This portal allows you to submit your application for the aptitude test (assessment procedure of course-related artistic-design aptitude) digitally in all degree programs of the Department of Design.
To help you prepare for the upcoming aptitude assessment procedure, we recommend that you participate in a free portfolio and subject advisory service. You can find the available dates here.
Aptitude test for Bachelor's degree programs for the winter semester
Aptitude test BA Film & Sound for winter semester 26/27
You can register during the listed period to participate in the aptitude for the BA Object and Interior Design program for the winter semester 26/27.
Registration: 01.06.25 – 30.04.26
As part of the 1st stage of the procedure, after registration, but no earlier than the beginning of the 1st stage of the procedure (01.03.26), you will receive an e-mail with detailed information on the further course of the artistic-design aptitude test and the task.
1st stage of the procedure: 01.03. – 31.05.26 (upload of the works)
Please upload your work samples and term papers in full within the processing period (01.03. – 31.05.26). Incomplete applications will not be graded.
After the 1st stage of the procedure, the Commission decides on admission to the second stage of the procedure. This means that in the event of a clear result, you can be awarded or not granted suitability, even without participation in the 2nd stage of the procedure.
If you are scheduled for the 2nd stage of the procedure with your application, you will receive an invitation by e-mail at least one week before the date.
2nd stage of the procedure: personal interview in mid-June
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitude test BA Photography for winter semester 26/27
The aptitude test is divided into individual steps, starting with registration for this procedure. To do this, you can register all year round to participate in the aptitude assessment procedure.
For the start of the BA Photography programme in the winter semester 26/27, the registration deadline is 31.03.26.
Registration for the aptitude test: from now until 31.03.26
After your registration, you will receive a message (e-mail) after 31.03.26 with detailed information on the further process of the artistic-design aptitude assessment.
This marks the beginning of the processing period for the first stage of the procedure.
1st stage of the procedure: 01.04.26 – 15.05.26 (upload of your work and documents)
Please upload your work samples, documents and homework in full within the processing period. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.
As part of the 1st stage of the procedure, the aptitude committee evaluates your application documents and theses. Subsequently, if the result is clear, you will be awarded or not awarded. You will receive the result of the 1st stage of the procedure by e-mail after the evaluation.
In the event of an inconclusive result, the commission will invite you to a personal meeting at a 2nd stage of the procedure. If you are scheduled for the 2nd stage of the procedure with your application, you will receive an invitation by e-mail at least one week before this date.
You will receive the result of the 2nd stage of the procedure by e-mail after the evaluation.
2nd stage of the procedure: Date in May
If you are awarded the artistic-design aptitude, the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences offers you the opportunity to enrol in the BA Photography programme.
Aptitude test BA Communication Design for winter semester 26/27
You can register all year round to participate in the aptitude for the BA communication Design program for the winter semester 26/27. The period (A, B or C) depends on the time of your registration. The deadlines of the periods can be found in the following table.
Upload your work via this portal during the respective period and you will thus go through the 1st stage of the procedure. Incomplete applications will not be graded.
Registration 1st stage of proceedings 2nd stage of proceedings
Period A 01.06.25 – 31.08.25 01.07.25 – 30.09.25 mid-October
Period B 01.09.25 – 31.12.25 01.11.25 – 31.01.26 mid-February
Period C 01.01.26 – 30.04.26 01.03.26 – 31.05.26 mid-June
After the 1st stage of the procedure, the Commission decides on admission to the second stage of the procedure. This means that in the event of a clear result, you can be awarded or not granted suitability, even without participation in the 2nd stage of the procedure. We will inform you by e-mail about the outcome of the 1st stage of the procedure.
If you are scheduled for the 2nd stage of the procedure with your application, you will be invited to an oral online interview/colloquium via video conference, depending on the selected period.
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitude test BA Object and Spatial Design for winter semester 26/27
You can register all year round to participate in the aptitude for the BA Object and Spatial Design degree program for the winter semester 26/27. The period (A, B or C) depends on the time of your registration. Upload your free work via this portal during the corresponding period and you will go through the 1st stage of the procedure.
1st stage of the procedure (registration + upload of the free works)
Period A 01.06.25 – 30.09.25
Period B 01.10.25 – 31.01.26
Period C 01.02.26 – 31.05.26
After the 1st stage of the procedure, the Commission decides on admission to the second stage of the procedure. This means that in the event of a clear result, you can be awarded or not granted suitability, even without participation in the 2nd stage of the procedure. We will inform you by e-mail about the outcome of the 1st stage of the procedure.
If you are scheduled for the 2nd stage of the procedure with your application, you will receive an invitation by e-mail in mid-June 2026, at least one week before the date. In the 2nd stage of the procedure, you will receive a practical examination task lasting several hours. Afterwards, you will present your elaboration to the commission in a conversation lasting no more than 20 minutes.
2nd stage of the procedure: practical examination task and personal interview in mid-June
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitude test BA Serious Games & Digital Knowledge for winter semester 26/27
The aptitude test for the Serious Games & Digital Knowledge program consists of three steps:
1. Registration
2. First Stage of the Assessment Procedure
3. Second Stage of the Assessment Procedure
Additionally, you must also apply for a place at the university separately.
