DE · Master's
Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin)
MA Visual Communication
Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin)
Course Overview
Berlin University of the Arts (Universität der Künste Berlin, UdK Berlin) is one of Europe's most prestigious arts and design universities — founded in 1696 (alongside the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts), and one of just two public German universities granted full university status for the arts (alongside HfG Karlsruhe). UdK is consistently top 20 globally for Art and Design (QS Subject Rankings 2025) and houses the Faculty of Design with one of Europe's strongest visual communication / graphic design departments. The MA Visual Communication is a 2-year, primarily German-taught Master's (with English-language tracks possible) covering brand identity design, editorial design and typography, motion graphics, digital media design, photographic practice, and a major thesis project — exhibited at the UdK Rundgang annual public showcase.
Sri Lankan applicants from Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Aesthetic Studies, or Architecture backgrounds (VPA, AOD Sri Lanka, Mod Academy, SLIIT FoA) target UdK for its position at the centre of Berlin's creative economy — Berlin is Europe's design capital (rivalling Amsterdam and Copenhagen), home to studios like Edenspiekermann, Bureau Mirko Borsche, HORT, Studio Dumbar Berlin, and the offices of Apple Design, IDEO Berlin, Frog Design, and dozens of creative agencies. UdK's no-tuition pricing makes it one of the cheapest top-tier design Master's globally. Note: German language (B1+) is strongly recommended for full participation in studios, even where the academic admission accepts English.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Bachelor's in Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Aesthetic Studies, Architecture, or related design discipline — Second Upper / GPA 3.0+ minimum.
- check_circle Sri Lankan local degrees from VPA (Aesthetic Studies, Visual Arts), AOD Sri Lanka (BA Hons Design), Mod Academy / Raffles Design Sri Lanka, SLIIT Faculty of Computing FoA, Kelaniya Performing Arts all accepted.
- check_circle Portfolio (10-20 design / visual works) — by far the most important admissions factor. UdK admits primarily on portfolio strength.
- check_circle Statement of Artistic and Academic Interest (1-2 pages) outlining design philosophy and intended Master's research direction.
- check_circle Entrance examination / interview (in-person at UdK Berlin OR online for international applicants) — typically held in May.
- check_circle Two references from design educators or practising designers.
- check_circle uni-assist application required (Germany's central credential evaluator).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (for the English-language admission track only).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall.
- check_circle German language B2 (DSH or TestDaF) required for full participation in the German-language studios; B1 minimum for international cohorts.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught and assessed entirely in English at a recognised institution (most Sri Lankan applicants from AOD / Raffles / VPA Visual Arts qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (Germany public — no tuition) | €0 | Rs. 0 |
| Semester Contribution (administrative + transit pass, per semester × 2) | €630 per year | Rs. 217,350 |
| Living Expenses in Berlin (per year) | €12,500 | Rs. 4,312,500 |
| Student Visa, Blocked Account & Application Fees | €2,800 | Rs. 966,000 |
| Health Insurance (mandatory, per year) | €1,400 | Rs. 483,000 |
| Portfolio Materials, Print, Software & Travel | €2,500 | Rs. 862,500 |
| Total Programme Investment (2 years) | €39,460 | Rs. 13,613,700 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the German Job Seeker Visa — 18 months of post-study residence to seek qualifying employment. EU Blue Card threshold €48,300/year (2025); creative roles often fall just below this and use the regular skilled worker visa path. UdK Visual Communication graduates route into Berlin's design studios (Edenspiekermann, HORT, Bureau Mirko Borsche, Studio Dumbar Berlin, Apple Design Berlin, IDEO Berlin, Frog Design, Pentagram Berlin), creative agencies (Jung von Matt, Heimat, Serviceplan, DDB Berlin), in-house design teams at Zalando, N26, Wunderlist (Microsoft Berlin), Klarna, Spotify Berlin, plus museum and cultural institution design departments (Berlinische Galerie, Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin State Museums). Median Berlin designer starting salary €38,000-48,000 (LKR 13.1M-16.6M/yr); senior creative directors €70,000-110,000. Sri Lankan returnees route into senior creative roles at MAS Brands division, John Keells brand teams, Brandix Apparel design, plus into Colombo creative agencies (Triad, Mullen Lowe, Leo Burnett, JWT, Saatchi & Saatchi), and into the rapidly-growing Sri Lankan design-led startup scene (49 Labs, Hatch, Lassana, plus the AOD alumni network).
Related Programs
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in DE. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.