Convinced?
Find all the information you need about the application process and how to study Expanded Media at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.
Expanded Media
The study programme
The days of passive media consumption are numbered. Audiences want to be at the heart of the action and share unforgettable experiences with friends. The future of the media industry lies in experiences.
Directors and editors are increasingly facing competition from experience designers who use interactive and immersive technologies to create experiential spaces. Whether for social media-effective events and trade fairs, AR tours or soundwalks, VR arenas or escape rooms, theatre, museum or festival experiences – experience designers bridge the gap between mediated and real spaces and use storytelling to draw their audience deeper into their world.
Students can specialise in the study tracks ‘Expanded Storyworlds’, ‘Expanded Sound & Music’ and ‘Expanded Realities’.
Study facts
- Maximise your academic success: With a combination of small groups, personalised support and digital learning formats
- Work experience as part of the degree programme: An internship semester and projects with real clients help you build professional contacts
- Benefit from the practical experience of our lecturers: They have a background in professional practice, provide you with up-to-date knowledge and prepare you for the demands of the industry
- State university: Our degree programmes are accredited and therefore quality-assured. You pay no tuition fees here.
- Outstanding learning environment: According to UNESCO, the h_da is an ‘outstanding learning environment for sustainable development’
| Semester | 3–4 semesters |
| Study location | Dieburg |
| Start of studies | Winter term/summer term |
| Language | English |
| Entry requirements | A recognised Bachelor’s or Diploma degree (210 CP or 180 CP) in the field of media conception, media design, media production, media development or a related field of study, as well as an aptitude test. |
| Dual/co-operative programme | No |
Find the right content
Further information
“With its interdisciplinary, user-oriented focus, the Expanded Media programme occupies a special place within the university landscape – as a unique laboratory in which prototypes for the future of event culture can be conceived and tested.”
Jakob Bilabel
Founder of Green Music Initiative Berlin, Chair of the Consumer Information Lab Berlin
Structure
A detailed description of the course content can be found in the module handbook (in German).
Career prospects
- Concept development, directing and production at experience design agencies – e.g. for trade fairs, museums or festivals
- Screenwriting, directing and production of projects featuring cross-media story worlds – e.g. for television or advertising
- Concept development and production of complex sound and music projects
- Concept development and programming of technologies and applications for VR, AR and mixed realities
You will find a detailed overview of the application procedure, including the deadlines (here).
International applicants must apply via Uni-Assist (www.uni-assist.de/index_en.html), whilst those with a German degree can apply directly to h_da’s Student Service Centre.
- (a) Artistic requirements: We are generally looking for mature individuals with work experience in the media industry who wish to create highly innovative media formats in above-the-line roles, whether as a writer, director, creative director, lead designer, start-up entrepreneur or chief technical officer. Typically, these individuals are self-starters and risk-takers with a high degree of initiative, curiosity and perseverance.
- For the Expanded Storyworlds focus, we are particularly seeking applicants with a background in film (screenwriting, directing, animation) or game design. We will also consider applications from well-rounded individuals with backgrounds in spatial design, advertising, online communication and journalism, as well as, in rare cases, from the arts (painting, sculpture, etc.). All students are expected to be capable of digital design (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) as well as audiovisual editing in a digital editing suite (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, etc.)
- For the Expanded Realities specialisation, we are looking for applicants with some technical expertise, typically from the fields of media informatics, game design and Interactive Media Design. All students should be capable of 3D design (e.g. Blender or Maya) and programming in at least one game engine (e.g. Unity or Unreal).
- For the Expanded Sound & Music specialisation, our students usually have a background in sound design for film or games, but we will also consider technically gifted students from the fields of composition and music. All students are expected to be proficient in audio editing and sound design using at least one DAW. Knowledge of interactive audio technologies such as Max/MSP, WWise or TouchDesigner would be an advantage.
- (b) Formal requirements: Admission to the 3-semester programme requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent comprising at least 180 CP; admission to the 4-semester programme requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent comprising at least 210 CP.
Graduates from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences’ programmes in Digital Media, Animation and Game, Interactive Media Design, Motion Pictures, Sound and Music Production, and Online Communication are considered eligible for the 3-semester degree.
The Faculty establishes an admissions committee comprising three professors. The committee assesses each applicant’s suitability on the basis of the documents submitted and the criteria set out in the admissions regulations. Each applicant is awarded points under a weighted system to determine the relevance of their previous degree, the quality of their work experience, their letter of interest, and so on.
