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Overview

Throughout this exciting degree, our aim is to foster new talent into creative leaders within the commercially oriented field of graphic design. From typography to visual corporate identity, you’ll meet the demands for UI/UX design solutions, websites and digital publishing. This is the guided pathway for our students to generate outstanding quality content for their successful futures within the communications industry.

BSBI’s diverse approach to teaching includes studio-based collaborative learning environment, workshops and support to find extra-curricular industry placements, always with a strong emphasis on the highest practical and industry related standards. The backbone of which is our strong focus on enterprise, leadership and success.

The course enables you to develop your design potential whilst guided by industry experts combining your work within an extensive portfolio of powerful software skills and effective creative thinking methods in highly complex design situations enhanced by a practical, vocational approach.

The four-year international route programme includes a foundation year, which will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry and will give you the opportunity to refine a career path. You’ll build a strong portfolio needed to progress directly into your BA degree, whilst being prepared to use English language in an academic context.

Berlin School of Business and Innovation is in partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). As a result of this partnership, BSBI is able to offer the BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme. UCA is an acclaimed creative institution in the UK that ranks highly in all three of the major UK league tables. The university has also been ranked 13th out of all UK universities in the Guardian League Table 2020; and ranked no.7 in the 2021 Guardian League Tables for Business, Management & Marketing.

Secure your place on this programme by applying today for our upcoming intakes. Find out how to apply here.

What will you experience?

Central elements of this course include typographic skills and the focused application of design principles, which respond to practical design challenges in highly versatile markets. Structured teaching also encourages independent learning and project management. Students will engage in studio time, seminars and workshops but also supplementary activities such as gaining industry experience, all within Europe’s most exciting leading creative industry hub of Hamburg.

The course is delivered 100% on-campus with full access to state-of-the art facilities. Students will also have additional access to course and reading materials via the University for the Creative Arts platform.

Why study this course?

You will earn a bachelor’s degree with 120 UK credits per year (equivalent to 60 ECTS per year). This helps student mobility in the EU when it comes to transferring credits from one higher education institution to another.

Who should take this course?

In partnership with the highest-ranking creative education institutions, we aim to attract the most creative minds to generate expert professionals who will be equipped with the creative and practical solutions required in the professional graphic design landscape.

Course Price

2023 INTAKES 
International students Price: €11,000/year | EU students Price: €8,000/year

Special offer effective Jan 2023: Up to 33% discount for International Students | 10% discount for EU Students

Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here.

The School's admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.

BSBI Portfolio Scholarship Competition

Students have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and the chance to receive a scholarship on tuition! This competition is valid on the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes being offered at the Hamburg campus.

Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)

1 Student | 100% Scholarship on Tuition

Second Best Portfolio

10 Students | 50% Scholarship on Tuition

Third Best Portfolio

20 Students | 40% Scholarship on Tuition

 

Find out more about how to apply here.

Programme Structure

The modules of this programme are offered and delivered 100% on campus. Students will also have additional access to course and reading materials via the University for the Creative Arts platform.

The learning and teaching will consist of a variety of elements such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, animated/non-animated video, practical work, seminars and trips. The assessment strategy will include individual/group reports and/or presentations, case studies, essays, portfolio development, reflective journals and experiential work based activities.

You will study up to four days per week, in smaller class sizes and more frequent sessions. Teaching takes place Monday to Saturdays, during morning, afternoon, or evening sessions.

International Foundation in Art Design and Media
  • English for Academic Purposes, Research and Study skills
  • Exploring Practices, Process, Materials and Techniques
  • Investigating Specialist Practice
  • Final Major Project
 Year 1 
  • Methods and Processes
  • Typography and Principles of Visual Communication
  • Historical and Contextual Methods
Year 2
  • Design Direction
  • Contextual Research and Theory
  • Study Abroad Exchange (optional)
Year 3
  • Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
  • Final Major Project
  • Professional Practice
  • Delivery: On-campus
  • Location: BSBI Hamburg Campus
  • Duration: 3 years / 4 years including integrated international foundation studies in Art Design and Media
  • 2023 Intakes: February, October
  • Awarding body: University for the Creative Arts
  • 2023 Price: €11,000/year (international students) | €8,000/year (EU students)  

Download Factsheet>>

The School's admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.

