Video Technology or a comparable program at a university that includes scenographic-design or IT-related technical components; or relevant artistic and creative aptitude for the program.
Language requirement
The MA “Theater and Digitality” program is offered in English.
For the study program proof of sufficient English skills (C1) has to be provided by the applicants. In exceptional cases, the proof can be provided by an equivalent certificate or document proving the corresponding minimum requirements (in accordance with C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR). The respective committee will decide whether there is equivalence.
Artistic/ Technical aptitude test
Proof of artistic and creative or technical aptitude is required for enrollment in this Master’s program. In the assessment procedure, the applicants must prove that they have the artistic-creative or technical aptitude for the course of study, which allows the achievement of the study goals to be expected. The determination of the course-related aptitude is carried out twice a year in a two-level procedure. The next upload phase for level 1 is Dec 1st, 2024 until January 16h, 2024 (cut off deadline).
Application and participation in the Aptitude procedure
The application process for the MA “Theater and Digitality” is has two parallel arches:
1) Registering with the central FH Dortmund application-department for the summer semester 2025. This needs to be done between Dec 1st, 24 and January 15th, 2025 (cut off date). The process there starts with a so called “Self-Registration”. Please see (You can switch this central FH page to English by finding the language button in the lower right hand corner.)
2) Registering with the Design Faculty page for the artistic / technical aptitude examination AND uploading documents.
2.1) Create an account on the Design Faculty Admission page
You will then get an email with details to your created account. Deadline for this registration: January 15th, 2025 (Please be sure to check your mail inbox and spam folder regularly)
2.2) If you log into that account, you can upload the required documents (upload opens Dec 1st, 2025, last date: January 16h, 2025) (Please see general instructions on how to resize images in the right hand column.)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR LEVEL 1 OF THE ARTISTIC / TECHNICAL APTITUDE TEST
LEVEL 1
The application must be in English and include the following documents
1. online application form
2. BA or diploma transcript (or grade transcript of the final semester or penultimate semester as a scan, if the degree is not yet available)
3. Short biography / CV (PDF)
4. A list of the submitted work samples and a written declaration from the applicant stating that they completed the work samples in the Portfolio independently. (For team projects, the applicant’s individual contribution must be specified and highlighted.) You must upload this as one document (PDF).
5. A Portfolio with three independent work samples (no matter which language, please include commentary and description in English or German) which demonstrate an interest in exploring or developing artistic-technical contexts in digital narratives or analog/digital narratives, within project contexts such as
– scenic design and/or digital or analog projects (context of stage/theater, gaming, museum/exhibition, trade fair/event or set design/media production or virtual or hybrid spaces)
– object, space and architecture-related design
– temporary media design (context of performance/installation, linear and nonlinear)
– applied computer science or technologies, with reference to theater, media, performative or installation contexts, narrative, and body (from capturing real bodies/objects to creating avatars to interactive actor/robotic systems). Video or sound files can be uploaded via the corresponding form field. Please use easily available platforms, for instance youtube.
6. The portfolio work samples of applicants who meet the degree requirements will be evaluated by an elected committee according to the following aspects:
a) conceptual competence
b) content
c) artistic / design / technological creativity
Upload deadline: January 16th, 2025
LEVEL 2
The commission then decides on admission to the aptitude procedure's second level. Notification of admission to LEVEL 2 of the aptitude examination will be sent by mail on January 18th, 2025 (please be sure to check your mail inbox and spam folder regularly).
Applicants who are not admitted to the second level of the aptitude examination will be notified of their withdrawal from the procedure on time.
Level 2 Colloquium
Level 2 of the aptitude procedure will take place on 23rd of January, 2025, all day, online via Webex (www.webex.com). It serves to review and deepen the impressions gained so far. During the colloquium in English, the commissions expect applicants to share their views on technological layers as part of theatrical narrations, on the merger of art and technology.
Questions about the portfolio can also be part of the colloquium.
Result of the aptitude test level 2
1. confirmation of aptitude under the above aspects will be awarded at an overall average grade of 4.0 or better.
2. the submissions will be deleted after the deadline of one month in compliance with our data protection regulations.
Enrollment
Enrollment can only take place if you have applied in both arches: For the summer semester 25
1) applied with the FH Dortmund’s central application system by latest January 15th, 2025 (cut off deadline!)
https://portal.fh-dortmund.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces
2) applied for the Design Faculty’s artistic-technical aptitude evaluation via registering until January 15th, 2025 and uploading all necessary documents by January 16th, 2025. The Application system opens Dec 1st, 2024. In a nutshell:
Enrollment can only take place if the following applies:
- Study requirements are fulfilled.
- Application in the study portal of Dortmund University of Applied Sciences has been made;
- The aptitude test has been passed successfully
- Language certificates have been provided
Then we are looking forward to your enrollment and the start of your studies in the Master Theater and Digitality, in cooperation with the renowned Academy of Theatre and Digitality!
Study Advisory
If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Mr. Manuel Rick (study office) by mail, for questions regarding the aptitude procedure, please contact Prof. Anne-Kathrin Schulz (head of program).
Important information about application and enrollment can be found here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/bewerben-einschreiben/index.php