English 
Deutsch 
Fashion studies at private universities in Germany mean small studios instead of mass lectures, industry contacts from the first semester, and programmes that do not exist at public universities – from sustainable fashion and luxury management to fashion journalism.
Over 20 programmes at eight private universities cover the full spectrum: creative design, the business side of fashion and fashion communication. AMD Akademie Mode & Design is the clear market leader with the broadest portfolio – followed by IU, ISM, BSP, Macromedia and other institutions offering specialised alternatives. All programmes are NC-free and nationally accredited.
- Overview of all Courses
- Which area of fashion is right for you?
- How much do fashion studies cost at a private university in Germany?
- Which study formats are available?
- What can you earn after a fashion degree?
- Where can you study fashion at a private university in Germany?
- Industry trends: what fashion students need to know in 2026
- Admission requirements for international students
- Why study fashion at a private university?
- Frequently asked questions about fashion studies at private universities
- Related fields of study at private universities
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 20 courses in the field of Fashion.
Fashion & Design Management
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 7 Semester
- Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich or Wiesbaden
- from 750 € monthly
- German
Fashion management
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 259 € monthly
- German
Fashion Management
- Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences
- 7 Semester
- Munich, Düsseldorf or Berlin
- from 550 € monthly
- German and English
Fashion Design
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 7 Semester
- Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Wiesbaden
- from 750 € monthly
- German
Fashion Design (with Internship)
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 7 Semester
- Berlin
- from 750 € monthly
- English
Fashion Marketing
- BSP Business and Law School
- 6 Semester
- Berlin
- from 650 € monthly
- German
Fashion & Design Management
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 7 Semester
- Berlin
- from 750 € monthly
- English
Luxury Management
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 4 Semester
- Düsseldorf
- from 880 € monthly
- English
Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 3 Semester
- Berlin
- from 795 € monthly
- English
Fashion Management
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 3 Semester
- Online-Campus
- from 620 € monthly
- German
Fashion Management
- FHM University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- Bielefeld
- from 545 € monthly
- German
Fashion Design
- Macromedia University of Applied Sciences
- 7 Semester
- Berlin or Hamburg
- from 725 € monthly
- German or English
Fashion Management & Global Brands
- University of Applied Management
- 7 Semester
- Ismaning, Berlin, Hamburg, Wien , Frankfurt, Mannheim, Leipzig
- German
Global Brand & Fashion Management
- International School of Management
- 6 Semester
- Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin
- German
Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management
- International School of Management
- 4 Semester
- Munich, Hamburg, Cologne or Berlin
- German
Fashion Journalism and Communication
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 7 Semester
- Berlin, Düsseldorf or Munich
- from 750 € monthly
- German
Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management
- International School of Management
- 4 Semester
- Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin
- German or English
Sustainable Fashion Design and Management
- BSP Business and Law School
- 6 Semester
- Berlin
- from 650 € monthly
- English
Fashion & Design Management
- AMD Akademie Mode & Design
- 7 Semester
- Online-Campus
- from 420 € monthly
- German
Costume and Make-up Design
- BSP Business and Law School
- 6 Semester
- Berlin
- from 650 € monthly
- German
Which area of fashion is right for you?
Studying fashion does not automatically mean fashion design. The 20+ programmes at private universities span five areas, each leading to very different careers – from the studio to buying to sustainability consulting.
Fashion design – creative development
AMD offers Fashion Design and Fashion Design (with Internship) as bachelor’s programmes with integrated semesters abroad – at campuses in Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich, Berlin and Wiesbaden. Macromedia University has fashion design in Berlin and Hamburg. BSP in Berlin offers Sustainable Fashion and Costume and Make-up Design – the latter is unique among private universities in Germany. Career paths: fashion designer, costume designer, textile designer, 3D fashion design, self-employment. This area suits you if you want to create and build a portfolio. A creative portfolio is often required for design programme applications.
Fashion management – the business side of fashion
Fashion management is the largest area with the most universities and formats. AMD offers Fashion & Design Management as a full-time bachelor’s (€31,500 total) and a part-time variant (€17,640). IU offers fashion management as the only distance learning programme in this field (from €259/month). ISM focuses on Global Brand & Fashion Management with an international network and campuses in Dortmund, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin. FHM University in Bielefeld and Mediadesign University in Munich, Düsseldorf and Berlin complete the offering. Career paths: buying, product management, brand management, retail, e-commerce.
Fashion journalism and communication
AMD offers Fashion Journalism and Communication as a specialised bachelor’s – with direct access to the fashion network in Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Berlin. BSP in Berlin has fashion journalism and fashion marketing as standalone programmes. Career paths: fashion journalism, PR, social media management, content creation, influencer marketing.
