DE Contents
In recent years, there has been an increasing number of distance learning courses in the field of design, for example, teaching all aspects of visual communication, from print to online, 3D, and game design. Particularly popular are bachelor's programs in communication design, offered at universities such as IU International University or Wilhelm Büchner University.
Here I present all universities in the field of design and show you the entire range of study programs leading to a bachelor's or master's degree. Additionally, I compare the costs of the individual design courses, both the monthly costs and the total costs.
Design & Gestaltung: Alle Onlinestudiengänge im Überblick
We have a total of 18 courses in the field of Design & Layout.
Media design
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
In the media design distance learning course at IU, you will gain in-depth knowledge in all areas of media design - print, online, mobile media, photo and video, infographics, and …
Communication design
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
With this bachelor's programme, you will immerse yourself intensively in all relevant areas of visual communication – print, online, mobile, video, infographics, space, and presentation. During your studies, you will …
Design & Leadership
- DIPLOMA University
- 5 Semester
- Bad Sooden-Allendorf
- German
- design management, design and experiment, design methodology, design and brand, image and language, team leadership, design theory, design transfer
Communication design.
- DIPLOMA University
- 7 Semester
- German
- Methodology, Presentation, Basic concepts of communication design, Digital design processes, Typography, Design and self-competences in design, Media …
Game Design
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
In the distance learning course Game Design, you will engage with the basics and methods of User-Centric Design, General Psychology, User Design, User Experience, and the design and ergonomics of …
Craft Design
- DIPLOMA University
- 9 Semester
- German
- Methodology, Representation, Basics of Form Design, Digital Design Processes, Design and Self-Competencies in Design, Form and Colour, Material Scienc…
Product design
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
With this distance learning course, you will learn to analyse products, conduct user research, develop concepts, elaborate designs, and effectively use current CAD and model-making techniques. You can choose to …
Animation Design
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 6 Semester
- German
Whether as explanatory videos on websites, screen advertising, or classic animated formats, digital animations are present in almost every area of daily life. In the Animation Design course, you will …
Game Design
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 6 Semester
- German
Sophisticated designs, complex storylines, and a rich variety of themes – Game designers have long made perspective shifts and lifelong learning opportunities fundamental components of modern games. Far beyond the …
Communication design
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 6 Semester
- German
The media give space to new ideas - and thus become the most important employer for communication designers. In order to cover the broad and demanding field of manual and …
Industrial design
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 6 Semester
- German
Design and market success of products go hand in hand. Therefore, companies are significantly dependent on competent industrial designers who implement current trends and market opportunities with new technologies. The …
Sustainable Design
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 6 Semester
- German
Climate change and resource scarcity can no longer be ignored by the economy. Sustainable product design is therefore a guarantee that production processes, supply chains, and energy consumption can be …
User Experience Management & Design
- Private University Goettingen
- 3 Semester
- English
The master's programme in UX Design at PFH prepares you for designing user-centred business models and strategies. Through practical projects and flexible online formats, you will acquire comprehensive skills in …
UX & Service Design
- SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University
- 6 Semester
- English
- General Business Administration, Service Design - Principles & Methods, User Experience Design - Principles & Methods, Design Research & Design Method…
Design Management
- SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University
- 3 Semester
- Riedlingen
- English
- General Business Administration, Design Management Leadership, Design Research & Design Methods, Design Theory, Scientific Design Concepts & Design Sc…
Digital Games Business
- DIPLOMA University
- 7 Semester
- German
- Foundations of Economics, Academic Research, Statistics and Research Ethics, Knowledge and Innovation Management, Financial Accounting, Business Law, …
Process and product design
- DIPLOMA University
- 7 Semester
- German
- Methodology, basic design principles, fundamentals of product design, design history, design theory, digital design modeling, materials, materials and…
These universities offer online courses in design
All universities offering distance learning courses in the field of design are private universities. Online courses in design or communication design are currently not offered by state universities.
Here are the universities in a brief overview:
The IU International University is a private university of applied sciences located in Erfurt, Thuringia. Since SS 2021, IU has been the largest university in Germany, with over 100,000 enrolled students. The university offers on-campus programs, dual degree programs, and more than 100 distance learning programs. In the field of design & creative arts, IU offers several bachelor's programs, such as media design and product design.
DIPLOMA University: The DIPLOMA University North Hesse is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences located in Bad Sooden-Allendorf/Hesse. The university was founded in 1997, and in the WS 2020/2021, a total of 8,925 students were enrolled. In addition to courses in other fields, the university offers some interesting courses in the field of design, such as the bachelor's in communication design.
SRH Distance Learning University: SRH Distance Learning University – The Mobile University, is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences located in Riedlingen, Baden-Württemberg. The university was founded in 1996, and in the WS 2020/2021, a total of 6,321 students were enrolled at SRH Riedlingen. The university describes itself as a "quality leader in distance learning." In the field of design, the university offers a master's program in design management and a distance learning program in UX design.
Wilhelm Büchner University: The WBH is a private university of applied sciences and one of the most well-known private universities in the fields of technology & informatics. In the WS 2021/2021, a total of 5,442 students were enrolled at the university. Through its new department, WBH offers 5 different design programs, both as distance learning programs and as in-person programs on-site.
Bachelor's Programs in Design: Cost Comparison
Since all distance learning programs in design are offered by private universities, the programs are accordingly expensive. However, almost all distance universities now offer various financing options. Those looking to reduce their monthly costs can opt for a part-time model – the monthly fees are lower, but the total fees are slightly higher.
Here is an overview of the costs of the bachelor's programs. The lowest possible costs are displayed for the total and monthly fees, respectively.
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animation Design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Wilhelm Büchner University | 6 Semester | from 12201 € total from 237 € monthly | |
| Game Design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Wilhelm Büchner University | 6 Semester | from 12201 € total from 237 € monthly | |
| Communication design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Wilhelm Büchner University | 6 Semester | from 12201 € total from 237 € monthly | |
| Sustainable Design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Wilhelm Büchner University | 6 Semester | from 12201 € total from 237 € monthly | |
| Industrial design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Wilhelm Büchner University | 6 Semester | from 12201 € total from 237 € monthly | |
| Communication design., Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | DIPLOMA University | 7 Semester | from 12329 € total from 177 € monthly | |
| Product design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Media design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Communication design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Game Design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Craft Design, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | DIPLOMA University | 9 Semester | from 16545 € total from 221 € monthly |
Master Design Management at SRH Distance Learning University: Requirements, Content & Costs
The Master Design Management at SRH Distance Learning University aims to prepare designers and managers optimally for their work at the interface between design and management.
Special feature: The course is taught in English.
Requirements include a completed university degree or an equivalent qualification (at least 180 ECTS), English language skills at B1 level, basic understanding of design, at least 1 year of practical or professional experience, and possibly a motivation interview.
The program consists of 90 ECTS and lasts for 3 semesters in full-time study, in which the following modules are completed:
- 1st Semester: General Business Administration, Design Management Leadership, Design Research & Design Methods, Design Theory, Scientific Design Concepts & Design Science, Project 1 - Practice-based research
- 2nd Semester: Marketing, Decision Making, Management and Design, Design Management Strategy, Design Systems & Designing in complexity, Project 2 - Research based project
- 3rd Semester: Change Management, Master Thesis
The tuition fees are €593.44 per month or €10,682 in total for the so-called Flex-1 variant over 18 months, or €459 per month or €11,475 in total for the so-called Flex-2 variant over 25 months.
About the Author Christian Wolf
Study Advice
Questions on the topic? Use our study advice, we are happy to help.
or post as a guest