BA in Artistic Practice and Society

About the course

A four-year degree combining a liberal arts core curriculum with studio work across the arts, including painting, drawing, sculpture, film and video, creative writing, performance and theatre, dance, sound, ceramics and architecture, with a focus on art in society. It ends with a capstone made up of a creative work and an academic thesis, weighted equally; teaching is in English with a German language requirement, and qualifying students receive both a German BA and an American BA.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Bard College Berlin does not publish a specific rule for the Irish Leaving Certificate. For the German BA (awarded alongside the American BA to qualifying students) German entry rules (KMK/anabin) apply: six subjects, at least two at Higher Level at H5 or better, the other four at H6/O6 or better, including two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. Arts subjects have no extra subject requirement. Confirm your eligibility with admissions.
• Portfolio: applicants to this programme submit up to 10 digital samples of their artistic work (for example painting, photography, video, audio or creative writing), along with the motivation statement (250-500 words), a graded analytical essay, school transcripts, at least two academic references and, by invitation, an online interview of up to 30 minutes.
• English: C1 level required. Native speakers and applicants with at least one year at an English-language institution are exempt, so Irish-schooled students are normally exempt; otherwise TOEFL iBT 95, IELTS 7.0, Cambridge CAE/CPE, TOEFL Essentials 10 or Duolingo 130.

How to apply

1. Build your portfolioSelect up to 10 digital samples of your best creative work, such as painting, photography, video, audio or creative writing.
2. Prepare your documentsWrite the 250-500 word motivation statement, pick a graded analytical essay with teacher comments, ask two teachers for references and ask your school to send transcripts for your last four years of secondary school.
3. Apply and interviewSubmit on the Common App or the Bard College Berlin online form (no fee) by 1 Nov 2026 or 10 Jan 2027 (EU applicants, including Irish students, can also use the final deadline of 1 May 2027). Shortlisted applicants have an online interview of up to 30 minutes.
4. Accept and plan financesConfirm the deposit deadline in your offer, apply for financial aid if needed, arrange accommodation and health insurance, and send final Leaving Cert results.

Costs

• Private college: the off-campus comprehensive fee is EUR 27,500 a year (2026/27), covering tuition, student services and, for new students, the Language and Thinking Program and orientation, but not housing or meals. The on-campus comprehensive fee, which adds a furnished room and a weekday meal plan, is EUR 38,250 a year. A Berlin transit semester ticket (EUR 453.60 per semester) and reader fees (EUR 10-90 per semester) are extra. There is no application fee. Fees for 2027/28 are set each year by the Board of Trustees and may change.

At a glance