BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication
The BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program provides students with the skills and specialized knowledge to develop and apply creative and responsible solutions in the field of graphic design. The program is firmly grounded in the vibrant city of Berlin but taught exclusively in English and designed to prepare graduates for an international creative career. In comprehensive hands-on projects students experience the entire workflow from research and ideation to technical implementation. They design projects across a variety of media (apps, animations, posters, books, magazines, brand identities, websites) and learn to communicate their ideas in shifting contexts.
The BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program curriculum
In a practice-driven and supportive learning atmosphere, an internationally experienced team of lecturers and professors encourages students to explore their individual talents and forge their own professional path.
The first year of the BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program provides students with a broad foundation in basic design skills, typographic and photographic fundamentals, layout and web design skills, and a historical framework. In the second year, students deepen their strategic and intercultural knowledge, tackle graphic design projects, learn about interaction design and motion graphics, and reflect on the discipline of graphic design from a theoretical vantage point. During the third year, students collaborate with peers from other programs on an interdisciplinary design project to develop a tailored design solution for a real-life client. In addition, they complete an internship and hone their research skills. During the last semester, students apply and deepen their acquired skills by completing a bachelor thesis and a bachelor design project with a topic of their own choice.
Professor of Program Graphic Design & Visual Communication
Study Graphic Design & Visual Communication at Berlin International
The learning environment fostered at Berlin International is student-centered and hands-on. Our teaching concept focuses on project-based learning; students work individually and in groups in order to promote professional and personal growth and the development of team skills. All BA programs at Berlin International are taught in English. In combination with our diverse student and teaching body and our global network this enables us to offer a truly international academic experience.
Graphic designers have a wide variety of job opportunities. Our graduates can work in fields such as brand design, interaction design (including UX and UI design), information design, motion graphics, typography, book and magazine design as well as advertising and design consultancy. A graphic designer's work has the potential to impact and improve our daily environment on an economic, political, social, cultural, and personal level.
Potential professional environments include:
- Graphic design studios
- Branding and advertising agencies
- Interaction and web design agencies
- Publishers (digital and print media)
- Television and film industries
- Design departments of mid-sized and large companies
- Start-ups (various sectors including app and game design)
- Freelance work
Learn more about the BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program and Berlin International. Below, you can download the study plan, the Berlin International brochure, and our current academic calendar in PDF format.
To meet the German university entrance level requirements set by the German Central Office for Foreign Education, you will generally need to hold a German Abitur / Fachabitur or equivalent qualification.
Berlin International can only consider applicants who meet the admission requirements.
All applicants who meet the admission requirements will also be subject to faculty selection and seat availability per program.
The requirements for equivalence vary from country to country. We have summarized a few of the most frequently asked about education systems:
To confirm whether you meet the requirements to study in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service provides an English language resource here.
For the original German source, please check the homepage of the Kulturministerkonferenz here.
The BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program falls within the humanities category for admission requirements, please see the information for humanities when checking if you meet the requirements.
There are four admission possibilities:
Direct general admission – you are qualified to start undergraduate studies into any subject area.
Direct subject-restricted admission – you are qualified to begin undergraduate studies in the subject area you have previously studied.
Subject restricted admission to a preparatory course/the Feststellungsprüfung (university qualification exam) – you require additional periods of study before you can begin undergraduate studies in Germany, see more information below.
Admission is not possible without additional proof of education – the qualification you hold is not equivalent to a university entrance qualification in Germany. You will need to complete further qualifications to meet the admission requirements.
Preparatory Course / Additional Studies
A result of subject restricted admission to a preparatory course/Feststellungsprüfung generally means you will need either to complete a German Studienkolleg or successfully complete the first academic year (or more) of a bachelor´s degree outside of Germany.
A 'Studienkolleg' is a university preparatory course that acts as a bridge between your current qualifications and the qualifications required to enter a German university. There are different types of Studienkolleg programs, so make sure to choose the type that prepares you for the subject of study you want to complete.
For more information on types of Studienkolleg program and general information, you can read more here.
If you qualify for this type of program, you would be eligible to study at German post-secondary institutions upon successful completion of the examination (Feststellungprüfung, or FSP).
There is a German language requirement for many of these programs and to meet the admission requirements for a higher education institute in Berlin, the Studienkolleg has to be completed in the German language as required by the Berlin Senate. Therefore, it is not a typical route for our students.
Berlin International does not offer a Studienkolleg program but would be able to accept students who have completed the appropriate examinations in the type of Studienkolleg program required for your subject choice.
An alternative to the Studienkolleg would be to enroll in a university near you, or outside of Germany, and complete the first academic year of a bachelor´s degree successfully. In order to meet the admission requirements, the university and program must be fully accredited, you must choose the same subject you intend to apply for at BI, and you must complete the first academic year with all courses and credits successfully. For some countries, you may need to complete more than 1 academic year.
If you choose this route, you would be welcome to apply as a transfer student into a higher semester.
Read more about this in the ‘Transfer students and course acknowledgments’ section on our Admissions page here.
Our BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program is taught in English. We will require proof of your language skills. German knowledge is not required.
If your language skills are at CEFR Level B2 or above, one of the following currently valid language test certificates and scores can be accepted for your application:
- TOEFL ITP: 543
- TOEFL IBT: 74
- IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall
- Cambridge FCE: B2
- PTE Academic: 59
- BI internal exam/ BAU 'English Language Proficiency Exam': 60/100
- IB Diploma: English A or B at HL or SL
- German Abitur
The score must be earned within the last two years.
If you have not completed high school in a majority-English speaking country (ie. USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand), an approved language exam is required in order to qualify for admission.
You are welcome to attend the internal Berlin International language proficiency exam. It will be hosted via the software MS Teams and participation can only be offered after an application to one of our programs.
For the dates of our next language proficiency exam, see the Language Requirements tab on our Admissions Page.
Preparatory School:
If you do not yet have CEFR level B2 English, and are eligible to study on a BA program at BI, you can sign up for our English Preparatory School.
The application process for studying Graphic Design & Visual Communication at Berlin International is very easy. You can simply and safely share your personal information through our online application platform. After receiving a confirmation email with a link a copy of the following documents can be uploaded:
- Passport
- High school diploma certificate with transcript (German Abitur, Fachabitur or equivalent). Please also submit an official translation of the diploma and transcript into English or German if they are in another language.
- University certificate with transcript (if applicable). Please also submit an official translation of the diploma and transcript into English or German if they are in another language.
- English language test certificate (CEFR level B2 or above)
- Portfolio PDF with a minimum of 10 works. See the guidelines here.
We are also offering webinars on the topic of ‘Portfolio Advice’ throughout the year. For information on upcoming dates and how to register, please visit our current dates page.
If you have missed a recent webinar, then simply email us and we will be happy to send you the link to the recording.
For more information please use the menu item Admission.
