Integrated Design

The Bachelor's degree programme Integrated Design can be described as different, vibrant and inspiring. It features a nationwide, unique, non-linear and multi-semester study model which offers a high level of individual design opportunities thanks to its transdisciplinary, project-oriented and international structure.
The Bachelor's degree programme Integrated Design integrates different design and scientific approaches from design areas and design-related disciplines. Students gain extensive methodology skills from at least 10 areas of expertise as well as other design, analytical and conceptual specialist knowledge, in a flexible study structure of seven semesters. Thus, they systematically begin to understand and use the diversity of design. These qualifications are complemented by intercultural experience and language competence. This degree programme enables students to work towards solutions to current issues in design, to carry out project work in a flexible and independent manner in a different cultural context and to face challenges in an international context.

KISD: Integrative, Interdisciplinary and International

KISD, the Köln International School of Design is an institute and thus part of TH Köln, one of the largest public universities in Europe. KISD offers its students a project and student-centred study and research environment aiming at strengthening students' individual interests.

Integrative Studies. Since its foundation, KISD has relied on a structure that consistently overcomes traditional design boundaries and combines different design approaches, practices and techniques. During the Bachelor's degree programme students work in at least 10 of the 12 KISD areas of expertise. Consequently, design specific prospects are systematically integrated into a holistic understanding of theory and practice.

Interdisciplinary Studies. Design is an integral part of our everyday lives and culture of knowledge and is thus incorporated into complex structures. According to our holistic approach, design can only be seen and developed via different scientific and design disciplines. Throughout their projects students discover a variety of theory and methods and how to integrate these effectively in their own work. KISD provides cooperation with numerous international and regional companies, institutions, and associations. Many research and development projects are completed in close cooperation with business, enabling students to gain a profound insight into business practice.

International Studies. With its degree programmes, KISD pursues an active strategy of internationalisation. Numerous projects are put into effect with international universities and companies. Cross-cultural phenomena and processes cover projects with international partners and guests every semester. In addition, KISD counts on cross-cultural competences thanks to a high percentage of international students. Therefore, the majority of study courses are held in English. The Bachelor's degree programme provides two options to study in an international context in order to gain cross-cultural experience and be able to use this knowledge in one's own work later on.

Educational organisation

The Bachelor's degree programme Integrated Design offers two study courses to students at the end of their first year of study at KISD.

Study Course Integrated Studies in Design. In the study course Integrated Studies in Design, students work in multi-semester projects and seminars on complex design processes and acquire a broad knowledge of contents, working practices and methodologies of design, while developing extensive analytical, conceptual and design specific competence, which they link with cross-cultural and international experience.
Self-initiated teaching and research projects allow them to develop their own interests and to set individual focal points. Supported by a mentoring programme, they learn to redefine and discuss their development as a designer again and again.

Study Course European Studies in Design. In the study course European Studies in Design the students pass the first four semesters of their studies at KISD. Afterwards they study at two of the European MEDes partner universities. The MEDes network encompasses seven European universities featuring an innovative and international design education. Besides KISD these include: Aalto School of Art & Design (Helsinki, Finland), Glasgow School of Art (Glasgow, UK), ENSCI Les Ateliers (Paris, France), Konstfack (Stockholm, Sweden), Politecnico di Milano (Milan, Italy) and the University of Aveiro (Aveiro, Portugal).

Study Structure

KISD studies are project-oriented and support a multi-semester collaboration, thus enabling students to learn with and from one another. In addition to the projects, seminars, lectures, courses, working groups, workshop introductions, and the extracurricular mentoring programme round off the study framework. Therefore, the study framework is only partly linear. Every semester students can choose from a wide range of courses. As a result, individual study pathways arise that support the student's autonomy and uniqueness from the first semester. Orientation is provided by the following four temporal study phases: Discoveries, Connections, International, and Focus.

Discoveries: The first two semesters focus on knowledge and understanding of design as a area of thinking and acting that interpenetrates our reality and requires design specific contemplation. The students learn to apply typical design working methods and techniques, make contacts with other students and lecturers, and get familiar with the changeable roles of a designer while completing their project work.

Connections: In the third and forth semester students experience Integrated Design as a field of theory, action and drafting, which is dominated by connections between different areas of design as well as by the design process itself and other sciences. In formats such as the Intermediate Project, they learn to establish these connections themselves and draft their own practical focal points.

International: The fifth semester is dedicated to international and cross-cultural experience. Thanks to a stay abroad at one of our 45 partner universities inside and outside Europe, or thanks to international focus during their studies in Cologne, the students gain a new outlook on their personal development and professional career.

Focus: While choosing optional courses, own project work and their Bachelor's thesis in the sixth and seventh semester, the students set individual focal points and develop their own profile. At the same time, this phase prepares students for their career start through suitable offers.

Study abroad unit(s)

Within the framework of the branch of study "Integrated Studies in Design", an internationally based module is a requirement. This can take the form of a semester spent abroad, or a project based at an international partner institution, or an international project directed by one of the numerous guest lecturers who visit KISD, or even via a dedicated internship/work experience abroad. In all cases, students will be strongly supported, whatever their international undertakings. Built up over many years, KISD has a wide-reaching network of contacts with other universities, institutions and businesses at its disposal, throughout Europe and abroad.
In the branch of study "European Studies in Design", students are part of a European network of students from six excellent design universities (Glasgow, Helsinki, Milano, Paris, Stockholm, and Cologne) and spend two years (of the combined five years of the BA/MA programme) abroad.

Internships

An internship of 12 weeks is recommended during the summer breaks. Several professors will assist students in finding an appropriate internship.

