Englisch 
Deutsch Who this UX Design (B.A.) fits and what you need to qualify
This programme suits you if you want to build a solid UX toolkit while studying part-time and fully online in German. Typical profiles include: working creatives from graphic or communication design who now own the end-to-end UX process (research to prototyping); marketers, content or product coordinators in digital teams who need structured UX methods to progress into product or service design; and IT or front-end professionals who aim to formalise user-centred thinking with an accredited Bachelor of Arts (180 ECTS) for international recognition.
Admission requirements
NC-free admission with several entry routes. You can start in April or October; entry at other times is possible after individual review. Formal pathways:
- General higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife) or entrance to a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife).
- Master craftsperson examination (Meisterprüfung).
- Admission without Abitur: at least an intermediate secondary school certificate (Realschulabschluss) plus a completed, qualified vocational training of at least 3 years with a final grade of 2.5 (good) or better.
- Recognition of foreign qualifications: international school-leaving certificates and vocational diplomas are admissible if equivalency is demonstrated to German entry levels.
- Language of instruction: German. If you are not a native speaker, you must provide proof of sufficient German to follow seminars, exams and study materials; accepted proofs and minimum levels are confirmed during the application check.
- Credit transfer: prior learning and relevant qualifications may be recognised to shorten your studies (case-by-case assessment).
Accreditation: programme-accredited by FIBAA; valid 2023–2031.
Personal requirements
Remote study from abroad works well if you bring structure and realistic planning. Expect around 25–30 hours per week during active semesters for self-study, project work and live online sessions (often on Saturdays and selected evenings, Central European Time). You need solid German for discussions, feedback and assignments; confident academic reading and writing in German is essential. Beyond that, you should be comfortable with iterative design, documentation and critique.
- Reliable internet connection, a suitable computer and willingness to install common UX tools; access to MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud is included.
- Discipline for continuous progress, plus perseverance for multi-week research and prototyping sprints.
- Ability to collaborate asynchronously across time zones and to present work clearly to non-design stakeholders.
- Flexibility for a supervised practice phase and online assessments; most exams can be taken online.
If you can secure focused weekly study time, communicate proactively in German, and manage a steady project cadence, you will be well prepared for this part-time, online bachelor’s degree.
What will you study in the UX Design (B.A.) at DIPLOMA University?
The programme is taught in German. To enrol successfully you will need solid German language skills; the university requires proof of adequate proficiency and will state accepted certificates during admission. In Germany, common proofs include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat (often at B2–C1 level). As a Fernstudium (distance learning), you study part-time over 7 semesters for 180 ECTS.
You cover the full UX toolkit from research to interface delivery. The curriculum follows the human-centred design standard DIN EN ISO 9241 and combines design, psychology and technology. DIPLOMA is a state-recognised Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences). The degree concludes with a Bachelor thesis and colloquium, plus an integrated practice phase that you can align with your job.
UX foundations and visual design: You start with perception and visual communication, then move into screen and interface design. Typical modules include Visual Design & Perception, Screendesign, and Human–Computer Interaction (HCI). You learn typography, layout and colour for clarity and accessibility.
User research and usability evaluation: You apply qualitative and quantitative methods to understand needs and behaviours. Expect User Research, Usability Testing and UX Analysis, from interviews and personas to moderated tests and heuristic evaluations.
Information architecture and interaction: You structure complex content and flows for intuitive navigation. Core topics are Information Architecture, Interface Design and Service Design, plus Mobile Interfaces for platform-specific patterns.
Prototyping and product development: You iterate with low- and high-fidelity prototypes and validate with users. Prototyping, Portfolio- and Project-based work train you to deliver design assets, documentation and presentations to cross-functional teams.
Law, ethics and professional skills: You address media law, data protection and UX ethics, and build academic and communication skills. Business English supports collaboration with international stakeholders.
Electives from semester 5 let you specialise: Smart Mobility (UX for connected transport and technologies such as NFC/RFID), Immersive Design (XR, virtual interactions and experience spaces), or Audiovisual Design (concepts for film, games and advertising). A supervised practice phase and the Bachelor thesis link your studies directly to real UX projects.
Note on German terms: A Fernstudium is distance learning with online teaching and assessment; a Fachhochschule is a practice-oriented university of applied sciences. The ZFU is the German state authority that approves private distance-learning courses; for accredited university degrees like this B.A., the relevant quality seals are state recognition and programme accreditation.
How does the UX Design distance programme work?
You study part-time, fully online, with fixed study groups and regular live sessions. Standard duration is 7 semesters (180 ECTS) with a free extension option. Intakes are in April and October; entry at other times may be possible after individual review. All core coursework and assessments can be completed from outside Germany.
