Industrial & Product Design (BA) Full-time
Charakter Fresenius Hochschule · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
In the practical product design (BA) degree course, you shape things and learn how design can make products usable by considering operability, ecology, technology, aesthetics, economy, culture, and material. The program uses design projects to build both creative and technical competences from early on in your studies.
You work in a structured set of design projects across the degree, with a focus on sustainable product design, design processes, ergonomics, communication management, drawing, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, digital design, and model construction. An optional semester abroad at a European or international university can provide additional insight into the international design industry.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- CURRICULUM ONBOARDING IN DESIGN STUDIES
- ZEICHENTECHNIKEN & KOMMUNIKATION I
- METHODISCHES GESTALTEN I
- PRODUKTIONSKOMPETENZEN I
- GESCHICHTE & THEORIEN DER GESTALTUNG I
- PRODUKTGESTALTUNG I
- BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
- FRÜHJAHRS- / HERBSTAKADEMIE
- DIGITALES INDUSTRIE- & PRODUKTDESIGN I
- ZEICHENTECHNIKEN & KOMMUNIKATION II
- METHODISCHES GESTALTEN II
- PRODUKTIONSKOMPETENZEN II
- GESCHICHTE UND THEORIEN DER GESTALTUNG II
- INTERDISZIPLINÄRES DESIGNPROJEKT
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Pflichtmodule | CURRICULUM ONBOARDING IN DESIGN STUDIES | 5 | 30 |
| ZEICHENTECHNIKEN & KOMMUNIKATION I | 5 | |||
| METHODISCHES GESTALTEN I | 5 | |||
| PRODUKTIONSKOMPETENZEN I | 5 | |||
| GESCHICHTE & THEORIEN DER GESTALTUNG I | 5 | |||
| PRODUKTGESTALTUNG I | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | Pflichtmodule | BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY | 1 | 38 |
| FRÜHJAHRS- / HERBSTAKADEMIE | 1 | |||
| DIGITALES INDUSTRIE- & PRODUKTDESIGN I | 6 | |||
| ZEICHENTECHNIKEN & KOMMUNIKATION II | 5 | |||
| METHODISCHES GESTALTEN II | 5 | |||
| PRODUKTIONSKOMPETENZEN II | 5 | |||
| GESCHICHTE UND THEORIEN DER GESTALTUNG II | 5 | |||
| INTERDISZIPLINÄRES DESIGNPROJEKT | 10 | |||
| Total | Bachelorarbeit und Abschlussmodule | |||
Career outcomes
- You build portfolio-ready product design skills through intensive design and development projects across the bachelor, so you graduate prepared for real roles in industry.
- The program’s practical structure includes an internship (Praktikum) and a dedicated final Bachelor Thesis, helping you translate your design work into career outcomes.
- You learn to develop and design a wide range of consumer and industrial products, from everyday goods to mobility and investment goods, aligning your skills with how product designers are employed.
- You gain applied understanding of sustainability and circular product strategies as part of the design process, supporting you for companies that look for design talent with responsible thinking.
- You are prepared for international design contexts through the program’s described optional mobility window in the 4th semester.
- The curriculum emphasizes both manual and digital design tools (2D/3D) and prototyping approaches like virtual prototyping and prototyping workflows, positioning you for modern product design workflows.
Employability rate
Graduates of industrial and product design typically have an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22% in Germany, reflecting steady demand in design studios and product-focused industry while roles can vary by portfolio and specialization.
Together, these figures point to a generally dependable career outlook when you build strong practical project experience during your bachelor.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Higher secondary / school-leaving qualification | International applicants need a recognized university entrance qualification for bachelor study. If you do not meet the German higher-education entrance qualification via your school-leaving certificate, you may be offered the university entrance examination as an alternative route (depending on your individual qualification). |
Language requirements
This bachelor’s program is taught in English. International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency according to the university’s published minimum requirement.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 0 / per year | The program page indicates a monthly study contribution of 750.00 EUR/month and an application fee of 595 EUR. |
| Semester fee | EUR 0 / per semester | |
| Application fee | EUR 595 / one time | Anmeldegebühr 595 EUR (as published alongside the study contribution). |
Proof of financial resources
Non-EU/international applicants typically need to show sufficient funds to support themselves during studies in Germany. Please use your German residence-permit requirements for the exact amount and method of proof (for example, a blocked account), as these requirements are handled by German immigration authorities.
- Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses in Germany as required by German immigration/residence-permit rules
- Any additional financial requirements stated by the university during application (if applicable)
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application portal opens |
| Application deadline (final submit) |
| Application deadline (EU students) |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Recommended apply-by |
| Semester begins |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone |
|---|
| VPD request - recommended |
| VPD result expected |
| APS - recommended |
| Start eligibility check |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application submission deadline |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Language certificate deadline |
| Official transcripts deadline |
| Certified translations deadline |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline |
| Missing documents (if requested) |
📝 How to Apply
Check entry eligibility for international applicants
Confirm that your school-leaving qualification (or equivalent) gives you access to bachelor-level study in your home country. If you are unsure whether your qualification meets the German higher-education entrance requirements, review the university’s international admissions guidance and consider the university entrance examination alternative where stated. Prepare your English language proof according to the program’s published minimum.
Prepare your application documents
Gather your academic documents (certificates and transcripts) and make sure they are complete for international assessment. If the university requires language proof, obtain your approved certificate in time so it is valid for the application window. Keep your passport and identity documents ready for upload or submission in the application portal.
Submit the online application
Apply through the university’s official application process within the published intake window. Fill in all required fields carefully and upload the requested documents in the format the portal accepts. Submit before the deadline and double-check that your language proof and academic records are included.