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Master’s · Design

Design and Interaction M.A.

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences · Kamp-Lintfort · Official programme page

20 facts from 7 official pages · last checked 14 November 2026

Reviewed by Dennis Maaß, admission and immigration expert
Published 8 November 2026 · Last reviewed 8 November 2026

Key facts

Length, deadlines and costs

Language
English
Source
“Language of instruction English”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

Study mode
On campus
Source
“All courses are offered at the designated campus.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

The page names one physical campus and offers no online or distance variant; HSRW publishes no online-only degree programme.

Attendance
Full-time
Source
“Study mode Full-time”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

Length
3 semesters
Source
“Standard study duration 3 semesters”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

Credits
90 ECTS
Source
“The modules of this degree programme comprise a total sum of 90 credits according to the ECTS framework defined in Section 5(5).”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/fileadmin/upload_redaktion/Dezernate/Rechtl_Akadem_Angelegenheiten/Pr%C3%BCfungsordnungen/PO_Fakult%C3%A4t_KU/Master/Design_and_Interaction/en/2020-11-20_examination_regulations_design_and_interaction_ma.pdf · checked 7 November 2026

Intakes
Winter, Summer
Source
“Start of studies 1 September 1 March”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

Non-EU deadline
15 Jan 2027 (summer 2027)15 Jul 2027 (winter 2027)
Source
“Winter semester: 15 July Summer semester: 15 Jan.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

HSRW publishes one deadline for all nationalities; there is no separate non-EU deadline. The selection and admission statutes make 15 July (winter) and 15 January (summer) binding cut-off dates, with documents submitted late still considered until 20 July and 20 January respectively. The artistic aptitude test has its own registration dates, published separately.

Non-EU tuition
None
Source
“For the 2026/27 winter term, the termly fee is €365.10. The termly fee comprises several components: Social contribution: €120.00 Student Union fee: €15.30 Deutschlandticket: €226.80”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/study/all-about-university-life/costs-and-funding/tuition-fees · checked 14 November 2026

None of the components of the termly fee is a tuition fee, and HSRW's fee statute (Hochschulabgabensatzung) sets no tuition and no surcharge for non-EU students. The DAAD International Programmes entry for every Rhine-Waal programme states "No tuition fees". North Rhine-Westphalia charges no tuition for first degrees.

Application fee
€75 one-off uni-assist handling fee for the first chosen course of study, per semester€30 one-off uni-assist handling fee for each additional chosen course of study in the same semester
Source
“Cost for the first chosen course of study: EUR 75.00 For each additional chosen course of study: EUR 30.00”

www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/apply-online/pay-submit/ · checked 14 November 2026

HSRW charges no application fee of its own: its fee statute lists none, and applicants with a German qualification apply free of charge through the university portal. The fee is uni-assist's, which is the compulsory route for everyone whose university entrance qualification was obtained outside Germany; it is charged again for a new semester. Marked appliesTo "non-eu" because the uni-assist route follows from a foreign qualification, not from nationality.

Places
Selection procedure
Source
“Entry requirements Unrestricted admission (no Numerus Clausus) … You must also demonstrate your artistic and creative aptitude relevant to the programme.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

No cap on places, but the examination regulations make "A successfully completed creative/design aptitude test" an admission requirement and state that "Admission to this degree programme is subject to an application process."

Admission

What you need to apply

3-year bachelor’s
Accepted with conditions
Source
“applicants who apply on the basis of a degree consisting of fewer than 210 credits or with a full-time study duration shorter than seven semesters may be admitted on a provisional basis, provided they complete the missing undergraduate requirements during their postgraduate studies. The Faculty Examination Board and the applicant will conclude a formal Learning Agreement defining both the total number of missing credits and the specific modules to complete.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/fileadmin/upload_redaktion/Dezernate/Rechtl_Akadem_Angelegenheiten/Pr%C3%BCfungsordnungen/PO_Fakult%C3%A4t_KU/Master/Design_and_Interaction/en/2020-11-20_examination_regulations_design_and_interaction_ma.pdf · checked 14 November 2026

A 180-ECTS bachelor's is admissible on a provisional basis. The programme page words the condition as "If you have only studied for six semesters (at least 180 ECTS), you must provide evidence of additional coursework or complete it during your Master’s programme – in consultation with the programme." Permission to start the thesis is withheld until the agreed credits are obtained; prior learning can be credited instead of modules.

