Masters in Design in Germany: Fees , Top Colleges, Placement & Salaries

Masters in Design is a 2 years master’s level program in Germany. The program is majorly focused on advanced design principles and practices, often with specializations in areas like product design, visual communication, interaction design and many more. The program is popularly known as Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design.

Masters in Design in Germany is offered by popular universities like Berlin University of the Arts, Bauhaus University, Brand University of Applied Sciences, Technische Universität Berlin and many more. There are 2 intake sessions for the Masters in Design in Germany - Winter sessions which occur in September and Summer session which occurs in April.

The qualifications required for Masters in Design in Germany are - Bachelor’s degree in Design/Fine Arts/Interior Design/or any closely related field with English and German proficiency. The scores of IEFLT and TOEFL are accepted for English proficiency. The students require B1/B2 level German for admissions. The scores of German proficiency exams like - Test DaF, DSH and Goethe-Zertifikat are considered.

The public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees for Masters in Design in Germany but a semester contribution is required. The tuition fees for private universities is €6,000 to €22,000 per year. The average cost of living ranges between €800 to €1,200 per month.

The average starting salary package of students of Masters in Design in Germany is  €40,000 per year. The top companies recruiting the students are - BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen.

Masters in Design in Germany - Quick Highlights

Check the table below for the quick highlights on Masters in Design in Germany.

Why Choose a Masters in Design in Germany?

Here is why many Indian and international students are opting for a Masters in Design in Germany.

• Affordable Fees - The public German universities do not charge any fees from the students.
• Competitive Salary - The salary packages offered to the Design graduates is competitive and best in market standards.
• Exposure - The students get opportunities to be exposed to global culture and international opportunities.
• Global Recognition - The universities in Germany are globally recognised and approved and are among the top universities across the globe.
• Placement - The average placement of German universities is 70% - 80%, thus most of the students get placed right after graduation.
• Quality Education - The universities in Germany provide international standard, high quality education to the students. The university teaches students through modern practices and technologies.

Also Read :

Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters in Design

Masters in Design in Germany - Important Dates, Events & Deadlines

Masters in Design in Germany is a postgraduate degree program for students who wish to gain specialization in design. It is necessary that you are aware of all the intake sessions, deadlines and important dates for admissions in German universities to increase your chances of securing a seat. Check all the details related to important dates and deadlines for Masters in Design in Germany.

Masters in Design in Germany - Intake Sessions

The universities in Germany undertake admission in 2 sessions usually - Winter Session (September/October) and Summer Session (March/April). Check the table below for highlights on each session.

Masters in Design in Germany - Important Admission Dates

Check the table below for the important dates related to the admission in Masters in Design in Germany.

University-Specific Application Deadline for Masters in Design in Germany

Let’s look at the university-specific application deadline for top universities in Germany. Check the table below for the university specific admission dates for the 2025 and 2026 session intake.

Masters in Design in Germany - Visa Processing Timeline

If you are planning to pursue a Master in Design in Germany it is crucial that you apply for the Student Visa. It usually takes 15-30 days to get a Visa. Check the table below for the Visa Processing timelines.

Masters in Design in Germany Fees

It is important that students must be aware of expenses incurred by them apart from tuition fees. Check the table below for the fee and cost of living in Germany.

University-Specific Fees for Masters in Design

The public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees but a small semester contribution is required. The Masters in Design in Germany cost between € 300 to € 22,000 per year. Check the table below for the university specific fees for Master in Design in Germany.

University-Specific Cost of Living for Masters in Design in Germany

Check the table below for university specific estimated cost of living in Germany per month.

University-Specific Cost of Living for Masters in Design in Germany

Check the table below for university specific estimated cost of living in Germany per month.

Masters in Design in Germany - Eligibility Criteria

To secure a seat in Master in Design in a university in Germany the students are required to meet certain eligibility criteria. Check the table below for the eligibility criteria.

Blocked Account - A Must Bank Account for Masters in Design in Germany 

A blocked account is a kind of bank account, a compulsory account for all the students studying in Germany. This account ensures that students have sufficient funds to continue their studies. The funds are deposited into the account and every month, a specific amount can be withdrawn from the account. In 2025, the standard blocked amount is typically €11,904 per year.

Masters in Design in Germany - University Specific Eligibility Criteria

Check the table below for the university specific admission steps.

Master in Design in the Germany - Admission Process

The admission process for the universities in Germany is simple and easy. Here are the admission related details for the students.

Masters in Design in Germany - Documents Required

Check the list below for the required documents to get admission in Masters in Design in the university in Germany.

• Bachelor’s degree in Design
• 10 and 10+2 marksheet
• Passport
• Germany Student Visa
• IELTS/TOEFL Score card
• German Proficiency Certificate
• Studienkolleg (if bachelor’s is not recognized by german universities)
• Funds Proof
• University admission Letter
• Passport size photographs
• LORs (2-3)
• SOPs
• Portfolio

Masters in Design in Germany - Admission Procedure

Students who wish to take admission in the Master in Design programs in Germany can follow the following steps.

