TH Köln - Univiersity of Technology, Arts, Sciences Köln International School of Design (KISD)
mission statement
Our perspectives and visions derive from the history of the «Cologne model of design education». Abandoning traditional classroom structures and turning to a more project-based education, KISD allows for an explorative and unique approach to Design education. As an academic institute of TH Köln, Cologne University of Applied Sciences, KISD can take advantage of the experience and interest of more than 450 professors and 26.000 students.
international role
Partner of the MEDes-network of seven European universities.
MA double degree programs with Tongji, Shanghai, Chiba, Tokyo and NTUST, Taipei.
KISDstudio Venice
Global Design Initiative with 5 global leading design schools (see www.globaldesignfaculty.net)
Intensive strategic partner programs (including joint projects, student and professor exchange) with Taipei/Taiwan, Tokyo/Japan, Curitiba/Brazil, Sydney/Australia, Hong Kong/SAR of PROC and New York/USA.
national role
Cooperations with companies like Motorola, Bayer, Johnson Controls, Nokia, BMW, McDonalds, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Philips etc.
main focus
Research-based design education in interdisciplinary courses in cooperation with national and international organisations and cooperations.
faculties and departments
KISD offers a seven semester BA program "Integrated Design" – including communication, product or industrial design. The MA "Integrated Design" is an internationally- and research-oriented Master's course that can be studied either consecutively or after a Bachelor\'s or higher academic degree. Furthermore, a BA / MA course "Master of European Design" (MEDes) is offered with 6 European partner universities. A two-year Master course in Product Design and Process Development is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science.
bachelor level programs
BA Integrated Design 3.5 years (with study Track MEDes European Studies in Design)
master level programs
MA Integrated Design 1.5 years (with study Track MEDes European Studies in Design)
research activity and main areas
Every area of expertise works on research.
KISD aims to overcome traditional design boundaries and combine different approaches, perspectives, and practices, in order to deal with problems and questions that cannot be solved within the boundaries of a single design area of expertise. Design is an integral part of every facet of the material and virtual world. It is responsible for and operates through products, environments, systems, and services within political, social, economical, and cultural contexts. We see design not only as a way to interfere in and question these processes, but as the production, acquisition, communication, and documentation of knowledge.
We currently offer four clusters:
Visual Culures and Politics
Urban Intensities and Resources
Material Systems and Lab Culture
Social and Public Innovation
https://kisd.de/bewerbung/bewerbung-an-der-kisd/ma-integrated-design-2/thematic-clusters/
subject areas for exchange students
All subject areas.
application deadlines
Application Deadline MA: October
Application Deadline BA: April
see also:https://kisd..de/apply
For exchange students:
For studying in the winter term (beginning around September 15) please apply until June 15.
For studying in the summer term (beginning around March 15) please apply until December 15
teaching languages
German and English
semester dates
September-February and April-July
cost of living per month (studying and living)
900€
