Interior Design Courses in Germany: A Guide

Are you interested in pursuing interior design courses in Germany? If you want to study abroad in one of the most innovative and culturally rich countries in the world, then Germany might be the perfect destination for you. It is home to some of the best universities and colleges that offer interior design courses at various levels. In this blog, we will give you a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about interior design courses in Germany, from the course overview, eligibility criteria, admission process, and fee structure, to the job prospects and salaries. Let’s get started!

Number of courses	60
Level of courses	Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Arts (MA)
Duration of courses	BA – 3-4 years MA – 1-2 years
Language of instruction	German or English
Average tuition fee	EUR 0 – EUR 10,000 per year
Average Salary	EUR 40,000 – EUR 70,000 per year

Also Read: Masters in Interior Design in Germany: A Guide

Interior Design: Course Overview

Interior design is a course that teaches you how to create beautiful and functional spaces for various purposes. It covers various design principles, history, styles, materials, colors, lighting, and more. You also get practical exposure in the form of different projects to apply your skills and creativity. Interior design courses can be pursued at different levels, such as diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate in different modes of learning (online, offline).

Top 10 Universities Offering Interior Design Courses in Germany

Germany has some of the best universities in the world that offer interior design courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Here are some of the top universities in Germany for Interior Design based on their research performance:

Top German Universities Offering Bachelors in Interior Design

The first year of a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design courses in Germany covers the basics of design and technology along with study theory, workshop, and computer-based studio work. Given below are some top German universities and the popular courses they offer:

University	Course Offered	Tuition Fees(per year)
University of Applied Sciences Fresenius	Interior Design	EUR 8,700
Muthesius University University of Applied Art and Design Science	Spatial Strategies/Interior Design	Student union fees
Berlin International University of Applied Sciences	BA Interior Architecture/Interior Design	EUR 8,760
Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences for Engineering, Business, Computer Science and Design	Transportation Interior Design	EUR 3,000
RheinMain University	Interior Design	EUR 628
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts	Object and Interior Design	EUR 640
University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim	Interior Design	EUR 750
University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hannover	Interior Design	EUR 880
Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Coburg	Interior design	EUR 7,800
IU International University of Applied Sciences	Interior Design	EUR 5,028

Top German Universities Offering Masters in Interior Design

The graduate-level studies in Interior Design courses in Germany enhance the abilities and knowledge that you gain from an undergraduate degree in the same field.

University	Course Offered	Tuition Fees(per year)
Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences	Interior Architectural Design	EUR 3,000
Berlin International University of Applied Sciences	Interior Design / Interior Architecture Interior Design	EUR 10,560
University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim	Interior Design and Furniture Design	EUR 750
RheinMain University	Interior Design Conceptional Design	EUR 628
Art Academy of Munich	Interior design	NA
Trier University – Trier University of Applied Sciences	Interior design	EUR 1,260

Also Read: Cheapest Universities in Germany

Interior Design Courses in Germany: Academic Eligibility

To be eligible for an interior design course in Germany, you need to meet certain academic and language requirements. The exact criteria may vary depending on the university and course you choose, but generally, you need to have:

For Bachelors

• High school diploma certificate and academic transcript (or equivalent to German Abitur or Fachabitur)
• English language test certificate (at least B2 level)
• German language proficiency test certificate (at least TestDaF level 3)
• Letter of motivation explaining why you want to study interior design
• Portfolio showcasingyour previous design work
• A copy of your passport

For Masters

• A bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or a related field from a recognized university.
• Certificate of your English language test.
• certificate of your German language proficiency at DSH level 2 or TestDaF level 4.
• A letter of motivation explaining your interest and goals in interior design.
• A portfolio showing your previous design projects.

Also Read: Studienkolleg: What Is It, and Who Needs It?

Admission Process

The admission process for interior design courses in Germany may differ depending on the university and course you apply for, but generally, it involves the following steps:

• Research and shortlist the universities and courses that suit your preferences and qualifications
• Check the application deadlines and requirements for each university and course
• Register and apply online through the university website or a common platform such as Uni-Assist
• Submit all the required documents and pay the application fee if applicable
• Wait for the admission decision from the university, which may take a few weeks or months
• Accept the offer letter and confirm your enrollment
• Apply for a student visa and health insurance if you are an international student
• Arrange your accommodation and travel to Germany.