Sustainable fashion – sustainability as a career field
From July 2026, the EU prohibits the destruction of unsold clothing. The Digital Product Passport is coming. The industry needs professionals who can implement sustainability, not just understand it. BSP offers a B.A. in Sustainable Fashion Design and Management in Berlin. AMD has a master’s in Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries (€14,310 total). Career paths: sustainability consulting, CSR management, circular fashion, supply chain transparency, certification.
Luxury management – the premium segment
ISM offers a Master in Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management at multiple locations (€25,820 total). AMD has a luxury management programme focusing on brand staging and consumer psychology (€21,815). Career paths: luxury brand management, visual merchandising, key account management, international luxury brands.
How much do fashion studies cost at a private university in Germany?
Tuition fees for fashion studies at private universities range from approximately €15,000 to over €35,000 total for a bachelor's – depending on the university, location and format. The most affordable programme is fashion management at IU via distance learning (€15,063 total, €259/month). AMD as market leader charges €31,500 (full-time) but also offers a part-time bachelor's from €17,640. BSP (from €23,400) and the University of Applied Management (from €20,790) are in the middle range.
Bachelor's programmes: cost comparison
Master’s programmes: cost comparison
Three master’s programmes offer transparent pricing: AMD’s Fashion Management (€11,855) and Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries (€14,310), plus ISM’s Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management (€25,820). AMD’s Fashion Management master’s is the most affordable fashion master’s at a private university in Germany.
| Course | University | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Management, Master of Arts On-campus program | AMD Akademie Mode & Design | from 11855 € total from 620 € monthly | |
| Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries, Master of Arts On-campus program | AMD Akademie Mode & Design | from 14310 € total from 795 € monthly | |
| Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management, Master of Arts On-campus program | International School of Management | from 25820 € total |
How do costs compare internationally?
Compared to fashion programmes in the UK (Central Saint Martins: £9,250/year domestic, £30,000+ international) or the US (Parsons, FIT: $50,000+/year), German private university fashion programmes are significantly more affordable. A full bachelor’s at AMD costs €31,500 total – roughly equivalent to one year at a leading US fashion school. Distance learning at IU (€15,063 total) costs less than a single semester at many international fashion institutions.
Which study formats are available?
Unlike many fields, fashion programmes at private universities offer genuine format diversity – from full-time campus to distance learning:
- Full-time on campus: The standard format – most programmes run as full-time on-campus studies. All design, journalism and luxury programmes plus the majority of management programmes. Locations: Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich, Berlin, Wiesbaden, Bielefeld, Stuttgart, Ismaning.
- Distance learning: Fashion management at IU (€259/month). Fully online, flexible alongside work.
- Part-time: Fashion & Design Management at AMD (online campus, €420/month) and Fashion Management & Global Brands at University of Applied Management (€495/month).
Fashion design via distance learning is not available at private universities – creative programmes requiring studio work, pattern cutting and material studies need on-campus presence.
What can you earn after a fashion degree?
Salaries in the fashion industry vary significantly by area. Management and luxury pay considerably more than pure design – though design offers more creative freedom and self-employment opportunities.
- Fashion designers start at approximately €33,000–37,000 gross per year. With experience, €42,000–48,000 is realistic. Regional differences are significant: Baden-Württemberg and Hesse average over €48,000, while eastern German states average around €39,500.
- Fashion managers earn €35,000–40,000 at entry level. In buying, €55,000–65,000 is achievable with experience; senior positions can reach €100,000.
- Fashion journalists start at €30,000–36,000. PR and communications pay better than editorial journalism – €48,000–55,000 with experience is realistic.
- Luxury management offers the highest entry salaries in fashion: €38,000–45,000 initially, rising to €65,000–75,000 with experience and an international profile.
- Sustainable fashion is a growing field: entry at €35,000–40,000, with specialisation in EU regulation and certification €50,000–60,000.
Where can you study fashion at a private university in Germany?
The fashion industry is concentrated in a few metropolitan areas – and so are the universities. AMD as market leader has a broad campus footprint, ISM adds further locations across the country. Programmes are distributed across these cities:
- Berlin – AMD, BSP, Mediadesign University, ISM, IU (blended learning). Largest offering with design, management, journalism and sustainable fashion.
- Hamburg – AMD, Macromedia, ISM. Traditional German fashion city with a strong retail and media scene.
- Munich – AMD, Mediadesign, ISM, University of Applied Management. Luxury and lifestyle brands as employers.
- Düsseldorf – AMD, Mediadesign, IU (blended learning). Proximity to the Rhine fashion industry and the Igedo trade fair.
- Wiesbaden – AMD. Newer location with all AMD programmes.
- Cologne – ISM, IU (blended learning). Retail and media location.
- Bielefeld – FHM. Fashion management at FHM University of Applied Sciences.
- Additional ISM locations: Dortmund, Frankfurt, Stuttgart.
