Master's Degree
Industrial Design
Design Futures (MA)
Folkwang University of the Arts
⏱ 4 semesters 🎓 Full Time
💰 No tuition fees
FO
Folkwang University of the Arts
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia · Art, Music & Film College · Est. 1927
DE Rank #79 Star rating 4/6 State-recognised; programmes accredited under the Akkreditierungsrat system Admissions open
Overview
Folkwang in Essen is famous for dance (Pina Bausch), music, theatre and design, spread across historic sites in the Ruhr region.
Programs at Folkwang
1 programs across 1 study levels.
Master's Degree
Tuition fees & costs
Indicative annual tuition
No tuition fees
Tuition-freeSemester contribution
€320/semester
Semesterbeitrag — often includes a transport ticketIndicative living cost
€10,500–€15,000/yr
On-campus accommodationMost public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees — only the semester contribution. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester, and private universities set their own fees. Figures are indicative; confirm with the university before applying.
Guides for applying to German universities
All guides →
Application Guides How to Apply to a German University: uni-assist, anabin and Deadlines
Most international students apply to German universities through uni-assist, with key deadlines typically set for July 15 and January 15.
Application Guides uni-assist Explained: How International Applications to German Universities Really Work
uni-assist simplifies the application process to 210 German institutions, verifying qualifications and forwarding applications to universities.
Visa & Residence Permit Blocked Account Providers in Germany Compared: What to Look For
To study in Germany, non-EU students need a blocked account with approximately €11,904 for one year to cover living expenses.
Admission requirements
A secondary-school leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur (checked against the anabin database, usually via uni-assist). Applicants whose qualification is not directly equivalent complete a Studienkolleg year and the Feststellungsprüfung, or sit the TestAS. Master’s applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree with a good grade average; some subjects are restricted by a Numerus Clausus (NC) or an aptitude assessment (Eignungsfeststellungsverfahren).
Language: German-taught degrees: DSH-2, TestDaF 4x4, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule or Goethe-Zertifikat C2. English-taught degrees: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88+ (programme-dependent); many international master’s programmes are taught fully in English and require no German at entry.
How to apply
- 1Check your qualification for equivalence in the anabin database and confirm the programme’s intake and deadline (usually 15 July for October, 15 January for April).
- 2Confirm you meet the entry requirements: A secondary-school leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur (checked against the anabin database, usually via uni-assist). Applicants whose qualification is not directly equivalent complete a Studienkolleg year and the Feststellungsprüfung, or sit the TestAS. Master’s applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree with a good grade average; some subjects are restricted by a Numerus Clausus (NC) or an aptitude assessment (Eignungsfeststellungsverfahren).
- 3Apply through uni-assist (most international applicants), hochschulstart.de for nationally restricted subjects such as medicine, or directly with the university where it accepts direct applications.
- 4Submit certified transcripts and translations, your language certificate (DSH / TestDaF / telc for German-taught, IELTS / TOEFL for English-taught) and — if your country requires it — the APS certificate, then pay the processing fee.
- 5On receiving your letter of admission (Zulassungsbescheid), open a blocked account and take out health insurance, then apply for the national student visa (Visa D) at the German mission in your country.
For international students
Non-EU students apply for a German national student visa (Visa D) at the German mission in their country, then convert it into a residence permit for study purposes at the local Ausländerbehörde. Proof of funds is normally a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — currently about €11,904 for one year — plus statutory health insurance. Graduates may stay for up to 18 months on a job-seeking residence permit.
Read the student visa & residence permit guide →Frequently asked questions
What are the admission requirements for Folkwang University of the Arts?
A secondary-school leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur (checked against the anabin database, usually via uni-assist). Applicants whose qualification is not directly equivalent complete a Studienkolleg year and the Feststellungsprüfung, or sit the Tes...
How much is tuition at Folkwang University of the Arts?
There are no tuition fees — you pay only the semester contribution of €320/semester, plus living costs. Figures are indicative — confirm with the university.
How is Folkwang University of the Arts ranked?
Germany national rank #79.
What are the English requirements?
German-taught degrees: DSH-2, TestDaF 4x4, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule or Goethe-Zertifikat C2. English-taught degrees: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88+ (programme-dependent); many international master’s programmes are taught fu...
Last updated 21 Aug 2026. Information is provided for guidance — verify with official sources before applying.