Study Interior Designing in Germany: Top Interior Design Universities in Germany

Top Interior Design Universities in Germany

German universities are known to rank 1st in the domains of quality education, excellent teaching faculties, research opportunities and low-cost tuition fees. Nearly 16 universities in Germany offer interior design courses. Out of these 16 universities, we have shortlisted the top interior design colleges in Germany for you.

• Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
• Dresden University of Technology
• University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart
• Leibniz University Hannover
• Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Let us analyse these best universities in Germany for interior design further and find out which one is more suitable for you.

1. Berlin International University of Applied Sciences

Berlin International University of Applied Sciences is a non-profit institution for higher education. It has excellent academic standards and has a goal of resolving societal problems through innovation and development. The interior designing courses are interdisciplinary in nature and are taught in English to international students. The course enables students to conceptualise, plan and remodel spaces and existing building interiors. 

University Type	Private
Programs Offered	B.A. Interior Architecture/Interior Design M.A. Interior Architecture and Interior Design
Course Duration	B.A. - 3 years / 6 semesters M.A. - 2 years / 4 semesters
Tuition Fees	B.A - 8,760 EUR/year (INR 6,94,167) M.A. - 10,560 EUR/year (INR 8,36,804)

2. Dresden University of Technology

Dresden University of Technology is a center for academic excellence in the fields of technical education and humanities. The department of interior designing at the university has hi-tech art studios and libraries which offer research-driven education. The course integrates technical, artistic and theoretical components of interior design through field trips, projects and seminars. 

University Type	Public
Programs Offered	UG Degree in Color Technology, Interior Design and Surface Technology
Course Duration	5 years/10 semesters
Tuition Fees	1000 EUR/year (INR 80,191)

3. University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart

University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart is a globally significant institute, offering ample scope in industrial research. Out of the 10 universities in Stuttgart, HFT Stuttgart is one of the finest. Focusing primarily on quality and holism, the university offers research-oriented coursework of interior design. International students learn about space planning and optimization, colour and light theory, 3D visualisation and furnishing indoor as well as outdoor spaces.

University Type	Public
Programs Offered	B.A. in Architecture and Urban Planning MSc Architecture and Urban Planning
Course Duration	B.A. - 3 years  MSc. - 2 years
Tuition Fees	B.A & MSc: 3,000 EUR/year (INR 2,40,573)

4. Leibniz University Hannover

Leibniz University Hannover is one of the largest and oldest universities in Germany offering globally recognised, interdisciplinary research-oriented courses to international students. Along with academic qualifications, students will receive practical experience and industry networking. The coursework includes computer aided design (CAD) and artistic design presentation, foundation of creative design, building structures, etc. The university has partnered with various industry leaders to provide the best interior design job opportunities for international students. 

University Type	Public
Programs Offered	B.A. Colour Technology and Interior Decoration M.A. Colour Technology and Interior Decoration
Course Duration	B.A. - 3 years / 6 semesters M.A. - 2 years / 4 semesters
Tuition Fees	No tuition fees, annual fee is 800 EUR (INR 64,152)

5. Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts is the 2nd largest university in Hannover, Germany. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in different programs offered by the university. It emphasises on the field of research and development through practice-oriented learning. 

University Type	Public
Programs Offered	B.A. Interior Design
Course Duration	B.A. - 4 years / 8 semesters
Tuition Fees	No tuition fees; annual fee is EUR 880 (INR 70,568)

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What is the Course Curriculum for Interior Design Courses in Germany?

The universities in Germany provide two types of degrees in interior design. The first is a 3-3.5 years bachelor of arts (UG) degree and the second is a 2-2.5 years master of arts (PG) degree. 

UG Course Curriculum

The course curriculum for the Bachelor’s degree in interior design is as follows:

• Interior Design History
• Interior Design Methods, Materials and Technologies
• Interior Design Principles and Concept Development
• Interior Design Culture and Society
• Project Design and Development
• Project Realisation and Communication
• Dissertation in Art and Design
• Environment and Sustainability
• Futures, Technology and Materials

PG Course Curriculum

The course curriculum for the Master’s degree in interior design is as follows:

• Colour Psychology
• Space Management
• Virtual Designing
• Accessory Designing
• Texture Assessment
• Shapes, Lines & Patterns
• Research Methodologies
• Architectural Illustrations
• Anthropometry and Ergonomics

Important Resources to Read About Germany
Student Accommodation in Germany	Permanent Residence in Germany	Education System in Germany
Germany vs Other Countries	Benefits of Studying in Germany	Total Expenses to Study in Germany

Admission Requirements for Interior Design Colleges in Germany

International students must meet all the admission requirements for the university of their choice. Once you fulfil all the given criteria, your application will be screened amongst others and shortlisted for a final interview with the university officials. The eligibility criteria for international students are listed down -

• Academic School Transcripts 
• Bachelor’s Degree
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores
• GRE/GMAT Scores
• Work Portfolio & CV
• Student Visa
• Valid Passport

Let’s look into each of the admission requirements in detail:

1. Academic School Transcripts 

Students willing to apply for a bachelor degree program in interior design in Germany must hold a high school diploma with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited school.

2. Bachelor’s Degree 

While applying for a Master’s degree in interior design in Germany, international students must have a 3.5 GPA in bachelor’s degree certificate.