Prefer studying from anywhere? IU offers fashion management as a fully online distance learning programme. AMD has a part-time online bachelor’s in Fashion & Design Management.
Industry trends: what fashion students need to know in 2026
The fashion industry is changing faster than most curricula. Three developments are shaping the job market for graduates:
- AI in design and retail: Artificial intelligence generates design suggestions, optimises demand forecasting and enables virtual fitting rooms (AR). 3D prototyping increasingly replaces physical samples. Creativity is not replaced but augmented by data. Universities like AMD are already integrating AI tools into their programmes.
- EU sustainability regulation: From July 2026, large companies may no longer destroy unsold clothing. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) will make supply chains transparent – “from farm to wardrobe.” Sustainability expertise is becoming mandatory, not optional.
- Second-hand and circular fashion: 34% of consumers already buy second-hand clothing. Market share could rise to 20% within ten years. New business models (resale, rental, upcycling) are creating jobs that did not exist five years ago.
The takeaway for prospective students: pure design skills without digital and sustainability competencies are increasingly insufficient. Private universities like AMD and BSP are responding with programmes that integrate these areas.
Admission requirements for international students
Private fashion universities in Germany typically require:
- Recognised school-leaving certificate: Your secondary school diploma must be equivalent to the German Abitur. Check equivalence via the anabin database or contact the university’s admissions office.
- Language proficiency: German-taught programmes require at least B2 German (TestDaF, DSH). Many fashion programmes at AMD, ISM and BSP are taught in English and require IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+.
- Creative portfolio: Required for design programmes only. Management, journalism and luxury programmes do not require a portfolio.
- No NC: All private universities admit without Numerus Clausus.
International students holding a student visa are permitted to work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year alongside their studies.
Why study fashion at a private university?
Private universities offer advantages for fashion studies that are rare at public institutions:
- Industry network: AMD, ISM and BSP have direct contacts with fashion houses, labels and retail companies. Guest lectures, industry projects and internship placement are standard.
- Small studio groups: 15–30 students instead of 200 in a lecture hall. Especially in design, individual attention at the cutting table and in the workshop is essential.
- Specialisation: Sustainable fashion, luxury management, costume design, fashion journalism – programmes that do not exist at public universities.
- Format diversity: Distance learning, blended learning, part-time – those already working in the industry can upskill alongside their job.
- International orientation: Many programmes are English-taught, semesters abroad are integrated. ISM has partner universities worldwide.
To be transparent: students seeking an artistic-craftsmanship design degree focusing on textile technology and material research are better served at public art universities such as Kunsthochschule Weissensee, UdK Berlin or HAW Hamburg. Private universities connect design more closely with management and industry practice.
Frequently asked questions about fashion studies at private universities
Only for design programmes. Fashion design programmes at AMD, Macromedia and BSP typically require a creative portfolio with drawings, collages, photographs or illustrations. Personal style matters more than technical perfection. Fashion management, journalism and luxury management do not require a portfolio – these programmes select based on motivation and (at ISM) an interview.
In the management area, yes: IU offers fashion management as distance learning (€259/month) and blended learning (€439/month). AMD has a part-time online bachelor’s in Fashion & Design Management (€420/month). Fashion design via distance learning is not available at private universities – creative programmes requiring studio work need on-campus presence.
Entry salaries are approximately €33,000–37,000 gross per year, rising to €42,000–48,000 with experience. Regional differences are significant: Baden-Württemberg and Hesse average over €48,000. Fashion management and luxury management pay €3,000–8,000 more per year at entry level.
Yes. All private universities are NC-free and offer access routes without Abitur: with a completed vocational training and professional experience, through an advanced training qualification (Meister, Fachwirt), or through demonstrated artistic talent (for design programmes). Specific requirements vary by university.
Yes. All programmes listed on privathochschulen.net are nationally accredited by the German Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat). Bachelor’s and master’s degrees are legally equivalent to those from public universities and carry ECTS credits recognised across Europe. AMD is part of Hochschule Fresenius, one of Germany’s largest private universities.
It depends on the area. Fashion management and luxury management offer strong salary levels with a €48,000–65,000 median – a distance learning degree at IU (€15,063 total) pays for itself within a few years. Design salaries are lower (median €42,000) but the field offers creative fulfilment and self-employment opportunities. Sustainable fashion is a growing field with increasing demand driven by EU regulation from 2026.
Related fields of study at private universities
Fashion overlaps with several neighbouring disciplines. Those interested in design, illustration and visual arts should explore Art. For film, photography and visual media, see Media Sciences. Those wanting to deepen the business focus will find programmes under Economics – including marketing and international management. Media, PR and strategic communication are covered by Communication Sciences.
About the Author Christian Wolf
Study Advice
Questions about the topic? Use our study advisory service, we are happy to help.