Costume Design, Master of Arts

On-campus program @ AMD Akademie Mode & Design 

👉 You have a first professional qualification with at least 210 credit points in costume design, fashion design, or a related field and want to deepen your design, technical, and organizational skills in costume design? In the master's program, you will learn to design characters for stage, film, and digital media with a dramaturgical and psychologically sound approach, using historical cutting techniques, material design, as well as digital and AI-supported tools. The practical full-time study program also covers production management and interdisciplinary work for the cultural and creative industries.

At a Glance

🏫 University AMD Akademie Mode & Design, UAS based in Idstein (Germany)
Fashion, design, communication and management - for over 28 years, the AMD Akademie Mode & Design, Department of Design at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, has been training students for creative and business-oriented professions in the creative industries. More than 2200 students are enrolled at the four locations Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich, they are taught by more than 30 professors and lecturers with industry experience.
🎓 Field of Study Art
📜 Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
⏳ Duration 3 Semesters
🎯 ECTS 90 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Research, concept development, dramaturgy in theatre, character development, material design, costume design for stage, costume design for film, master's thesis, material design, historical production technology and digital tools, production management, digital tools and AI, historical cutting and production techniques
📍 Location Munich
📅 Enrollment Summer semester
💶 Fees
from 795 € monthly
from 15005 € total
🔗 More Info https://www.amdnet.de

Who is the Master Costume Design (M.A.) for?

The Master's program Costume Design (M.A.) is aimed at future costume designers, fashion design graduates, and professionals from related design disciplines who want to specialize in narrative character development, material aesthetics, and innovative production technologies in theater, film, and digital media. It is particularly suitable for those looking to bridge traditional craftsmanship with digital tools and enhance their skills for responsible positions in the performing arts, fashion, or digital character development.

What formal requirements do you need?

  • A first professional qualifying university degree (e.g. Bachelor) with at least 210 ECTS credit points is required, preferably in costume design, fashion design, or a similar design field.
  • If your initial degree is below 210 ECTS, admission is possible if you can demonstrate missing competencies through additional achievements, such as:
    • Recognition of work experience, further education, certificates, or voluntary work
    • Completion of additional certificate modules (up to 30 ECTS) at Hochschule Fresenius, proof must be provided by the end of the 2nd semester
  • A master craftsman's examination or an equivalent professional qualification may be recognized as an access route (subject to individual examination by the university).
  • The language of instruction is German; a solid command of German is required.

Depending on your educational background, you are expected to independently make up for missing competencies or provide evidence of them. Details can be clarified with the study counseling. Questions regarding the recognition of previous achievements or the accreditation of professional skills will also be answered by the study counseling.

What personal prerequisites should you have?

  • You have a strong sense of aesthetics, enjoy creative design, and have an interest in form, color, and material.
  • Initial experience in design-related projects or artistic activities (e.g. fashion, textiles, theater, film, art) is advantageous.
  • You are willing to explore historical and modern production techniques and use new digital tools, including AI-based applications.
  • Creativity, conceptual ability, and independent, research-oriented work are among your strengths.
  • Teamwork, communication skills, and the willingness to cooperate in international and intercultural contexts are required.
  • Organizational talent, reliability, and responsibility for production management and budget planning are important.
  • Self-motivation, resilience, and openness to new insights from theory and practice will facilitate your studies.

What to expect in the Master Costume Design? Detailed study content

In the Master's programme Costume Design (M.A.), you will develop expertise in designing costumes for stage, film, and digital media. A special focus is on the connection between traditional craftsmanship and modern digital technologies.

  • Character and character development:
    You will learn to create characters based on dramaturgical and psychological principles, incorporating symbolism and storytelling. Scientific approaches from psychology and dramaturgy are part of the curriculum.
  • Material and textile design:
    You will experiment with classic and innovative materials, deepening your knowledge of their possibilities and limitations.
  • Historical production technologies and cutting techniques:
    The application of historical cutting and manufacturing techniques is a key component of the programme. You will learn how to combine these with modern methods.
  • Digital tools & AI:
    The use of 3D design, visualization technologies, and AI-supported tools is an integral part of your curriculum.
  • Production and project management:
    Project planning, resource management, and budgeting are central topics, as well as the development and control of production processes in creative teams.
  • Practical orientation:
    You will work on real projects, such as costume designs for stage, film, or digital formats, and independently implement project assignments from idea to completion.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration:
    Guiding creative processes in a team, communication, and presentations are essential components. You will practice working in international and intercultural teams.
  • Academic work and ethical responsibility:
    Reflection, systematic research, and ethical action are encouraged and integrated into artistic and organizational activities.

The main modules are complemented by optional courses in soft skills, careers, IT, and languages (e.g. StudyPLUS workshops, IT courses, free language courses).

How is the course structured? Academic procedure and structure

The Master Costume Design is designed as a three-semester full-time course in German. The content is practical and project-based, with the emphasis on theory and practice varying semester by semester:

  • 1st semester:
    Focus on research, concept development, dramaturgy, material design, and character development. You will develop an initial costume design project (theatre/stage or a comparable format).
    Ratio of theory/practice: 60% knowledge, 40% practice.
  • 2nd semester:
    Focused on implementing a costume design for a film project. Theory and practice components are balanced.
    Ratio of theory/practice: 50% knowledge, 50% practice.
  • 3rd semester:
    Preparation of the master's thesis, including a public exhibition and professional presentation of your own project.
    Ratio of theory/practice: 100% master's thesis.

The study concept is modular, and you will work closely with industry professionals in a practical manner. The modules cover all aspects from conception to realization. The study program is supplemented with events, guest lectures, career advice, and the opportunity to participate in Career Days.

What career opportunities does the Master Costume Design provide? Career prospects for graduates

As a graduate of the Master's programme Costume Design, you are qualified for creative, organizational, and managerial positions in the international cultural and creative industries. The training specifically prepares you for the professional implementation of costume designs and positions in strategic project and production management.

  • Costume designer for theatre, film, opera, and TV
  • Fashion designer focusing on couture and special creations
  • Stylist for events, performances, or fashion productions
  • Costume (character) designer for digital media, animation, and virtual character development
  • Art director with a focus on material and sustainability concepts
  • Illustrator for concept visualization and creative projects
  • Specialist in material development and design

Many graduates work in international teams—typically in theatres, film productions, event agencies, fashion companies, or digital media. Research and further academic qualifications (e.g. a doctorate) are also possible and actively encouraged.

What are the costs of the course, and what funding options are available?

Specific information on tuition fees and funding options is provided in the official information material from the provider. Currently, many students rely on conventional private and sponsorship financing:

  • Tuition fees: The monthly fee is 795 euros. In addition, there is a one-time registration fee of 695 euros. This includes lectures, examinations, and the essential part of material costs.
  • Funding options:
    • Traditional educational loans (e.g. KfW Student Loan)
    • BAföG (depending on personal eligibility)
    • Scholarship programs and talent promotion schemes
    • Employer subsidies (for part-time studies or further education)
    • Tax deductibility of study costs as advertising expenses
    • Provider funding programs (e.g. partial scholarships, instalment plans)

A detailed breakdown of current costs and binding funding options is available directly from the provider. Most students use a combination of personal funds, government support, and program-specific grants.

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