Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography Hochschule Hannover - University of Applied Sciences and Arts

The Bachelor’s programme in Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography will open the door to editorial desks, publishing houses, and media companies. We teach multidisciplinary visual skills based on the media of photography and video, focussing on journalistic and documentary narratives.

Our graduates work in various fields. Some work as freelance photographers, video journalists, or camera operators, and they finance their freelance documentary projects with scholarships and grants. Others opt for a permanent position after graduation, e.g. as a picture or video editor at a newspaper, curator at a gallery, or multimedia producer at an NGO (non-governmental organisation).

We differ from traditional journalism programmes that focus on the visual (e.g. photography, video, and data visualisation). Unlike most photography programmes, we focus on journalistic and documentary storytelling. Because of our bilingual orientation and innovative teaching concepts, such as the educational newsroom, this results in a globally unique programme.

The first two semesters include seminars like Visual Language, Research, and Storytelling in Journalism, which teach the technical and methodological basics. From the third semester on, many elective courses, such as Photobook, Short Documentary, and Data Visualisation, will give you the opportunity to develop your profile. The fifth semester is for the 19-week compulsory internship, and the eighth semester is for the Bachelor's project.

19-week internship in the fifth semester

To study with us, you will need a high school diploma ("Abitur", "Fachabitur") or an equivalent recognised degree. You will also need to show proof of artistic aptitude, which will be provided through an artistic aptitude test. Further information on the formal study requirements, particularly the required certificates and documents, can be found on our website.

If you hold foreign educational credentials, they must be verified for university admission regardless of your citizenship. This formal examination is currently being carried out by uni-assist, an institution that is jointly operated by the higher education institutions.

427 EUR per semester

Students in Hannover need approximately 965–1,106 EUR per month to cover living expenses. There are individual differences in living costs, so the figure given should be taken only as a guide.

In Hannover and at the Hochschule Hannover – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, there is a large offer of student jobs.

Here you can find more information.

Hannover University of Applied Sciences (HsH) supports its best students so that they can be freed as much as possible from the need to earn money and can dedicate themselves to their studies with full energy and without losing time. The best way to finance your studies is a scholarship, as it does not have to be repaid. In addition, scholarship holders receive a wide range of non-financial support from their sponsors.

Learn more.

Please find more information on our university's website.