BIMM Germany Admissions FAQs
Choosing where to study a bachelor’s or master’s course is an incredibly exciting time — it takes you one step closer to achieving your dream career in the creative industry. It’s also a big decision and you will likely have lots of questions about things like auditions, visas, fees and the application process.
To help you out, we’ve compiled the top questions most asked by applicants so that you have the smoothest application process possible.
If you would like to know anything else, or your question isn’t answered here, our friendly Admissions Team will be happy to provide the answers. Simply email them at admissions@bimm-institute.de and they will be happy to help.
- Are the auditions or interviews online or in-person?
- Can I apply for the 2024 academic year now or do I have to wait?
- If I do not have a successful audition or interview, will I need to re-apply for the following year?
- Will I receive a letter/proof of placement for my visa?
- Do I need a study visa if I’m joining BIMM University Berlin from the UK?
- When is the application deadline for this year and can I take the English test later?
- What are the entry requirements?
- Where can I find out about accommodation and finding somewhere to live?
- What are the costs for each semester?
- Is it possible to get a scholarship?
- Can I choose the songs I want to perform in my audition for Popular Music Performance, Songwriting or the Joint Honours degree?
- Are there options for tuition loans or academic financial support within Germany, or is this only valid for the UK?
- How will I be supported on work placements during my course?
- I have already taken an Abitur exam in English. Do I still have to take the IELTS test?
- If I have already received an offer of study and only have to sign the agreement, when is the latest I can sign and return it?
- How does the application process work? What are the requirements?
Are the auditions or interviews online or in-person?
We are conducting all of our interviews online via Zoom and asking applicants to submit pre-recorded performances and or pre-prepared material depending on what course you are applying for.
If you’re keen to kickstart your creative career, then please apply ahead of our application deadline and we can complete your audition or interview as soon as possible. We can also offer you a College Tour of our college facilities. Further information is available here.
Can I apply for the 2024 academic year now or do I have to wait?
Yes – you can absolutely apply to study in September 2024. Click here to apply today.
If I do not have a successful audition or interview, will I need to re-apply for the following year?
If you are unsuccessful at your audition or interview, then don’t worry! You will get precise feedback on what is needed from you to succeed next time and be offered another audition/interview at a later date. This second audition/ interview will take place in consultation with you and when our lecturer feels you’ve had enough time to incorporate their suggestions into your practice.
If our lecturer feels you need more time to work on your practice, and you won’t be able to do this before enrolment and our course start dates in September, then they will give you thorough feedback on your development areas and our Admissions Team will invite you to re-apply for the following academic year. This is so you have plenty of time to prepare for another audition or interview at a later date and be ready to succeed.
As always, if you submit your application by our application deadlines, then this gives you plenty of time to prepare for your audition or interview. This also includes working on the development of your practice for a second audition or interview if you are unsuccessful at the first attempt.
Will I receive a letter/proof of placement for my visa?
Yes. When you have signed your contract confirming your September enrolment and paid your deposit, you will receive a Course Confirmation letter. This is all you need from our Admissions Team for a successful visa application.
Do I need a study visa if I’m joining BIMM University Berlin from the UK?
If you plan to study at BIMM University Berlin, and have British nationality, you will likely require a study visa to move to Germany. Entry to Germany is otherwise limited to 90-days (3-months) from the point of arrival under the Schengen visa waiver which won’t be long enough for you to reside in Germany throughout your academic studies.
Please visit our Brexit Information page for further advice and useful links.
Exceptions do apply, such as if you have dual EU-nationality or EU Permanent Residency for 3-years or more. The German Federal Foreign Office has further guidance which you can reference.
If you are an EU national planning to move to Germany from the UK, then you will not require a visa to study, and will just need to register at your local Citizens Office within 14-days of arrival.
When is the application deadline for this year and can I take the English test later?
