5 Tips for Applying to German Universities

🔸Tips for applying to German universities
I applied to 4 universities with industrial design departments and picked up some practical advice about applying along the way. Some of these tips apply to design programs, and some apply to any university application. I'd like to share them in the hope that your applications go smoothly and you avoid unnecessary trouble.

🔸Visit the universities you're applying to
I strongly recommend visiting the universities you want to apply to in person. Above all, look around the campus and make sure the university's setup is one you like. Also check out the city it's in, because every city has its own pace and climate. You need to be sure you'll enjoy living there to have a happy time as a student.

🔸Don't fall for the prestige myth
Take industrial design as an example: rather than looking at a school's reputation, look at the focus of each university's industrial design department. Some lean toward art, some toward furniture, some toward materials, and there are many other types. What matters most is that your interests match the university's focus. There's no need to apply blindly to big-name schools.

🔸Make good use of the universities' resources
Some schools offer portfolio consultations (German: Mappenberatung), where you can get feedback from professors or current students to improve your work and raise your chances of admission. Sometimes there's nothing wrong with the work itself; you just need to adjust the presentation or content slightly so it better matches what the professors are looking for.

🔸Pay close attention to application deadlines
Germany takes application deadlines very seriously, with absolutely no exceptions or leeway. To make sure every school received my portfolio on time, I went to each school in person to hand in my physical portfolio. It cost more money and time, but it was the most reassuring way to do it.

🔸You can apply on your own (DIY)
Some people think you have to go through a study-abroad agency to apply to German schools, but you can actually apply on your own, for example by researching schools yourself and reading through all the admission requirements and documents you need to prepare. It's a lot more work than hiring an agency, but if budget is a concern, it might be worth a try.

🧡Debby's honest take
Applying to schools is a long journey. You'll run into all kinds of situations and need to watch out for lots of details. The points above are what I learned the hard way after finishing my applications. I'm sharing them here in the hope that they help you avoid detours and get into the school of your dreams.

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