Design and Business

About the Design and Business study programme

• Structure and content

  • Language: The programme is taught in English 
  • Curriculum:  See the curriculum
  • Executive order: See the executive order (in Danish)See the study activity model
  • Please note: The BA top-up in Design & Business is a continuation of an AP degree programme. If you do not yet have further education beyond high school, please look at the AP degree in Design, Technology & Business. 
  • Visit the AP degree in Design, Technology & Business
  • See surveys and legal documents
  • What is a professional Bachelor's degree?

  The Bachelor (BA) top-up takes three semesters and gives you the chance to immerse yourself in your chosen specialty. At this stage of your education we expect you to be able to work in a more independent manner.

  The programme is organised around: 

  • Common core programme
  • Specialisation
  • Elective subjects
  • Traineeship (9-13 weeks)
  • Final BA project 

  More information about the programme:

  • You can read more about the programme in the curriculum

  Common core programme

  During the first semester, all BA students follow the same compulsory programme, making sure you cover a variety of disciplines within the area of design and business. All projects in this programme are worked out in partnership with the other BA top-up specialities at VIA Design. The goal is to strengthen the relationship between the creative aspects and business, as well as how to focus on results that can be achieved. 

  Specialisation

  After the first semester, the focus will be on your speciality. It consists of subjects and projects centred on core areas of the chosen specialty. Read more under the individual specialties.

  Electives

  Electives allow you to supplement the common core programme and your specialty with subjects that you choose from your primary interest. 

  Internship

  During the sixth semester, all BA top-up students have a mandatory internship period for at least nine weeks. The internship takes place in a private company of your own choice and involves various disciplines. As an intern, you will get valuable knowledge of how the different professions are interrelated, and get the chance to enhance your professional network.

  Bachelor assignment

  You will finish your BA top-up with a written assignment followed by an oral examination. The assignment starts from a formulation of a problem made by you in co-operation with a company. You will spend the entire semester on this. 

  After graduating, you will be qualified to find a job in the fashion and lifestyle branch, or to start your own business. You will also have the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree at a university outside Denmark. 

  Teaching methods

  All the teaching is project-oriented. You will get profound knowledge of your chosen speciality as well as the opportunity to develop your individual image. 

  During the fifth semester, the joint projects ensure a continuous collaboration between the areas of design and business. You’ll get insight into the work areas of your future colleagues and learn the importance of working together in order to achieve your ideas. 

  The programme is a combination of theory, supervision and independent studies. You must be able to work independently through projects of long duration.

• Specialities

  You choose speciality when you apply for the programme. 

  Read more about the different specialities: 

  • Branding and Marketing Management
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
  • Fashion Design

  NB: We reserve the right not to create classes if necessary. 

• Enrolment

  Admission requirements

  To be eligible to apply for the international BA top-up degree in Design & Business you need to have completed one of the programmes from the list below. 

  • An AP Degree in Design, Technology and Business, AP Degree in Multimedia Design & Communication, AP Degree in Production Technology, AP Degree in Marketing Management or similar. 
  • Bachelor in either Design or Business from an international university/university college.  

  English proficiency requirements and certificates 

  All study programmes taught in English have requirements for English proficiency. Go here to find English proficiency requirements and how to document these.

  Admissions assignment

  When applying for the BA top-up degree in Design & Business, you are required to complete an admissions assignment for the specialty you are applying for. 

  You will have 2 weeks to finish the assignment. The precise deadline and further details can be found in the assignment. 

  It is very important that you follow the guidelines explained in the assignment. If the guidelines are not followed precisely, your assignment may not be evaluated.

  Assessment of your application

  All applicants applying before 15 March, 12:00 noon will be assessed based on the following:

  • Exam results from previous studies
  • CV and transcript of records (must be uploaded in WISEflow with your admissions assignment)
  • Admissions assignment - you are required to do an admissions assignment for each of the specialties you wish to apply for. Read more under “How to Apply” below. 

  Credit transfer

  Students who have completed relevant study activities at an institution of higher education may be allowed to transfer their credits to VIA, which may exempt the student from exams/courses of a study programme.
  
  Read more about credit transfer at VIA University College.

  Appeal – due to legal matters

  You may appeal the decision when the appeal concerns legal matters. The deadline for appealing due to legal matters is 2 weeks from the day that the decision was informed.

  This means that you can appeal if you believe that the decision is in violation of applicable law – it could, for example, be due to, lack of justification or interpretation of the legislations. Academic assessments and specific judgements cannot be appealed

  If you still believe that the decision is in violation of applicable legislation you may send your appeal to VIA University College apply@via.dk no later than 2 weeks after the decision is informed. If the case is not reopened VIA will forward the entire case to the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science.

  NB: We reserve the right not to create classes in the event of too few applicants.

• How to apply

  • Apply here (Now available from 1 February to 15 March 12:00 noon)

  Please note that you can learn about the steps of applying for the Design and Business programme here 

  The area code for the programme is 440100

  Application deadlines

  The application portal opens on 1 February every year. Deadline for international applicants is 15 March at 12 noon.

  Available study places

  Any available study places will be published as soon as possible after 31st of May here.

• Fees and finances

  Whether you need to pay tuition fee or not depends on several criteria. For further information, go to the Tuition Fees page.

