Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd

HfG is a state university in Baden-Württemberg. German and EU/EEA students pay no regular tuition fees — only a semester administrative contribution (Verwaltungskostenbeitrag) of approximately €148 per semester. Non-EU international students (studying for a degree) pay €1,500 per semester in tuition fees, introduced from Winter Semester 2017/18 under the Baden-Württemberg non-EU student fee regulation, in addition to the administrative contribution. Students pursuing a second degree (Zweitstudium) pay €650 per semester in addition to the administrative contribution.

International applicants seeking a degree must have their higher-education entry qualification recognised by the Studienkolleg Konstanz (Center for International Students), which issues a certificate with a converted German grade — submitted at no cost alongside the original certificate. For the Master's programme (Strategische Gestaltung), a completed bachelor's degree in design or a media-oriented field is required (ideally 210 ECTS; 180 ECTS accepted with supplementary credits). International applicants must provide proof of German language proficiency at TestDaF 4 or DSH 2 level. Applicants from China specifically require an APS certificate from the Cultural Department of the German Embassy in Beijing. APS is not listed as a requirement for Indian or Vietnamese applicants on the official site, but Indian and Vietnamese students whose prior qualification is from those countries should verify the general APS requirement independently, as it is a Germany-wide rule for those nationalities. For Bachelor's programmes, a portfolio of 12–15 self-created work samples is mandatory for Product Design; optional for Interaction Design and Communication Design.

Bachelor's: 15 May (for Winter Semester / October start) and 15 November (for Summer Semester / March start). Application portals open in early April and early October respectively. Master's: 15 May and 15 November, with the same early-April and early-October opening windows. Interview dates for Summer 2026: 15–16 June. Exchange students (incoming): 1 May for Winter Semester; 1 November for Summer Semester. Selection notification within four weeks.

All Bachelor's and Master's programmes are taught in German. Exchange students at undergraduate level may attend a range of English-language courses; a free weekly German course is also provided. Master's exchange students must demonstrate fluency in German.