Distance learning program Communication Design (B.A.) – IU International University of Applied Sciences

👉 You study typography, corporate design, UI/UX and digital publishing in a Communication Design (B.A.) programme with 180 ECTS. The course is delivered as a fully online distance-learning degree with standard duration 6 semesters and flexible 36–72 month time models. Teaching language is German and the programme is state-recognised, accredited and ZFU-registered for Fernstudien (1103319). Monthly fees start from €259 depending on the chosen time model.

Communication Design (B.A.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters, Study effort 20 hours weekly
💶 Fees
from 259 € monthly
from 15063 € total
🏫 University IU International University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Erfurt (Germany)
IU International University is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Erfurt, Thuringia, and one of the largest distance-learning providers in Germany. Its programmes span business, IT, health and engineering. For international students, the key draw is its range of fully English-taught online degrees – accredited in Germany, open to applicants worldwide, and studied flexibly from home or alongside work.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Communication Sciences
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Design - Form and Variation, Design Basics: See and Understand, Introduction to Academic Research Methods for Architecture and Design, Typography: Discovering Typefaces, Photography and Video, Project: Digital Composition, Typography: Applying Typefaces, Design Basics: Apply and Combine, Print Production, Project: Graphic Design, Design Theory, Design and AI, Project: Digital Design, Corporate Design, Project: Corporate Design, Seminar: Professional Development in Communication Design, User Interface Design and Ergonomics, Project: User Interface Design, Cross-media Design, Project: Cross-media Design, Elective Module A, Elective Module B, Elective Module C, Elective Module D (Internship or six-module option), Project: Independent Design Work I, Project: Independent Design Work II, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Intercultural and Ethical Competence, Collaborative Work, Media Psychology, Seminar: Design and Society, Media Law, Cost and Performance Accounting, Bachelor Thesis
📚 Electives Audio-visual Design, Didactic Design, Spatial Design, Cross-media Design, Digital Publishing, Mobile App Design, Social Media Marketing, Data Visualization, Business Start-up & Innovation Management
👥 In-person sessions Optional on-site seminars are offered.
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Communication Design under the number 1103319.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info https://www.iu.de/en/

Can you join this online Communication Design B.A. – and who is it for?

This programme suits you if you want a recognised German B.A. (180 ECTS) in design while studying fully online. Typical profiles include: a junior graphic or UI/UX designer abroad seeking a formal degree without pausing work; a marketing or media professional pivoting into visual communication and brand/UI design; an international school leaver who prefers a flexible, portfolio-driven route into design from home.

Admission requirements

You can qualify via school-leaving certificates, professional routes, and by meeting the language requirement for a German-taught programme.

  • University entrance qualification: General or subject-restricted higher education entrance (Abitur) or Fachhochschulreife. International school-leaving certificates (e.g. IB, A-Levels, national boards) are accepted after an equivalency check (Anabin).
  • Admission without Abitur: One of the following qualifies you: - Meister qualification, or - Advanced professional training (e.g. IHK Fachwirt), or - At least a 2-year recognised vocational training plus 3 years of full-time work experience. For vocational credentials completed within the EU but outside Germany, an equivalency check is conducted; EU qualifications at DQR level 4 can be accepted.
  • Language for this German-taught course (proof required before start; typically not older than 5 years): - TestDaF (TND3), minimum 3 points in all parts - DSH 1 - telc Deutsch B2 - ÖSD B2 Comparable B2 German certificates may be accepted case by case.
  • Technical setup: Stable internet access and a computer capable of running common design software; use of Adobe Creative Cloud is common in portfolio courses.

Personal requirements

Distance learning in design is rewarding but demanding. You need strong self-organisation, reliable weekly study time, and the discipline to meet portfolio deadlines. Plan with roughly 20 hours per week in the most flexible model, about 30 hours in Part-Time I, or up to 40 hours in Full-Time. Expect a mix of reading, design exercises, iterative project work, and preparing submissions for feedback.

Because teaching materials, tutorials and critiques are in German, you should be comfortable studying, discussing design decisions, and writing short rationales in German at B2 level or higher. Confidence with digital tools (e.g. typography, layout, basic prototyping) helps; you will build further tool skills during the course. A growth mindset, perseverance, and realistic time-blocking are key—especially if you study alongside a job. Finally, ensure you can access the software and hardware you need from your location and keep your portfolio files well organised for iterative reviews.

What will you study in the Communication Design degree at IU International University of Applied Sciences?

This programme is taught in German. Across 180 ECTS you build a portfolio in print, digital and brand design, culminating in practical projects and the Bachelor’s thesis.

Foundations of visual communication – You start with design basics and typography, learn how to see, structure and communicate visually, and translate ideas into layouts for print and screen. Typical building blocks include Design Basics, Typography (discovering and applying typefaces), and Print Production with a dedicated Graphic Design project.

Digital design, UI and interaction – You move into digital formats and iterative creation: projects in Digital Design, User Interface Design and Application Design, plus modules on the ergonomics of interfaces and contemporary digital media workflows.

Branding, cross-media and storytelling – You develop corporate design systems and orchestrate brand experiences across channels. Core modules: Corporate Design with an applied project, Cross-media Design with a project, and Storytelling and Design Thinking to structure impactful narratives.

