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Who is the dual media design degree suitable for, and what do you need?
The course is suitable if you combine design with digital technologies and want real practical experience at the same time. Typical profiles: You are straight out of school and want to take on early responsibilities in agencies, publishers or in-house teams. Or you already work in marketing, social media, or as a media designer and want to systematically expand your skills in web design, UX/UI, and motion graphics. Also, as a career changer from IT or event technology, you are in the right place if you are interested in visual communication, typography, and interaction design.
Admission requirements
The prerequisite is the IU interview and - in the case of media design - proof of design aptitude (GEP). In addition, one of the following educational paths applies:
- General higher education entrance qualification or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification.
- International school leaving certificates: Equivalence test (Anabin) plus German B2.
- Without (technical) Abitur: Completed at least two-year vocational training and at least three years of relevant full-time work experience (more than 32 hours per week); professional proximity to the degree program required; entry via a trial course. EU qualifications are checked at DQR level 4.
- Master's examination or further training as a state-certified technician or state-certified business administrator.
Study model and scope: Dual study with 7 semesters and 180 ECTS or dual myStudy with 7 semesters and 210 ECTS.
Note on study organization: In the dual attendance model, you have two fixed theory days on campus (or online) and three practical days in the company. In the Dual myStudy program, you work on the theory with online support and optionally participate in weekly live sessions on the virtual campus.
Personal requirements
What matters in everyday life: You need a well-developed sense of self-organization, meeting deadlines, and enjoyment in iterative design. Projects in graphics, video, animation, or app design are created in several loops - taking feedback and consistently improving are part of it. Also useful are:
- Creativity with a sense of typography, layout, and usability.
- Technical affinity for design and prototyping tools, as well as openness to new software.
- Communication and teamwork skills for collaboration with editors, developers, and clients.
- Staying power - especially in project phases with submissions and parallel practical tasks.
Realistic time planning is crucial: The split week of theory and practice leaves little downtime. Plan fixed learning windows for preparation, portfolio work, and exams - ideally with weekly routines. Setting priorities, processing feedback in a structured way, and actively managing deadlines will help you navigate through seven semesters and build a strong design portfolio.
What do you learn in the Media Design degree programme at IU International University?
You combine design, technology, and communication: from design basics and typography to photography, video, and animation, as well as UX/UI, interaction design, and app design. This includes cross-media strategies, data visualization, and 3D. From the first semester, you work on projects for your portfolio – practical and with the latest tool stack.
Design and visual communication: You develop a keen eye for form, colour, layout, and typography. Typography, visual language, composition, and design theory form the foundation. Content is conceptually designed and implemented cleanly for print, web, and mobile.
Photography, motion pictures, and animation: You plan and produce photos, videos, and animated sequences – including image editing, video editing, and basic motion design techniques. This way, you learn to visually tell stories in a media-appropriate way.
UX, UI, and interaction: Human-computer interaction, interaction design, and user interface design are central elements. You design user-friendly interfaces, prototype workflows, and link design with usability and ergonomics.
Digital media production and technology: Mobile app design, web design, data visualization, and 3D basics enhance your profile. In addition, you learn to work collaboratively and to plan and implement digital projects with common tools.
Practice, portfolio, and final phase: Project modules (graphic design, digital composition, web, cross-media, mobile) provide valuable works for your portfolio. Depending on the study model, 210 or 180 ECTS are planned; the conclusion consists of a bachelor's thesis and a colloquium.
Specializations: In later semesters, you sharpen your profile, e.g. in "Management and Design of Cross-Media Applications," "User Experience and Multimedia," "Augmented Reality," "Interactive and Multimedia Room Design," "Service Design and Smart Service," or "Generative Interactive Design."
How does the Media Design degree programme work?
Dual study models: Campus or virtual – always with 20 hours of practice
You choose between two formats: In the "Dual Study" programme, you study two days a week on campus – occasionally online – and spend three days in the company. In "Dual myStudy," you work on the theory online via myCampus; accompanying live sessions take place on the virtual campus. Practice consists of 20 hours per week at your partner company.
Study locations and learning environment
Campuses are located in, among others, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Leipzig, and Munich; alternatively, you can study entirely online on the virtual campus. On-site teaching is in small groups, with a lot of exchange and direct feedback. In the online format, interactive materials and optional live events support the learning process.
