Described here is the application process for our Master's programs. The application process for the Bachelor's programs differs from these and is explained in more detail on here.

Dear Applicants,

many things have changed, but THAT remains: We welcome your applications! You can follow our step-by-step process to submit your application.
If you have any questions: Email us at gestaltung.studicenter(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de or call us at (+49) 07231 - 28 6724, we will be happy to help you and overcome any hurdle with you.

Sincerely: Your Design PF team 

Visit our school and/or informative events, make an appointment for advising, come to the Werkschau, talk to professors, staff and students...
Please also read the FAQs and the SPO (Study and Examination Regulations, see below) for more detailed information on the application and admission procedure. 

Compile your application documents. Please note: The application procedures of our three Master's programs differ from each other. You can find detailed information on the respective program pages.

Application documents:

• Completed application form: MACD, MADFM and MAJ applicants can find the form in the application portal, MATD applicants please use the downloadable pdf-form (see below)
• a curriculum vitae
• a certificate of the first completed and qualifying university studies and, if applicable, further completed university studies, if applicable with German or English translation
• a letter of motivation
• a portfolio
• an expert opinion/letter of recommendation 
• for international applicants: a language certificate 
• for applicants of the MADFM and MAJ: a summary of a possible research project.

You upload these documents by the deadline to the online portal(s) (application portal and/or portfolio portal) named for your desired degree program. 
Details and links to the online portals can be found on the respective program page:

Application for MACD,    Application for MADFM,    Application for MAJ,    Application for MATD

After the application deadline, the admissions committee makes a preliminary selection of applicants based on the applications submitted. As a rule, applicants will be informed via the application portal approximately two weeks after the regular application deadline whether they have been invited to an entrance interview (or, if applicable, entrance examination) at the School of Design.

In the admission interview we want to get to know you! Topics of discussion can be your work from the artistic aptitude test, your portfolio, your creative areas of interest or also your career. Please plan a total of one day at our faculty for the entrance examination and the entrance interview (if necessary, this can also take place online).
Whether an entrance examination takes place depends on the respective Master's program or the number of ECTS accumulated in the first degree program. After the pre-selection, the selection committee decides whether an examination will take place. If this is the case, the applicants will work on one or more design tasks (maximum processing time four hours) at our office (or online). The tasks will be announced directly at the beginning of the exam. 

Approximately 2-3 weeks after the last part of the exam, you can check in the application portal whether you have passed the admission process and received a study place.

Matriculation (enrollment in studies) takes place before the start of lectures. The university will inform you of the date in good time. 

Proof of existing health insurance and timely payment of fees (student union fee and administrative fees) are absolutely necessary for enrollment - you will be notified in good time in advance when and how these fees are to be paid. Please note that tuition fees are charged for international students. More information is available here. Please also remember to take care of a visa for Germany in time, if necessary.

The start of lectures is determined for each semester and is around March 15 for the summer semester and around October 1 for the winter semester.

Admission regulations for the Master's degree programs of the School of Design

You can find the complete curricula of the individual study programs in the section 'Study and Examination Regulations'.​​​​​​​