Founded in 2010 as the Brand Academy – Hochschule für Design und Kommunikation, it changed its name to Brand University of Applied Sciences in 2019. Focused on interdisciplinarity, innovation, and the creation of value through and for brands, BU boasts an international team of experienced professors, lecturers, experts and practitioners.

The Folkwang University of the Arts is one of the only institutions in North-Rhine Westphalia focusing on music, theatre, dance, design and academic studies. Having delivered a dynamic curriculum since 1927, the university is a leading force in the interdisciplinary cooperation between the arts. Its participation in this year’s RIMOWA Design Prize will be carried out by the “Office for Society in Motion”.

Founded in 1994, where it became Bavaria’s most successful new university for applied sciences, Technische Hochschule Deggendorf now serves over 8,000 students, with 34% coming from international backgrounds. By actively transferring its varied curriculum back to the regional economy, it remains at the forefront of pressing economic and social trends.

Located in Kiel, Muthesius University is the only art university in the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Steadfast in its goal to promote art, design, and a variety of innovative spatial strategies, the university underpins its largely creative curriculum with highly-focused research and development projects.

Having developed since the early-1990s in Europe, the United States and Japan, HfG Karlsruhe has carved out an incredibly diverse and impactful curriculum. At the university, communication design, product design, media art, exhibition design and scenography seamlessly interact with art research, media theory and media philosophy.

Founded in 1989, The Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar is the Saarland’s only university for art and design, offering its varied curriculum to around 500 students. Since its creation, the university has developed into one of the most important creative training centers in the greater region of Saarland-Western Palatinate-Alsace-Lorraine-Luxembourg-Wallonia.

The IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is Germany’s largest university, with over 130,000 students. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Erfurt, this private, state-recognised institution is now present in more than 35 cities across the country. Students from over 190 nations can tailor their education to fit their needs—whether through a practice-integrated dual study programme, flexible distance learning, or the personalised myStudium, which combines online self-study with campus life. IU offers more than 250 study programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA levels, including over 50 in English, providing students with essential competencies for the future. In 2022, IU became one of the first universities in Germany to offer a distance learning programme in Product Design.

With three campuses located in Bernburg, Dessau and Köthen, Hochschule Anhalt has pioneered innovative research and teaching methodologies for more than 30 years. With its holistic approach, the university prides itself on helping shape the life and work of an international student body, guided under the motto, “Lively. Innovative. Tied together.”

Macromedia University of Applied Sciences is a multi-campus university. The private sponsor is Macromedia GmbH, based in Munich. It currently serves around 5,000 students across its campuses in Berlin, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart. Macromedia University offers a wide range of state-recognised Bachelor's and Master's degrees in both German and English, with a choice of 15 programmes and more than 100 specialisations. The study programmes focus on media, management and communications, digital technologies and design, sports, psychology, games, journalism, film, fashion, music, and acting.

Interdisciplinary, innovative, and creative: the AMD Academy of Fashion & Design is Germany’s leading institution for the creative industries and forms the Design Department of Hochschule Fresenius. For more than 30 years, AMD has offered hands-on training in fashion, media, management, and design across five locations, and it has strong connections to business, society, and culture.

Berlin University of the Arts is one of the largest and most diversified universities of the arts in the world. The teaching offered mostly in traditional formats in the four colleges of Fine Arts, Architecture, Media and Design, Music and Performing Arts as well as at the Central Institute for Continued Education/ Berlin Career College as well as the inter-University centres for Dance (HZT) and Jazz (JIB) encompasses the full spectrum of the arts and related academic studies in more than 70 courses. With the right to confer doctorates and post-doctoral qualifications, Berlin University of the Arts is also one of the few art colleges in Germany with full university status.

