Englisch 
Deutsch Who this B.A. suits – and what you need to get in
This programme fits people already active in the crafts who want to add design and business to their toolbox. Typical profiles include: a woodworking or metalworking apprentice in year 1–3 who wants to build a design portfolio while earning the journeyman’s certificate; a qualified craftsperson (e.g. carpenter, goldsmith, upholsterer) working full-time and aiming for project leadership or to start a studio; or a small business owner in the creative trades seeking structured skills in product development, brand and operations. You study mainly online but should be able to attend compact on-site blocks in Hannover (up to four per semester, especially in the first four semesters).
Admission requirements
Teaching language: German. You need a crafts background plus a recognised university entrance route. Admission is possible with or without Abitur.
- General higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife) or university of applied sciences entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife)
- Master craftsperson certificate (Meisterprüfung)
- Intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss, at least Realschulabschluss) plus a recognised, at least three-year vocational training with a final/overall average grade of 2.5 or better
- Artistic aptitude route via a begabtenprüfung (portfolio, practical task, interview) at the university
- In all cases: you must have started or completed a handwerkliche Ausbildung (craft apprenticeship) relevant to the field
International applicants: foreign school and vocational qualifications are accepted if they are equivalent to the routes above; official translations and certified copies may be required. As the programme is taught in German, you need proof of advanced German, typically at C1 level for study. Commonly accepted certificates include DSH-2, TestDaF (TDN 4 in all parts) or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule; higher certificates (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C2) are also suitable.
Personal requirements
Remote, project-based study in design and craft requires strong self-management. Plan for an average of 12–18 hours per week in reading, live online sessions and studio/project work; in exam and project phases the workload can rise to 20+ hours. You should be comfortable working in German in seminars, critiques and written assignments, and be ready to document and present your process clearly.
- Reliable internet access and a quiet workspace; access to basic workshop tools or materials for practical tasks is a plus
- Ability to travel to Hannover for compact block seminars (mainly in semesters 1–4); factor in visa and travel time if you live abroad
- Perseverance for long-term projects, realistic time planning alongside a job or apprenticeship, and openness to feedback
- Basic digital skills; you will use common design software and the online campus daily
If you already work in a craft workshop or run a small practice, aligning coursework with real projects will help you progress faster and build a coherent portfolio for future roles in design, product development and studio or business management.
What will you study in the Craft Design (B.A.) at DIPLOMA University?
The programme is taught in German. You need advanced German skills to follow seminars and complete assessments. If you do not speak German confidently at an academic level (typically around C1), this distance programme will not be suitable from abroad.
Craft Design connects handcraft, design and entrepreneurship. As a Fernstudium (distance learning degree), you develop a profile that spans material knowledge, design methods and business thinking. DIPLOMA University is a German university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), so projects, real materials and workshop processes feature prominently alongside theory.
Design foundations and methods: You start with visual and design essentials such as drawing and representation, form and colour, and idea generation. Typical modules include Drawing/Representation, Foundations of Form, and CAD for 3D modelling and visualisation.
Material, product and space: You learn how materials behave and how to translate concepts into tangible outcomes. Expect modules like Product Design, Modelmaking and Spatial Design, plus access to a physical and digital material library to support hands-on exploration.
Brand, communication and presentation: You work on how craft becomes visible and compelling in the market. This covers Corporate Design for craft businesses, Typography and Language, product photography, and professional presentation through portfolios and exhibitions.
Business and leadership in craft: The curriculum builds management literacy for studios and workshops: entrepreneurship, BWL (business administration), law, financing, organisation, HR, and marketing. You will practise project planning, cost awareness and brand-led positioning for small and medium craft enterprises.
Academic and professional practice: Research, documentation and ethical reflection accompany your practical work. Assessment formats include portfolios, project presentations, written papers and a Bachelor’s thesis with colloquium. Annual showcases and occasional excursions add visibility and context.
Electives and options: Within project work you can steer towards product-focused, spatial or brand-oriented directions. A distinctive option is the “trial” pathway combining craft training and Master Craftsman qualification with the Bachelor—valuable if you aim for leadership in the German craft sector.
How does the Craft Design distance programme work?
You study part-time over 9 semesters (180 ECTS) with live-online teaching plus compact on-site blocks in Germany. Most learning happens remotely; however, plan for up to four on-site days per semester in Hannover in the early study phase. Some semesters can be completed fully online.
