Studying at the State University of Design (HfG) Karlsruhe offers a unique environment for committed learning, research, and experimental development. In order to foster an appropriate and creative engagement with complex and diverse realities, studies at HfG Karlsruhe are consistently organized across disciplines: students focusing on theory simultaneously gain practical skills in design and artistic practice, while students in art and design engage deeply with theoretical analysis and discussion.

The interdisciplinary exchange between the five study programs — Media Art, Exhibition Design and Scenography, Communication Design, Product Design, and Art Research and Media Philosophy — takes place within a framework of maximum intellectual and artistic freedom. Students are encouraged to develop according to their own interests and strengths, define their individual focuses, and shape a distinct personal profile. In light of the ongoing challenges posed by emerging technologies as well as political and social transformations, independent and critical thinkers are more important than ever. Against this background, the university administration has decided to retain the Diplom and Magister degrees. Compared to Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, Diplom and Magister programs allow for a significantly higher degree of freedom, self-determination, and personal responsibility in organizing one’s studies.

Students benefit from close supervision in small groups and through project-oriented learning formats such as seminars, lectures, colloquia, workshops, and excursions. Individual mentoring plays a central role. A wide range of international partnerships with renowned universities and art institutions enables students to situate their work within an international context.

Study, teaching, and research at HfG Karlsruhe are closely connected with one of the world’s most renowned and innovative exhibition institutions: the ZKM | Center for Art and Media. Together, ZKM and HfG Karlsruhe continue the ideas and concepts of the Bauhaus tradition — a tradition centered on imagining and shaping the future as a societal responsibility.

Admission requirements include a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification as well as successful completion of the admission procedure, including the assessment of academic and/or artistic aptitude. Studies always begin in the winter semester.

All study programs consist of one major subject and two minor subjects, including one theory-based and one practice-based minor.

Diplom programs (Media Art, Exhibition Design and Scenography, Communication Design, Product Design) Students in the art and design programs take either Art Research or Art and Media Philosophy as a minor subject and choose an additional minor from the fields of art or design.
Magister program (Art Research and Media Philosophy)
Students of Art Research take Art and Media Philosophy as a minor subject and choose an additional minor from the fields of art or design.
Students of Art and Media Philosophy take Art Research as a minor subject and choose an additional minor from the fields of art or design.

Download the current study brochure here: