F-1 Visa
Non-immigrant international students studying at HB Studio through an F-1 visa are required to maintain a full course of study. HB Studio defines a “full course of study” as a minimum of seven classes per week in the International Studio Class Program, or participation in the Hagen Core Training or Hagen Summer Intensive. For the International Studio Class Program, mandatory classes include at least two Acting classes (Acting The Song and Improvisation are not considered acting classes), one Speech class, one Speaking Voice class, one Movement class, and two electives. Your studies must be your priority. While attending HB Studio, NO OTHER ACTIVITY CAN TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER CLASSES.
Applicants must possess verbal and written fluency in English. Student Applicants whose first language is not English must submit their TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent test scores. Applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting contemporary monologues in English, 3 minutes each, and a brief a cappella song (or portion of a song) for their audition video (video file submission is through our online application or DVD when submitting an application by mail). Depending on your proficiency, our Acting in English class, or an outside ESL class, may be recommended.
Tuition & Fees
While studying as an F-1 visa student, you must be able to financially support yourself without working. As part of your application packet, you must submit proof of sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for the intended period of study.
APPLICATION FEE
Prospective International students pay a non-refundable $25 application fee to be considered for enrollment.
REGISTRATION FEE
International visa students pay an annual, non-refundable administrative fee of $150, and international visa students on Optional Practical Training pay a non-refundable fee of $100.
TUITION & EXPENSES – International Studio Class Program:
| Number of Terms |
Average Tuition & Fees |
Average Living Expenses |
Total |
| Two Year (Eight Terms) starting any term |
$24,000 |
$34,000 |
$58,000 |
| One Year (Four Terms) starting any term |
$12,000 |
$17,000 |
$29,000 |
| Three Terms |
$9,000 |
$14,500 |
$23,500 |
| Two Terms |
$6,000 |
$12,500 |
$18,500 |
| One Term |
$3,200 |
$5,800 |
$9,000 |
HB Studio requires payment in full for tuition and all fees upon registration for each term. The Studio accepts credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, and Discover), money orders, traveler’s cheques, cash, wire transfers of U.S. funds, and personal checks drawn on U.S. funds from U.S. banks only. The Studio does not offer refunds to students who are dropped or withdraw from the program.
Attendance Policy
Federal regulations require the Studio to monitor student attendance. Please review our attendance policy and all program details before you make your commitment to study at HB Studio. The Studio adheres strictly to its policy regarding attendance.
Students in the International Studio Class Program are allowed a maximum of six absences during any term. It is your responsibility to keep an accurate account of your absences. When you incur three absences, the International Student Advisor will notify you in writing that you are on academic probation. If you incur more than six absences, the Studio notifies you and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that you have been dropped from the program.
The International Student Advisor will only notify you about your absences twice: when and if you are placed on academic probation, and when and if you exceed the maximum number of absences and you are being dropped from the program. Please remember that if you exceed the maximum absences for a term and are dropped from the program, the Studio is required to immediately contact the SEVP about the change in your visa status. This notification is not reversible.
Each missed class counts as one absence. For example, if you are enrolled in three classes on the same day and miss all three classes, you incur a total of three absences for that day.
Late arrivals and early departures are not allowed. If you have a special circumstance (I.E. one class ends when your next class begins) speak with an F-1 advisor. Each lateness counts as one absence.
You must contact the Key Student in each of your classes when you are not able to attend class. It is your responsibility to get the Key Student’s telephone number at the first class.
Should you have an extraordinary circumstance surrounding an absence, it is your responsibility to contact the International Student Advisor. You should make your request for special consideration in writing as early as possible. Please understand that even in extraordinary circumstances, a doctor’s note does not mean that all absences are excused. The Studio must always adhere to SEVP regulations, and therefore, cannot guarantee approval.
You may not make up an absence in another class. If a teacher cancels a class, you are not marked absent. If there is a teacher-provided make-up class, you may attend, of course, but not attending will not be counted against you.
For students participating in any of The Uta Hagen Institute intensive programs, no unexcused absences are permitted.
For questions, please contact our International Student Advisors, Snezhana Chernova at international@hbstudio.org or 212-675-2370 extension 28. For questions about The Uta Hagen Institute, please email Jim Boerlin at jboerlin@hbstudio.org or 212-675-2370 extension 38.
