University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt fbg

Mission Statement

Research and development with direct application relevance – that is what Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences stands for. It is our mission to develop ideas and solutions for societal challenges in both the academic and creative field. We realise this aspiration in our twelve faculties and other central institutions, often in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Regional, national and international cooperation links us closely with key players. In this way, we also fulfil our "third mission" alongside research and teaching.

On top of that, at the Faculty of Design we place great value on formative quality, self-initiative, responsible action and personal development.

International Role

The Faculty of Design at h_da Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences is part of a diverse international university network and a member of the European University of Technology (EUT+) . We promote a lively exchange with the students and teachers of our partner universities around the world. As one of nine partner universities in the European University of Technology (EUT+) alliance, we are working towards a technology-oriented european university.

The "Künstlerkolonie" Mathildenhöhe is one of the breeding grounds for what we understand as "design" today. As faculty of design we are aware of this legacy and continue to strive for a leading role in the design discourse today – especially against the background of an emerging european university.

National Role

h_da University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt offers over 70 study programmes leading to many different qualifications – from Bachelor’s degree to doctorate.

Main Focus

The roots of University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt go back to 1876 along with Technische Universität Darmstadt (the first electrical engineering chair and inventions fame), when both these Universities were a single, integrated entity from the early 1930s. Over the years a need for an independent educational institution focused on industry-oriented research and application was felt, and the University of Applied Sciences emerged as a spun-off, separate institution for industry-oriented research in 1971. It is the largest University of Applied Sciences in Hesse (German: Hessen) with about 17,000 students.

Our faculty of design is located in the middle of Darmstadt’s Mathildenhöhe—a renowned centre of German Art Nouveau. Our two degree programmes, Communication Design and Industrial Design, span the gamut from traditional craftsmanship to the latest digital tools.