The Best Media Training Centers in Bavaria

Film and TV

BAF – Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen und Digitale Medien

The Unterföhring-based Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen und Digitale Medien is located next to the most important TV channels and production companies such as BR, ZDF, ProSiebenSat. 1 or Sky. A diploma as a TV journalist, cameraman/woman, editor, or visual effects (VFX) artist from this academy is crucial in order to establish connections within the industry. The students' projects are also worth seeing. From filming in Siberia to student talk shows – there are no limits to creativity.

Advantage: The training center uses the same technology as the large TV stations next door.

HFF Munich – Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München

Anyone who dreams of turning the art of film into a profession can choose between seven study programs at HFF Munich, such as motion pictures and television film, documentary film and television journalism, or image design and VFX (visual effects). The HFF campus, officially named Bernd-Eichinger-Platz in 2012, commemorates one of its most important graduates. He is in good company – other well-known filmmakers who have studied here include Caroline Link, Roland Emmerich, and Marcus H. Rosenmüller.

Advantage: HFF owns four movie theaters, where the students can present their projects to a large audience.

Journalism

DJS. Deutsche Journalistenschule

What do the TV presenters and journalists Sandra Maischberger, Günther Jauch, and Kurt Kister have in common? They are among the most famous graduates of Deutsche Journalistenschule (DJS) in Munich. The 15-month compact training program does not require a degree and focuses entirely on practical journalism. Only 45 future journalists are selected in a multi-stage application process every year.

Advantage: Alongside the practical training, students have the opportunity to combine journalistic practice with theory and research in a master's program at the Institute for Communication Science and Media Research at Ludwig-Maximilians-University.

MEDIASCHOOL BAYERN

At the MEDIASCHOOL BAYERN, future media professionals have the opportunity to work together with experts in broadcasting and production studios and to gain experience in audio, video, and online production. The radio channels M94.5 (Munich) and max neo (Nuremberg) are almost exclusively managed by pupils, students, and trainees. Many TV and radio awards, such as the BLM-Hörfunkpreis award or the Eyes & Ears award, prove that this innovative and practice-oriented model works very well.

Advantage: The MEDIASCHOOL BAYERN is a renowned training center for numerous radio and TV stations. Many graduates have quickly gained a foothold in private or public broadcasting companies thanks to the journalistic experience they gain there.

IT

ReDI School of Digital Integration

The ReDI School was founded in 2016 with the goal of bringing people together through technology and facilitating its integration into society and the job market. Today, the ReDI School provides free courses to teach digital skills to people that want to improve their IT knowledge and don’t have access to digital education. A special women's program aims to support women in achieving their personal and professional goals. In 2018, the ReDI School was named one of the 100 most innovative initiatives in Germany by the German edition of the Financial Times.

Advantage: The ReDi School collaborates with important players of the media and IT industry such as Accenture or Microsoft.

Fashion meets Media

AMD Akademie Mode & Design

The Munich-based university AMD offers bachelor and master's degree programs in fashion and fashion-related subjects, for example: Fashion Journalism & Communication, Fashion Journalism/Media Communication, or Brand and Communication Design. The academy has existed for over 30 years and teaches students in a practice-oriented manner how storytelling works in text, film, and photography, or how to create a distinctive brand image.

Advantage: Trainees have the chance to work with cooperation partners such as the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung or the media company Burda.

State Universities

Hochschule Ansbach

Anyone wishing to study that emphasizes practice are in good hands at the Ansbach University of Applied Sciences. It offers study programs such as visualization and interaction in digital media, digital marketing and public relations, or corporate communications. Students have access to a photo, sound, and TV studio in order to put their projects into practice. They are free to decide which field they want to specialize in, and they can choose their course of study based on their personal preferences.

Advantage: Anyone wanting to launch an innovative media start-up during their studies can develop it further with the help of workshops and different projects of the Media Lab Ansbach. The Media Lab works in partnership with the university.

Hochschule Augsburg

In Augsburg, you can study interactive media, interactive media systems, or even communication design. The bachelor's degree, which is completed over seven semesters, is an interdisciplinary program and teaches media-specific skills in the fields of design and computer science. Anyone interested in software development, game design, or web and app development should consider this study program.

Advantage: Within the framework of the mentoring program of the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, important players from business and society accompany the students and support them individually.

Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden

When it comes to media production, it is worth taking a look at the programs of the OTH Amberg-Weiden. Interested students can take classes in media informatics as well as media technology or media production and expand their knowledge in the master's program. During the course of their studies, they complete projects such as the production of short films, radio plays, or print articles. Thanks to the combination of technology and design, students can become true “well-rounded media professionals”.

Advantage: Students of the OTH Amberg-Weiden produce their own TV show “123 Campus” with videos and presentations on topics related to the university.

Deggendorf Institute of Technology

If you are interested in studying media technology, you should take a look at the region of Lower Bavaria. The DIT Deggendorf’s study program focuses on engineering, technical content, as well as a wide-ranging, specialized knowledge within the range of print, TV/film, radio, and new media. The consecutive master’s program in media technology is offered in cooperation with the OTH Amberg-Weiden.

Advantage: As an "Affiliate Member of the UNWTO" (United Nations World Tourism Organization), the university has been part of the international environment of the UN since September 2020 and can therefore access resources such as the UNWTO's e-library, statistics, or other materials and use them for teaching and research.

Universität Passau

At the Center for Media and Communication at the University of Passau, students can get a bachelor's degree in Media and Communication as well as in Journalism and Strategic Communication. Journalism and PR are combined in a very innovative way, thus qualifying graduates for two major professional fields in the media industry.

Advantage: The University of Passau has a TV and radio studio and its own newsroom.

Private Universities

Macromedia University of Applied Sciences

The private Macromedia university of applied sciences employs about 100 teachers from different industries, universities, and agencies. Through a combination of practical seminars and management classes, students can learn skills that prepare them for the challenges of working life in the media sector. The bachelor's and master's programs range from film, design, and journalism, to media and communication management.

Advantage: The study programs include real-life tasks and practical projects with renowned corporate partners such as Siemens, Adobe, or Sky.

MD.H Mediadesign Hochschule

MD.H is one of the largest private providers of study programs and training in the fields of new media, games, fashion, media and communication management, and IT. By maintaining intensive contacts with commercial enterprises, the university's Career Service can help graduates to gain a foothold in the market.

Advantage: MD.H is also an interesting place for professionals – the evening class in graphic design, for example, offers the opportunity to gain further qualifications in this field on a part-time basis.

Not the right thing for you?

Then it's worthwhile to take a look at START INTO MEDIA! The new initiative of the Bavarian State Chancellery informs high school students, university students, and trainees about the numerous media training and education opportunities in Bavaria and promotes the exchange between training institutions and media companies.

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