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BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication

Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences (Architecture & Design) · Berlin, Germany

100% taught in EnglishApply direct to the university, not the CAOPortfolio/auditionPrivate universityPortfolioTaught in English
Duration3 years
StartsAutumn 2027
EntryPortfolio/audition
Deadline (EU)No fixed deadline
EU fee 2026/27€8,940 / yr

About the course

A three-year graphic design and visual communication degree at a private university in Berlin. It is taught entirely in English, so you do not need German. Admission is based on your school-leaving qualification, a portfolio and proof of English.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Whitecliffe asks for the German Abitur or Fachabitur, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the German authorities. Under German recognition rules, the Leaving Certificate gives direct entry if you have six subjects, including two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better, with at least two at Higher Level at H5 or better and the other four at O6/H6 or better. Art and design courses need nothing extra. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. The university publishes nothing specific on the Leaving Cert, so confirm with admissions.
  • You need a portfolio PDF with at least 10 works.
  • You need English at CEFR B2 or above: TOEFL iBT 74, IELTS 6.0, Cambridge FCE, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 120, or a pass in the university’s free internal English exam. The university does not say whether Leaving Cert English counts, so ask admissions.

How to apply

  1. Check your subjectsMake sure your Leaving Cert subjects and levels meet the German entry rule: six subjects including two languages and Maths, with at least two at Higher Level at H5 or better.
  2. Build your portfolioPut together a portfolio PDF of at least 10 pieces of your art and design work.
  3. Apply onlineChoose the autumn 2027 intake on the Whitecliffe application portal. Upload your passport, school results and transcript, your portfolio and your English evidence, and pay the €300 registration fee.
  4. Decision and enrolmentYou should get a decision within about 4 weeks. Accept your offer, set up the monthly fee payments, find housing in Berlin early and start in October 2027.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: The university does not publish a closing date. Teaching starts in October, and the university says it decides on design applications within about 4 weeks. Apply early, ideally by spring 2027, and confirm the 2027 intake and any cut-off date with admissions..

Costs

  • Private, state-recognised university. EU fee for Architecture & Design bachelor programmes: €4,470 per semester (€8,940 a year), paid as 6 monthly instalments of €745 each semester. There is also a one-off, non-refundable registration fee of €300 for EU students and a semester public transport ticket of €226.80. These are the 2026/27 figures, so check the 2027/28 fees with the university.
This is a private university charging €8,940 a year, unlike Germany’s tuition-free public universities. Make sure your Leaving Cert meets the German subject and level rules before you apply.

At a glance

CountryGermany
CityBerlin
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaUniversity online portal
PlacesNot published
EntryPortfolio/audition
Programme page ↗EU admissions and fees ↗Apply online ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences website in September 2026 for 2027 entry. The fees and details shown are for 2026/27. Always confirm details with the university before applying.