International Programmes 2023/2024

Integrated Design (Bachelor of Arts) Integrated Design (BA)

Technische Hochschule Köln (University of Applied Sciences) • Köln

Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Design
Teaching language
  • German
  • English
Languages

Most of the courses are held in English due to the high proportion of international students and international guest lecturers. All public presentations will be in English.

Programme duration
7 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

In the first week of April, a topic for an assignment is given, and the application deadline for all entries is in the first week of May (for details and exact dates, see www.kisd.de). Students begin their studies in the winter semester following admission. Please check the "How to Apply" section of the individual TH Köln programme websites for current application deadlines.
http://www.th-koeln.de/programs

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The Bachelor's degree programme in “Integrated Design“ can be described as different, vibrant and inspiring. It features a nationwide unique, non-linear and trans-semester study model that offers a high level of individual design opportunities.

The Bachelor's degree programme in “Integrated Design“ integrates practical and scientific approaches from several design areas and design-related disciplines. Students gain extensive methodology skills from at least ten areas of expertise as well as other design, analytical and conceptual specialist knowledge in a flexible study structure of seven semesters. Thus, they systematically begin to understand and use the diversity of design. These qualifications are complemented by intercultural experience and language competence. This degree programme enables students to work towards solutions to current issues in design and to carry out project work in a flexible and independent manner within various social, cultural, and international contexts.

Study Courses

The Bachelor's degree programme in "Integrated Design" offers two branches of study to students at the end of their first year of study at KISD.

Course of Study in “Integrated Studies in Design“

In the “Integrated Studies in Design“ programme, students work in multi-semester projects and seminars on complex design processes and acquire a broad knowledge of contents, working practices, and methodologies of design while developing extensive analytical, conceptual, and design specific competence, which they link with cross-cultural and international experience.

Self-initiated teaching and research projects allow students to develop their own interests and to set individual focal points. Supported by a mentoring programme, they learn to redefine and discuss their development as designers again and again.

Course of Study in “European Studies in Design“

In the "European Studies in Design" programme, the goal is to finish with a Master's degree. Students spend the first four semesters of their studies at KISD. Afterwards, they study at two of the European MEDes partner universities. The MEDes network encompasses seven European universities featuring an innovative and international design education. Besides KISD, these include the following: Aalto School of Art & Design (Helsinki, Finland), Glasgow School of Art (Glasgow, UK), ENSCI Les Ateliers (Paris, France), Konstfack (Stockholm, Sweden), Politecnico di Milano (Milan, Italy) and the University of Aveiro (Aveiro, Portugal).

Course organisation

KISD studies are project-oriented and support a multi-semester collaboration, thus enabling students to learn with and from one another. In addition to the projects, seminars, lectures, courses, working groups, workshop introductions, and a mentoring programme round off the study framework. Therefore, the study framework is only partly linear. Every semester students can choose from a wide range of courses. As a result, individual study pathways arise that support each student’s autonomy from the first semester onward. Orientation is provided by the following four temporal study phases: Discoveries, Connections, International, and Focus.

Discoveries: The first two semesters focus on knowledge and understanding of design as an area of thinking and acting that interpenetrates our reality and requires design specific contemplation.

The students learn to apply typical design working methods and techniques, make contacts with other students and lecturers, and get familiar with the changeable roles of a designer while completing their project work.

Connections: In the third and fourth semesters, students experience Integrated Design as a field of theory, action and drafting, which is dominated by connections between different areas of design as well as by the design process itself and other sciences.

In formats such as the Intermediate Project, students learn to establish these connections themselves and draft their own practical focal points.

International: The fifth semester is dedicated to international and cross-cultural experience. Thanks to a stay abroad at one of our 45 partner universities inside and outside Europe, or thanks to international focus during their studies in Cologne, students gain a new outlook on their personal and professional career.

Focus: While choosing optional courses, individual project work, and their Bachelor's theses in the sixth and seventh semesters, students set individual focal points and develop their own profile. At the same time, this study phase prepares students for their career start through suitable offers.

A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Integrated study abroad unit(s)
  • Specialist literature in other languages
  • Language training provided
  • Training in intercultural skills
  • Courses are led with foreign partners
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
  • Content-related regional focus
Integrated study abroad unit(s)

Within the framework of the branch of study "Integrated Studies in Design", an internationally based module is a requirement. This can take the form of a semester spent abroad, projects based at an international partner institution, or international projects directed by one of the numerous guest lecturers who visit KISD, or even via a dedicated internship/work experience abroad. In all cases, students will be strongly supported, whatever their international undertakings. Built up over many years, KISD has a wide-reaching network of contacts with other universities, institutions and businesses at its disposal, throughout Europe and abroad.
In the branch of study "European Studies in Design", students are part of a European network of students from six excellent design universities (Glasgow, Helsinki, Milano, Paris, Stockholm, and Cologne) and spend two years (of the combined five years of the BA/MA programme) abroad.

Integrated internships

Internships are highly recommended during the summer breaks. Several professors will assist students in finding an appropriate internship.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Approx. 320 EUR per semester

The semester fee includes the semester ticket for public transport for the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

The cost of living for your stay largely depends on your personal needs. When planning your stay, you should calculate monthly costs of approx. 800 to 1,000 EUR.

Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

International students are eligible to apply for the "Deutschlandstipendium". The scholarship holders receive approx. 300 EUR per month for the duration of one year.

Academic admission requirements

For admission to the Bachelor's degree programme you need

  1. a higher education entrance qualification (or an equally accepted qualification)
  2. A six-month internship in a design-related field is required. Some apprenticeships or professional, design-related experiences may also be accepted. Decisions on whether an internship, training or a professional activity can be recognised is taken by the Admissions Committee.
  3. aptitude test comprising the following:
  • an assignment, which is evaluated by the Admissions Committee and is relevant for pre-selection
  • written work which is performed on site
  • a comprehensive interview with the Admissions Committee

The evaluation is based on the ability to perceive and present complex issues as well as the competence and motivation for conceptual work.

All information on the application process is provided online.

For further information, see: https://application.kisd.de/.

Language requirements

English is very important, several English language courses are offered.

For beginners, there is no need for German language skills to start. However, students must prove sufficient knowledge of German (B1) by the end of the fourth semester at the latest.

 

Application deadline

In the first week of April, a topic for an assignment is given, and the application deadline for all entries is in the first week of May (for details and exact dates, see www.kisd.de). Students begin their studies in the winter semester following admission. Please check the "How to Apply" section of the individual TH Köln programme websites for current application deadlines.
http://www.th-koeln.de/programs

Submit application to

If you are a prospective international student, the way to apply is determined by your citizenship, your desired degree programme and your previous academic qualifications.

Further information on how to apply:
https://www.th-koeln.de/internationalapplicants and http://application.kisd.de

Possibility of finding part-time employment

Taking on a part-time job while studying has lots of benefits. Students can earn some extra money and gain valuable professional experience, and they might even take a first step up on the career ladder. Gaining a first insight into the German corporate world is especially beneficial for international students.
Many students partially fund their studies at TH Köln by taking on a part-time job in or outside the university.

Accommodation

Being Germany's fourth largest city, Cologne is a highly attractive place to live. The increasing influx of people can make the search for adequate accommodation quite difficult. Dozens of apartment hunters often compete for one single apartment. This is why we strongly recommend that you start looking for a place to live as soon as possible.

Cologne's most convenient and economical housing option is often a student dormitory. A public student services association called "Kölner Studierendenwerk" (KSTW) operates 88 student dorms offering roughly 4,800 rooms. The seemingly large number of dorm rooms is misleading; as the dormitories are open to the roughly 90,000 students enrolled at all Cologne universities, they are in extremely high demand. Please be aware that TH Köln does not allocate the rooms in these dorms. Please apply directly to the KSTW: https://www.kstw.de/wohnen. You do not yet need a letter of admission in order to apply.

The fierce competition on the private housing market has resulted in above-market rents – particularly in proximity of the city centre. We therefore encourage you to be flexible. Try to look for apartments outside the centre or share an apartment – and the cost of rent – with other students.

www.th-koeln.de/accommodation

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Tutors
  • Accompanying programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation
  • Visa matters

Technische Hochschule Köln (University of Applied Sciences)

Content Bild
Main building, Südstadt campus, TH Köln © TH Köln

Technische Hochschule Köln – abbreviated as TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences – sees itself as a university of technology, arts, and sciences. With its disciplinary and cultural diversity and openness, TH Köln's activities are aimed at cultural and technological breakthroughs of high societal relevance. Thus, TH Köln contributes substantially to resolving social challenges. As a community of faculty and students, we see ourselves as a learning organisation forging new paths. For instance, TH Köln is one of the pioneers in the field of development and formation of concepts for higher education didactics.

Our subject range includes the fields of applied natural sciences, architecture and construction, information and communication, computer science, engineering, culture and society, and social sciences as well as business studies. More than 100 degree programmes are offered as full-time programmes or, in some cases, as career-integrated or part-time programmes. As a place where research-based learning and academic education take place, the university nurtures prospective scholars through cooperative dissertations. Annually, about 6,500 students take up their studies at TH Köln. Overall, 27,000 students from about 120 different countries along with 440 professors and 2,000 staff members apply their potential.

Research mainly focuses on future-related issues, including climate change, energy supply, health, and food safety as well as demographic changes. While developing solution strategies for the most important questions of our time, researchers offer their professional expertise in interdisciplinary interaction. At the same time, they collaborate closely with local, national, and international cooperation partners, including 350 international institutions of higher education. The university offers its researchers an attractive sphere of activity. The quality seal "HR Excellence in Research" awarded by the European Commission certifies that TH Köln meets international standards in the field of human resources development.
TH Köln’s campuses are located in Cologne, Gummersbach, and Leverkusen.

27,000 Number of students
4,000 Number of international students

University location

Its metropolitan vibe, diverse student scene and a cityscape abounding with cultural and historical treasures make Cologne one of Europe's prime university cities. Cologne's origins date back to the Roman Empire more than 2,000 years ago. Today, Cologne is Germany's fourth largest city with a population of just over one million and has evolved as an economic and cultural metropolis at the heart of Europe. The city's characteristic landmark and source of pride for every inhabitant is without a doubt the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, locally known as the "Kölner Dom". Towering over the quaint Old Town of Cologne at 156 metres, this masterpiece of Gothic architecture is the world's third-highest cathedral and attracts around six million visitors a year, making it Germany's most popular tourist attraction. Visitors from all over the world are bound to feel at home immediately, as Cologne is a true melting pot of cultures. Close to one-fifth of its inhabitants have an international background. Cologne's economy is characterised by its amalgamation of different industries and trades. Home to the country's most influential television and radio stations, Cologne is unquestionably Germany's media capital and host to some of the continent's biggest trade fairs. Quite a few of the world's most renowned enterprises call the metropolitan region their home, in particular, corporations operating in the automobile industry, biotechnology and life sciences, chemicals and pharmaceuticals as well as commerce and banking.

Please note that TH Köln also has two remote campuses outside Cologne, which are located in the towns of Gummersbach and Leverkusen.

Gummersbach is a town with 50,000 inhabitants located 55 km east of Cologne, surrounded by a hilly landscape which is a recreational area for residents from Cologne and other cities nearby. The campus can be reached in a few minutes from Gummersbach train station. A train ride to Cologne, which is the largest city in the region, takes one hour and ten minutes and will be covered by the semester ticket, which is included in the semester fee. Students will be able to find affordable accommodation in Gummersbach and focus on their studies in the great environment of a modern campus.

The Leverkusen campus is located 15 km north of Cologne in the Neue Bahnstadt Opladen and was opened in 2022. It is close to the CHEMPARK in Leverkusen, which is one of the largest chemical parks in Europe. Global players from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, such as Bayer and LANXESS, are located there. With 160,000 inhabitants, Leverkusen is a smaller industrial city that has plenty of opportunities for relaxation, thanks to its location in the foothills of the Bergisches Land region. In Leverkusen, you can find urban buzz and village-like tranquillity in close proximity. The campus can also be reached with TH Köln's semester ticket.

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