Hamburg Media School: Top tuition-free study programs (2026/27)

Founded in 2003, Hamburg Media School (HMS) is a non-profit educational institution in Hamburg that combines academic education, professional development, and applied research in the fields of digital media, management, journalism, and film. HMS operates as a public-private partnership. Its shareholders include the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Universität Hamburg, the University of Fine Arts Hamburg (HFBK), and the Hamburg Media School Foundation. In addition, more than 50 companies, particularly from the digital and media industries, support the institution as sponsors and partners.

Founded in 2003, Hamburg Media School (HMS) is a non-profit educational institution in Hamburg that combines academic education, professional development, and applied research in the fields of digital media, management, journalism, and film. HMS operates as a public-private partnership. Its shareholders include the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Universität Hamburg, the University of Fine Arts Hamburg (HFBK), and the Hamburg Media School Foundation. In addition, more than 50 companies, particularly from the digital and media industries, support the institution as sponsors and partners. HMS is located at the Hamburg Arts and Media Campus in the Finkenau district. The campus brings together the Faculty of Design, Media and Information at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, HFBK, HMS, and the community and educational broadcaster TIDE. HMS degree programmes are offered in cooperation with Universität Hamburg, Hamburg University of Technology, HFBK, and Leuphana University Lüneburg. Academic responsibility and the awarding of state-recognised degrees lie with the respective partner universities. The current academic portfolio includes the English-taught bachelor’s programme Digital Media (B.A.) and five master’s programmes: Digital Journalism (EMAJ, part-time), Digital and Media Management (MBA, full-time), Digital and Media Management (EMBA, part-time), Film (M.A., full-time), and Values-Oriented Commercial Film (M.A., full-time). The programmes are characterised by small cohorts, close academic supervision, and a strong combination of academic or artistic foundations with practical projects and direct links to the digital, media, and film industries. In addition, HMS offers open seminars, multi-month programmes, executive education, and customised in-house training. Its current continuing-education portfolio focuses particularly on artificial intelligence, marketing and communication, and video and moving-image production. Its research activities include applied commissioned studies, academic publications, and industry trend reports. The combination of university-level teaching, artistic practice, applied research, and close cooperation with industry defines the profile of Hamburg Media School within Hamburg’s media and academic landscape.