Founded in 1946 as a counterpoint to the traditional academy, die weißensee kunsthochschule berlin is rooted in the teachings and ideals of the Bauhaus. The university is distinguished by its unique profile, offering over 800 students from Germany and abroad a one-year interdisciplinary foundation course. Following this artistic and design-oriented foundation, it provides diploma programmes in Fine Arts, as well as bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Fashion Design, Product Design, Textile and Material Design, and Visual Communication.

The design programmes actively participate in numerous regional research and collaboration projects that focus on developing innovative design processes and solutions to pressing issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, textiles, fashion, living, and mobility.

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg was founded in 1993 and is one of the youngest universities in Germany. Its roots lie in the three higher education institutions of the time: Magdeburg University of Technology, Magdeburg University of Education and Magdeburg Medical Academy. With 9 faculties and nearly 13,800 students, its importance is increasingly
growing as a university center of teaching and research just like the state capital Magdeburg, which is developing into a city of business, science and culture.

The faculty represents an holistic conception of composition, art, design and
architecture with the focus on the students education in individually developed design and project work. The approximately 700 students have their own studios as well as a variety of laboratories and workshops at their disposal on the university campus between the city center of Wismar and the harbor on the Baltic Sea.

Founded in 1991, the name of the university has long been a trademark for a sound academic education and for a committed student body. At three departments in Magdeburg and two departments at the Stendal site, prospective students can choose from about 50 courses of study. Around 130 professors guarantee a very good supervision rate for about 3,650 students in Magdeburg and more than 1,650 in Stendal. Since the winter semester 2005/06, only Bachelor's and Master's degree programs have been offered.

The University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP) was founded in 1991 and is located in the north of Potsdam. The range of subjects includes information science, engineering, socio-cultural and design courses. In addition, there is a broad portfolio of transfer and continuing education programs.

Pforzheim University is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg. A distinctive feature of the university is its broad and interdisciplinary profile, which includes three faculties. The Faculty of Design boasts a long tradition, with its predecessor institutions dating back to 1877, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious design schools in the German-speaking world.

As the first university of applied sciences in Germany, Pforzheim University has also received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) for its Faculty of Business and Law, as well as its programmes in industrial engineering. At the Faculty of Engineering, students are closely aligned with current trends: through 14 new programmes, including a bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence and a master's degree in Advanced Information Technology, they are well-prepared for the digital future.

Additionally, through partnerships with over 100 universities worldwide, students have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in cities such as Seoul, Buenos Aires, or Paris.

For the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, design is an innovative discipline with scientific, social and technical references. It contributes to influencing cultural, technical and economic developments in a responsible and sustainable way. The university deliberately dispenses with artistic or handicraft prerequisites in the teaching of design basics. In contrast, all five study programmes focus on scientific findings and the rational justifiability of design decisions.

The SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences was created in 2019 from the merger of SRH Hochschule Berlin with SRH Hotel-Akademie Dresden, SRH Hochschule der populären Künste (hdpk) and design akademie – SRH Hochschule für Kommunikation und Design. Since 2020, they are also represented in the north of the country with the new SRH Campus Hamburg. The SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences is divided into six schools located in Berlin, Dresden and Hamburg. The schools differ in their professional profiles and create synergies through common academic and administrative structures, resources and values under the umbrella brand of SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences.

The Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design has been nurturing the artistic and creative ambitions of its students and staff for over 250 years. Offering 22 programmes in Architecture, Arts, Art Education, Design and Conservation – Art History, the university promotes transdisciplinarity, diversity and cultural openmindednes with around 900 students.

The Media University, founded in 2008, is one of the leading private universities for media, communication, and business in Germany. It offers accredited Bachelor's and Master's programmes at its campuses in Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt am Main. With a strong emphasis on combining theory and practice and through intensive collaboration with renowned partners, the university optimally prepares its students for the job market. Additionally, by participating in the Erasmus programme, the Media University promotes international networking and mobility for its students.

