Robert Friedrich
Your contact person
+49 3841 753 - 5142
Special about the course Lighting Design at WINGS is the diversity of the students that are coming from almost all parts of the world with different cultures, different knowledges and diverse dreams about lighting and lighting design."
Thank you very much for the invaluable knowledge I have gained here. I definitely recommend Wismar University as an effective way to increase professionalism through an excellent training program and individual approach."
I was the most excited to learn from such a diverse group of people: students, professors, and guest lecturers from all parts of the world and with different backgrounds.“
In addition, the master Professional Studies Lighting Design- Architectural Lighting and Design Management is approved by the State Centre for Distance Learning (ZFU) (168 816 approval no.).
Like all our distance learning courses, the Master's in Lighting Design is integrated into the processes of the internal quality management system for teaching and studying at Wismar University of Applied Sciences.
What does this mean for you?
By opting for the Master's in Lighting Design at Wismar University of Applied Sciences, you will be studying in a quality-assured and future-oriented manner. System accreditation applies to this degree program. As an instrument of quality assurance, this ensures that the university has a quality management system that guarantees that the content, procedures, studyability, employability and study conditions of all online and distance learning programs comply with the valid guidelines of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK), the Accreditation Council, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System and the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG). System accreditation guarantees the high quality of the degree courses and meets the requirements for national and international recognition of the degrees. Another advantage: as the university has been audited as an overall system, all future online and distance learning courses are automatically accredited. Accreditation offers our students and their employers reliability with regard to the quality of our degree programs.
Next start: winter semester 2024/2025
Application deadline: extended until 21 October 2024
Initiation session: November (online)
First seminar week: beginning of January (participation mandatory)
The road to becoming an international student is paved with deadlines. So are most of the milestones you’ll need to pass throughout the process, such as applying for financial aid, tourist visa, the language exam and others.
It is a common fact that, if you want to enrol in an American university, you should begin documenting for your application two years before you actually apply. In other countries and Europe, you can begin the process one year before submitting the documents.
Accelerated WINGS application process:
However, for the professional Master’s programme in Lighting Design at Wismar University we are offering a much faster application process (within one month) and in addition a late application opportunity as long as the admission for our courses is still possible.
Don’t miss the chance and start your studies this year!
Thank you very much for the invaluable knowledge I have gained here. I definitely recommend Wismar University as an effective way to increase professionalism through an excellent training program and individual approach."
I was the most excited to learn from such a diverse group of people: students, professors, and guest lecturers from all parts of the world and with different backgrounds.“
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 plurality 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.
Dates of Application » Application deadline is extended until 30 September 2023
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.
I studied at the distance learning - Lighting design program at WINGS University from 2014 to 2016. I learnt a lot during the course of the program, not only professionally but also personally. With the best of faculty teaching us and eight years of experience in the lighting industry, I have managed to further expand my horizon about this particular field. Alongside, since we were a batch of students belonging to 15 countries, the exposure and interactions have only helped me garner knowledge. All like good things come to an end, so did Wismar. The course at Wismar, not only did it give me friends for life, but also honed my skills and exponentially grew my knowledge in the field of lighting design."
Special about the course Lighting Design at WINGS is the diversity of the students that are coming from almost all parts of the world with different cultures, different knowledges and diverse dreams about lighting and lighting design."
Why did you decide for the lighting design program at Wismar University?
At that time, I was specifically looking for courses in lighting design and Wismar was accepting applications then. That is how Wismar happened.
After a lot of research about various universities and programs, I concluded that Wismar was:
- Offering classes by highly qualified lighting professionals
- Offered on the job training
- Offered a comprehensive course entailing practical knowledge and textbook knowledge.
What did you like about the Master’s course in particular?
During my research, what attracted me to Wismar University in particular was the course structure. I loved how the course was spread out over the course of two years. I was particularly happy to know that the course had taken into consideration how different locations make a difference and thus conducted classes in Germany and Thailand.
What did change for you after your graduation?
I found a totally new perspective to the world of light and my thought process in my practice changes. Being a very new profession in India, the program gave me an edge and confidence to work in the field.
I was looking for a specialty to complete my skill set of being an interior designer and always find that lighting is one of the most important factors in making a unique design. I started researching on what courses are available out there and found this course. The course provided me with deep knowledge and understanding about lighting design through learning in classroom with exceptional professors and excursions. Moreover, design management has provided me with useful lessons that I can further apply to my own business while exposure to classmates from 14 different countries around the world which bring different ideas and perspective to the table have broaden my view and experiences. Another important feature why I chose this course is its flexibility as I was able to work and study Master's degree at the same time. I was able to continue my career life and at the same time gain more knowledge, experience and confidence. I’m satisfied with the study concept and I have trained myself to have more discipline during self-direct study. With aforementioned benefits that I have gained from this course, I would like to recommend this course to those who is interested in lighting design."
