Application
Information and Communication Design (B.A.)
How to apply
for the bachelor WS 2026
In order to apply for the Design and Communication (B.A.) and Design and Interaction (M.A.) degree programs at Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences, you must complete a two-stage application process. All applicants must submit a portfolio.
After a successful portfolio check, prospective students with a foreign school-leaving certificate must register at uni-assist.de. Once you have submitted all the necessary documents and have been successfully admitted, you can then enroll in the HIS portal at the university.
Prospective students with a German school-leaving certificate must first register on the HIS portal and can enrol at the university after passing the portfolio test.
FAQ
Process of application
When can I apply?
The application period for the Bachelor's degree normally starts in February and for the Master's degree in December. All information about application deadlines and procedures for international students:
Which application portal do I have to use?
If you did not acquire your high school/secondary school qualifications (for bachelor’s programmes) or your bachelor’s degree (for master’s programmes) in Germany (referred to as your ‘Hochschulzugangsberechtigung’), then you must apply through uni-assist. This effectively applies to all international applicants regardless of degree programme or country of origin. In this case please do not send your application to the University directly, as it will not be considered under any circumstance!
In case that your application does meet all admission requirements, uni-assist will forward your application to Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. You will then receive an email from Rhine-Waal University containing login data to access
the University’s own application portal
In order to be admitted to the degree programmes (Bachelor Degree), candidates need to pass an online portfolio assessment/aptitude test regarding their artistic/creative capability, as well as presenting corresponding university entrance qualifications. The portfolio assessment/aptitude test is necessary to ensure that candidates are capable of studying a creative subject. The website for registering for the portfolio assessment/aptitude test will only be available during the application period. There, you will receive an upload link and other important information.
Information and Communication Design (B.A.)
Applications sent to portfolio-ICD@hsrw.eu will not be taken into consideration. This email address is meant for feedback purposes regarding your portfolio or the application process only.
Where do I find the registration form for the Aptitude Test?
You can find it here under Quicklinks:
Registration for Aptitude Test/ Portfolio Assessment
As soon as you have registered, you will receive an e-mail with further information on how to upload your documents to our Sciebo server.
Where do I find the application form?
The application form is the registration form. You can find it here under Downloads:
Registration formShould I submit my application via uni-assist before the portfolio assessment/aptitude test or after seeing the results of the test?
Please register for the portfolio assessment/aptitude test in good time on our website as soon as it is activated during the application period. The application period for the Bachelor's degree normally starts in February.
Information and Communication Design (B.A.)
Then submit your application via UniAssist, where your documents will be checked and forwarded to the university. Please note that the costs for UniAssist must be paid even if you do not pass the portfolio assessment/aptitude test. For this reason, we recommend that you register via UniAssist after successfully passing the portfolio assessment/aptitude test.
I was accepted for admission but couldn’t enrol before the deadline. Can I enrol in a later semester?
Yes. The portfolio assessment/aptitude test applies to the Information and Communication Design and Design and Interaction degree program. It is generally valid for three enrollment dates following the assessment.
Portfolio assessment/aptitude test
What belongs in the application Portfolio?
In order to assess your artistic/creative capability, we need to see some examples of your work. Please submit a portfolio with at least 10 and a maximum of 15 creative examples. It is up to you whether you create the work under a central topic or whether you develop work on completely different topics.
Detailed description of the requirements under point two ‘Application Portfolio’: https://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/faculties/communication-and-environment/degree-programmes/bachelor-degree-programmes/information-0
Is there any required format for the application Portfolio?
Please submit your work as a single PDF file with a maximum size of 10 MB. Videos and animations can be submitted as MP4 files. Please note that no open program formats will be considered.
How can I attach digital designs like animations, movies or interactive work?
Please submit your digital works as MP4 files. Please note that the file size should be as small as possible, but the quality of the image should still be clearly recognizable.
Is it allowed to write some explanations on my works?
Yes, descriptions of the works are permitted. However, the focus should be on the creative work and ideally be self-explanatory.
Can I get some advice on my portfolio before I submit it?
