Programme overview

The four-year international route programme includes a foundation year, which will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry and will give you the opportunity to refine a career path. You’ll build a strong portfolio needed to progress directly into your BA degree, whilst being prepared to use English language in an academic context.

Berlin School of Business and Innovation is in partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). As a result of this partnership, BSBI is able to offer the BA (Hons) Illustration programme. UCA is an acclaimed creative institution in the UK that ranks highly in all three of the major UK league tables. The university has also been ranked 13th out of all UK universities in the Guardian League Table 2020; and ranked no.7 in the 2021 Guardian League Tables for Business, Management & Marketing.

Why enrol on this programme?

This three years or four-year international route Bachelor’s of Art in Illustration will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry and will give you the opportunity to refine a career path. This programme has been selected by BSBI from among the many prestigious international degrees offered by University for the Creative Arts.

This degree programme fosters an engaging and practical approach to illustration. Students are encouraged to develop their own unique approach to the subject, gaining the skills they need to thrive in their future careers. Our broad approach in teaching methods within this course includes a special focus on narrative and drawing practice as well as critical analysis, workshops and collaborative live projects. The course will enable you to develop your
analytical and technical skills. You’ll explore innovative approaches to the subject with access to a studio environment, combining all your newly acquired skills within in a dynamic and inventive visual storytelling final project.

Why study in Hamburg?

• Hamburg shows it is at the heart of the creative industries within Europe: Designers and illustrators can benefit from digitization and the positive economic situation in Germany, did you know the industry has had an average growth of 4.1% until 2014-2019 in the communication design industry? Source: Ibisworld.com
• Exposure to established creative agencies: Study in Hamburg and be close to creative agencies like Jung von Matt, Blynk, Serious, Paperlux Studio, Sum.Cumo. Better yet, be near to start ups featuring client portfolios reaching from BMW, Google, Airbus to Mercedes Benz and Mc’ Donalds.
• Opportunities Abound: Of 1.2 Million employed in the creative industries, over 30%, around 472k are based in the software/gaming industry. Source: Statista

In Hamburg, the software and games industry accounts for 28% percent of the workforce. Source: Monitoring report culture and creative industries 2019 on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). ZEW – Leibniz Center for European Economic Research GmbH Mannheim. Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI. December 2019

Programme Price

• Hamburg: October
• 2024 October: International students Price: €11,000/year | EU students Price: €8,450/year
• Special offer effective until 31 December 2024: Up to 30% savings for International Students | 10% savings for EU Students

Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here.
The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.

Portfolio Scholarship Competition:

Join the BSBI portfolio scholarship competition and showcase your creativity! Applicable to the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes awarded by the University for the Creative Arts that are offered on the BSBI Hamburg campus.

• Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)
  • 1 Student | 100% Scholarship on Tuition
• Second Best Portfolio
  • 10 Students | 50% Scholarship on Tuition
• Third Best Portfolio
  • 20 Students | 40% Scholarship on Tuition

Entry Requirements

Foundation International Route Option

Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 11 years of schooling) (if applicant is 17 and turns 18 within 3 months of enrolment still eligible for enrolment)

How to create an exceptional portfolio will be available in this integrated international route foundation in art design and media course to guarantee you a direct progression into your BA degree course.

Academic Qualifications: ECCTIS UK equivalent to GCSE

BA (Hons)

Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 12 years of schooling)

For direct Year 1 BA entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal.

Academic qualifications: A school leaving certificate with a pass to pursue higher education in Germany e.g. Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Matura. Alternatively, an international baccalaureate, international school leaving certificates, BTEC/national diploma or advanced vocational certificate of education will be accepted.

If you do not meet the above academic requirements, applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements:

• Access to Proof of English Guide (UCA)

Year 3 Direct Entry

• BSBI, in partnership with leading creative institution, University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is offering the opportunity to enrich your vocational qualification with this Year 3 direct entry bachelor’s degree in just a year.
• The course will enable you to reach your full design potential with the help of industry experts. You’ll build a strong portfolio of powerful software skills and demonstrate effective thinking methods to navigate the challenges of today’s creative industry. This course is ideal for those looking to enhance their expertise, confidence and skills in illustration. You’ll become equipped with the latest skills in digital design and illustration software in order to produce an industry standard portfolio for future career opportunities.
• This Year 3 direct entry course is ideal for anyone looking to build their subject knowledge and technical skills to a level needed to thrive in a number of creative roles within today’s illustration industry.

Entry Requirements

• Graduates from a vocational academy/institute are not required to present a portfolio upon certified successful completion of their vocational training and are eligible for a direct entry into Year 3.
• Same is applicable for students who completed HND in Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation or direct year 3 progression upon successful completion of level 5/Year 2 by a UK awarding body.
• English language requirements:
• Graduates from a Schengen zone vocational academy/HND/ Level 5 progression by UK awarding body are not required to present an IELTS language test but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics test which will be provided by BSBI for direct entry year 3.

Technical Requirements

• Computer Equipment
• In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement.