Bachelor's degree programme Communication Design (B.A.)
Facts and figures
Degree programme:
Communication Design
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Admission:
No admission restrictions
Aptitude test
THWS location:
Würzburg, Campus Sanderheinrichsleitenweg
Faculty:
Visual Design
Duration:
7 semesters standard time to degree
Language:
German
partly English
Semester fees:
None (student services fee only (Studierendenwerksbeitrag); approx. EUR 150)
Start of studies:
Winter Semester
(1 October)
Application period:
Annually,
1 May
till
31 May
Contact
Contact person
Prof. Christoph Barth
christoph.barth@thws.de
Academic Advisory Service
studienberatung@thws.de
Degree programme website
Degree programme Communication Design
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Information for internationals
Bachelor's degree programme Communication Design (B.A.)
Design the future
In the bachelor's degree programme Communication Design, we offer a diverse range of subject areas including graphic design, typography, moving image, illustration, photography, interactive media, and spatial design. Our faculty offers you the freedom to try out all of these different areas according to your inclinations and talents and to specialise according to your interests or work in an interdisciplinary way. This degree programme enables you to develop your own design solutions and work on projects from idea to implementation.
The versatility of the degree programme offers you the opportunity to hone your individual profile as a communication designer. In design, you need to be able to recognise problems, anticipate them, reflect on them, and develop solutions. In this context, it is important to take a theoretical and philosophical look at the past, present, and future of our society in the context of design. Together we train your eye for relevant topics and future developments.
During the internship semester and the semester abroad, you broaden your horizon through practical experience and cultural exchange. You may also choose to spend a semester abroad at one of our partner universities. Overall, the degree programme enables students to work in a wide range of communication and media fields in culture, education, technology, and business.
Reasons to study Communication Design at THWS
Studying at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt opens up doors to a world of innovation and challenges. We connect important theory with the required practice, fundamental research with applied knowledge, and regional expertise with global perspective. At THWS, you learn to gain new perspectives and contribute to a more sustainable and advanced future. During your studies you can attain to additional qualifications (e.g. trainer certificate (Ausbilderschein), language courses).
Advantages of the degree programme:
- Comprehensive programme covering all relevant design fields
- Possibility of specialising in different design fields
- Strong practice-orientation through the internship semester
- Promotion of creative and interdisciplinary thinking
- Excellent technical equipment and access to the latest design tools
Studiengangvideo Kommunikationsdesign
Entdecke die Möglichkeiten: Dein Studium an der THWS
Three good reasons
Individual support in small learning groups and promotion of independence and creative thinking
Wide range of options and freedom to develop your own individual focuses
International exchange programmes and practice-oriented and varied internships
Study contents
Our holistic approach goes beyond mastering design methods and tools, beyond layout, photography, drawing, animations, exhibitions, and illustrations. Designers also need to be able to recognise problems, anticipate them, reflect on them and develop solutions. In this context, it is important to take a theoretical and philosophical look at the past, present, and future of our society in the context of design. Conceptional thinking and design activities help us understand the world through communication and information, to make complex relationships more tangible, and to provide orientation.
Programme structure
1: Foundation phase (1st to 3rd semester)
The first phase of the programme focuses on creative design basics. You will develop fundamental knowledge in the fields of typography, photography, illustration, and three-dimensional design. You acquire manual and technical skills and creative techniques for conceptual design, draft, and implementation. Theoretical bases in academic and technical design fields complement the 1st semester: A solid foundation that leaves room for finding your own interests, for developing personal strengths, and for experimenting.
Each semester, the content-conceptual parts are gradually increased. This promotes a smooth transition into the second phase.
2: Project work and internship (4th to 7th semester)
The second phase of the programme focuses on specific project work. Conception, idea development, clarification of content, and communication are the main areas. The programme offers students a great deal of flexibility to choose their creative means and media. Studies can either encompass a wide spectrum of all areas of communication techniques, or focus in depth on certain subjects, means of design, or distribution media. The second programme phase is accompanied by design-theoretical and historical subjects, philosophy, and introductions to legal and economic aspects of communication design.
From the 4th to the 7th semester, the lectures are not limited to students of certain semesters to promote exchange of experiences. The internship is scheduled for the 5th semester. You decide upon the professional environment.
3: Bachelor's thesis, and another project
The bachelor's thesis and a project are scheduled for the 7th semester. The topic of your bachelor's thesis is usually decided upon in the 7th semester. You propose the topic, and the first and second supervisor. You have several weeks to complete the bachelor’s project. You will then present your results in a colloquium. Upon successful graduation, you will be awarded the academic title Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) by the Faculty of Design. Done! Or: Continue your studies in a master’s programme...
Specialisations
In the bachelor's degree programme Communication Design at THWS, there are various creative disciplines for you to specialise in. These specialisations enable you to sharpen your individual profile and prepare for specific careers in design. Among them:
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Film/Animation
- Three-Dimensional and Object-Based Design
- Illustration
- Text/Language/Rhetoric
- Interactive Media
- Visual Spatial Design
- Typography/Sign Systems
- Design Theory
Students can also choose from our general elective modules (AWPM). These enable you to specialise further.
Practice-orientation
Studies at THWS are characterised by a high degree of practice-orientation and the internship semester. Depending on the chosen degree programme, the internship semester is scheduled for the 5th or 6th semester. The internship semester offers you the chance to complete an internship with a company of your choice and gain insights into the professional world. That way you can apply the theoretical and practical knowledge developed during your studies in the work environment you are most interested in.
How are studies at THWS particularly practice-oriented?
- Get to know and apply new technologies and programmes
- Internship semester as an integral part of studies
- Practice-oriented project work
- Professors with several years of professional experience
International practice
By the way: You also have the opportunity to complete your internship semester abroad. That way, you do not only develop intercultural competence but also boost your language skills and your career perspectives on the international job market.
Career and perspectives
The bachelor's degree programme Communication Design at THWS paves your way to numerous career paths in the creative sector. With a focus on practical application of design theories and techniques, the degree programme optimally equips you to develop innovative and effective visual solutions in various media. Whether it's a company, institution, advertising agency, cultural organisation, freelance work, or setting up your own studio, there are numerous career opportunities with promising future prospects for you to choose from after graduation.
Possible professional fields after graduation include:
- Graphic design in advertising and design agencies
- Art director in media companies
- Freelancer in the fields of illustration and multimedia design
- Photographer and video producer
- UI/UX design
After completing your bachelor's degree, you can also deepen and specialise your knowledge when working on your own research topic in the master's degree programme Design and Information.
Gaining international experience
THWS places a strong focus on internationality. Our TWIN programmes, i.e. degree programmes identical in content that are offered in German and English, are unique throughout Germany. We thus promote your international and intercultural experiences and optimally prepare you for a globalised job market. THWS strongly supports international student exchange programmes and internships abroad, Our University has over 200 partner universities around the world.
Why are studies at THWS particularly international?
- Studying & internships abroad
- More than 200 partner universities in Europe and around the world
- International projects & field trips abroad
- Visiting lectures together with exchange students & held by guest lecturers
- Support by THWS & financial support
- TWIN programme unique in Germany
5 reasons for going abroad as a student
- Improving language knowledge and intercultural competence
- Getting to know new teaching and studying methods
- Establishing an international network
- Enhancing your independence and flexibility
- Increasing of career perspectives on the global working market
Is Communication Design the right degree programme for you?
If you are creative, enjoy working with graphics and design, and have a strong interest in visual communication, the THWS degree programme in Communication Design is the ideal choice for developing your talents in a professional way and being successful in a dynamic field of work. Communication design is an important and growing industry, in which creative minds will easily find their place and thus start a successful career.
Admission requirements
Requirement for admission to the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt is a valid general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (fachgebundene Hochschulreife), an advanced technical college certificate (Fachhochschulreife), a general/subject-specific entrance qualification for qualified professionals, or a comparable qualification from abroad (HZB, university entrance qualification).
Please also see the language entrance requirements.
In order to be admitted to the bachelor's degree programme Communication Design at THWS, you must prove your technical and creative talent. For this, you complete an aptitude test (including a portfolio). More information on the aptitude test
Please note that there is a shortened application period for this degree programme!
The application process: More information about applying for the bachelor’s degree programme Communication Design
Your interests and abilities
- Creativity and design skills: An eye for design and aesthetic design
- Affinity for technology: Interest and skills in working with design software and digital media
- Communication skills: Ability to present ideas clearly and convincingly, both visually and verbally
- Teamwork and cooperation: Willingness to work effectively in creative teams and projects
- Curiosity and willingness to learn: Openness to new design trends and continuous development of your own skills
Application
Apply from 1 May to 31 May via our application portal to start your studies in the upcoming winter semester.
For some degree programmes, the deadline of the application period may be extended. This information will be made known at short notice.
You have already completed study achievements and thus want to apply for a higher semester? Contact our Department of Student Affairs.
Do you have unanswered questions?
You can contact the programme advisor, i.e. a professor of the field of study you are interested in and can ask them your questions.
During the THWS Taster Sessions, you can attend a variety of lectures in the degree programme of your choice and get valuable first impressions of life on campus.
Get informed
Looking for more information? For the most important information on studying at THWS, check out the overview.