Support and didactic framework
In the face-to-face model, teaching structures your theoretical blocks; in the online model, you control the pace and depth yourself, supported by digital learning materials and tools. Both paths focus on continuous practical reflection – content is continuously reflected in real projects at the company.
Evaluation and conclusion
Progress in the programme is heavily project-oriented: you work on design tasks, collect portfolio works, and present results. The degree is completed by a bachelor's thesis and a colloquium; in the 210 ECTS model, two additional free design projects are provided.
Time commitment, frequency, and start dates
The week is divided: two theory days, three practice days ("split week"). The study programme starts on 1st April and 1st October respectively. Attendance at campus events in the campus model requires scheduled presence; in myStudy, you gain more flexibility – but the work dates at the company remain binding.
What does the Bachelor's degree in Media Design at IU International University cost?
In the dual model, you usually pay 0 € tuition fees because the practice partner covers the fees. This significantly reduces the financial burden compared to traditional private full-time studies. Additional salary from practical work may be paid – depending on the company.
Total cost and additional expenses: Even if the tuition fees are covered, there are costs for living expenses, work equipment (powerful laptop, input devices, possibly prints/proofs), as well as travel to campus and company. Depending on the project, there may be expenses for materials. Plan your own budget accordingly.
Financing and taxes: If you receive compensation, it is usually subject to tax and social security contributions. Professional or study-related expenses can be tax-deductible depending on your personal situation. These costs are usually classified as business expenses or special expenses – depending on your individual situation.
Comparison to state alternatives: Bachelor's studies at state universities are usually free of charge; in the dual sector, practice partners cover the tuition fees. This programme is therefore competitive in terms of price.
What careers and salaries are possible after the Media Design degree programme?
You qualify for design and interface roles in agencies, media companies, corporations, or as freelancers. Entry-level salaries typically range between €36,000 and €50,000 gross per year, with room for development through specialization and experience.
- Media Designer – Conception and design for print and digital media, from campaigns to corporate design. Typical range: €35,000–€48,000 p. a.
- UX/UI Designer – Research, wireframes, prototyping, and visual interfaces for web and app. Typical range: €45,000–€60,000 p. a.
- Interaction Designer – Interactive experiences, micro-interactions, prototypes, and usability tests. Typical range: €42,000–€58,000 p. a.
- Motion Designer – Motion pictures, title sequences, social content animations, and explanatory videos. Typical range: €38,000–€55,000 p. a.
- Web Designer – Responsive layouts, design systems, content visualization, and hand-off. Typical range: €36,000–€50,000 p. a.
Master's options: After the Bachelor's degree, more in-depth Master's programmes are possible, e.g. in Design, Media Design, UX/HCI, or Media Management – useful for leadership roles, specialization, or entry into research and development.
Who benefits from the Bachelor's degree in Media Design – and who doesn't?
The dual format combines learning and working in a fixed weekly rhythm. It is suitable for everyone who wants to visibly design, grow through real projects, and gain early work experience – with a portfolio that opens doors.
- You want to apply design not only in theory but also weekly in the company – 20 hours of practice per week are a plus for you.
- You are looking for a clear structure of theory blocks and projects, small study groups or – in myStudy – maximum theoretical flexibility with a virtual campus.
- You are building a targeted portfolio with works in graphic design, web, app, motion, and interaction and want to get to know clients and team processes early.
- You want to have private study quality without paying tuition fees – through the fee coverage by the practice partner.
- You want to focus, e.g. on UX, AR, service design, or cross-media design, and sharpen your profile in the job market.
A dual design programme is not suitable for every life situation. The split week, the fixed practice partner, and presence-bound theory phases may have limitations.
- You need complete independence in terms of location and time without being bound to a company – the 20 hours of practice per week cannot be moved arbitrarily.
- You cannot or do not want to attend on-site appointments at the campus (in the campus model, theory days require attendance); pure distance learning without live sessions suits you better.
- You want a degree programme without dependence on a practice partner – in the dual model, the employment relationship is a central part.
- You aim for a highly technical profile – Media Design is a design programme with a focus on interaction and technology, but not a computer science programme.
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