Textile Design (MA) Hof University of Applied Sciences

In this Master's programme, you will dive deep into textile design and discover its many applications. It is not just about designing textiles – it is also about how textiles and other materials can be used in useful and unique ways to create new products, aesthetics and solutions. 

If you have a Bachelor's degree in textile design, apparel design, product design, architecture, interior design, or a related field, this is your chance to expand your expertise. You will master the creation of complex surfaces, develop innovative textile solutions, and generate interdisciplinary solutions.

As a cross-disciplinary field, textile design offers the perfect environment to tackle challenges in functionality, eco-design, performance, and marketability – all with a future-oriented and innovative approach.

Your benefits

With this Master’s programme, you will:

• develop advanced skills in designing textiles and their potential applications
• gain interdisciplinary knowledge in design, textile technology, sustainability, and project management
• specialise in areas that match your personal interests and career goals

In addition, you will benefit from:

• a project-focused curriculum that emphasises practical experience and real-world applications
• access to a vibrant research environment at the Münchberg campus with cutting-edge facilities
• strong connections to the professional world, opening up valuable networking and career opportunities

Career perspectives

As a graduate, you will be prepared to work in a diverse range of fields, including fashion, sportswear, workwear, eco-design, and accessories as well as in architecture, temporary architecture, interior design, product design, or even pursue self-employment.

Typical entry positions include:

• textile designer
• product designer
• apparel designer for fashion, sportswear, or workwear
• eco-design specialist
• interior and spatial designer
• automotive designer
• graphic designer
• freelance designer or entrepreneur in the textile and design industry

Course structure

The MA in Textile Design is a three-semester programme designed to deepen and develop your knowledge and skills by combining traditional and new technologies, strategies and methods, practical and theoretical subjects.

In addition to the compulsory modules, you will have a wide choice of elective courses to tailor your studies to your needs. In the first and second semesters, you will choose at least one design elective. In total, you will choose three elective courses per semester. The third semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis.

Throughout your studies, you will be individually mentored by your professors, who will help you to develop a profile for your professional success.

Course content

Semester 1:

• Core modules (all mandatory)
  • Project
  • AI-Supported Design Strategies
  • Theories of Design

• Elective Courses in Design (choose at least 1)
  • Advanced Textile Design 1
  • Collection Design and Pattern Making 1

• Elective Courses in Management and Sustainability (choose up to 2)
  • Circular Economy, Certificates and Eco-Friendly Labels
  • Sustainable Project Management
  • Design Management

Semester 2:

• Core modules (all mandatory)
  • Presentation and Documentation
  • Textile Products and Interior Design

• Elective Courses in Design (choose at least 1)
  • Advanced Textile Design 2
  • Collection Design and Pattern Making 2

• Elective Courses in Management and Sustainability (choose up to 2)
  • Renewable Products for Textile Industries
  • "Agile, traditionelle und hybride Methoden im internationalen Projektmanagement" (in German)
  • Innovation Management and Strategies

Semester 3: Master's thesis

• Master's course
• Master‘s thesis

The Master's thesis usually consists of a practical part and a supplementary theoretical part. Each student is free to choose the topic, which is discussed and developed in consultation with the course lecturers and as part of the Master's course.

Academic requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or similar in design or architecture from an accredited university or university of applied sciences, at least 210 ECTS or equivalent (depending on home country); minimum grade: 2.5 according to the German grading system
• Applicants with less than 210 credits (ECTS) will be accepted, but they will have to earn the missing credits by completing an internship with a written report (30 ECTS) before starting their studies at Hof University. 

Programme-specific aptitude

Your aptitude for the programme will be evaluated through a two-step process conducted by the course lecturers. In the first step, you will submit a self-written project proposal in English for a potential design project, along with a digital portfolio containing seven to 12 original work samples that demonstrate your artistic skills and suitability for the programme. The portfolio can contain work samples from a professional context, a previously completed Bachelor's degree, the Bachelor's thesis, design awards, exhibition participations, results of self-employment and free work.  

