User Experience Design Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt

The entire programme is taught in English.

Digital technologies play an important role in all areas of daily life. Modern societies need experts who know exactly how to design and develop usable interactive products. The Master's in User Experience Design (UXD) is an interdisciplinary Master's programme that combines the topics of Computer Science, Design and Usability Research. 

In the Master's programme in User Experience Design, you will acquire up-to-date knowledge of interaction design, human factors & ergonomics as well as multimodal and multisensory human-computer interaction. Mobile prototyping and interface solutions for augmented & virtual reality are just as much a part of the programme as design strategy and management or a critical reflection on user experience. In a broader context, you will be enabled to think and write scientifically and will be able to participate in or lead complex projects in an international context. 

With our English-language UXD Master's programme, you will be optimally prepared for future tasks in an international media and technology environment.

The UXD Master's programme is offered both full-time (standard duration of three semesters) and part-time (standard duration of six semesters) – you choose one of these modes at the time of enrolment. In the part-time programme, the workload per semester is reduced to about 15 ECTS, and efforts are made to limit classroom time to two weekdays (not guaranteed). The part-time programme is also conducted in-person, without any online component.

1. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of Germany must first apply via uni-assist from as soon as possible until 15 June for the following winter semester and by 1 December for the following summer semester at the latest.

If you acquired your Bachelor's degree outside of Germany, uni-assist has to verify your eligibility to study in Germany and to convert your grades to the German grade system. You will have to submit all required documents to uni-assist online. The process takes four to six weeks.

2. PRIMUSS – THI application portal: from 2 May until 15 July for the following winter semester and from 15 November until 15 January for the following summer semester

You will have to apply online at the PRIMUSS university application portal. In case of admission, you will have to send all required documents by post later on.

Please note: The application deadlines might change. Please check the THI website to get up-to-date information regarding the application periods.

THI charges fees of currently 500 EUR per semester for students from third countries (citizenship outside the EU and European Economic Area).

The fees are planned to increase to 1,200 EUR per semester (Master's programmes) from summer semester 2026 onwards. When more details are available, you will find further information on our homepage.

THI students who started their studies earlier are not affected by this reform.

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt does not cooperate with recruitment agencies. Applicants will have to apply on their own. Apart from the uni-assist fee, there is no application fee.

To stay updated on the most recent study orientation dates, please visit www.thi.de/go/events-studyorientation.

1) FULL-TIME STUDIES

Semester One

• Research Methods in HCI (5 ECTS)
• Interaction Design (including Practical) (6 ECTS)
• Multimodal, Interactive Systems (including Exercises) (6 ECTS)
• Project Natural User Interfaces (5 ECTS)
• Agile Project Management (3 ECTS)
• Elective (5 ECTS)

Semester Two

• Mobile UX Prototyping (5 ECTS)
• Critical UX Reflections (3 ECTS)
• Augmented/Virtual Reality Applications (including Practical) (7 ECTS)
• Design Strategy and Design Management (5 ECTS)
• Project (5 ECTS)
• Elective (5 ECTS)

Semester Three

• Master's Thesis (28 ECTS)
• Master's Thesis Seminar (2 ECTS)

2) PART-TIME STUDIES

Semester One

• Research Methods in HCI (5 ECTS)
• Interaction Design (including Practical) (6 ECTS)
• Agile Project Management (3 ECTS)

Semester Two

• Critical UX Reflections (3 ECTS)
• Augmented/Virtual Reality Applications (including Practical) (7 ECTS)
• Design Strategy and Design Management (5 ECTS)

Semester Three

• Multimodal, Interactive Systems (including Exercises) (6 ECTS)
• Project Natural User Interfaces (5 ECTS)
• Elective (5 ECTS)

Semester Four

• Mobile UX Prototyping (5 ECTS)
• Project (5 ECTS)
• Elective (5 ECTS)

Semester Five and Six

• Master's Thesis (28 ECTS)
• Master's Thesis Seminar (2 ECTS)

For more information, please turn to the pages of the legal department for statutes of this course.

