Scenographic Design and Communication Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Scenography and communication deals with questions such as:

• How can I design museum and exhibition spaces across different media?
• How can I create narrative qualities in film, theatre and stage spaces?
• What potential does the scenography of public spaces offer in terms of shaping social developments?
• Which scenographic communication strategies are relevant for the future?

The project studies focus on theatre and stage spaces, museum and exhibition spaces, media and hyper-media spaces, public spaces and temporary spaces for brand staging and corporate communication. You can experiment with individual projects and work in interdisciplinary teams on third-party funded projects.

The three-semester Master's degree programme is offered as a bilingual study programme with a predominantly German-language focus or with a predominantly English-language focus.

Choosing a language track does not result in a division into German- and English-speaking cohorts; it is relevant only for examination purposes.

Courses can be selected regardless of the chosen language focus and are taught bilingually. This means that no one is excluded due to a lack of proficiency in English or German. Because of this mix, most courses are taught in English. All instructors are available in both languages.

The project-oriented course allows you to specialise in the areas of exhibitions, museums, art in public spaces and the stage.

At the same time, you can deepen your knowledge creatively, technically and scientifically at the faculty and in collaborations outside the university. The course offers you the greatest possible freedom. You can implement scenographic projects of your choice in all conceivable fields of creative and artistic spatial and event design.

In the first year of study, you will acquire the necessary knowledge through the modules Experimental Exploration & Design of Scenographic Fields of Work and Scenographic Conceptualisation of Spatial Design and Staging, among others. The second year of study includes the module Project Realisation of a Scenographic Design Project. Learning management skills is also part of the course.

The project-oriented structure leads to numerous collaborations with external funding partners and, as a result, to projects carried out under real-world conditions. Students acquire the necessary competencies through the implementation of projects, not through isolated training in individual aspects of scenography.

The study programme is internationally oriented. Project practice during the course promotes international exchange and contributes to the formation of a worldwide scenographic network.

This is a thematic overview of the course content.

First semester:

• 01 Scenography + Communication (15 CP)
• 02 Conception + Design (8 CP)
• 03 Science (7 CP)

Second semester:

• 04 Scenography + Communication (15 CP)
• 05 Conception + Design (8 CP)
• 06 Science (7 CP)

Third semester:

• 07 Best practice / foundation (2 CP)
• 08 Project support for Master's thesis (8 CP)
• 08 Thesis + Colloquium (20 CP)

The first two semesters of the programme have the same structure and are designed so students can start in either semester. This also doubles the number of project choice options.

In two major design projects (01, 04), which always include a realisation component and very often involve a partnership with an external partner and third-party funder, students go through all phases—including research, analysis, conceptualisation, design, implementation, and documentation—and acquire the necessary skills for each. The projects are often carried out in teams. All students are exposed to all aspects of the process but may also choose to focus on specific areas.

Each of these two modules accounts for half of a semester’s workload.

In two smaller design projects (02, 05), students can adopt a more experimental approach; in module 05, students can also work on independent, self-initiated projects, either individually or in groups.

Two academic courses (03, 06) support the programme by imparting relevant knowledge and enabling students to place their own work in an academic context.

Each of these four modules accounts for a quarter of the semester’s workload.

The third semester is reserved for a final project of the student’s own choosing and a short module designed to prepare students for the transition into the professional world.

With the exception of the last two modules, 08 and 09, all modules can be taken in any order.

A Master’s degree requires 300 credits (BA + MA). For students with a BA degree worth fewer than 210 credits, in addition to the 90 credits from the Master’s programme, there is the option to earn the missing 30 credits by providing proof of relevant internships or professional experience gained after completing the BA degree. Additionally, during this adjustment semester, students have the option to take modules from the Master’s programme in Scenography and Communication or BA courses from any of our BA programmes (Object and Spatial Design, Communication Design, Film and Sound, Photography, and Serious Games).

The following aspects need to be considered as admission requirements

1. required degree
2. knowledge of German or English
3. suitability assessment
4. registration

Please find more details on each topic here, in the section "What do I need": https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studiengaenge/szenografie-und-kommunikation-scenographic-design-and-communication-master.php?loc=en-US.

A semester contribution (social contribution) must be paid by each student per semester in order to be able to start or continue their studies at Fachhochschule Dortmund.

Please find more detailed information here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/semesterbeitrag.php?loc=en-US.

Please find some helpful information on the cost of living in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/kosten-finanzierung.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund provides an online job market, where students can find jobs related and unrelated to their studies, internships in Germany and abroad, Bachelor's or Master's thesis topics and graduate positions. Please find more information here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stellenmarkt.php?loc=en-US.

Please find all information on scholarship possibilities here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stipendien.php?loc=en-US.

Some more information on support programmes for international students can be found here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/foerderprogramme/studienfinanzierung-fuer-internationale-studierende.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund's International Career Service (ICS) will accompany you on your way - from initial orientation to successful entry into the German job market.

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-career-service/index.php?loc=en-US

Please find information on accommodation possibilities in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/wohnen.php?loc=en-US.