Teaching language and proof
Teaching is in German. Course literature, live classes and assessments use German. You need strong, active German skills to succeed from abroad. Formal certificate requirements aren’t listed here; as a rule of thumb, aim for C1-level proficiency.
Learning format and study materials
The programme blends self-study with live-online seminars (virtual classroom) and block seminars in Hannover for workshop-based practice, critiques and project coaching. You gain access to a digital library, a material library (on site and online), and standard design software licences to support your studio work at home.
Exams and where you take them
Assessments include written exams, portfolios, project work with presentations, posters and the Bachelor’s thesis with colloquium. Many elements are submitted or presented online. Practical checks and critiques may be tied to the on-site blocks in Hannover. There is no indication of international exam centres; plan for occasional travel for in-person components.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
Expect a small number of compact in-person days in Hannover—up to four per semester, concentrated in the first four semesters. These include practical exercises in workshops or studios and project reviews. Because the programme is not purely remote, you may need a short-stay visa for these visits if you live outside the EU/Schengen area; a student residence visa is typically not required.
Time commitment, pacing and time zones
The degree is designed as a part-time Fernstudium alongside work or apprenticeship. Live sessions are scheduled in German time (CET/CEST). Your weekly workload varies by project phase; the study plan allows for steady progress across nine semesters, with the option to extend if needed.
What does the Craft Design (B.A.) cost?
Over the standard duration of 9 semesters, you pay either €295 per month for 54 months or €221.25 per month for 72 months. Both models sum to €15,930 in tuition. In addition, there is a one-off exam fee of €615, bringing the typical total to €16,545.
You can extend your studies by up to four semesters at no extra tuition, depending on the instalment model—useful if projects or work commitments need more time. Tuition is billed in euros and payable in monthly instalments from abroad. If you choose the trial pathway with the Master Craftsman qualification, note that the craft chamber’s separate exam fees apply and are not included in the figures above.
The fees include learning materials, access to the e-library and the material library, and licences for standard software used in the course.
What careers and recognition does the Craft Design (B.A.) offer?
You graduate with 180 ECTS under the Bologna framework, which supports international comparability and progression to master’s degrees. The programme holds FIBAA programme accreditation (re-accredited, valid 01/04/2024–31/03/2032) through the German Accreditation Council. DIPLOMA University is a state-recognised German university of applied sciences. For employers abroad, this signals a quality-assured Bachelor of Arts with applied, project-based training.
Career paths align with creative leadership in the craft and design economy:
- Product and spatial development in craft workshops, ateliers and small manufacturing firms
- Branding and communication for craft businesses and design-led SMEs
- Project and studio management, including costing, scheduling and client liaison
- Design consulting for craft associations, design/architecture studios or public bodies
- Entrepreneurship: founding or taking over a craft business with a clear market position
The trial option (Bachelor + Journeyman’s certificate + Master Craftsman) can expand leadership and ownership opportunities within the German craft system. With 180 ECTS, you can also apply to relevant master’s programmes, subject to local entry rules.
Who is the Craft Design (B.A.) right for – and who not?
This degree is designed for people who already work with materials and making, and who want to add design strategy and business competence—without pausing their job or apprenticeship. The mix of remote learning and focused on-site practice suits professionals seeking flexibility and real workshop contact.
- You are in a craft apprenticeship or already qualified and want to deepen design, branding and management skills.
- You prefer a part-time distance format with structured live-online teaching and project coaching.
- You value applied learning at a university of applied sciences with material labs, critiques and showcases.
- You plan to lead a workshop, start a business, or position craft as a distinctive brand.
- You are interested in the trial pathway that can combine Bachelor studies with craft qualifications.
Some constraints make this programme a poor fit for certain international applicants. Read these carefully before you decide.
- You do not speak German at an advanced level. The teaching language is German, and active participation is required.
- You need a 100% online programme with no travel. Up to four compact on-site days per semester in Hannover are planned, especially early on.
- You are looking for a purely English-taught international design degree or a curriculum focused on digital-only design tools.
- You seek entry into a regulated profession outside design/craft. This Bachelor does not grant access to regulated licensure tracks.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Craft Design? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution DIPLOMA University or the editorial team will answer you.