  Payment schedule and Terms of Payment for Design and Business (pdf)

  Terms and agreements

  Terms and agreements between partners and VIA University College can be seen in the different contracts under:

  Code of Conduct (pdf)

  Living Costs

  You should expect average monthly living costs between DKK 5000 and 7000 (roughly 650 - 900 EUR), including accommodation.

  Financial support

  Danish students can apply for SU. The bachelor's degree programme is approved for SU for the official duration of the programme. Foreign students are not eligible for the Danish educational support scheme (SU). Some exceptions are made for refugees and relatives of refugees and other foreign citizens. EU citizens may be eligible for SU, if they have a contract for 10-12 work hours per week. More information about SU for foreign students.

  Scholarships

  Each year, VIA awards a limited number of scholarships to highly qualified students from countries outside the EU and the EEA. The scholarship can be applied for by all current, international, and tuition-fee-paying students who have completed the first year of studies at VIA (2 semesters). This means that first year students cannot apply for a scholarship. A maximum of two full semesters can be awarded during studies at VIA.

• Internship

  During the sixth semester, you will get the chance to try out your skills in a internship at a company preferably in Denmark of your own choice for 10 weeks. 

  Your internship can take its starting point in your speciality and involves the various disciplines from the value chain of the company. The purpose is to give you thorough insight into the work processes. You learn the importance of close co-operation between different functions in a creative business and the importance of working in interdisciplinary teams. 

  After the placement period, you must hand in a written assignment. The problem statement of the assignment is made in co-operation with the company. It forms the foundation of your work in the company. 

  The list below shows you examples of companies that welcome interns from Design & Business:  

  • Bruuns Bazar
  • Aller Media
  • H20 Sportswear
  • DK Company
  • Bestseller
  • House Doctor
  • Minus
  • Han Kjøbenhavn
  • Kopenhagen Fur
  • Headstart Fashion
  • Says Who

• International opportunities

  At VIA, we want to ensure that all students have an international element in their studies, either by doing an exchange or internship abroad or by participating in international activities at home. See examples of how students obtained international elements here, or read more about internationalisation at VIA in general here.

  Working relationships have been established with a number of universities and educational around the world, and more are being added. This enables our students to improve their skills outside Denmark during or after completion of their study programmes. 

  Exchange – studying outside Denmark 

  China, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Finland – you can study anywhere you like. The fashion and lifestyle sector is a global industry, so studying outside Denmark is a natural part of your education and will not prolong your studies. 

  During your time of study you have the opportunity to go abroad as an exchange student. This is possible during your 6th semester. The duration of a study period outside Denmark is normally one semester – corresponding to 4 months. 

  Traineeship outside Denmark 

  Why not do your mandatory internship period outside of Denmark? This will give you the chance to get to know a culture and way of living that is different from your own. You will gain linguistic and intercultural skills that may be useful in your future career. You will also get the chance to extend your network at an early stage of your career – and a good network will probably be very useful to you later on. 

  The duration of an internship period outside Denmark is 9-12 weeks. 

  New York City, India, China, Thailand, Canada – the world is your oyster. Please ask the student counselling service for advice. The internship can be done at companies and research centres in the private or public sector. 

  Study trips 

  During your studies you will be given the opportunity to go on study trips based on specific themes. 

  Whether the trips are within Denmark or other countries, the goal is to learn about companies within the fashion or lifestyle sector. This will provide you with plenty of experience and knowledge that will be useful in your future career.  

  Summer school in Florence

  If you wish to spend your summer holiday improving your design skills, we offer the chance to attend a three-week summer school in Florence or Milan. Besides getting a cultural experience that goes beyond your daily studies, you will be given the chance to achieve new perspectives and inspiration for your future career. 

  The summer school in Florence is organised for students in our AP degree programme who are specialising in Fashion Design or Pattern Design. You get to work with drawing, developing collections and fashion marketing. You will also visit Pitti Filatti, which is one of the largest yarn fairs in the world. 

  BA top-up degrees and MA degrees abroad

  With an AP degree or a Bachelor's degree from VIA Design, you have the opportunity to continue your education abroad. We have agreements with universities in various countries. In connection with your application for a BA top-up or MA degree programme, you must observe the procedures of the university at which you wish to enrol. 

  Please feel free to contact the International department if you need any help. 

  • Visit the websites of our partner universities for more information about your options (pdf)

• Contact

  If you have any questions about our study programmes or just need to confirm your choice of education, our student counsellors are always at your service. 

  A student counsellor can help you with: 

  • Questions about VIA's study programmes at VIA Design, admission requirements, selection criteria and admission procedures 
  • Guidance about how you qualify yourself for admission or perhaps suggestions for other study opportunities if you are rejected/not admitted 
  • Accommodation and living costs in Herning 

  Anne Louise Degn Stagstrup
  Student counsellor

  T: +45 87 55 05 48
  E: design.info@via.dk

  You are also welcome to contact us if you have any general questions about VIA

   

  Herning

  VIA Design & Business
  Birk Centerpark 5
  DK-7400 Herning 

  T: + 45 87 55 05 00
  E: herning@via.dk 

  • Find us on Google Maps 
  • Read about Campus Herning

  Aarhus

  VIA Design & Business
  Ceresbyen 24
  DK - 8000 Aarhus C 

  T: +45 87 55 00 10
  E: herning@via.dk 

  • Find us with Google Maps 
  • Read about Campus Aarhus C