How to apply

With a German higher education entrance qualification (HZB)/German certificate, you can apply on my.h-da from April 2026 to 1 June 2026. With a foreign HZB via uni-assist, → Information on the application period. Please note the information on the application procedure.

Interview with the examination board on the portfolio and homework: Will take place in presence in June 2026 on the premises of the Department of Design at Olbrichweg 10 in Darmstadt (exact date to follow). The department will inform you in good time by e-mail. Please bring these documents with you to the interview:

• Industrial Design: The portfolio with your work samples. The portfolio should contain a selection of your own work from the last three years maximum, namely
  • three examples of any life situations from your environment in which design plays an important role; presented by means of drawings, sketches, photographs etc.,
  • five works that reflect your own engagement with the topic of design; presented using drawings and sketches or photographs of objects or models, etc.
• Communication design: The portfolio with your work samples. The portfolio should contain work you have produced over the last three years at the most, using different design techniques, e.g. drawing, colour, photography, video or collage. Work from school, free courses and internships can be part of the portfolio if the idea, design and execution are entirely your own.
• The homework will be published on the department's websitein May 2026 (exact date to follow). Note: You can bring samples of your work in the form of time-based media/digital media on your laptop/tablet. Please also include these documents in your portfolio:
• Documents relating to your educational biography: CV, copies of certificates relating to your school-leaving qualifications and, if applicable, vocational training.
• Signed declaration of independence
• You can take all your work back with you after the interview.

Specialised interview: This part of the examination only takes place if artistic talent cannot be clearly determined on the basis of the aforementioned parts of the examination (portfolio, homework and interview with the examination board). For applicants without a HZB, this part of the examination is obligatory in order to be able to prove outstanding artistic talent.

Determination of artistic talent: The department will inform you of the results of the aptitude test. If you have passed the aptitude test, you can apply for enrolment on my.h-da.