In order to get our feedback, you are welcome to submit your work in digital form by email attachment to portfolio-ICD@hsrw.eu. Please send your portfolio in one single PDF file of max 10 MB. Applications sent to portfolio-ICD@hsrw.eu will not be taken into consideration. This email address is meant for feedback purposes regarding your portfolio or the application process only.
When will I receive the results of my submission?
You will receive the results of your application by email after your portfolio has been assessed. Usually you will receive an answer within two weeks after the deadline. Experience has shown that mails are sometimes send to spam by mistake, so we would advice you to check your spam folder regularly.
Why do I get so little feedback after a rejection?
Please understand that we are unable to provide detailed individual feedback due to the intensive application phase.
We recommend that you obtain feedback on your portfolio in advance by sending an e-mail with your portfolio to portfolio-ICD@hsrw.eu. The advice is specifically focused on giving you feedback on your work as well as tips and suggestions on how you can further develop your portfolio.
Can I repeat the portfolio assessment/aptitude test the following year if I did not pass the first time?
The aptitude test can be repeated in the following years. We recommend that you obtain feedback on your portfolio in advance by sending an e-mail with your portfolio to portfolio-ICD@hsrw.eu. The advice is specifically focused on giving you feedback on your work as well as tips and suggestions on how you can further develop your portfolio.
Required qualifications
Does Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences offer German language courses for international students to enhance their German proficiency?
Language courses are open to all enrolled Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences students, including visiting exchange students, at no extra charge. Registration is only possible online through Moodle. There you will also find general information about our language courses and the registration process.
Are internships required for students?
No. You will complete an internship or semester abroad towards the end of your studies as part of the examination regulations. An internship in advance is not mandatory.
Which English language certificates does Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences accept?
For a bachelor’s and master’s degrees you must meet one of the following requirements concerning English proficiency:
Level B2:
– TOEFL (internet based test): level B2 or higher
– IELTS (academic): level B2 or higher
Please note: these language certificates are valid for up to two years. For detailed information concerning the required scores please get in touch with us.
For questions about admission requirements, please contact the Student Advisory Service
What makes a good portfolio?
We want to get to know your personality and your interests. Show work that is unusual and surprising!
Topic of the portfolio
A concept for your portfolio or a red thread can be an advantage - but is not a must.
You can produce work in a variety of media and styles. These can be paintings, drawings, collages, photographs, posters, etc.
Experimental vs. polished works
We are also interested in the process behind your work. It's better to add some sketches or different designs rather than polished promotional materials or mockups with stock photos.
Any means of artistic representation is allowed. Just use the methods that you like and want to work with.
Organize your portfolio
Give your work space!
Structure and label your portfolio sensibly.
It´s all about concept and ideas
Can you draw well? Great! Nevertheless, the idea should be in the foreground!
Originality over Imitation
All submissions must be your own work. Do not copy from other artists or designers, and always respect copyright. Inspiration is fine—as long as it leads to something truly yours. Quotes or artistic statements are allowed when clearly recognizable as such.
Scope and size
A maximum of 10 pages (10 projects) as a PDF is enough for us.
Your portfolio should ideally have a maximum size of 10 MB (more or less).
We consider series, e.g. a photo series, to be one work.
Dealing with AI
Please mark works that were created with AI.
Downloads
Here you will find all relevant information on a good portfolio:
HSRW_PortfolioGuidance.pdf ↗
Contact
We'll keep our fingers crossed! Send your portfolio to:
portfolio-ICD@hsrw.eu ↗
Online Portfolio Advice
Next year you can apply again for the Bachelor in Information and Communication Design. You will need a convincing portfolio for this. If you have any questions or would like us to take a look at it, please send it to Portfolio-icd@hsrw.eu - we will be happy to help you with tips and tricks.
Impressions
This degree program could also be of interest to you
Study programm
Teaching Language
English
Start of studies
Summer Semester
01.03. - 31.08.2026
December 2025 until February 2026
Application period
Contact
The colleagues at the Central Student Advisory Service provide prospective and first-year students with information on all general questions relating to studying.
If you have specific questions and concerns about the Bachelor's degree course in Design and Communication, please contact the Portfolio Assessment.
Student Advisory Service
Email: studienberatung@hochschule-rhein-waal.de ↗
Contact form ↗
Book an online appointment ↗
Portfolio Assessment