• Step 1 - Apply for the M. Des program in the university of your interest through the university website or using the Uni-Assist portal which is a centralized portal.
• Step 2 - Submit the documents like 10+2 marksheet, english proficiency exam score card, German proficiency test result/B1 OR B2 level German certificate for verification, LORs and SOPs. 
• Step 3 - Some students might need to complete a Studienkolleg preparatory course and qualify the FSP exam, if their degree is not recognized by the university.
• Step 4 - Appear for the interview conducted by the university. Not all universities conduct an interview process but many do.
• Step 5 - Once you are selected, the university will share an admission confirmation letter.
• Step 6 - Pay the required amount of fees and go to university as per the date of commencement.

Masters in Design in Germany - Entrance Exams 

Check the table below for the entrance exam required to pursue Masters in Design in Germany.

University-Specific English Proficiency Requirement for Masters in Design in Germany

Check the table below for the university specific english proficiency requirement for Masters in Design in Germany.

University-Specific German Proficiency Requirement for Masters in Design in Germany

Check the table below for the university specific German proficiency requirement for Masters in Design in Germany.

Tips to Crack IELTS/TOEFL Exam for Masters in Design in Germany

English Proficiency is a major and non-negotiable eligibility criteria for taking admission in Masters in Design in Germany. Here are some tips to crack the English Proficiency exam.

• It is necessary that you understand the exam pattern of both the English proficiency tests. IELTS conducts a time bound test separately for listening, speaking and reading while in TOEFL, it is combined in one.
• The best path to crack the exam is practice. Daily practice the questions, previous years and give mock tests.
• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. After every practice do a thorough self-analysis to understand the areas you are lagging at.
• Sharpen your English listening and reading skills by listening to English news and  reading English newspapers.
• Create a proper study plan and follow it strictly to ensure success.

Tips to Crack German Proficiency Exam for Masters in Design in Germany

The German Proficiency exam is a must to have requirement if you are looking to get admission in a university in Germany. The student requires B1 or above level German proficiency to get admission in German universities. Here are some quick tips to try to crack the German Proficiency exam easily.

• Understand the exam format and section deeply. There are a total of 4 sections: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• Make and follow a proper study time.
• Must look through previous year papers to better understand the question types and patterns.
• Practice daily using official study material, listening and writing.
• Build vocabulary to better understand the synonymous words.

Masters in Design in Germany Syllabus

Masters in Design in Germany is a two year degree. Check the table below to understand what curriculum students study during the 2 years of Masters in Design in Germany.

Best Universities for Masters in Design in Germany

Check the table below for details on the top universities in Germany for pursuing Master in Design.

Masters in Design in Germany Scholarship - Key highlights & Deadlines

There are multiple scholarships available for the students who are pursuing Masters in Design in Germany. Check the table below for the university specific scholarships, amount and eligibility criteria on the scholarships available for students pursuing Masters in Design in Germany.

Masters in Design in Germany VS USA VS India

Masters in Design is available in Indian universities as well as USA universities but why choose Masters in Design in Germany and what edge it gives you. Check the table below for an in-depth comparison between Masters in Design in Germany, USA and India.

Career Scope Masters in Design in Germany

The students who graduated in Masters in Design in Germany have a lot of career fields and options are available. The average placement report of German universities is between 70% - 80%.

Career Specific Salary Package for Masters in Design in Germany

Check the table below for the available career options and average salary package.

Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

Many top reputed MNC companies recruit M. Des students every year.  Check the below list of top companies who recruit from Universities in Germany.

• BMW
• Audi
• Mercedes-Benz
• Volkswagen
• Siemens
• SAP
• Bosch
• Adidas
• Puma
• McKinsey
• BCG
• Accenture

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques - What are the admission requirements for Master in Design in Germany?

Ans - To get admission in Master in Design in Germany, the student must have a Bachelor’s degree in Design, pass IELTS/TOEFL and must pass german proficiency exam with acceptable score. Some universities ask for a design portfolio and experience as well.

Ques - Can I pursue Master in Design in Germany for free?

Ans - Yes, you can pursue a Master in Design in Germany for free. The public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees; only small semester contribution fees are required.

Ques - How much does a student with a Master in Design from Germany earns?

Ans - The students who have completed a Master in Design from Germany earn competitive packages. The average salary ranges between €30,000 to €50,000 which is approx ₹ 42 LPA to ₹ 52 LPA.

Ques - What career options are available after a Master in Design in Germany?

Ans - The students can opt for a career in the following - UX/UI Designer, Product Designer, Multimedia Designer, Graphic Designer, Design Manager, Design Architect, Brand Manager and many more.

Ques - What is the significance of Blocked Account?

Ans - All the students studying in Germany must get a blocked account open. It is a sort of bank account where a fixed amount is deposited every year and a particular amount can be withdrawn by the student for academic needs every month. This amount was € 11,904 per year in 2025.