Fashion has been taught in Trier for over 100 years. The fashion design department is one of the most traditional institutions of its kind in the world and originated from the fashion class of the Werkkunstschule Trier, which was founded in 1922. Click here for the Picture galleries of the 2022 Jubilee.
The fashion industry is one of the largest and most enduring industries in the world and also one of the largest employers. The value chain ranges from fibre production to product design and marketing. This is where many of our graduates, who have been trained close to the industry for decades, find their place. Fashion design alumni work for brands such as Hugo Boss, adidas, Givenchy, Bogner, Joop!, Saint Laurent, Closed, Luis Vuitton, Windsor, Calvin Klein, Armed Angels, in theatres, for the film, gaming and music industries and many more. They work in a wide variety of fields from design, styling, product management, to marketing and more. The feedback from many students confirms our long-standing recipe of teaching professionally demanding content, but also personal interaction with each other. A secure atmosphere creates self-confidence and strength for many future plans.
Currently, the fashion industry is undergoing a strong transformation in the field of sustainability, digitalisation, social changes and fundamental challenges. The EU's new textile strategy focuses on a change to a circular economy, with which fast fashion, textile waste and the destruction of unsold textiles are to be combated and new business models must be developed. Here, completely new occupational profiles are emerging, which we want to take into account in the continuous further development of training. At the same time, we want to continue to cultivate the foundations of the tradition of textile and artistic craftsmanship with its enormous wealth of knowledge.
In addition to a well-founded, industry-related education and a strong network, it is important to us to bring personalities forward through individual support and advice. In this context, the students' own will and determination is also a very important factor for the successful realisation of their own goals.
Studying fashion design in Trier means creatively combining artistic design with craft and digital basics as well as scientifically sound work. Therefore, in addition to the creative and theoretical teaching, emphasis is always placed on teaching the implementation from the cut to the finished piece. The focus is on women's fashion, menswear, children's fashion, knitwear, sustainability and digitalisation. Everyone should be able to develop individually in the course of their studies, and accordingly a high level of individual support is offered. The family atmosphere, which distinguishes campus life from the anonymity of other universities, leads to a close bond between students and alumni, which has a supportive effect on career entry with a close network.
The programme is practical and project-oriented: Students can regularly implement their own projects and present their design work in fashion shows, exhibitions or installations. The international contacts to the fashion and clothing industry that have existed for years, the close international cooperation with other universities, fashion institutes as well as with regional and also supra-regional cultural institutions also form an important basis for the study programme. In this context, the fashion and culture industry has greatly appreciated our well-founded and industry-oriented teaching concept for decades, as shown by the high rate of graduates of the Fashion Design Trier programme being taken on in the profession.
Gerd Müller-Thomkins (long-time managing director of the German Fashion Institute) says: "If it absolutely has to be fashion, I recommend public universities with a sound education [...] Trier University produces great talent."
Fashion design is one of six disciplines in the Department of Design at Trier University of Applied Sciences: the subjects of architecture, interior design, communication design, intermedial design as well as gemstone jewellery are closely interwoven through the curricula, so that interdisciplinary work is encouraged.
Currently, a 7-semester Bachelor's and a 3-semester Master's programme in Fashion Design are offered in Trier, as well as the possibility to do a doctorate.
Numerous projects are created each semester. In the project gallery, the field of fashion design is shown in all its diversity. >
Embedded in the Campus Design of the University of Applied Sciences Trier, the Fashion Design Department is surrounded by creative courses of study such as Intermediate Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Communication Design and Gem and Jewellery Design. Participation in interdisciplinary projects, as well as courses in other courses of study of the department is possible. >
The Fashion Design course in Trier offers its students the opportunity to study for a semester at one of the numerous international partner universities. >
Our professors and lecturers are themselves active in their professional and research fields. In this way, you not only learn about the content, but also gain an insight into the possibilities of professional practice.
Individual support, promotion of your own talent, learning in small groups & a familiar atmosphere are the recipe for success of the fashion design department in Trier. You decide yourself how intensively you want to be looked after. Free development of your creativity combined with a high proportion of practical work will prepare you for your professional future in many ways.#
The Department of Fashion Design offers students an above-average working environment in the premises of the modernised Irminenfreihof Monastery in the heart of Trier, the oldest city in Germany and right in the centre of Europe. Here you study embedded between the creative courses of the Campus Design.
No tuition fees are charged for the first Bachelor's and Master's degree course at Trier University of Applied Sciences. Only one fee per semester is payable to the Studierendenwerk forthe semester ticket. This reduced Deutschlandticket can be used for 6 months on local public transport and DB rail services (except IC and ICE) throughout Germany at no additional cost. All local and long-distance public transport in Luxembourg is also free of charge. Furthermore, it entitles you to reduced, student-friendly prices in a canteen of the Studierendenwerk Trier.
Students also receive free admission to cultural institutions, museums, theater performances and other events on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on presentation of their semester ticket. This is unique in Germany. Simply present a valid student ID at the box office 20 minutes before the start of the performance and receive the remaining tickets. More information here.
Various financial support options are available to our students. Scholarships, Bafög or the new “Aufstiegs-Bafög” for further vocational training can contribute to the successful completion of your studies. You can find detailed information about financial support during your studies here. All information about studying in Germany you´ll also find here.
The fashion design department in Trier offers a comprehensive education that enables entry into many professional fields in fashion. Many graduates of Trier University of Applied Sciences work in a wide variety of professional fields. From a career as chief designer at Saint Laurent to working as a freelance designer, Trier graduates can be found everywhere in the fashion industry.
All information about the requirements for studying at our university can be found here.
Bachelor
For the summer semester: November 15th
For the winter semester: June 15th
After passing the check of the portfolio you will receive an invitation to the qualifying examination.
You can find more information you can find here!
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Master
For the summer semester: December 1st
For the winter semester: June 1st
After passing the check of the portfolio you will receive an invitation to an interview.
You can find more information here!
Doctorate
Apllications accepted all year long.
You can find more informationhere!
Photography by Edouard Olszewski
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