Ever thought about taking your design career to the next level with higher education? Well, Germany is the perfect place for you! Studying design in Germany promises academic excellence and diverse opportunities through a journey of artistic exploration and professional growth. Keep reading to learn more about the eligibility, admission requirements, and scholarships for a Master’s in Design in Germany.
Private Universities: May cost you between €7,000 and €15,000/year
Top Universities
Fernhochschule The Mobile University
Wismar University
Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
University of Europe for Applied Sciences
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences
Average Annual Salary
€ 57,000
Why Study Master’s in Design in Germany
Germany offers a gateway to creative possibilities and academic excellence for Design. With its growing reputation as a global destination and accessible education, Germany offers many benefits for pursuing a Masters in Design.
Global Study Destination: Germany ranks among the top study destinations globally, attracting ambitious international students. In 2022/23, Germany welcomed 458,210 international students, maintaining its position as one of the top study destinations worldwide.
Education Accessibility: Public universities in Germany offer free education for all international students. Students just need to pay administrative fees, which can cost around € 150 to € 250 per semester.
Low Unemployment Rates: It has one of the lowest unemployment rates within the European Union, with only 3.1% of the workforce unemployed as of January 2024. The supportive academic and professional environment in Germany fosters professional development and employment potential after graduation.
Numerous Scholarship Opportunities: Scholarship programs like Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship Program, or the DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship (among others) are all available to help international students fund their studies in Germany.
Part-Time & Full-Time Work Opportunities During & After Studies: International students have the chance to work part-time during their studies, augmenting their income. They can extend their stay in Germany for 18 months post-graduation to pursue job opportunities with an extended residence permit.
Admission Requirements for Master’s in Design in Germany
Eligibility Criteria
The admission requirements and eligibility criteria may change depending on your chosen university. It is recommended that you check the university's official website. However, here are the standard eligibility criteria and admissions requirements for a Master in Design in Germany.
Bachelor's degree school certificates degree translated into English or German
Applicants are expected to show an adequate level of English skills, usually with the following scores:
Portfolio (5 to 15 samples of your best creative pieces)
Cost of Study for Master’s in Design in Germany
While public universities in Germany don't charge fees for Master's degrees, some private institutions do require fees for these advanced programs. Typically, students can expect to pay annually between € 8,000 to € 20,000, depending on the private university and specific course of study. Check out the following table to explore the tuition fees at the top five universities for Masters in Design:
Sr. No.
University
Tuition Fees
1
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences
€ 5,100 per semester
2
University of Europe for Applied Sciences
€ 10,938 per year
3
Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
€ 5,550 per semester
4
Fernhochschule The Mobile University
€ 549 per month
5
Brand University of Applied Sciences
€ 1,140 per month
Cost of Living While Pursuing Master’s in Design in Germany
Living costs in Germany, such as expenses for housing, clothing, and food, are reasonably average compared to other European countries. The average monthly expenditure for a German student stands at € 842. This includes a range of expenses such as transportation, accommodation, apparel, meals, medical coverage, study resources, internet access, and leisure activities.
Students in Germany also benefit from numerous discounts with valid student IDs granting reduced prices for the theater, opera, museum admissions, and cultural events. University sports programs may offer free or reasonably priced activities.
However, the average expenses of German students are as follows:
Items
Cost/Month
Rent (with electricity costs)
€ 410
Health insurance and medications, doctor appointments
€ 100
Food
€ 198
Tuition fees
€ 76
Transportation costs (public/private vehicles)
€ 89
Apparel
€ 46
Leisure and Recreation activities
€ 65
Semester contribution
€ 36
Telephone and Internet
€ 32
Cost of Resources such as Books
€ 31
Other expenses
€ 144
Scholarships for Master’s in Design in Germany
Students can avail of various scholarships while pursuing a Masters in Design in Germany. Here’s a list of few scholarships:
Scholarship Name
Type
Deadline
Amount
Elsa-Neumann-Scholarships
Merit-based
17 Apr 2024
€ 1,350 per month + € 100 for materials cost
Scholarship for Completing Studies for Students
Merit-based
30 Nov 2024
€ 500 per month
Landesgraduierten-Stipendien
Merit-based
28 Sep 2024
€ 1,400 per month
SRH Distance Learning University
Need-based
Not Specified
Various benefits, including 50% off in tuition fees
Oskar-Karl-Forster scholarship
Merit-based
June 26th, 2024
€ 500
Master’s in Design in Germany: Jobs and Placements
After finishing your Master's degree in Design in Germany, many exciting possibilities are ahead. Some top career paths and typical annual salary include:
Job Role
Annual Salary Range
Product Designer
€ 50,000 to € 65,000
User Experience (UX) Designer
€ 44,000 to € 57,000
Multimedia Designer
€ 38,000 to € 42,000
Graphic Designer
€ 35,000 to € 48,000
Design Manager
€ 61,000 to € 100,000
Source: Glassdoor
Conclusion
Pursuing a Master's in Design in Germany offers a chance to invest in your future and unlock your creativity to influence the world. This opportunity allows learning from experts, teaming with others passionate about design, and developing works that motivate, engage, and impact society on long-term
FAQs
Can I work while studying for a Master's in Design in Germany as an international student?
Yes, non-EU students have a different restriction, limiting their work up to 120 full days or 240 half days each year. These rules are in place to provide equitable and feasible job prospects for foreign students while they pursue their studies in Germany.
Are Master's programs in design taught in English or German?
In most German universities, German is the main teaching language, but some programs are conducted in English. Private universities provide English programs that are easier to get into but have higher tuition costs.
What is the duration of a Master's in Design program in Germany?
The typical duration for a Master's in Design program in Germany is 18 months to 24 months, depending on the university and program structure.
Anupriya Mukherjee is a passion-driven professional working as a Content Marketer and earlier worked as a Digital Marketeer. With around 6 years of work experience, she has experience creating high-quality, engaging content for websites, blogs, news articles, video scripts, brochures, and ebooks.