Foundation International Route Option

Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 11 years of schooling)

 (if applicant is 17 and turns 18 within 3 months of enrolment still eligible for enrolment)

How to create an exceptional portfolio will be available in this integrated international route foundation in art design and media course to guarantee you a direct progression into your BA degree course.

Academic Qualifications: ECCTIS UK equivalent to GCSE

English language requirements:

  • Official English Tests
    • IELTS – minimum OS 5.0 (with min 4.5 in each component)
    • Password test – minimum OS 5.0 (with min 4.5 in each component)
    • PTE (Academic) – minimum OS of 46 (with min 41 in each component)
    • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT OS B1 Achiever High Pass
    • Duolingo test with an overall score of 95+
  • West African Certificates (WAEC AND NECO only) as a stand-alone with a minimum of C6 in English and issued within the last 5 years. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is also accepted with an overall grade C or above. For Tanzania and Cameroon, we request an IELTS (or equivalent certificate).
  • WAEC/NECO must be enhanced by a successful (50%+) Internal English Assessment if issued more than 5 years ago.
  • Nationals of a majority English speaking country who have taken their academic qualifications in that country, do not need to sit an English test ( Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK and US

The English Language test can be waived and a Medium of Instruction Letter submitted if:

  1. applicants have achieved ECCTIS recognised High School Certificate, where the medium of instruction was entirely in English (teaching and assessment)
  2. you are a Canadian national who has completed studies at an English-speaking School/College/University

 

BA (Hons)

Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 12 years of schooling)

For direct Year 1 BA entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal.

Academic qualifications: A school leaving certificate with a pass to pursue higher education in Germany e.g. Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Matura. Alternatively, an international baccalaureate, international school leaving certificates, BTEC/national diploma or advanced vocational certificate of education will be accepted.

If you do not meet the above academic requirements, applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements:

  • Official English Tests
    • IELTS – minimum OS 6.0 (with min 5.5 in each component);
    • Password test – minimum OS 6.0 (with min 5.5 in each component);
    • PTE (Academic) – minimum OS of 56 ( with min 51 in each component);
    • TOEFL IBT OS 80 (Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
    • Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency OS 69 (min 162 in each component)
    • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT OS B2 Communicator High Pass (min 33 in each component)
    • Duolingo test with an overall score of 105
  • Applicants who have an insufficient score in one component (i.e. 5.0 instead of 5.5) but overall meets the required threshold, can sit for an English diagnostic test online. Students based in Germany will also be able to sit for an internal assessment, free of charge, with a successful passing rate of 50%+.

The English Language test can be waived and a medium of instruction letter submitted if:

  1. Applicants who have achieved ECCTIS UK recognised High-School Certificate within the last 2 years where the medium of instruction was entirely in English (teaching and assessment). Medium of instruction letter can also be accepted if the applicant have graduated within the last 5 years but must be supported by a Duolingo test
  2. Canadian nationals who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an English-speaking university must submit a Medium of Instruction Letter
  • West African Certificates (WAEC AND NECO only) as a stand-alone with a minimum of C6 in English and issued within the last 5 years. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is also accepted with an overall grade C or above.

For applications from Tanzania and Cameroon, we request an IELTS (or equivalent certificate)

WAEC/NECO must be enhanced by a successful (50%+) Internal English Assessment if issued more than 5 years ago.

  • Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge AICE certificates
  • International baccalaureate diploma with: English Syllabus A: Standard or Higher Grade 4, or above and English Syllabus B: Standard Grade 5 or Higher Grade 4, or above.
  • Nationals of a majority English speaking country who have taken their academic qualifications in that country, do not need to sit an English test ( Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK and USA

* A high school certificate can be undergraduate certificate, undergraduate diploma, HNC, HND,CertHE, DipHE, etc.

