Artistic Aptitude Test for the Bachelor "Angewandte Theaterwissenschaft"

Contact for questions  Julie.Pownall 

The Online registration for the artistic aptitude test for the Bachelor "Applied Theater Studies" (BA ATW) 2025 will be opened on December 10th.

The deadlines for the application procedure can be found here.

The artistic aptitude test for BA ATW will take place according to the following process:

Admittance Regulations
A meaningful theatre course which includes practical work is only possible when the number of students is manageable. Moreover, such a course, as well as the professions for which it prepares the students, demands special capabilities. Therefore, the Institute of Applied Theatre Studies has a special admittance process.

Study Requirements
A-Levels or an equivalent to Abitur and the successful completion of the artistic aptitude test are requirements for this course of study.

For BA ATW, you must be able to speak German. Also, English language proficiency is required. Further information on language requirements can be found here: 

English proficiency as evidenced by:

• School certificates: Abitur certificate (A Level) or “Realschule” (middle school) certificate 10^th grade, or
• Examination of language skills by the Department of English (level B1), or
• Proof of graduation from an English-language bachelor's degree program.
• if the proof cannot yet be provided at the time of enrollment, then "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL): where the test result is

     *in the paper version must be at least 550 out of 677 points, 

     *in the PC version at least 213 out of 300 points,

     *in the Internet version, the test score must be at least 79 out of 120 points, 

or

•  "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS): minimum overall score "6" (the test version "academic" is required),

or

•  Evidence certified according to the Common European Framework of Reference: At least level C1

In the case where special artistic talent is identified in the course of the application process, the proof of foreign language proficiency can be provided in exceptional cases through an individual examination by the examination board.

Determination of artistic aptitude
It is the aim of our entrance examination to choose students whose ability is individually considered regarding this course of study.

Studying Applied Theatre Science successfully requires artistic ability. The required aesthetic judgment and artistic aptitude are determined within the framework of an artistic aptitude test, therefore interested students must first apply for the aptitude test at the Institute for Applied Theatre Studies. Only after passing the artistic aptitude test, it is possible to apply for a place at the university via the application portal within the enrollment deadlines (usually by July 15). Please inform yourself individually at the beginning of June about the enrollment deadlines for the semester in question, as these may differ from the above-mentioned deadline (e.g. due to a pandemic, etc.).

The process of the artistic aptitude test focuses on skills like artistic creativity, motivation, sensibility as well as capability to present genuine artistic ideas, self-reflexion, sophisticated observation and abstract thinking.

The process of the artistic aptitude test for the Bachelors course is divided into three stages: First applicants must submit a portfolio containing two or three self-made artistic works. If the portfolio is awarded a positive mark by the examination commission, a written and finally an oral examination follows. For all three stages, it is important that the representation of the person, his/her own imagination, own work, inclinations and interests as well as attained capabilities (such as music lessons, theatre workshops, writing etc.) are in the foreground. The examination commission is interested in the most individual examination possible. Upon online-registration at our website you will receive a confirmation email containing a specific code number. With this code you will be able to log in on the website and obtain access to the anonymous results to each step of the application process.

1^st stage: PORTFOLIO

The portfolio should contain a resume, a letter explaining the reasons for application and if possible, a recommendation (e.g. reference letter from a teacher). All of these should indicate the applicant's own relationship to theatre, literature and art, as well as cultural and social procedures, preferences, aversions, and positive and negative experiences regarding theatre.

The portfolio should contain two or three self-made artistic works concerning topics the applicant has set him/herself (e.g. writing a scene, direction synopsis, performance concept, stage set model, short video film, audio work, design of a spacial, sound and/or video installation or something similar) and possibly one or two short theatre performance critiques. Please keep in mind that additionally to the content itself, the artistic form of the portfolio will be taken into account.

The portfolio must include a declaration with the following wording: “I hereby declare that I have carried out the work presented in this portfolio myself”.

If you want to submit videos or audios, please upload them to Vimeo or SoundCloud. Please do not forget to mention the respective links in your portfolio. Additionally, please send an e-mail to hiwi-theater, with a combined list of all the links referring to the works included in your portfolio. 

2^nd stage: WRITTEN EXAM

As written examination the applicants will be asked to write an essay about a topic chosen by the examination commission, for example a video extract of a performed production. The focus is not on literary and theatrical history knowledge but on theatrical sensitivity, i.e. the ability to observe, to describe and draw one's own subjective conclusions. This step of the application process only matters for the BA applicants.

The date of the exam will be on the 2nd of May 2025.

3^rd stage: ORAL EXAM

The oral examination is an interview. Hereby, the candidate's interest in theatre and other arts are in the foreground.

For those who have already passed the artistic aptitude test (max. two years ago) and have postponed the beginning of their studies, they are also requested to register if they want to start studying in 2025. To do so they also have to fill out the registration sheet and mark in the last segment 'already applied' 'already accepted in XXXX' with adding the acceptance date. Please send in your registration via mail until the portfolio deadlines. 

The oral exams will be held in the week from the 16th of June 2025.

4^th stage: Application at uni-assist – only for international students or students who have obtained their qualification outside of Germany!

If you have obtained your qualification outside of Germany, you have to formally apply at uni-assist, a service provider to all German universities. They evaluate diplomas obtained outside of Germany and compare them to the German system. For international students, it is not possible to enrol at Justus-Liebig-University without going through the admission process of uni-assist! This is also applicable if you are a German citizen but have finished school in another country.

After receiving your final acceptance to the program you applied for, you are able to sign in at uni-assist until the 15^th July of every year: https://www.uni-assist.de/en. This is a formal step and has to be completed in order to start your studies. 

You will receive further information regarding these topics with the final affirmation letter and also on the website of the international office of JLU. 

A subject consulting service is possible at all times by telephone consultation.

For those who have already passed the artistic aptitude test (max. two years ago) and have postponed the beginning of their studies, please let the university know by post by the entry deadline for the portfolio. To do so, please fill in the registration document and enter “already accepted” in the last segment under “already applied” and the registration date.