In the second step, you will participate in a 30-minute oral examination in English, in which you will present your project proposal and portfolio and answer related questions.

Administrative fee of approx. 150 EUR per semester

The cost of living in the city of Hof is moderate compared to both other European countries and bigger cities in Germany. On average, living expenses for a student range between 800 and 1,000 EUR per month in total.

The following is an approximate cost calculation of expenditures per month:

• accommodation: 350 to 550 EUR
• mandatory health insurance: about 120 EUR
• food and personal expenditures: at least 350 EUR

The Career Service team at Hof University offers you a wide range of career preparation and orientation services, including workshops, company excursions, and job fairs. We will prepare you for the German labour market by providing you with specific information, counselling, and qualifications. Thus, you will be able to start your individual career as an intern and as a graduate.

The Housing Office supports international students in finding appropriate accommodation.

Rent for a single student room is approx. 350 to 550 EUR. Rent for a private one-room apartment for one tenant or for a couple is more than 550 EUR. We also have a limited number of double rooms for friends that cost about 250 to 320 EUR per person. Beside the rent, there are additional costs for water, energy, broadcast fee, and Internet.

For a full overview of the practical issues related to living in Hof and our support services for international students, please have a look at the website of our Welcome Service and Housing Office.

Studying at Hof University – your benefits at a glance

• Hands-on education that prepares you for a successful career
• Friendly, international study community
• Personal support from Welcome Service, International Office, and Career Service
• Help finding accommodation and a guided Orientation Week
• Career-building activities like intercultural training, field trips, and company visits

About Hof University

Founded in 1994, Hof University offers a modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities and a hands-on learning environment. As a practice-oriented university of applied sciences with integrated internships in all programmes, the employability of our graduates is the main focus of our teaching.

Our commitment to students is reflected in StudyCheck rankings: Hof University was Germany’s most popular university in 2023 and 2024 and continues to receive excellent teaching ratings. In 2026, StudyCheck awarded the “Top Hochschule” distinction, recognising Hof University as one of the most popular institutions in Germany with fewer than 5,000 students.

We offer over 50 Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in engineering, advanced computing and AI, business, and design. The Graduate School provides fully English-taught postgraduate programmes for professionals with at least one year of work experience.

Practice-oriented learning

All professors have a strong academic background as well as practical experience in industry. Teaching is application-focused, including real-world projects, company collaborations, and site visits. This approach ensures students gain practical skills and confidence to succeed in national and international careers.

Personal support & international environment

Hof University is known for its friendly study atmosphere. An excellent student-to-lecturer ratio enables close interaction between students and professors and an active exchange of ideas. Students benefit from personal support services such as orientation programmes, integration events, and housing assistance.

With over 130 partner universities worldwide and more than 30% international students on campus, Hof University offers a truly multicultural and welcoming environment where you can grow both academically and personally.

Applied research & entrepreneurship

Six research institutes focus on areas such as information systems, sustainable water and energy systems, materials science, and organisational research, always connecting research to practical and sustainable solutions.

Students with entrepreneurial ideas receive guidance and support at Einstein1, the on-campus incubator that helps turn innovative ideas into real-world ventures.

Our main campus is located in the city of Hof, a safe and cosy town located at the top of Bavaria and in the heart of Europe. Hof has a population of about 45,000 inhabitants and offers all the amenities of a university town: a cinema, theatre, an annual film festival and a variety of cafés, bars and clubs.

Our region has the second-highest density of industry across Europe, with many companies specialising in machinery, automotive components, ceramics, and textiles. Many of these are small and medium-sized “hidden champions” in their field, offering excellent opportunities for internships and entry-level jobs.

The city of Hof is surrounded by beautiful nature. It is located between the low mountain regions of the Fichtelgebirge and the Franconian Forest on the banks of the Saale River. You will find excellent possibilities for all outdoor sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Big cities like Berlin, Prague, and Munich are also within easy reach by train or bus. This means you can study in a practice-oriented environment while also enjoying life outside the classroom.