Schengen Zone residents entry requirements

  • Applicants who are residents in Schengen Zone are not required to present an IELTS language test or equivalent but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics interview, which will be provided by BSBI. 

BSBI, in partnership with leading creative institution, University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is offering the opportunity to enrich your vocational qualification with this top-up bachelor’s degree in just a year

The course will enable you to reach your full design potential with the help of industry experts. You’ll build a strong portfolio of powerful software skills and demonstrate effective thinking methods to navigate the challenges of today’s creative industry.
This course is ideal for those looking to top up and enhance their expertise, confidence and skills in graphic design. You’ll become equipped with the latest skills in digital design software in order to produce an industry-standard portfolio for future career opportunities.

This top-up programme is tailored to students looking to build upon their knowledge of the graphic design industry and clearly communicate their creative ideas through a final major project.

Modules

•Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
•Final Major Project
•Professional Practice

Key Facts

Duration: 1 year (full-time)
Intakes: October 2023
Delivery: On-campus (Hamburg)
2023 Price: €11,000/year (International) | €8,000/year (EU)

Entry Requirements

Graduates from a vocational academy/institute are not required to present a portfolio upon certified successful completion of their vocational training and are eligible for a direct entry into year 3 Top Up Degree.

Same is applicable for students who completed HND in Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation or direct year 3 progression upon successful completion of level 5/Year 2 by a UK awarding body.

English language requirements:

  • Graduates from a Schengen zone vocational academy/HND/ Level 5 progression by UK awarding body are not required to present an IELTS language test but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics test which will be provided by BSBI for direct entry year 3 BA Top Up Degree.

Download Factsheet >>

Computer Equipment

In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement.

Your Portfolio Submission

For year 1 entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook

What is a portfolio?

  • Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique creative individual.

What should my portfolio contain?

  • Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
  • Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.

How do I submit my portfolio?

  • We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
  • You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.

Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.

You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:

  1. Create an account here
  2. Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
  3. Complete all sections of the online application
  4. Submit online application
  5. Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps

Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination by clicking here

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Apply good knowledge of English to communicate relevant international, cultural, contemporary knowledge and historical, theoretical and professional contexts
  • Understand and formulate unique ideas into convincing concepts for the industry
  • Generate research and apply technological, theoretical and detailed knowledge of graphic design 
  • Understand various emerging and contemporary developments and debates in the communications industry

Application to the industry

  • Apply autonomy to deliver primary and secondary research involving the identification and use of relevant resources
  • To remain focused on upcoming employment opportunities within today’s dynamic and versatile market 
  • Combine practical training with independent study, to reach full design potential and respond effectively to changing briefs and client’s needs
  • Evaluate and apply a range of methods to respond to evolving and emerging technological changes in design applications to support opportunities in your creative practice 

Skills

  • Enhance understanding of critical engagement within the creative arts industry
  • Apply profound graphic design principles and technical skills in relation to associated industries and environments
  • Present and communicate compelling ideas, concepts, sustained research and teamwork efforts
  • Stay career minded and sustain your own networkability

Download Factsheet >>

Career Progression

BSBI’s industry focused environment provides the ideal support to our students in their personal and professional development. Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll be able to pursue the following careers:

  • Graphic designer
  • Branding/corporate designer
  • Packaging designer
  • Editorial designer
  • Web and app designer
  • UI/UX designer
  • Art director
  • Creative director
  • Video director
  • Visualiser/visual creative

Hamburg shows it is at the heart of the creative industries within Europe.

Designers can benefit from digitization and the positive economic situation in Germany, did you know the industry has had an average growth of 4.1% until 2014-2019 in the communication design industry? 

Source: Ibisworld.com

Established Creative Agencies: 

Study in Hamburg, close to creative agencies like Jung von Matt, Blynk, Serious, Paperlux Studio, Sum.Cumo. Better yet, be near to start ups featuring client portfolios reaching from BMW, Google, Airbus to Mercedes Benz and Mc’ Donalds.

BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps graphic design students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The Service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers. To find out more about the support available, visit the Careers Service website.