The Bergische Universität Wuppertal is a dynamic and future-oriented university in the heart of Europe. Located near the major cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne and in the midst of the scenic Bergisches Land region, the "university in the countryside" offers over 23,000 students from more than 100 countries a diverse, practice-oriented range of courses that opens up excellent prospects for their future professional lives. Students at Bergische Universität Wuppertal can choose from a wide range of subjects in the fields of natural sciences, humanities, engineering and economics, as well as teacher education, architecture and design.

HTW Berlin stands for challenging studies, qualified graduates and practice-oriented research. As Berlin's largest university of applied sciences, it uses the diversity of its 70 degree programs in the fields of technology, computer science, business, law, culture and design for networked collaboration. In this way, it makes scientifically sound contributions to technical, economic and social development. HTW Berlin's competencies are particularly pronounced in the areas of "Industry of Tomorrow," "Digitalization" and "Creative Industries".

The Design & Mobility course at Hof University aims to train young designers to tackle the creative challenges of future mobility.

The programme covers a wide range of topics, from traditional modes of transport like cars and motorbikes to aircraft, watercraft, and innovative mobility tools and their intermodal connections. It also addresses concepts for transforming infrastructure and envisioning new scenarios for mobile living.

This training focuses on developing the intersection between design and engineering. With a mix of design and technical subjects, graduates will be equipped to communicate effectively across disciplines. They will be prepared to work creatively and collaboratively in diverse project teams, contributing to solutions for the mobility challenges of the future.

The University of Applied Sciences Coburg offers diverse courses in Building & Design, Social & Health, Technology & Computer Science, and Business. The university focuses on future-oriented competencies in both studies and teaching, actively addressing topics relevant to the future through research and practical applications. It serves as a catalyst for social, ecological, and economic innovations in its region. The Faculty of Design follows the "principle of design" to foster interdisciplinary teaching and collaboration, aiming to break down disciplinary boundaries and create innovative solutions in diverse teams.

The University of Applied Sciences Zwickau is a versatile academic institution dedicated to education and research, playing a pivotal role in the academic landscape of Saxony. In the Design Faculty at Applied Arts Schneeberg, the degree programmes bridge the gap between traditional crafts and contemporary design. The focus extends to product design in the context of modern business and culture, with an emphasis on the needs of the individual. The design bachelor's and master's degree programs offer comprehensive education, encompassing both foundational and specialized courses in the fields of wood design, fashion design, and textile art/textile design.

As one of the most prestigious universities of applied sciences in Germany, Reutlingen University offers an academic education of the highest quality. It is continually evolving—toward a respectful and sustainable future. Diverse, practice-oriented, and international, the university sees itself as a driving force for innovation, aiming to sustainably address the pressing questions of our time—both regionally and globally.

The TEXOVERSUM Faculty of Textiles is a unique and innovative hub for the entire textile industry – this is where the future is being shaped!

The Design Department at the Peter Behrens School of Arts, part of Düsseldorf University, encompasses a diverse range of disciplines with over 1,300 students. The three bachelor’s programmes—Communication Design, Retail Design, and New Craft Object Design—along with master’s programmes in Communication Design, New Craft Object Design, and Exhibition Design, tackle contemporary social, ecological, and political issues. Students benefit from access to modern, well-equipped workshops to bring their creative and innovative ideas to life.

Architecture and Urban Studies, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Art and Design, and Media—through its faculties and fields of study, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has a unique profile. Founded in 1993, the Faculty of Art and Design represents the art university of the Free State of Thuringia. Teaching is based on the project-oriented "Weimar Model": around 800 students work on real projects in interdisciplinary teams and benefit from close supervision by teaching staff. Independent work in studios, experimentation in workshops and labs, and exchange with fellow students characterise everyday student life.

First established as a craftsman’s school, HfG Offenbach has a tradition stretching back to the year 1832. Shortly afterwards, it sharpened its focus on practical arts, crafts and theoretical subjects. Inspired by the training and research models of Bauhaus and the Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm, the university practices future-oriented teaching. Its participation in this year’s RIMOWA Design Prize will be carried out by the “Design Institute of Technology”.