You can apply until 31st August – although please bear in mind that places on our course may be full by this point. We recommend that you apply as soon as is convenient for you. As for your English Language test, you can do this any time between now and when you enroll. We recommend checking out your local IELTS test centre and booking this at a time that suits you, or completing an online ESOL test which could be convenient if your ability to travel is limited.
We do need proof of your English language ability by the time you enroll, so again, the sooner you can complete and provide this to us the better. Our English Language Requirements webpage has all the information you need to know for what standard of English is required for your course of study.
For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@bimm-institute.de.
What are the entry requirements?
As we have applicants from across the globe and from many different educational backgrounds, we have compiled a list of the minimum entry requirements from a range of countries and awarding bodies here.
If you do not find qualifications relevant to those which you have or will attain, please contact admissions@bimm-isntitute.de who will be able to advise you. Credits achieved from comparable university courses and higher education authorities may be taken into consideration. To verify this, please contact our helpful Admissions Team.
Where can I find out about accommodation and finding somewhere to live?
Our Berlin Welcome Guide contains lots of useful information about the areas to look in, types of lettings, public transport and how to manage your finances.
What are the costs for each semester?
We don’t price our courses by semester. Instead, we price by each academic year, which comprises two 15-week semesters (three 15-week semesters for masters’ students). Find out more here.
Is it possible to get a scholarship?
Please keep an eye on our fees and finance page for current information on whether scholarships or bursaries are available.
Can I choose the songs I want to perform in my audition for Popular Music Performance, Songwriting or the Joint Honours degree?
All Popular Music Performance (Guitar, Vocals, Bass & Drums), Songwriting and Joint Honours applicants are required to perform a song of their choice. It can be anything you are comfortable with performing – something that represents you, your approach to your chosen instrument or discipline, and your overall technical ability. You are welcome to perform with a backing track or acapella, and your performed piece should be at least three minutes long.
If you are applying for Songwriting, your performed piece must be an original track that you have written.
If you are applying for BMus Popular Music Performance (Vocals, Drums, Bass, or Guitar), we recommend performing a cover so our lecturers can reference your performance to the original song.
For the Joint Honours, you must perform one track from another artist to showcase your technical skills and one song from your Songwriting repertoire. You will receive clear audition criteria from our Admissions Team after you’ve applied to study, so you’re fully prepared for your audition and know what is required when it takes place.
Are there options for tuition loans or academic financial support within Germany, or is this only valid for the UK?
We are looking into options for student loans, but unfortunately, there are currently no opportunities known to us at this time. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for Higher Education funding from your home government. Please visit our fees & Finance page for more information.
How will I be supported on work placements during my course?
You will receive support throughout your studies from our Careers Team, who facilitate various work placement opportunities at employers or creative organisations across the year at BIMM University Berlin. The Careers Team can help support you with job application prep through to supporting you whilst you’re on your work placement.
We also have various industry-engagement opportunities, such as End of Term gigs at renowned local venues, networking events, film screenings and more. All of these are an opportunity to build your network and showcase your creative and professional output.
I have already taken an Abitur exam in English. Do I still have to take the IELTS test?
If you have English as Leistungsfach and 10 or more points, you don’t need to take an additional language test.
If I have already received an offer of study and only have to sign the agreement, when is the latest I can sign and return it?
The deadline is two weeks after receiving the contract. If you require any longer than this, please contact our Admissions Team to notify them of your circumstances. You can contact them at admissions@bimm-institute.de.
How does the application process work? What are the requirements?
You need to complete an online application via our Application Portal, detailing your academic background and existing or anticipated exam results. Please submit any evidence you have of these to us when you submit your application. Alternatively, you can provide these to us at a later date if you are still studying.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible and in advance of our application deadlines, even if you are still studying, to avoid disappointment. We understand that you may not have your high school results yet, but we can still get you prepared and scheduled in for an entry audition or interview. The sooner you apply, the more availability there will be on our courses.
For a full overview of our application process, check out our How to Apply page. Our Admissions Team is always on hand to help as well, and you can contact them via admissions@bimm-institute.de.