Subject background
A first degree (B.Sc., B.A., Diplom or equivalent) of at least 210 ECTS or seven full-time semesters in a design-related subject, or in computer science or a related subject provided the curriculum included design content. Transcripts, a diploma supplement and detailed module documentation must be submitted; a provisional certificate plus a transcript is accepted if the final certificate is not yet issued.
Source
“The previous degree programme must be either a degree in a design field, or a degree in information technology or a related field, provided that the curriculum included design elements as well.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/fileadmin/upload_redaktion/Dezernate/Rechtl_Akadem_Angelegenheiten/Pr%C3%BCfungsordnungen/PO_Fakult%C3%A4t_KU/Master/Design_and_Interaction/en/2020-11-20_examination_regulations_design_and_interaction_ma.pdf · checked 14 November 2026

English
Level B2. IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 72 · PTE 59. Cambridge: Preliminary English Test (PET) with Distinction, or First Certificate in English (FCE) grade B or C. This programme's examination regulations name IELTS 6.0 as the minimum and accept TOEFL iBT, paper-based and computer-based TOEFL without stating a score. B2 column of the institution-wide table: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72 (or 4 as of 21.01.2026), PTE Academic 59-75, TOEIC Listening and Reading 785-944 (Speaking 160-179, Writing 150-179), telc B2-Zertifikat, UNIcert II, Cambridge PET with Distinction or FCE grade B/C, BEC Vantage, ILEC, ICFE, Cambridge IGCSE 1st or 2nd Language with a B2 average. A secondary school diploma or a completed degree from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or a few Caribbean states is also accepted. Duolingo and TOEFL Home Edition are not listed in the table.. Exemption: The only exemption in these regulations: applicants who acquired B2 English while earning their university entrance qualification [Hochschulreife] at a secondary school in Germany - at least seven years of English with a final cumulative mark of at least "sufficient" (4.0 or better). The regulations offer no exemption on request, so a degree taught in English does not help here. The institution-wide "Accepted English Language Proofs" table also accepts, in place of a test: a German university entrance qualification with English on the final diploma and at least the grade "ausreichend", or confirming B2 or B2/C1 skills; an IB Diploma including the subject "English" with at least 5 points; a secondary school diploma or a completed degree from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or a few Caribbean states; and, subject to approval, a completed degree in the subject "English Language".
Source
“Proof of advanced proficiency in English, equivalent to at least B2 on the CEFR scale, verified by an official language certificate. Generally, the following language tests are accepted as valid proof: − IELTS minimum 6.0”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/fileadmin/upload_redaktion/Dezernate/Rechtl_Akadem_Angelegenheiten/Pr%C3%BCfungsordnungen/PO_Fakult%C3%A4t_KU/Master/Design_and_Interaction/en/2020-11-20_examination_regulations_design_and_interaction_ma.pdf · checked 14 November 2026

CONFLICT: this programme's regulations set IELTS 6.0, while HSRW's institution-wide "Accepted English Language Proofs" table sets 5.5 for B2. The higher, programme-specific figure is recorded. Scores come from HSRW's institution-wide "Accepted English Language Proofs" table, which has one B2 and one C1 column. The table does not mention Duolingo or the TOEFL Home Edition, and no HSRW page says whether either is accepted, so neither is recorded as accepted or rejected.

German
Not needed when applying
Source
“Proof of German language proficiency is not required for English-taught degree programmes.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/study/before-starting-university/application-process/guide-for-international-applicants · checked 14 November 2026

HSRW sets no German level for its English-taught programmes at application, during the degree or at graduation; German courses are optional and offered by the Centre for Internationalisation and Languages.

Other required tests
Artistic and design aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung) for Design and Interaction M.A.
Source
“If you wish to apply for the Design and Interaction, M.A. programme, you must also pass an artistic and design aptitude test.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/study/before-starting-university/application-process/masters-degrees · checked 14 November 2026

Governed by the aptitude test regulations for Design and Interaction M.A. (1st amendment, 12 July 2024); the programme page words the requirement as "You must also demonstrate your artistic and creative aptitude relevant to the programme."

Selection
Open admission (no Numerus Clausus), but admission runs through an application process in which the documents and the artistic/design aptitude test are assessed; applications go to the Student Advisory Service or the recipient it specifies.
Source
“Entry requirements Unrestricted admission (no Numerus Clausus)”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/design-and-interaction-ma · checked 14 November 2026

The regulations state: "Admission to this degree programme is subject to an application process." Admission requirements are assessed case by case for all HSRW master's programmes.

India, Pakistan, Nigeria

Rules for applicants from India, Pakistan and Nigeria

English test waiver
No waiver stated for India, Nigeria or Pakistan: plan for an English test
Source
“Proof of advanced proficiency in English, equivalent to at least B2 on the CEFR scale, verified by an official language certificate. … Exempted from this language certificate requirement are applicants who have acquired English language proficiency equivalent to level B2 over the course of earning their university entrance qualification [Hochschulreife] at a secondary school in Germany.”

www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/fileadmin/upload_redaktion/Dezernate/Rechtl_Akadem_Angelegenheiten/Pr%C3%BCfungsordnungen/PO_Fakult%C3%A4t_KU/Master/Design_and_Interaction/en/2020-11-20_examination_regulations_design_and_interaction_ma.pdf · checked 14 November 2026

The examination regulations ask for an official language certificate and state one exemption only, English acquired at a German secondary school, and offer no exemption on request, so applicants from India, Nigeria or Pakistan cannot replace the certificate with a degree taught in English.

Rules that name these countries
None named on the pages checked

The rules for your country across all universities, and the visa rules on English tests, are on the India, Pakistan and Nigeria pages.

More on this programme

Every value was read on an official page and is stored with a verbatim quote; open “Source” to see it. “Not stated by the university” means none of the pages we checked says, and lists those pages. Rules change: confirm with the university before you apply or pay.