Since its foundation, FH Aachen has established itself as one of the biggest universities of applied sciences in the country. Catering to more than 15,000 students across Aachen and Jülich, the university prides itself on practice-oriented education, with a curriculum that traverses design, research, engineering and technology.

With approximately 14,500 students, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest universities of applied sciences. Developments in practice are taken up by continuous reforms of the courses of study and, in addition to sound science, ensure practical relevance - a recognized strength of the universities of applied sciences. Opportunities are constantly being improved through the expansion of bachelor's and master's degrees. "We focus on students" - this guiding principle of the Fachhochschule Dortmund symbolizes what is essential: a first-class education. The design department has 1,300 students in five bachelor's and four master's degree programs, making it one of the largest design departments in Germany. Studies are offered in the areas of Editorial Design, Film & Sound, Photography, Communication Design, Object and Spatial Design, Serious Games & Digital Knowledge and Scenography.

University of the Arts Bremen offers highly qualified tuition across a diverse range of interdisciplinary programmes which transcend the boundaries between the disciplines of music, art and design. Co-operation between its twin faculties ranges from inter-faculty seminars and workshops through to large-scale artistic productions and academic projects.

Founded more than 250 years ago as a school for applied art, the HFBK Hamburg is today one of the most internationally renowned art universities and a place of innovative teaching and research in and with the arts. Almost 950 students are currently working, learning and researching together in studios and workshops and are accompanied by teachers in seminars, discussions and excursions. The program does not follow a rigid curriculum, but offers plenty of room for individual and collective experimentation and development of artistic research processes, embedded in a diverse, international network.

With around 7,000 students, Trier University of Applied Sciences is the second largest university for applied sciences in Rhineland-Palatinate. A strong focus on application and practice, innovative teaching methods, and the strong combination of teaching and research characterize our studies. On three campuses we offer 80 degree programmes in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building and Supply Engineering, Food Technology, Computer Science, Games, Therapy Sciences, Economics, Law, Environmental Studies, Architecture, and Design, thus presenting a diverse educational programme unique in the region.

21 years after its foundation, the University of Applied Sciences of South Westphalia is now one of the larger universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia with around 11,100 students and 952 employees. At its five campuses in Hagen, Iserlohn, Lüdenscheid, Meschede and Soest, a total of 84 bachelor's and master's degree programmes are offered in the fields of agricultural economics, design management and product development, health and natural sciences, computer science and digitalisation, education and psychology, technology and engineering, environment and sustainability, and business and law. International study visits are made possible through cooperations with around 60 partner universities worldwide.

Founded in 1992, HTW Dresden is the second-largest university in the capital of the state of Saxony. Delivering 43 study programmes such as agriculture, horticulture, landscape planning and development, the university caters to 5,000 international students; a number that allows manageability and facilitates personal dialogue in individual courses.

Founded in 1915, the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design has an unparalleled profile in Germany, offering excellent educational and study conditions within its art and design faculties. With over 1,000 students, it is one of the largest art universities in the country. Visionary thinking and design are fostered in more than 20 fields of study, alongside the development of professional vocational skills. The university features well-equipped studios and workshops, as well as a network connecting it to numerous research institutions, associations, and companies. The BURG also has the authority to award doctoral degrees in Design and Art Sciences.

KISD, an abbreviation of Köln International School of Design, is an institute of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at the TH Köln. KISD offers its students the possibility to explore and create the diversity and complexity of design in a profound and systematic manner. During the studies, future designers acquire a practical and theoretical design knowledge, which qualifies them for present and future spheres of activity in design. For more than 30 years, KISD has been offering its students a unique project-oriented learning and research environment aiming at strengthening the students’ individual interests. Therefore, all study courses at KISD can be described as integrative, interdisciplinary, and international.