1,200 EUR

THI charges fees of currently 500 EUR per semester for students from third countries (citizenship outside the EU and European Economic Area).

The fees are planned to increase to 1,200 EUR per semester (Master's programmes) from summer semester 2026 onwards. When more details are available, you will find further information on our homepage.

THI students who started their studies earlier are not affected by this reform.

All students will have to pay a student union fee of 72 EUR per semester.

Student organisations estimate that the cost of living is approx. 990 EUR or more per month, depending on individual needs and expectations. Mandatory health insurance in Germany will cost a student around 145 EUR per month.

Usually, non-EU students will have to provide proof of financial means with a blocked account for visa purposes. It should contain approximately 992 EUR per month for up to 12 months.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree with either 210 ECTS credits or 180 ECTS credits plus proof of compensation for the missing skills is required.
• The detailed study and examination regulations of our Master's on User Experience Design (UXD) can be found on the pages of the legal department of this course. In Article Three, the qualification requirements are described in detail. In Article Four, our assessment test (with regard to programming interactive systems, interaction design and practical experience) is described.
• For application, we ask for a copy of the degree certification as well as of the transcript of records / grade sheet. Provisional certificates and transcripts as available are accepted. However, in case of admission the final certificate must be shown at registration/enrolment.
• Please follow the link to Master's application at THI from abroad for detailed information.

Please check for yourself whether your Bachelor's degree programme or qualification meets the requirements according to the statutes on the aptitude test (version dated 19 February 2024), Article One (2).

We would like to point out that you cannot be admitted without programming AND design skills (both basic to advanced; either acquired in your first degree or outside in practical work) as well as practical professional experience.

Please follow the link for more details on the Master's application: https://www.thi.de/go/international-applicants-m-en.

In addition, we have an FAQ section on our website, where the most important questions around the application process, scholarships, etc. for applicants are addressed: https://www.thi.de/en/studies/application/master-application#c6162.

Students from abroad should also check here: https://www.thi.de/en/studies/application/masterapplication-from-abroad.

The Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt can only make a legally binding decision about your eligibility for your desired study programme after reviewing the documents you submit with your application. We can’t provide a definitive assessment or evaluate your chances of acceptance until we have your full application, including your educational history.

Furthermore, it is possible to find out if you’re qualified to study in Germany before applying. Detailed information is available at the following link: www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission.

Additionally, you can find out about the qualification requirements via the study and examination regulations (=Studien- und Prüfungsordnung = SPO). Find these on the following page under the respective statutes: https://www.thi.de/en/university/university-profile/university-management/legal-department/.

Thank you for your understanding. You are very welcome to apply, and we will check your application documents.

As the programme is entirely taught in English, we ask for sufficient English language skills, documented by a certification of level B2. The proof is not required provided the university entrance qualification certificate (certification of secondary school) or the Bachelor's degree was acquired from a programme conducted in English or in the event that the applicant possesses the citizenship of a country in which English is the native language.

Proof of having passed the examination must be submitted by the time of enrolment at the latest. A list of all accepted certificates can be found here: https://www.thi.de/en/university/university-profile/university-management/legal-department/general-statutes/.

There is no requirement to formally prove German language skills for your admission. You may start with little or no German language proficiency. However, German is the official national language in Germany. The transition from your home country to the German university system and everyday life will be made easier the more German you know. Furthermore, German skills will greatly increase your chances in finding a student job and or an internship at a German company.

1. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of Germany must first apply via uni-assist from as soon as possible until 15 June for the following winter semester and by 1 December for the following summer semester at the latest.

If you acquired your Bachelor's degree outside of Germany, uni-assist has to verify your eligibility to study in Germany and to convert your grades to the German grade system. You will have to submit all required documents to uni-assist online. The process takes four to six weeks.