The greatest weight is given to the quality of the portfolio, which should demonstrate artistic taste, voice and vision in as little time as possible. We also look for maturity and a sense of perspective in the letter of interest, as well as basic academic skills and clarity in the research proposal (also known as an exposé). Good command of the English language and style is always an advantage.
Yes, you may apply provided that your work experience and portfolio demonstrate that you have taught yourself the skills typically covered in a media degree. As stated above, the entrance examination places particular emphasis on the artistic quality and potential for innovation demonstrated in the portfolio, so you may be able to compensate for not having a degree; however, your work samples will need to be of an exceptionally high standard.
Yes.
Yes, you will need to provide proof of English language proficiency at least at level B2 according to the ‘Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ of the Council of Europe, i.e. an IELTS certificate with an overall band score of 5.5 or higher. (Unless, of course, you are a native speaker from Canada, the United States, Australia or the British Isles, or have obtained a university degree in one of these countries.) Certificates of language of instruction (MOI) or other language certificates (such as Duolingo) are not accepted. Further information on language certificates.
Please note that you may not be able to take part in our projects if your English is not up to standard. This could prove a very frustrating experience for you and your team-mates. It is therefore in your own best interests to apply only if you have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
The personal statement demonstrates your personal and professional interest in and affinity for the topics covered by this Master’s programme, whilst the project proposal should outline a project in your chosen area of specialisation.
Anything that showcases your artistic taste, voice and vision in as little time as possible. This means you should have been the driving creative force behind the projects. Also, visual or audiovisual works make better use of the reviewer’s time, whilst longer texts might not be read properly. And of course, anything that offers a memorable emotional experience will help you stand out.
A well-designed PDF with screenshots and links to videos (hosted on YouTube or Vimeo) usually works best.
You are welcome to post links to your website, but please specify which works you would like us to take a look at.
There is a fee of approximately €292 per semester. However, this is not a tuition fee, but – as at every German university – the so-called ‘Semesterbeitrag’. It includes benefits such as free theatre tickets, affordable meals in our canteen, and free travel on public transport throughout the wider Rhine-Main area.
As well as the DAAD – which you should contact in your home country – there may be scholarships available from political NGOs such as the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the Heinrich Böll-Stiftung or the Friedrich Naumann-Stiftung. Please visit their websites to see if any of them might be suitable for you. Universities in Germany do not offer scholarships.
You are allowed to work alongside your studies, but there are limits on your monthly working hours and your income. You will also have to look for a job yourself (the university will not provide you with one). You may take on part-time work, but you are expected to attend every lecture, group session and meeting during the semester, and should always prioritise your studies.
The university is unable to provide you with any accommodation. We strongly recommend that you get in touch with student accommodation providers and local landlords as early as possible, as the real rush will begin in the second half of March or September, before the semester starts. As always: first come, first served.
Here are some suggestions for accommodation:
There are two student halls of residence adjacent to our Mediacampus in Dieburg:
Many students (even those who are not religious or come from a non-Christian background) enjoy staying at the Catholic student residence in Darmstadt:
It is advisable to stay either in Dieburg, Groß-Umstadt or Darmstadt (or any other place from which you have a good connection to our Dieburg Campus by train or by bus no. 671, which stops directly in front of our campus). Frankfurt could also be an option if you happen to find accommodation not too far from a local train station.
Darmstadt is a city with a large student population, so finding a good, affordable room can be tricky. Depending on the size and location of the room, you should expect to pay a monthly rent of between approx. 350 and 450 €.
If you apply for the 4-semester EM programme, you must complete a work placement. The work placement is compulsory and you must find a suitable position yourself. The work placement should be carried out at a company operating in a field related to the Expanded Media Master’s programme.
Whether your work placement is paid or not depends largely on the company or institution. Some companies pay between €300 and €400, whilst others do not pay anything at all. You may also undertake your work placement abroad.
Uni-Assist is an organisation outside our university over which we have no control.
In some cases, our Student Service Centre (SSC) may be able to help (international@h-da.de). However, please only contact them after you have tried to resolve the issue with Uni-Assist directly. Calling them is usually the best option.
Your place on the programme is secure, so don’t worry. Just let us and the SSC know, and you can join us next semester. Please understand that, as our programme is based on project-based learning in teams, we cannot make exceptions for latecomers to join us later in the semester, in order to safeguard the learning experience of the other students.
For enquiries regarding the application process, please contact the Student Service Centre by email (international@h-da.de)
If you have any questions regarding the entrance examination only (!), please contact Prof. Thorsten Greiner at thorsten.greiner@h-da.de
Yes, you may, provided you can convince us that studying on our Master’s programme is a vital and indispensable step towards achieving your professional goals. Your argument will need to be very convincing.
