International Class

Andrea Gjestvang in conversation with students from the International Class, 2017. Photo: Jan Philipp Eberstein
Photojournalism and Documentary Photography International Class
The International Class is integrated into the current curriculum of the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography programme and taught entirely in English. In this one-semester programme, students will learn how to visualize topics and content for the entire spectrum of journalistic publications, all within the discourse of documentary photography. Classes are held by faculty members as well as by internationally acclaimed photographers and other experts, such as Andrea Gjestvang, Mads Nissen and Dominic Nahr.
For additional information, please see: Magazine „International Class“ (PDF)
Basic Facts
- One-semester programme, early March until July (summer semester)
- Full-time study (16 hours/week), 30 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction is English
- BA level
- € 360.00 student fees
- Location at Expo Plaza, Hanover, Germany
- Application must be submitted no later than October 30th for the following year
- a maximum of 16 places will be offered each year for international students
Curriculum
- Spring Welcome Week (Mid February)
- Short Term Reporting and Final Project, Reportage (4 Hours/Week, 8 ETCS/Credits, March-July)
- Portrait Photography (2 Hours/Week, 6 ETCS/Credits, March-July)
- Photo Theory/Politics of Representation (2 Hours/Week, 3 ETCS/Credits, March-July)
- Photobook/Long Term Project (3 Hours/Week, 12 ETCS/Credits, March-July)
- Practice and Theory of Curating and Exhibition (2 Hours/Week, 3 ETCS/Credits, March-July)
Infrastructure and Equipment
The students in the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography programme are guided by a team of professors, lecturers and laboratory assistants. They have access to an extensive support system, personal advising and state-of-the-art equipment including a photo studio and darkroom, fully equipped computer and printing rooms, and a wide range of rental cameras and gear.
Application Requirements
- English proficiency (at least B2 level/CEFR)
- University enrolment certificate (bachelor level)
- Health insurance
How to Apply
Application process
After submitting your online application you will receive an identification number, which you can use to log into your account. Approximately 2-3 weeks after the application deadline, you will receive either a confirmation or rejection of participation by email. If you get accepted to the International Class, you will be asked to upload further documents, such as your language certificate, insurance certificate, and a passport photo meeting the following criteria: The head must be visible in full and the face in the middle of the picture, the person must look at the camera. The photo must be in color, ideally with a white background. The upload name of the photo must include your birth date and your first name and last name for example DD.MM.YYYY_firstname_lastname
Full-time scholarship for students from non-EU countries
Foreign students who apply for the International Class, can apply for a full-time scholarship of 6 months in parallel. This scholarship is endowed with 650 Euros per month and is aimed primarily at students from so-called ‚developing countries‘ studying at foreign partner universities or foreign universities with which partnership agreements are in progress or are planned. Applications for the scholarship must be issued parallel to applying for the International Class. In addition to the normal application documents a maximum one-sided letter must be submitted, attesting to the special eligibility of the student. In addition to the academic qualifications particularly social reasons are decisive for awarding the scholarship. Please send applications to: international@fotostudenten.de
Partner Institutions
- Belfast School of Art at Ulster University, Belfast (Erasmus)
- Danish School of Media and Journalism, Aarhus (Erasmus
- ESA LE75, Brussels (Erasmus)
- Institut d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya, Barcelona (Memorandum of Understanding)
- KASK, Gent (Erasmus)
- National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk (Memorandum of Understanding)
- Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Dhaka (Memorandum of Understanding)
- Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (Erasmus)
- Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon (Erasmus)

Photographer Mads Nissen with students from the International Class, 2017. Photo: Maximilian von Lachner / HS Hanover
Contact
Hochschule Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover Faculty III – Media, Information and Design Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Expo Plaza 2 30539 Hannover international@fotostudenten.de