Your bridge to the professional practice of design and communication in the 21st century

What the Certificate Studies are

We are very pleased that you are interested in the Certificate Studies, a highly qualified postgraduate course at the Academy of Visual Arts, Frankfurt.

The Certificate Studies are consistently oriented towards the needs of today's practice, in a sense a direct access to the professional requirements that a designer has to face in the 21st century.

There is one major difference between a regular Master's program and the Certificate Program at the Academy of Visual Arts, Frankfurt: 
Our certificate program is carried out in cooperation with partners from the cultural, political, or economic practice, so that the participants gain very concrete practical experience. This is the most crucial point in the development of an individual's career.

What you will receive

At the end of the certificate program, you will receive a Practice Certificate that lists the grade and credits you earned. 

This can be relevant for further education in an academic direction, i.e. Master's and PhD. 

More importantly, it shows a potential employer that you have significant practical experience. The certificate is issued by the Academy and countersigned by the cooperation partner.

Depending on the practice projects chosen, it includes the corresponding proof of project participation (issued each semester) in one or more of the following professional areas:

• Design in Cultural Communication

• Design in Textile and Fashion

• Design in Art and Cultural Practices

• Design in Economics and Ecology

• Design in Education

• Design in Political Communication

• Design in Scientific Communication

Our certificate program is therefore first and foremost a "solid bridge to practice".

In addition

In addition, you can apply for a state-approved degree as a "state-certified communication designer". This specific German degree is directly related to professional needs.

Finally, some general information: 

• The certificate program usually takes 3 semesters, depending on your previous education (degree, professional training or work experience).

• The semester begins each April and October.

• The certificate program consists of a minimum of six practice projects and accompanying lectures and seminars.

• The program is designed for part-time study. You can therefore work in parallel.

• You can choose to study entirely on-site, as a hybrid (partly on-campus and partly online), or as an online student (with regular personal support).

• If you are accepted for the certificate, you can enroll for an additional 3 semesters, which we call "practice entry". For the additional 3 semesters, there is only an administrative fee per month/semester.

• During this time, we will assist certificate graduates as much as possible in their job search, provide appropriate portfolio courses and language courses as needed.

• The tuition for the certificate program is EUR 3,120.00 per semester.

If you have further questions about the Certificate Studies, we would be happy to arrange a personal meeting with you. Just send us email. and I will personally answer you.

If you would like to apply directly, please use the form below.

I would be delighted to hear from you about the Certificate Studies at AVA.

Best regards,
Tomaso Carnetto_Director of Studies