Design and Business

Do you want to work in the fashion and lifestyle industry within fashion design, entrepreneurship and innovation or branding and marketing management? You can specialise within 3 areas.

Type

Bachelor top-up

Duration

1 ½ years

Campus city

Herning

Study start

August

Internship

10 weeks

About the Design and Business study programme

  • 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:

    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.

  • You choose speciality when you apply for the programme. 

    Read more about the different specialities: 

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

  • 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 can file a complaint with the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, if the complaint concerns legal matters related to your decision. The deadline for submitting a complaint is 2 weeks from the day the decision is informed.

    This means that you can complain, if you believe the decision violates applicable laws, such as the Public Administration Act, the Act on Gender Equality, and general principles of administrative law. You cannot complain about academic assessments and specific judgements.

    If you still believe the decision violates applicable laws, you must send your complaint to VIA University College at 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 Agency for Higher Education and Science.

    Complaint Manuals Guide — English (ufm.dk)

    • 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.

  • Students at Design and Business are a mix of students who are either new to Denmark, new to campus Herning or very familiar with the campus.  Students who have completed their AP degree elsewhere in Denmark or abroad are invited for an introduction just before the study start.

    Expect to meet international students from all over the world as well as Danish students in your classes.

    Theory as well as practical classroom teaching

    At the first semester of the Design and Business study programme, you will work cross-professionally, and project oriented with students from the other specialties. This means that you will get insight into other specialties than your own and learn how important it is to get a common understanding of each other’s skills. At the end of the 2nd semester, you are going on a 10-week internship at a business or organisation in the fashion- or lifestyle industries. We recommend that our international students take the internship in Denmark to grow your network, learn about Danish workplace culture and increase your chances of landing a job after graduation.

    A large part of the teaching is based on collaborations with the lifestyle industry and/or cases founded in the business. This means that you get very close to the industry you will be working in in the future already during your studies.

    Theory and practice are combined in teaching, as is classroom teaching and project-based. Assignments and projects are carried out individually as well as in study groups. You/your group will get guidance and feedback continuously. Often a project will be concluded with a presentation of your results.

    In addition, our workshops and labs will be included in the practical teaching.

    Collaboration with the industry

    A large part of the teaching is based on collaborations with the lifestyle industry and/or cases founded in the business. This means that you get very close to the industry you will be working in in the future already during your studies.

    The environment around Campus Herning is unique in the sense that a large part of the fashion industry in Denmark is centred in central Jutland, so you will find the headquarters of major players in the Danish fashion industry close to campus. In addition, the industry organisation Dansk Mode og Tekstil (Danish Fashion and Textile) is located right next to campus and has a long-standing collaboration with VIA and students are free to use their trend library for research.

    Full time studies with preparation

    As a student at Design and Business, you should be aware that you are expected to put in an independent study effort and cooperate with your fellow students. The programme is full time and requires an average of 40 hours of studying per week.

    Expect to have teaching on campus 2-3 days per week, days varying from week to week. The remaining days are self-study days for reading, working with your study group and on projects.

    Study environment

    The study environment in Herning is buzzing with creativity. 

    When it comes to social activities on campus, we have a cozy Friday bar run by students. In addition, events relevant to your studies as well as social events take place on campus throughout the year, e.g. lectures, career days, yoga, and Christmas events. Find events here:

    You have access to campus from 7 am to 10 pm with your student card. This includes workshops and labs, i.e. material laboratory, flat screen, and digital print, knitting workshop, embroidery workshop and sewing machines, which can be used for your projects and assignments.

    The on-campus incubator also known as The Garage offers guidance to students interested in starting their own business, and hosts industry relevant courses and workshops for and by students throughout the year. This could be photography course, trend forecasting, From Design to Reality, Creative Idea Festival and much more. 

    Campus Herning consists of five beautiful buildings in Birk Centerpark. The surrounding areas are full of atmosphere, art and architecture and the closest neighbours are the HEART, Carl-Henning Pedersen, and Else Alfelts Museums which students have free access to. In addition, the campus has an international student environment with students from all over the world.

    Read more about Campus Herning.

    Study start

    The first day of the semester is a study start/introduction day. After that, students work on their “Design and Business projects” for two weeks before they are introduced to their classes. 
    We start in the middle of August. The final programme and dates will be announced at MyVIA, VIA’s portal for students. You will get access to the site once you are enrolled at one our programmes.

  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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. 

  • 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 

    Aarhus

    VIA Design & Business
    Ceresbyen 24
    DK - 8000 Aarhus C 

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

Meet students and graduates

Discover

Video: VIA Design og Business x FDB Møbler & SELECTED

Get behind the scenes of the 2020 joint project at the Design and Business programme where students collaborated with two Danish brands

Watch

Fashion lookbook

Meet upcoming fashion designers from VIA and see their collections.
Go to the 2023 lookbook