1. Registration
📅 June 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
To register for the aptitude test, please sign up using our online portal. Click the registration button below and create an account.
If you want to begin the study program in the winter semester 2026/27, you need to register by April 30, 2026.
2. First Stage of the Assessment Procedure
📅 February 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026
📤 Upload your work
By April 30, you must do the following:
• Upload your curriculum vitae,
• Submit 15 creative works from your portfolio, and
• Complete 2 tasks that we will send to you.
You’ll receive an email with detailed instructions on February 1. If you register after February 1, you will receive the tasks shortly after your registration.
⚠️ Important: We do not evaluate incomplete submissions.
Accepted file formats for upload: .pdf, .png, .jpg, .svg
From a .pdf, you may link to public websites or streaming platforms (like YouTube, Vimeo), as long as we don’t need user accounts to access them. Do not use file sharing services like: Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.
💬 If you have questions, you can book a portfolio counseling appointment.
3. Second Stage of the Assessment Procedure
📅 May 2026
🗣️ Personal Interview
If we cannot make a clear decision based on your submitted work, we will invite you to a personal interview.
You’ll get the invitation at least one week in advance via email.
University Application
You must also apply for a place at the university (FH Dortmund) separately from the aptitude test.
This application checks your formal qualifications, such as school certificates, internships, language tests, visa, etc. It does not evaluate your artistic abilities.
The application deadlines depend on whether you are a citizen of the European Union.
📅 Application periods:
• Non-EU applicants: April 15 – June 15 → via uni-assist
• EU applicants: May 15 – July 15 → via FH Dortmund portal
📌 More information is available on the FH Dortmund website.
📌 If you’re from outside Germany, please contact the International Office as early as possible if you have questions.
Hint! The application for a place at university
In addition to taking the artistic-design aptitude test, you must also apply centrally for the study place (starting with a so-called "self-registration"). You can do this within the following periods on the respective portals.
Application deadlines for Dortmund University of Applied Sciences
EU application 15.05. – 15.07. Study portal FH Dortmund
If you have any questions about applying for a study place, admission requirements and internships as part of the application, please contact the Office for Student Affairs – Admissions Office – Ms. Petschke directly.
Non-EU application 15.04. – 15.06. uni assist
If you are applying from outside the EU, please contact the International Office for study and admission advice, enrollment for Bachelor's degree - Adelina Kastrati
Further information on the topic of "Application and enrollment for studies" can be found on the portals mentioned above and on the homepage of the FH Dortmund under "Studying".
Aptitude test for Master's degree programs
Aptitude Test Master Digital Design (Informatic) for winter semester 2025/26
Registration: from 01.03.2025 until 14.07.2025
Upload of the portfolio and documents: until 14.07.2025
Colloquium for applications: if necessary and by individual arrangement
Announcement of the results approximately one month after submission. They will be sent by post.
Aptitude Test Master Editorial Design for summer semester 2025
Registration and Upload of the portfolio and documents: until Monday, 10.02.2025
The invitation to the colloquium will be sent by e-mail on Wednesday, 12.02.2025.
Colloquium: Monday, 17.02.2025 online via Webex
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitute Test Master Film for the summer semester 2025
Registration and Upload of the portfolio and documents: until Sunday, 26.01.2025
The invitation to the colloquium will be sent by e-mail on Tuesday, 04.02.2025.
Colloquium: Tuesday, 11.02.2025 personally on site (in justified exceptional cases via Webex)
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitude Test Master Photographic Studies for the winter semester 2025/26
Registration and upload of documents: 01.01.2025 to 15.07.2025
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitude Test Master Scenography and Communication for the winter semester 2025/26
Registration and upload of works: until Sunday, 29.06.2025
The invitation to the colloquium will be sent by e-mail on Tuesday, 01.07.2025.
Colloquium: Monday, 09.07.2025 online via Webex
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
Aptitude Test Master of Theatre and Digitality for the summer semester of 2026
Registration and upload of works: until Sunday, June 29th, 2025
The invitation to the colloquium will be sent by e-mail on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025.
Colloquium: Friday, July 11th, 2025, online via Webex
You will receive the result of the aptitude test by e-mail after the application process.
There will be another opportunity to take the artistic aptitude test at the end of November/beginning of December 2025. The exact dates will be announced later.
Please note: Next start of the study is in the summer semester 2026. After successfully passing the artistic artistic aptitude test, you will need to seperately apply for a study spot, between Dec 1st, 2025 and January 15th, 2026 (both for EU and Non EU Applicants).
Applying for a study place
In Addition to taking the artistic-creative test, you must also apply centrally for a place on the course. You can also find the deadlines on the homepage of the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts or the portal of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund! Please register on the portals listed below, taking into account the application deadlines for a summer or winter semester.
Application deadlines Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts for the winter semester 2025/2026
| Admission-free Bachelor's and Master's degree programs: portal of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund | 15.05.2025 - 15.07.2025 | |
| Non-EU Bachelor's degree Programs (uni assist): | 01.04.2025 - 15.06.2025 | |
| Non-EU Master's degree programs without admission restrictions: portal of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund | 15.05.2025 - 15.06.2025 |