Forms of assessment

All projects must be presented. During the module examination, homework, documentations and seminar papers will be examined during an oral presentation. Study journal, research proposals and a final thesis are also part of the programme.

Course objectives

Successfully achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Design means a first degree with professional qualification and provides access to a subsequent Master's degree programme. Thanks to the understanding of design which is taught and lived at KISD and which goes far beyond the traditional understanding of design as "shaping", the study course offers different career prospects.
Designers work in teams, they do not communicate, mediate or use their drafting ability as a series of instructions but rather as a bundle of flexible solution strategies, which can be reproduced for different problems and disciplines.
Our graduates demonstrate a high degree of competence in acting universally and in becoming skilled in new issues in a quick and reflected manner. Due to the intensive and interdisciplinary form of instruction they are perfectly prepared for a professional landscape that is ever changing. This embraces self-dependent activities in one's own design studio as well as work as a designer in a company, in a design consulting agency or advertising agency, or a design studio. Further activities could involve work in associations and public institutions as well as in positions that are far from design but which nevertheless require team competence, improvisation, empathy, internationality, communication skills, and solution-oriented work. KISD graduates contribute to develop a vibrant design scene in Cologne - thus representing a significant network for our students.

Language requirements

English is important, several English courses are offered. Applicants must provide proof of sufficient command of the German language (B1) during their first year at the university.

Academic requirements

For admission to the Bachelor's degree programme you need the Advanced Technical Certificate or an equally accepted qualification. Proof of qualification is provided by:

• Certificate of general qualification for university entrance
• Testimony of the Advanced Technical Certificate
• Evidence of the school portion of the Advanced Technical Certificate in conjunction with the corresponding prescribed practical activity or qualification
• Equivalent certificates

Before entering the KISD Köln International School of Design, all applicants have to provide evidence of a six-month internship in a design-related field; some apprenticeships or professional, design-related experiences also can be accepted.
The required study-related qualification is ascertained by a commission in a separate procedure, which consists of a homework assignment. The evaluation of all homework is performed by a special application committee. It preselects the candidates and a class exercise which has to be presented during an interview.
Deadline for applications is 1 April for the following winter semester, which usually starts in the middle of September of the same year. Please apply online: https://application.kisd.de/
All information on the application process is provided online.
The requirements are:

• Statement in writing on your motivation to study at KISD (please submit 1,200-1,600 characters)
• Copy of advanced technical college certificate, or similar qualification
• Curriculum vitae

For further information have a look at: https://application.kisd.de/

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Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

The fee of about 250 EUR per semester includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

The costs of living for your stay largely depend on your personal needs. When planning your stay, you should calculate monthly costs of approximately 700-800 EUR.

Job opportunities

Taking on a part-time job while studying has lots of benefits. Students can make some extra money, gain valuable professional experience, and might take a first step up on the career ladder.
Whether and how long you are allowed to work during semester breaks is determined by your immigration office. The provisions applying to your specific case will be stated in your residence permit. To find out about these provisions, we recommend you make an inquiry at the immigration office during your first visit. International students from countries that are not member states of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland are normally permitted to work 120 full or 240 half days per year if they are in possession of a valid residence permit for Germany.
TH Köln can assist you in finding a job that suits your profile and interests. Our Career Service and our Nebenjobservice (Part-Time Job Service) offer comprehensive counselling and specific information events on all aspects related to part-time jobs.
Please be aware that the level of your German language skills will strongly affect your chances of finding a part-time job, as German is the language of communication in Germany.

Funding opportunities within the university

TH Köln as well as other institutions offer different scholarships for international students such as the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. Recipients receive approx. 300 EUR per month.
https://www.th-koeln.de/en/international_office/deutschland-stipendium-scholarship---information-for-students_9164.php

Arrival support

Applicants and freshmen are supported by the application work group (apply@kisd.de). The International Office of TH Köln provides information and advice regarding scholarships, studies in Germany, enrolment at TH Köln and first steps in Cologne.

Services and support for international students

TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences - follows the National Code of Conduct on Foreign Students at German Universities established by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
The International Office provides advice and support for international students on all aspects related to studying at TH Köln. The International Office accompanies your stay at our university with a variety of programmes and events and invites you to become a part of our international community (e.g., mentoring programmes for new first semester students, TH Köln Buddy programme KARIBU, or Language Partnership programme).
Every semester, the International Office organises a semester programme including exciting cultural events to connect German and international students as well as activities to jointly discover different aspects of Cologne (e.g., a guided tour of Cologne, trips to museums and theatres, or a semester trip to the German capital Berlin).

Accommodation

Boasting a population of slightly more than one million, Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest metropolis - a highly attractive one on top of that. The increasing influx of people can make the search for adequate accommodation quite difficult. Dozens of apartment hunters often compete for a single apartment. That is why the International Office strongly recommends that you start looking for a place to live as soon as possible.
The fierce competition on the housing market has resulted in above-market rents - particularly in proximity of the city centre. We therefore encourage you to be flexible: try to look for apartments outside the centre, as you will encounter less competition and lower rents.
Student dormitories
Cologne's most convenient and economical housing option is often a student dormitory. Kölner Studierendenwerk operates 86 student dorms offering roughly 4,700 rooms. Please be aware that TH Köln does not allocate the rooms in these dorms. In order to be allocated a room, please apply online on the website of Kölner Studentenwerk by clicking on "online-application". See: http://www.kstw.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=315&Itemid=11&lang=en.
The seemingly large number of dorm rooms is misleading; as the dormitories are open to the roughly 80,000 students enrolled at all Cologne universities, they are in extremely high demand. Make sure to apply for a dorm room at Kölner Studierendenwerk as early as possible.