01 . What courses does the NDU offer?

The New Design University offers bachelor's and master's courses as well as part-time (non-degree) vocational courses.

Bachelor's courses

• Graphic & Information Design
• Interior Design & 3D Design
• Manual & Material Culture
• Event Engineering
• Management by Design

Master's courses

•  Interior Design & Visual Communication
•  Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Vocational courses

• Book Design
• Acoustics & Design
• Food Design
• Light Engineering & Design
• Digital Transformation in Business
   

02 . What does it mean to study at a private university?

The New Design University was accredited as a private university in 2004. It was founded by the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce and its business development institute (WIFI).

This ensures that business skills and strong vocational character will always play a major role in education at the NDU. Among a number of unique advantages, the students at the NDU can join a dedicated platform (Future Lab) where they can work in interdisciplinary teams on real-life projects which are actually put into practice by the University's clients (see Future Lab).


Compared with public universities, the excellent teacher-student ratio at the NDU allows above-average interaction. NDU students consider this personal exchange with teaching staff as particularly motivating and rewarding.
 

03 . How and where can I get advice about the courses and registration?

All information about the NDU courses, including the semester timetable, are available on the website, where you will also find all registration forms that you can fill in and submit online.

In addition to specific trade fairs such as Yo!Tech and Master&More Vienna, etc., the NDU always features at the BeST fairs in Vienna, Klagenfurt/Graz and Innsbruck/Salzburg. Once a year – generally in April – the New Design University also holds an open day (the NDU Open House).

Aside from this, you can also get advice by phone or arrange a personal interview with the appropriate course director at any time.
You can call us for information from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm on phone +43 (0)2742 851 24180. You can also send any questions you may have by email to info(at)ndu.ac.at.

Our office will also be happy to provide details about admission requirements, certificate crediting, etc.

NDU Office
Christina Kainz
+43 (0)2742 851 24110
christina.kainz(at)ndu.ac.at
 

04 . How much are the tuition fees? Are financing options available?

Tuition fees for the three-year bachelor's degree courses are 3,000 EUR per semester.

Exceptions:
Semester fees for the bachelor's degree in Manual & Material Culture vary from 3,000 EUR to 3,600 EUR depending on your previous training.

Tuition fees for the two-year master's degree courses are generally 3,600 EUR per semester.
Exception: The cost of the master's degree course in Entrepreneurship & Innovation is 4,500 EUR per semester.

You can call our team for further information and personal advice from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm on phone +43 (0)2742 851 24180 or send us an email to info(at)ndu.ac.at.
 

05 . What grants, scholarships and financing options are available?

There are a number of options available to help you finance your studies at the New Design University. However, please note that most public grants require a prior three-year residence in Austria before applying. Further options are international and private scholarships and grants as well as student loans. We'll be happy to advise you on the details!

See also Scholarships & Funding

 

06 . What are the admission requirements for the bachelor's degree courses?

The requirement for admission to one of the bachelor's degree courses is usually Matura (A levels) or comparable school-leaving certificate (secondary education level). For the design courses (Graphic & Information Design, Interior Design & 3D Design and Manual & Material Culture), admission is also possible without a secondary education certificate, provided you can display exceptional artistic/design talent at the admission exam.
The specific admission requirements for the bachelor's degree courses are listed in the appropriate course sections (see Bachelor's courses).
 

07 . What are the admission requirements for a master's degree course?

An absolute prerequisite for Master's courses is a valid Bachelor's degree, certified by the Austrian Recognition Information Application System (https://www.aais.at/ ). Further admission requirements to the master's degree courses are listed in the appropriate course sections (see Master's courses).

08 . What is the admission procedure?

The primary condition for admission is that applicants pass an entrance examination to test their aptitude for the respective course. Applicants for design courses (see next question) must present a portfolio of 15 to 20 works (drawings, photographs, projects, etc.) at the entrance examination to design-related/artistic courses. There are usually three entrance examination dates to choose from.

Please refer to the particular course for details.
 

09 . What should the portfolio contain?

The courses in Graphic & Information Design, Interior Design & 3D Design and Manual & Material Culture require applicants to present a portfolio during the entrance exam. The portfolio should illustrate your interest in the particular course, be as broad as possible, and cover all relevant fields of design in the curriculum.

Drawings, paintings (photographs of large-format works), and photographs along with simple spatial/three-dimensional designs are specifically recommended for the course in Graphic & Information Design. Sketchbooks are also very welcome. The portfolio should contain a total of 15 to 20 works.

The portfolio for the bachelor’s degree course in Interior Design & 3D Design should primarily reflect the applicant's creativity. The portfolio containing 15 to 20 works should include two-dimensional floor plans/cross-sections/views (HTL graduates) and perspective/freehand drawings along with three-dimensional room views. Free artistic works and photos/images (of buildings/cities/travels, etc.) and final school project/degree dissertations can complete the portfolio.
 

10. Is previous experience required in certain computer programs? Which drawing programs are mainly used?

Previous experience is an advantage, but not essential. The AutoCAD, Sketch-Up, Rhino and Photoshop programs are an integral part of the curriculum in the creative bachelor’s degree courses and are taught parallel to the requirements of the practical subjects.
 

11. Do I need my own laptop?

No. PCs and iMacs are provided for work at the university. However, you should at least have the opportunity to work on a computer or laptop at home, no matter what brand.
 

12. What is the average course duration?

Constituted as a private university, one of the distinctive features of the New Design University is the intensive teacher-student ratio. Continuous and interactive exchange encourages ideas and motivates students to put these ideas into practice quickly.
This close cooperation is greatly appreciated by students at the NDU and is also reflected in the average duration of study: a bachelor's course is usually completed in six semesters, a master's in four.
 

13. What are ECTS points?

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) allows comparison and crediting of the achievements of students at European universities across borders, i.e. internationally, when they change university. This is accomplished by acquiring credits (ECTS points) awarded during studies for completing teaching units and modules.
 

14. Are there any student discounts on relevant hardware and software?

Yes. Students are eligible for interesting discounts on Apple, Microsoft and Adobe products. The discount on Adobe Creative Suite is particularly substantial.
 

15. Must papers be written in German?

No. Papers may be written in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish after checking with the particular teacher.
 

16. What accommodation facilities are available near the university?

There are several halls of residence in the immediate vicinity of the university:


Campus Domusstudents' residence
Herzogenburgerstraße 69
+43 2742 90500
travnicek(at)domus.co.at
www.campus-domus.at
Office hours: Mon - Thu: 8:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 16:00, Fri: 8:00 - 12:00
 
WIHAST St. Pöltenstudents' residence
Herzogenburgerstraße 36
Tel.: +43 2622/884 08 - 199
heimstp(at)wihast.at
www.wihast.at
Office hours: Mo – Fr: 8 - 14 

Kolpinghaus St. Pölten
Kolpingstraße 1
Tel.: +43 (0)2742 77 521-0
buero(at)kolp.at
www.kolp.at

Living City. Campus Villa.
Mühlweg 16
Tel.: +43 664/255 8001
p.sonnleithner(at)livingcity.at
www.livingcity.at/campusvilla