Application

University entrance qualification

A German or international university entrance qualification (HZB) as required by Section 18 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG).

If you did not obtain your university entrance qualification in German, you will need to provide proof of your German language skills in addition to your university entrance qualification (more on this under “Upload documents”).

Artistic aptitude

Proof of special artistic aptitude through the assessment, which must be completed in advance, is a prerequisite for admission.

Please note the application information and the information on the special artistic aptitude test, also known as the portfolio test.

1 August 2025 to 23:59 pm on 30 October 2025
Registration and aptitude test, part 1 (pre-selection)

• Digital registration to take part in the special artistic aptitude assessment.
• For the first part of the test (pre-selection), upload 7 - 10 samples of your artistic work. You can change and update your details at any time up to 30 October 2025.
• If you wish to do so, use our HAWK platform and visit mappe.hawk.de

By 13 November 2025

• The work samples uploaded by you are evaluated by the Assessment Committee.
• Results of the pre-selection (invitation to the test: yes/no) are sent out.
• Invitations to the aptitude test at the HAWK campus and homework assignment are sent out.

26 November 2025
Aptitude test, part 2, at the HAWK campus in Hildesheim

• The test consists of three parts (portfolio, result of homework assignment, interview).
• Bring your portfolio (15-20 works) along with you. Your portfolio can also include the works that you have already submitted digitally.
• Bring the result of your homework assignment along with you.
• You will present your portfolio and the result of your homework assignment in a 10-15 minute interview. In this context, we would like to get to know you and hear about your ambitions.
• You can take your portfolio and the result of your homework assignment home with you on the same day.
• On this day, our students will also be offering workshops and guided tours of our faculty, so that you can get to know us and our design philosophy.

By 5 December 2025

• Proof of special artistic aptitude or points certificate is sent out.

By 15 January 2026

• Online application for a place on the degree programme. See "Apply online".

1 February 2026 to 23:59 pm on 30 April 2026
Registration and aptitude test, part 1 (pre-selection)

• Digital registration to take part in the special artistic aptitude assessment.
• For the first part of the test (pre-selection), upload 7 - 10 samples of your artistic work. You can change and update your details at any time up to 30 April 2026.
• If you wish to do so, use our HAWK platform and visit mappe.hawk.de

By 13 May 2026

• The work samples uploaded by you are evaluated by the Assessment Committee.
• Results of the pre-selection (invitation to the test: yes/no) are sent out.
• Invitations to the aptitude test at the HAWK campus and homework assignment are sent out.

27 May 2026
Aptitude test, part 2, at the HAWK campus in Hildesheim

• The test consists of three parts (portfolio, result of homework assignment, interview).
• Bring your portfolio (15-20 works) along with you. Your portfolio can also include the works that you have already submitted digitally.
• Bring the result of your homework assignment along with you.
• You will present your portfolio and the result of your homework assignment in a 10-15 minute interview. In this context, we would like to get to know you and hear about your ambitions.
• You can take your portfolio and the result of your homework assignment home with you on the same day.
• On this day, our students will also be offering workshops and guided tours of our faculty, so that you can get to know us and our design philosophy.

By 5 June 2026

• Proof of special artistic aptitude or points certificate is sent out.

By 15 July 2026

• Online application for a place on the degree programme. See "Apply online".

Applying through the HAWK Study Portal

Applications should be submitted online through the HAWK Study Portal (in German). The portal closes at 23:59 on the final day of the application period.

Enter the required application and enrolment information in the Study Portal.

Information sheet

You will find step-by-step instructions in the online application information sheet.

During the online application process, you upload your application documents to the HAWK Study Portal.

Mandatory documents: all applicants

• Proof of university entrance qualification
• CV in tabular form, including a passport photograph
• Proof of special artistic aptitude

Additional documents with regard to international university entrance qualifications

Translation of the university entrance qualification: If your university entrance qualification is not in German, you upload:

• a copy of the original qualification; and
• a sworn translation of the qualification in English or German

Proof of German language competence: If your university entrance qualification was not acquired in German, please upload one of the following proofs of German language proficiency:

• Level 3 TestDaF issued by the TestDaF Institute
• DSH (German Language Test for University Entrance) Level 1
• Goethe Certificate C2
• telc certificate in German C1 University
• DSD (German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) Level 2

If you do not yet have sufficient proficiency in German or are unsure whether your language skills are sufficient, please consult the International applicants page.

Additional documents for specific cases

• Certificate of exmatriculation (if you have previously studied elsewhere)
• Proof of vocational training (if applicable)
• Certification of military service, civilian service or voluntary service (if applicable)
• Explanation in writing of your motivation for studying (for second degree applicants)
• Copy of passport and residence permit (if you do not hold German citizenship)
• Evidence of other criteria to be considered

Application for advanced semesters

• Records of achievement to enable you to be assigned to the appropriate level

The Design degree programme is admission-restricted. This means that if there are more applicants than places available on the programme, admission will be decided on the basis of the selection criteria.

The overview of selection criteria (in German) gives an indication of the scores that have been sufficient in previous years.

Communication of results

Successful applicants will be sent a letter of admission by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK Study Portal.

By enrolling, you accept your place on the programme. To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Letter of admission

Successful applicants will be sent a letter of admission by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK Study Portal.

Your letter of admission will outline the enrolment process and specify two deadlines for applying for enrolment.

2. Apply for enrolment online

If you wish to take up your place, the first thing you need to do once you have received your letter of admission is apply to enrol online via the Study Portal – by the first deadline set out in your letter of admission.

3. Upload enrolment documents

Once you have completed the online enrolment process, upload these documents to the Study Portal within the second specified deadline:

• enrolment documents (see information in the portal)
• any other documents specified in the letter of admission

The HAWK can only enrol you once you have uploaded all the documents required for enrolment.

If you do not upload the required documents with your application for enrolment, your application for enrolment will not be considered!