2. PRIMUSS – THI application portal: from 2 May until 15 July for the following winter semester and from 15 November until 15 January for the following summer semester

You will have to apply online at the PRIMUSS university application portal. In case of admission, you will have to send all required documents by post later on.

Please note: The application deadlines might change. Please check the THI website to get up-to-date information regarding the application periods.

There are different scholarships available to enrolled students, such as the Deutschlandstipendium. All students will have to look and apply for specific scholarships themselves! Most scholarship programmes are based on performance (grades, voluntary work, etc.) The economic situation of applicants is usually not taken into consideration. A certain level of German language skills (at least B2) is required for many scholarships.

The International Office also offers scholarships. Enrolled international students will be notified of the call once a year via the communication channels of the university.

International students at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) are strongly advised to start gaining practical experience early to earn money during their studies and improve their job prospects. Besides looking for working student positions, students are also encouraged to seek low-level jobs in gastronomy or similar sectors to earn money and improve their German language skills. In addition to internship positions posted on the university platform, students should actively consider research and teaching assistant roles at THI. Please note that international students face legal limits on the number of working days allowed (see Study and work).

The International Welcome Center offers workshops and events in English to help international students prepare for their entry into the German market, especially in preparing for the internship search and applications.

Important: German employers expect students to take the initiative in applying for jobs and to have a good command of German. For internships, a minimum German language level of B1/B2 is required, while for entry-level jobs after graduation, B2/C1 is generally expected. Therefore, international students should start learning German as early as possible to increase their employability.

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt does not run any student residence halls / dorms. You will have to start looking for accommodation on your own as soon as possible. At least 500 EUR per month should be budgeted for accommodation.

Here are some facts about finding accommodation in Ingolstadt or Neuburg.

Workshops to prepare for the German job market

• Service point and counselling
• Online info session for admitted degree-seekers
• Support with city registration and residence permits
• Orientation days and networking events
• Mentoring programme
• German courses and language support programmes
• Cultural events, excursions, and company tours
• Workshops to prepare for the German job market
• Student clubs, such as N.I.C.E. (Network & International Culture Exchange)

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) is an institution that specialises in business and technology and is characterised by innovative study concepts and modern facilities. We are currently training over 8,000 students in more than 70 study programmes in engineering, computer science, business, life sciences and sustainability.
Our students will graduate as sought-after specialists and managers. An extremely dynamic and successful region with a distinctly strong economic structure provides for excellent framework conditions. The relatively small student body guarantees individual guidance, a familial atmosphere, and close cooperation between students and professors.
One of the core features of studying at our university is its orientation towards practical application. Internships and projects, as well as continuous cooperation with regional companies, are fundamental components of every study programme.
The Ingolstadt campus was completed in 1999, and a new tract of buildings opened in 2014. In 2021, the Neuburg campus opened its doors with its Faculty of Sustainable Infrastructure. Modern equipment and facilities create an atmosphere that adds to students' success and enjoyment. Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt is proud of its commitment to offer the highest possible level of quality in research and education. It is possible to explore Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt by visiting the interactive 360° THI campus tour.

The campus is only a short walk from Ingolstadt's appealing old city. The view from the lecture halls is of a castle and other medieval buildings. Ingolstadt lies in the centre of Bavaria, one of the most prosperous German federal states, and it is only an hour by car from the metropolitan areas of Munich and Nuremberg. The opportunities to take part in leisure activities in the area – which is close to the Alps as well as to the beautiful Altmühl valley – are unlimited. With the headquarters of Audi (the international automotive company) and a large number of innovative corporations in the city, Ingolstadt is proud to be one of the strongest economic regions in Germany. Opportunities to participate in sports activities are provided by the university as well as by various amateur and competitive sports clubs. Bavarian charm and the Bavarian way of life – including summer evenings in beer gardens and the diverse cultural events on offer – make daily life in Ingolstadt particularly attractive for students.