Application Process

The application process for interior design courses in Germany is usually done online through the university website or Uni-Assist. However, not all universities use the latter, so you need to check the specific requirements of each university before applying.

To apply online, you need to follow these steps:

• Create an account on the university website or the Uni-Assist portal
• Fill out the online application form with your personal and academic details
• Upload all the required documents in PDF format, such as your transcripts, certificates, language test scores, portfolio, motivation letter, recommendation letter, etc.
• Pay the application fee if applicable, which may range from EUR 0 to EUR 75 per university
• Submit your application and receive a confirmation email
• Track the status of your application online or via email

Documents Required

The documents required for enrolling in interior design courses in Germany may vary depending on the university and course you choose, but generally, you need to have the following:

• Copy of your passport or ID card
• Copy of your high school diploma or equivalent for a bachelor’s degree
• Copy of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field for a master’s degree
• Transcript of your academic records with grades and credits
• Proof of German or English language proficiency depending on the medium of instruction, such as TestDaF, DSH, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
• Portfolio of your previous work or projects related to interior design, which may include sketches, drawings, photos, models, etc.
• Letter of motivation or statement of purpose explaining your interest and goals in studying interior design in Germany
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer who can attest to your academic or professional abilities and potential
• Curriculum vitae or resume highlighting your education, work experience, skills, achievements, etc.
• Proof of financial resources or scholarship if you are an international student

All the documents must be in German or English or translated by a certified translator. You may also need to get your documents authenticated or certified by an official authority depending on the university requirements.

Also Read: Study in Germany – The Guide To Your German Dream!

Interior Design Course Syllabus

The syllabus of an interior design course in Germany may differ depending on the university and course you choose, but generally, it covers the following topics:

Design fundamentals	Basic principles and elements of design, such as color theory, composition, balance, harmony, contrast, etc.
Design methods	Design Theory
Design tools	Tools and software used for design, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.
Design history	Historical and cultural influences on interior design from different periods and regions of the world.
Design theory	Theoretical and conceptual frameworks of interior design from different perspectives and disciplines.
Design practice	Practical aspects of interior design from planning to execution, such as space planning, furniture design, lighting design, material selection, sustainability, ergonomics, acoustics, building codes, cost estimation, project management, etc.

Interior Design Course Fee Structure

The fee structure of an interior design course in Germany may vary depending on the university and course you choose. However, generally speaking,

University	Average Tuition Fee per Year
Public Universities	EUR 0 – EUR 500
Private Universities	EUR 5,000 – EUR 10,000

Popular Scholarships

While Germany provides affordable education, international students may still need scholarships to receive financial support for their studies. Check out the scholarships given below that you can use for interior design courses in Germany. 

Scholarship	Grant
BAföG	Up to EUR 861
The Deutschlandstipendium at German Universities	EUR 300 Per Month
Deutschlandstipendium Scholarship	EUR 300 Per Month
Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development	EUR 27,528
Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship	EUR 934 for Master’s courses or EUR 1,300 for PhD courses

Interior Design Courses in Germany: Jobs and Salaries

Pursuing interior design courses in Germany offers a wide range of career options to choose from. You can work as an interior designer, interior architect, furniture designer, lighting designer, exhibition designer, set designer, or spatial planner. You can also work in various sectors, such as residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, education, health care, or public.

Here are some average salaries for some common job profiles in interior design in Germany:

Job Profile	Average Salary per Year
Interior Designer	EUR 40,000
Interior Architect	EUR 45,000
Furniture Designer	EUR 35,000
Lighting Designer	EUR 38,000
Exhibition Designer	EUR 36,000
Set Designer	EUR 34,000
Spatial Planner	EUR 42,000

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FAQs

We hope that this blog has given you a clear idea of what to expect from interior design courses in Germany. To discover more courses to study abroad, stay tuned to Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!