3. English Language Proficiency Test Scores 

International students seeking admission at German universities must have qualifying marks in any of the English language proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.

• IELTS - 5.5+
• TOEFL - 80+

4. GRE/GMAT Scores

You may need to submit GRE or GMAT scores while applying for interior design courses in Germany. Check the university website to confirm the submission of standardised  test scores.

• GRE - 315+
• GMAT - 550+

5. Work Portfolio & CV

Students who are interested in pursuing a career in interior design must have a work portfolio of around 10 to 12 pages and an updated CV where all your earlier work experiences are mentioned. 

6. Student Visa

In order to study in Germany, students must apply for a student visa in the German embassy or consulate. Once the student visa is approved, you can legally stay in Germany for the course duration.

7. Valid Passport

International students must have a passport with 3 more months of validity on the day they leave Germany. You can either apply for a passport online or do the application process offline at the nearest passport office. 

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Documents Required to Study Interior Design in Germany in English

Documents play an important role in your application process for the best interior design university in Germany. Along with the general documents like academic transcripts, you will be required to submit additional documents like work portfolio and CV. While applying for the university of your choice, you must submit all the below-mentioned necessary documents:

1. High school diploma certificate
2. Academic transcripts of previously attended college/university (for PG)
3. Letter of recommendations (minimum 2)
4. Statement of purpose
5. Updated resume or CV
6. Work portfolio
7. Health insurance
8. German Student Visa
9. Passport

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Admission Process to Study Interior Design Courses in Germany 

To get a successful admit, international students must complete the entire application process without making an error. Since one small mistake can cost you admission, following these steps carefully will help you to get admitted into one of the best interior design universities in Germany. 

1. Visit the official university website and read all the entry requirements carefully to avoid any mistakes during form fill-up.
2. Fill the online application form with basic details after making a student account in the portal. 
3. Carefully look at the list of documents required with the application and submit their photocopies. 
4. After you have submitted all the documents, pay the application fee online and complete the application form before the deadline.
5. Take the virtual interview with the university officials as a part of your selection process.
6. Once you receive an admission letter in your registered email ID, pay the tuition fee instalment and apply for a Germany student visa.

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Cost of Studying Interior Designing in Germany

The primary reason for choosing Germany as a study abroad destination is because the universities have low tuition fees. Thus, international students can save a lot of money while studying in Germany. 

1. Tuition Fees

The public universities in Germany have no tuition fees. However, students need to pay a nominal fee per semester. The semester fee can range from 50 EUR to 300 EUR (INR 4,000 to INR 24,000) approximately. In private universities, the tuition fees range from 7,920 EUR to 10,923 EUR per year (INR 64 Lacs to INR 88 Lacs)

2. Living Cost

As an international student, you can expect to spend around 700 EUR to 1,000 EUR (INR 55,470 to INR 79,242) per month on rent. Students can live in residence halls, flatshares and private apartments. 

• In larger cities like Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, the total living cost is between EUR 900 to EUR 1,500 per month (INR 71,318 to INR 1,18,864). 
• For smaller cities like Freiburg, Leipzig or Hannover, the total cost of living is between EUR 750 to EUR 1,100 EUR per month (INR 59,432 to INR 87,167). 

Scholarships for Interior Design Courses in Germany

International students can choose from a wide range of government-funded and private scholarships to support their higher education in Germany. Here is a list of scholarships you can apply to:

Scholarship Names	Eligibility Criteria	Reward
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships	For international students pursuing PG & PhD courses Must show proof of German Language Proficiency	Tuition fee allowance is EUR 850 (INR 67,356) per month
Deutschland Stipendium National Scholarship Program	For international students pursuing UG and PG courses Must receive an unconditional offer letter from German public and state-recognized universities	Tuition fee allowance is EUR 300 (INR 23,772) per month
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship	International students pursuing UG, PG and PhD courses Must show proof of German Language Proficiency	Scholarship amount is EUR 830 for UG students per month Grant is EUR 850 for PG students per month
Heinrich Boll Scholarships	International students pursuing UG, PG and PhD courses Must have received an unconditional offer letter from State or state-recognized institution of higher education in Germany	Grant amount is EUR 750 per month (INR 60522)

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Career Opportunities in Interior Designing in Germany

The career opportunities in interior design in Germany are immense. As junior interior designers, students can earn as much as EUR 60,000/year (INR 47,54,571). Once you have gained experience of a couple of years, the average salary can rise up to EUR 90,000/year (INR 71,31,857). You can also start off by working in an interior design firm and later work independently on freelance projects. The job titles you can hold after a degree in interior design are as follows -

Job Titles	Average Annual Salary
Architect	USD 82,320 (INR 67 Lacs) per year
Spatial designer	USD 83,539 (INR 68 Lacs) per year
Product designers	USD 86,744 (INR 70 Lacs) per year
Estate managers	USD 81,998 (INR 66 Lacs) per year
Home stylists	USD 78,175 (INR 63 Lacs) per year
Decor consultants	USD 75,136 (INR 61 Lacs) per year

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Studying a degree in interior designing in Germany is a life-changing experience for international students. In fact, interior designers are one of the most sought after jobs in the field of art and design. The interior design market is growing exponentially with an estimated valuations of 212,300 USD globally. Wondering how to get started with your interior design application process? Subscribe to Yocket Premium and get personalised guidance on admission, visa and more.