Where to study fashion in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
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What fashion schools are there? What programmes do they specialise in and how do you choose a school in German-speaking European countries? Here is a small (and incomplete) guide to fashion schools in the DACH region, or in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Studying fashion in Germany
Fashion and Design Academy (AMD)
At AMD, fashion, journalism and communication with a focus on fashion and lifestyle have been taught for more than 30 years.
"A network of renowned members from the fields of business, culture and society regularly gives our students the chance to demonstrate their skills and talent in practical projects, bachelor theses or internships," the university website explains.
Some quick facts::
- Locations: Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich and Wiesbaden
- Study programmes: Fashion Design, Fashion Management, Fashion Journalism, Sustainable Design, Product Design, Interior Design
- Standard period of study: seven semesters for the Bachelor degree
- Degrees: Bachelor and Master
- Semester start: The fall semester 2022 starts on September 1 and applications are currently still being accepted.
- Tuition fee: 725 euros per month, 595 euros admission fee.
Reutlingen University
In the Fashion and Textile Design degree programme at Reutlingen University, students can make the decision to major in textile design or fashion after the first semester of study. The main aim of the programme is to provide students with the "basic knowledge to develop independent collections in fabrics and fashion as well as to teach practical and creative skills", as the school put it on its website.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Reutlingen, South Germany
- Study programmes: Textile Chain Research, Textile Engineering, International Fashion Business, Fashion & Textile Design, Design, Interdisciplinary Product Development
- Standard period of study: seven semesters for Bachelor programme
- Degrees: Bachelor and Master
- Application deadline: June 15 for the fall semester 2023
- Tuition fee: Students that would like to study at Reutlingen University need to pay a fee of 167.30 euros per semester.
LDT Academy for Fashion Management Nagold
The LDT Nagold was founded 70 years ago. It "consistently and in a structured way links business management content with merchandise-related topics. At the academy theoretical content is limited to the essentials - the practical applicability of the material taught is always in the foreground. A decisive plus for graduates of the academy," according to LDT’s official website.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Nagold, near Stuttgart
- Study programmes: Fashion Management, Digitalisation, Brand Management, Business Management
- Degrees: Bachelor and Master
- Semester start: October 1 2022, interviews are still ongoing. Virtual student advisory service on Thursday, August 14 2022
- Tuition fee: 2,890 euros per semester
BSP Business School Berlin
The BSP Business School Berlin is a state-recognised, private college for management. However, in addition to the many management subjects, the university also offers a variety of courses for those interested in fashion - such as Fashion Marketing or Sustainable Fashion.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Berlin
- Study programmes: Fashion Marketing (BA), Fashion Journalism (BA), Costume and Make-Up Design (BA), Sustainable Fashion (BA)
- Standard period of study: six semesters
- Degrees: Bachelor and Master
- Semester start: October 1 2022
- Tuition fee: 650 euros per month
Fashion Design College Düsseldorf
The focus of the three-year course at the Mode Design College in Düsseldorf is on 'Sustainable Design Strategies', in which students critically examine the global fashion industries and their worldwide production sites.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Düsseldorf
- Standard period of study: seven semesters
- Degrees: Bachelor and Master
- Semester start: April 1 and October 1
- Tuition costs: The cost for a course of study at the MDC is currently 430 euros per month. In addition, there is a one-time registration fee of 590 euros. Finally, a one-time examination fee of 600 euros is charged for the final examination.
Academy of Arts Berlin (UDK)
Around 450 applications every year reach the UdK's application committee for the new academic year. "With us, they have the opportunity to apply completely freely by working on a homework assignment set by us. And that is the basis for being invited," the school says. Only in the next step does a portfolio become relevant; in addition to another design task, prospective students can expect a five-minute portfolio interview.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Berlin
- Study programmes: Bachelor and Master in Fashion Design
- Tuition fee: none, only a semester contribution of 315 euros. With the exception of some advanced Master's programmes, no tuition fees are charged at the UdK Berlin. This also applies to international students. However, all students at Berlin universities must pay a fee of around 320.00 euros per semester, currently.
- Standard length of study for Bachelor: eight semesters
- Number of students: about 24 in the first semester
- Admission rate: 14.7 percent
Studying fashion in Austria
University of Applied Arts Vienna
Those who are among the lucky 10 percent that are accepted annually into the fashion class at the University of Applied Arts Vienna learn from the best and have good career opportunities. Monica Titton, Senior Scientist at the Fashion Institute of the University of Applied Arts, tells us in an interview what students need to learn besides fashion drawing and sewing techniques to survive in today's fashion industry. In addition to a strong artistic focus, the fashion department at Vienna University is characterised above all by the rotating professorships of internationally renowned fashion designers. Karl Lagerfeld, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, Raf Simons, Vivienne Westwood, Viktor & Rolf and many other well-known personalities have taught at the university, which was founded in 1867.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Vienna
- Course of studies: Diploma in Fashion Design (Magister). Dates for submission and examination week will be published in autumn 2022
- Standard period of study: eight semesters
- Number of students: 40 in four years
- Degrees: Bachelor and Master
- Admission quota: 10 percent
- Start:
- Tuition fee: Students with citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland pay 21.20 euros per semester, provided that the study time according to the curriculum* plus two tolerance semesters is respected.
Studying fashion in Switzerland
Swiss College of Textiles (STF)
The STF Schweizerische Textilfachschule (Swiss College of Textiles) has been regarded as a centre of excellence in the textile, fashion and lifestyle sector in Switzerland since 1881. The school stands for sustainable educational competence covering the entire life cycle of textile, fashion and lifestyle products and offers a wide range of training and further education courses, from basic training to a Master's degree.
The Swiss College of Textiles (STF) will be offering a new course entitled ‘Fashion Influencer’ from the autumn semester.
Some quick facts:
- Location: Zurich
- Study programmes: fashion design & technology, textile design & technology, textile business management
- Standard period of study:
- Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Diploma
- Semester start: August 22, 2022; registration still possible until August 17, 2022.
- Tuition fee: 1,500 Swiss francs (about 1540 euros) registration fee. Tuition fees vary depending on the degree programme and can be found on the website. Example Textile Designer: 4,890 Swiss francs ( about 5,000 euros) per semester. Special rates apply for students from abroad, which can be requested via the admissions office.
This article was originally published on FashionUnited.DE and has been translated and edited into English by Veerle Versteeg.