Theory, society and professional practice – You situate design academically and build soft skills. You will encounter Design Theory, Media Psychology, Media Law and Cost Accounting, alongside seminars on Design and Society and the evolving design profession. A supervised Bachelor’s thesis closes the programme.

Electives and special options – In three elective areas (A–C) you tailor your profile, e.g. audio-visual design, didactic design, spatial design, cross-media, data visualisation, mobile app design or social-media marketing. In elective area D you choose either a substantial industry internship with reflection or six practice-oriented modules—no mixing between the two tracks.

IU is a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) and staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised). The distance-learning format is approved by the German ZFU (No. 1103319). The degree is programme-accredited through 2032 and awards 180 ECTS under the Bologna framework.

How does studying in the Communication Design degree work?

You study fully online with flexible pacing and year-round start. Learning happens on IU’s digital campus with multimedia materials, portfolio courses and tutor support. Assessments combine 24/7 online exams and project submissions; on-site exam centres are optional. No fixed attendance is required in the distance mode.

Teaching language and language certificates

The programme language is German. For international applicants, accepted certificates include TestDaF (at least 3 points in each section), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. The language certificate must typically be submitted before you start.

Study model and where you will learn

This is a 100% distance-learning Bachelor. You study from anywhere via the online campus; there is no need to relocate, and there are no mandatory on-site sessions. If you prefer, you can sit exams at IU exam centres, but all key elements—courses, guidance, submissions—run online.

Learning format, group sizes and personal support

You combine self-paced study (videos, interactive content, scripts) with moderated online tutorials and structured portfolio courses that simulate real design workflows with feedback and deadlines. You also access an online library, community spaces and study/career coaching for individual support.

Exams and how you are assessed

Many modules finish with online exams you can book 24/7. Design-heavy modules are assessed through portfolio and project work—valuable for your job applications. The programme ends with your Bachelor’s thesis and an oral colloquium conducted online.

What enrolment means if you live outside Germany

As this is a distance programme, you study remotely and do not need a German residence permit for on-campus study. If you later choose optional in-person exams or activities in Germany, you would organise travel and any short-term entry formalities yourself.

What does the Communication Design degree cost?

Tuition is charged monthly and depends on your pace. Typical totals over the standard durations are around €14,364 (36 months at €399 per month), €16,512 (48 months at €344 per month) or €18,648 (72 months at €259 per month) – plus a one-time graduation fee of 699 €. You can start any time and study at your own speed.

There are no mandatory campus fees because you study online. Most learning materials are digital. Budget for optional items such as design software, personal hardware or printed scripts. If you choose in-person exams at a test centre, consider travel costs; fully online exams avoid these.

Recognition of prior learning can reduce both duration and price: for each recognised ECTS, your fee decreases by €30. Many students also use employer support or private study loans. Payments from abroad are typically made in regular monthly instalments as stated in your study contract.

Living costs depend on where you live while studying. Because this is distance learning, you can remain in your current location and avoid relocation or German city rents unless you choose to move.

What careers and recognition does the Communication Design degree offer?

You graduate with 180 ECTS credits aligned to the Bologna system, enabling recognition across Europe and supporting admission to related Master’s degrees. IU is a state-recognised university of applied sciences, and the programme is re-accredited until 30 September 2032. The distance-learning format is ZFU-approved (1103319).

What this means internationally: ECTS makes workload and learning outcomes transparent for employers and universities; state recognition signals that IU awards legally valid German degrees; and programme accreditation verifies academic standards and quality assurance. Together, these are strong signals for applications in Germany and the EU.

Career paths include:

  • Communication designer in agencies, publishing, or in-house brand and marketing teams
  • UX/UI designer for websites, apps and digital products, from research to prototyping and interface design
  • Brand and corporate designer developing identity systems and cross-media campaigns
  • Instructional designer producing learning media, infographics and data visualisations
  • Spatial/exhibition designer for wayfinding, visitor guidance and multimedia spaces

Salaries vary by role, sector and city. In Germany, early-career roles in design often start in the mid-€30k to mid-€40k range, with experienced UX/lead design roles reaching higher bands, especially in tech, healthcare and finance.

Who is the Communication Design degree right for – and who not?

This distance Bachelor suits motivated creatives who want a recognised German degree while building a real-world portfolio—without pausing work or relocating. It fits if you prefer structured online study, flexible exams and a practice-oriented curriculum that spans print, digital and brand.

  • You are comfortable studying in German and can provide an accepted language certificate.
  • You want maximum flexibility: start any time, choose your pace, take 24/7 online exams.
  • You value portfolio-based assessment with projects in graphic, corporate, UI and application design.
  • You seek practice options: an internship track or additional applied modules in elective D.
  • You aim for a state-recognised, accredited Bachelor (180 ECTS) from a German university of applied sciences.

It is not the right choice for everyone. Read the points below carefully before you decide from abroad—choosing the wrong format or language leads to costly detours.

  • You need an English-taught programme. Teaching here is in German with B2-level proof required.
  • You expect a classic campus experience in Germany. This is a 100% distance degree with no mandatory on-site classes.
  • You want intensive workshop/atelier access (e.g. print labs, physical prototyping). The focus is digital; hands-on facilities are limited.
  • Your top priority is the lowest possible tuition. Private distance programmes cost more than most German state universities.

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