Why Consider a Master's in Design in Germany

Updated on 30 April, 2024

Anupriya Mukherjee

Anupriya Mukherjee

Sr. Content Writer

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.

Key Highlights

Duration 1.5 years to 2 years
Tuition Fees
  • Public Universities: No tuition Fees
  • 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:
English Proficiency Test Minimum Required Score
IELTS Overall 5.5
TOEFL iBT 72
TOEFL ITP (paper-based)  543
Pearson Test of English (Academic) 59
Cambridge English Advanced and Proficiency Overall 160 
TOEIC
  • Listening: 785 
  • Reading: 785
  • Speaking 160
  • Writing 150 
Duolingo  95

Document Requirements

  • Academic transcript (high school/bachelors/masters/diploma (if any))
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV) 
  • Language proficiency scorecard \
  • University application form
  • Scanned copy of passport
  • Motivation letter (required 500 words minimum)
  • 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.

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Anupriya Mukherjee

Sr. Content Writer

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.

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