Questions & Answers
Why do students choose to come to Wismar?
Wismar University is the only university in the world which is offering the combination of Architectural Lighting and Design Management in one Master´s programme! This course is designed for professionals who are working in the field of lighting* and want to gain more academic knowledge in field of lighting design and design management. The chance to study Lighting Design in English also appeals to many as it is a widely spoken language and the classes allow students from across the world to take part easily.
* a pluarlity of positions are associated with the lighting field
What is the course structure?
The programmes consist of 5 semesters study. Course participants will meet once a semester for one week seminars in Wismar (twice), Berlin (twice) and Bangkok. During this week students will have classes, workshops as well as excursions. Between this seminar weeks, students are supported by the lecturers via online consultations.
Course Start » The master course starts each Autumn semester.
The schedule for each the workshop weeks during the two and a half year programme:
• initiation session / October - Online
• 1st seminar week / mid January - Wismar Germany (online in pandemic mode)
• 2nd seminar week/ mid July - Berlin Germany (online in pandemic mode)
• 3rd seminar week / mid February - Bangkok Thailand (online in pandemic mode)
• 4th seminar week / mid July - Berlin Germany (online in pandemic mode)
• 5th seminar week / presentation master-thesis/ mid January - Wismar Germany (online in pandemic mode)
What kinds of Excursions will I be able to take part in?
Excursions vary each semester and location. In the past we started in Wismar with Kunstmuseum Ahrendhoop and workshops in the Lightlab of Wismar University. In Berlin we were visiting the TU Berlin Chair of Lighting Technology, burial chapel at Dorotheenstädtischer cemetery with light installation by James Turrell. In Bangkok we visited Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya. In addition tot hat students visit many manufacturers at each the locations.
What Possibilities are available for Scholarships?
There are currently no scholarships available for part-time study. Students cannot apply for a DAAD scholarship if they are studying in a distance learning course. Most students pay the fee themselves or have their company pay for it.
What are the semester dates?
The course starts each in winter semester only. Winter semester dates are 01.09. – 28.02. and summer semester – 01.03.-31.08. The timetables for each semester are published at the beginning of each semester. As a rule, weekly online consultations take place, usually on Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How much is tuition fee?
The tuition fee is 3900€ each semester (19.500 € for 5 semester course). This fee includes room and board during the seminar weeks as well as study materials. NOT included are the individual travel expenses.
Which language is important for this studies?
Architectural Lighting and Design Management is taught only in English so there is no need to communicate German. Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL Test with 80 points or IELTS with 6.0 or similar) is needed or you can confirm our English knowledge as the following:
• you are English native speaker
• your first studies was taught in English or
• your business language is English.
Are there many international students registered in the programme?
85% of Architectural Lighting and Design Management students are from abroad and come from all over the world. Many international students with different backgrounds such as Architecture, Product Design, Engineering and International Business Management with more then one year of work experience.
Date of Application » Application deadline is August 31st of each year
How do I apply for a position in the course?
To apply for the Master Degree course Architectural Lighting Design please send your pre check documents to r.friedrich@wings.hs-wismar.de
This message should include the following documents (pdf files only accepted):
• CV
• A copy of your Bachelor degree and transcript (if you already have a Master´s degree please this degree as well)
• A portfolio of you professional work experience (this document can be submitted within the next two weeks, if you do not have it finished yet).
• A confirmation of work experience (from your company or freelance work experience or if your run your own business please hand in a copy of your registration certified from a notary).
• Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL Test with 80 points or IELTS with 6.0 or similar) or proofing your English knowledge by handing in one oft he following:
• you are English native speaker
• your first studies was taught in English or
• your business language is English (confirmed by your company).
• An essay outlining your your interest in the programme (What are your expectations regarding the studies?What are your skills. After a successful checking process, you are asked to hand in the certified documents via airmail/post.
What is a motivation letter?
A motivation letter is simply a written letter to the university stating why you want to study Architectural Lighting and Design Management at the Hochschule Wismar, your personal motivations and your expectations of the course and what you will get out of it. The format is similar to a cover letter that accompanies you CV when applying for a job (half a page).
What do I need to show in the portfolio?
The portfolio should demonstrate the type of work or projects you have done in the past years. These should be set as PDF files. The purpose of the portfolio is to allow the Professors to get an idea of your skills for you to show that you are capable of undertaking this degree programme.
Which documents are accepted as proof of English language?
As proof of English knowledge we do accept TOEFL-Certificate or IELTS as well as the following:
• you are English native speaker
• your first studies was taught in English or
• your business language is English (confirmed by your company).
Which visa do I need?
Students of this part-time (distance learning) master’s course only apply for a tourist visa, as they only attend individual seminar weeks each semester (no longer than 11 days.)
How the students are accommodated during the seminar weeks?
Students live in hotels in the city center and all have single rooms.
Will I be enrolled as a regular student even if I am a part-time student?
Yes, you are studying and registered here at Wismar University, a state university in Germany.
What is my degree certificate about?
If you successfully graduate this master´s course, you will graduate with a Master´s of Arts (M.A.) with 120 CP (credit points). You certificate will also show all the modules and grades as well.
Are graduates entitles the holder to do a doctorate after completing the master’s
degree?
Yes, with this master’s degree, graduates can continue with a pdh program / doctorate. However, the University of Wismar is not entitled to a doctoral degree. If you are interested, please speak to the head of the course, Prof. Dr. Thomas Römhild, before you apply for this degree programme.
» Are you looking for a possibility to enhance your career
Are you looking for a possibility to enhance your career or you want to give your professional life a new direction? Then our study program offers a design based master's education, which will provide you the needed knowledge and skills to get you up to speed and upgrade your career. Both how to design with light and how to effectively manage the design process, including the necessary knowledge in setting up your own business will be the focus of your studies during the five varied semesters.
It could be interesting for an employer to invest in the qualification of their employees, as a recognition of your potential to be a project manager or team leader. They could then either support by giving time allowance and/or financial assistance.
Why Wismar?
The Lighting Design Education offered here is one of the most renowned courses worldwide. Building on 20 years of experience, having educated more than 600 successful graduates. The success of many of our alumni is impressive. They are accomplished employees in renowned design offices, been awarded lighting design prizes, some of who are invited to present their work at renowned lighting conferences, some working in the field of research and/or have set up their own courses in some countries, some work as professors at other universities. But many have also managed to set up their own lighting design office.
After successful completion of the course, the students are awarded the internationally recognized master's degree "Master of Arts" (MA). As a state university, Wismar offers a course of study with an accreditation certificate from the German Accreditation Council, which even entitles you to a doctorate after five semesters.
Our training is not financed by any sponsors. We offer product-neutral further education, which is rare in the field of lighting.
Who are you?
You are an ambitious lighting designer who want or should take on more responsibility or you are a professional in the field of architecture, interior design or exhibition design or an electrical engineer, with an interest to deepen the knowledge about lighting design. You have completed a bachelor education in one of the aforementioned study fields.
Who are the teachers?
We work with experienced professors and lecturers who are renowned lighting designers from Sweden, England, France, Australia, China and Germany. The design principals from some of the internationally recognized design studios, the professors from the university of Wismar, as well as professors from our partner university (KMUTT, Bangkok, Thailand) are responsible for specific teaching modules, that make up the course. In addition, we are used to having excellent guest lecturers who offer professional insights from varied perspectives.
What does design-oriented mean?
In contrast to technical training, we want to train lighting designers comprehensively by introducing them to various design methods and design criteria and enabling them to use tools and develop skills for designing with light. They learn to develop and apply the knowledge required for their specific work environment. Interdisciplinary topics such as sustainability, light and health or a comprehensive analysis of spaces and their usage, are just as much on the curriculum as classic lighting technology topics.
In addition to the interdisciplinary approach, considering the perspectives of various sciences, the idea of the project-oriented teaching method adopted from architectural education is fundamental. We modified this for the lighting design course. Similar to architecture studies, the students are given several lighting design tasks that cover all facets of a real project. The necessary specialist knowledge is built up through the various tasks and the students learn to develop, apply and deepen their abilities. It is important that the methodical competence for lighting design of the light-specific design process is trained. It is also possible to delve deeper into the themes of lighting for the heritage.
How will design management support your career?
You will acquire the creative and technical knowledge to manage lighting design projects as well as the business and marketing aspects that are necessary for professional management of offices.
In the "Design Management" module topics like market analysis, project management, start-up strategies are taught in a similar manner like in the design modules; design and management modules are both project oriented. Students learn about office organization and how to improve project performance. The students delve deeper into understanding the techniques to conduct market analysis, strategic management approach and learn to develop marketing and business plans by working on smaller scale projects. "Design Management" modules also incorporate the concept of design as part of the customer's value chain.
The highly regarded qualifications and skills acquired through this program offer graduates a broad field of activity in lighting design offices, in the lighting industry, in architectural offices and in related fields.
Is it possible to acquire all these skills while working?
The solution we offer is called blended learning. We believe that it is impossible to teach all aspects of architectural lighting design and design management in online lectures. Working in a design office is mainly collaborative work, interacting with designers and decision making throughout the whole process. In order to give you the chance to be successful in this process, we train you through your participation in design groups, followed by many presentations. For this, it is necessary to meet face-to-face with your fellow students and your lectures.
Once a semester there is a very intensive seminar week that we offer, in which you can meet and build a good working relationship with your fellow students. There you can discuss and adjust your approach to the tasks, as you work together. This provides the flexibility to study from anywhere, anytime, while providing a unique opportunity to work, network, and meet the professors, lecturers, and other students during the seminar week during each semester. This intense study community also results in a low dropout rate.
What is the “Wismar family”?
In the last twenty years we have successfully trained over 600 students. These graduates work almost exclusively as lighting designers, i.e. in the professional field for which they were trained. Everywhere in the world you can find alumni from Wismar working in well-known lighting design offices.
During the seminar weeks you will also meet students from other years in order to build up a social and professional network between the students, alumni and at the same time with the lecturers and professors and to become part of the "Wismar family".