Design is diversity. That is why we allow you to choose your own specialization from among eleven design disciplines: from film and photography to graphics, text, and illustration or even the design of digital media, spaces, and objects.

Following an orientation semester, you will study three equally weighted modules in parallel. As a result, not only will you gain a diverse range of multidisciplinary skills over the course of your studies, you will also gain integrated design expertise across a range of media.

Studying design at Nuremberg means the greatest possible freedom of choice for students, personalization of specialist areas of study, and openness to further development and goal orientation.

Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Program duration
7 Semester
Admission restrictions
Test
Regulations for the preliminary exams in the Design degree programme (in German)
Subject distribution
Special features

Design as a unique combination of a number of representational media, flexibility, and openness to further development

Interesting numbers and statistics

More than 70% graduates succeed in starting their careers no later than six months after graduating with a bachelor’s degree; significantly less than 5% of students end their design studies at Nuremberg Tech prematurely.

Testimonials: This is how our students rate the degree programme on StudyCheck (in German)

Admission semester
Winter semester or Summer semester
Application period
For the winter semester: 15.05.2025 to 31.05.2025
For the summer semester: 01.12.2024 to 15.12.2024
Faculty
Design
Accreditation

More information

Detailed information about the curriculum of this programme is available in German. Switch the language toggle in the upper right corner.

More information

For more information on jobs and career prospects for graduates of this programme, visit our German pages by switching the language toggle in the upper right corner.

Applying

Students are accepted onto the bachelor’s degree programme in Design in the summer and winter semesters.

Apply in the StudyOhm portal.

All applicants must first meet the general admission requirements (e.g., ‘Abitur’, vocational qualification, or foreign educational credentials).

Additionally, for the Design degree programme, artistic and creative talent must be demonstrated. The preliminary exams for this consist of a pre-selection based on samples of the applicant’s own work (application portfolio), a practical aptitude test, and a colloquium. In this context, please note the preliminary exam regulations for the Design degree programme.

Work samples (application portfolio)

Format

The work samples should be submitted in digital form (see: Instructions for creating a digital application portfolio). They can be assigned to three sections. Please note the required number of pieces to be submitted per section.


If you are submitting work from more than one section, you can use the lowest guideline value in each case as a basis.


Important: In the case of combined work, be sure to note whether you are the author or partial author of each of the designs included, i.e., which elements of the image, text, and photographic material used were produced by you and which you adopted from elsewhere. The use of image material from the internet is not permitted.


When submitting samples of your own work (application portfolio) online, you will also be asked to make a binding declaration in which you affirm that you prepared the submitted samples of your work independently and without outside help.

Content

“Portfolio” section – illustrations, drawings, prints, layouts, photographs


The “portfolio” samples must consist of 30 to 40 examples of your own work.


There are no specifications as regards content. Traditional analogue work must be digitized for submission (scanner, smartphone, tablet, etc.), retouched using suitable image editing software and limited in size (1200 pixels, based on the longer edge of the image).


Preparation for upload: Image files must be merged and saved in a pdf file (max. 25 MB). The file name must contain the word “portfolio”.

“Digital” section – websites, apps, games, and other digital systems


The “digital” samples must consist of 1 to 5 examples of your own work.


There are no specifications as regards content. Screenshots of websites, apps, games, etc. that you have created yourself must be made in JPG or PNG format for submission. If the work is accessible on the internet at the time of the portfolio’s evaluation, corresponding URLs can be added to the screenshots.

Preparation for upload: Image files must be merged and saved in a pdf file (max. 25 MB). The file name must contain the word “digital”.

“Film” section – films, animations, cast

The “film” samples must consist of 3 to 6 examples of your own work.


There are no specifications as regards content. For the submission, film or animation sequences with a maximum resolution of 768 x 432 pixels and a maximum total length of 2 minutes must be created using a video/editing programme. Only the key scenes of longer films should be compiled in order to keep within the required 2 minutes total length.

Preparation for upload: The film/animation files must be saved in mp4 file format (max. 25 MB). The file name must contain the word “film”.

Evaluation criteria

The work is judged on the basis of a points system in accordance with its design, originality, and the quality of execution. If the candidate is awarded a certain number of points, they will be invited to sit the preliminary exams.

Once pre-selection is complete, applicants will be notified and invited to sit preliminary exams over several days.

Preliminary exams

The preliminary exams for students starting in summer semester 2023 will be held from 29 January to 30 January 2024 on campus. The exam requires the successful completion of practical tasks in the areas of typography, either drawing or photography, the preparation of a storyboard, and a written test (on the subject of design).

Each part of the exam is assessed independently. This individual assessment means that a weaker performance in one part of the exam can be compensated for by a good result in another. The criteria for the evaluation of the assessment parts are announced and explained in detail in the relevant task definition.

Documentation of language proficiency:

The language of instruction in this degree programme is German. Applicants who are native speakers of a language other than German, who do not have bachelor’s degree from a German educational institution, and who have not completed German-language vocational or professional training at secondary school must provide one of the following certificates as documentation of their German proficiency:

  • German language examination for the university admission of foreign applicants (DSH-Stufe 1)
  • TestDaF (“Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache” with an above-average score (minimally level 3 in all four examination components)

Overview of all recognised language proficiency documentation (pdf in German)

Are you unsure whether Design is the right degree programme for you? Nuremberg Tech offers you a range of services to help you find out exactly that.

Inside view from students

Studi-Talks: Ask those in the know! (in German)

Testimonials at www.studycheck.de (in German)

Student Counseling Portal

Would you prefer to get information and advice anonymously, online and independently of office hours?

Student Counseling Service

You’d like personal counseling and support in orientation and choosing a degree programme? Then you can get in touch with our Student Counseling Service.
Student Counseling Service

Would you prefer to receive advice directly from students? Our student guides will be happy to answer your questions.

Studi-Talks: Ask those in the know! (in German)

Faculty advisor

Would you like to get more detailed information about the content of individual subjects? Then the Faculty Advisor (Prof. Vetter / Prof. Mehl) is your next port of call. Please contact the secretary’s office at the Faculty of Design to make an appointment:

Events, e.g. educational fairs

  • Visit the Faculty of Design’s portfolio showing before you apply to get an idea for yourself. There is usually a portfolio showing in March/April or in October/early November.