Teaching language and certificates
The teaching language is German. Learning materials, live seminars and exams are in German. You will need proven German proficiency; the university specifies accepted tests during admission. In Germany, commonly recognised certificates include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat (typically B2–C1). If you do not speak German at this level, this programme will not be feasible.
Learning format and study materials
The programme is designed for working professionals. You learn via digital study booklets and an online campus, with live-online seminars typically on Saturdays and optional evening tutorials. You work in small, fixed cohorts to keep momentum. An e-library is included, as are licences for MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, so you can practise with industry tools from day one.
Exams from outside Germany
Most assessments (e.g., portfolios, project work, presentations and many written exams) can be taken online from abroad. If you prefer, you can sit certain exams at DIPLOMA examination centres across Germany. You can complete the entire degree remotely; no residence permit or student visa is required for a purely online path.
On-site requirements in Germany
There are no mandatory on-site days for the distance-learning route. Optional attendance at German exam centres is available but not required if you use the online options for assessments and presentations.
Workload, time models and time zones
Plan around 25–30 hours per week alongside your job, varying with project phases and assessment weeks. Live-online seminars are scheduled in Central European Time (CET/CEST). If you study from the Americas or Asia-Pacific, factor in the time difference for Saturday sessions and group work. You can extend your studies by up to four semesters at no extra tuition charge (model-dependent).
What does the UX Design (B.A.) cost?
Tuition is paid in monthly instalments, with three standard models. A one-off exam fee of €695 is charged at the end of your studies. Over the standard duration, your total cost depends on the chosen instalment plan and the pace at which you study.
| Instalment model | Monthly payment | Duration | Approx. total incl. exam fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model I | €257 per month | 42 months | €11,489 |
| Model II | €207 per month | 54 months | €11,873 |
| Model III | €167 per month | 72 months | €12,719 |
You can pay from abroad via standard international methods accepted by the university. A cost-free extension of up to four semesters is possible depending on your model, giving headroom if work or life gets busy. Study materials, the e-library, and licences for MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud are included in tuition; travel costs apply only if you choose to sit exams at a German centre.
What careers and recognition does the UX Design (B.A.) offer?
This is a 180-ECTS Bachelor under the Bologna framework. ECTS credits support international comparability and credit transfer, and graduates receive a Diploma Supplement and Transcript in English. The programme is accredited by FIBAA (an EQAR-listed agency) from 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2031 and approved by the German Accreditation Council. DIPLOMA is a state-recognised university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule). These signals help employers and universities abroad assess level and quality.
UX skills are in demand across tech, media and services. The degree qualifies you for design roles in agencies, product companies, e-commerce, edtech and games, as well as in-house digital teams in other sectors. Experience from the practice phase and project portfolios supports entry into junior positions and promotion over time.
- UX Designer or UI/UX Designer: end-to-end product design, from discovery to delivery
- User Researcher: planning studies, testing prototypes and evaluating usability
- Product or Interaction Designer: information architecture, flows and interaction patterns
- Service Designer or UX Consultant: journey mapping and service blueprints for organisations
- Specialist roles: Mobile UX, Immersive/AV experience design, accessibility design
Salaries vary significantly by country, sector and portfolio. In most markets, UX graduates start in junior roles and grow into mid-level designer, senior designer or product design lead within several years, with higher pay in major tech hubs and industries with complex products.
Who is the UX Design (B.A.) right for - and who not?
This programme targets people who want a recognised German Bachelor in UX while working. It combines flexible remote learning with a clear practice focus, and it is delivered fully in German.
- You want a fully online, part-time degree you can complete from abroad without a visa
- You already work in design, IT, marketing or content and want to formalise and deepen UX skills
- You value industry tools included (Adobe Creative Cloud, MS Office) and access to a large e-library
- You prefer structured live sessions with a fixed cohort (mainly on Saturdays) to keep motivation up
- You aim for a Bologna-conform 180-ECTS degree with international documentation (Diploma Supplement)
There are also clear cases where this course will not fit your situation. Read these carefully before you apply from abroad.
- You do not speak German at approximately B2–C1 level; teaching, materials and exams are in German
- You need a campus experience in Germany or a student visa: this distance programme is online with no mandatory on-site days
- You require an English-taught UX degree; this course is German-only
- Your time zone or weekend schedule prevents attending live sessions in CET/CEST (Saturday seminars and group work)
- You are looking for access to a regulated profession (e.g., medicine, law); UX is not a regulated field
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