You are applying for a branch of study that takes the form of a 5–year diploma course and belongs to the engineering sciences field of study. To study Industrial Design at the University of Applied Arts you have to pass an entrance exam in which your artistic and technical abilities will be assessed.

The entrance exam for Industrial Design takes place towards the end of February each year. Precise dates and further information can be found at:

https://www.dieangewandte.at/application 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Application consists of three parts:

The portfolio submission, the entrance exam and an interview. 

MODE 2026

This year all parts of the application process will be online. The entrance exam itself and the interview will be remote via Zoom. Regarding the portfolio and the interview you are free to choose between German or English. More information are provided in “ID1_howtoapply_2026_en.pdf” attached.

One of the tasks we announce in advance. We expect it as a worked out part of your digital portfolio:

Triple Jump

– Choose an object you are familiar with and that is personally relevant to you.

– Make a three-dimensional model of it using paper or cardboard.

– In a short video (maximum 10 seconds) present the object and use the staging to tell us something about yourself.

ONLINE REGISTRATION AND PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION

Submit your digital portfolio (pdf max. 50MB) between 8th – 22nd January 2026, 1 pm (CET)  via the central registration tool of the University of Applied Arts Vienna.

Based on the portfolio we will do a preselection of applicants who will be invited to the entrance exam from 23rd – 27th February. The invitation will be sent out no later than 4th February and will also include specific information about the exam mode. The results will be announced until 13th March 2026.

We recommend to also register by email to id1@uni-ak.ac.at for taking part at the entrance exam. This provides valid information and possible updates by email due to adaptations if necessary.

WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY PORTFOLIO?

Your portfolio should be able to support any opinions, ideas or arguments that you might like to present during the entrance exam. It should be clear to us by looking at your portfolio, what it is that you are interested in and what proficiencies you are already in possession of within the scope of design. Ideally, your portfolio should tell us all the essentials of your application.

Also add a short CV and a letter of motivation. As you are applying specifically for the course Industrial Design 1, we would like to see how closely your expectations correlate with what our course has to offer you.

One of the tasks, that we will announce in advance approximately by the beginning of January on our Instagram account and our websites, we expect as a worked out part of your digital portfolio.

WHAT’S THE PROCEDURE DURING THE ENTRANCE EXAM?

Multiple design themes will be put forward, for all of which there will be plenty of time. Usual drawing and model making materials will be sufficient. No prior knowledge or previous experience is necessary. 

WHY AN INTERVIEW?

An interview rounds off the whole process and provides an opportunity for us to look through your portfolio together, discuss your reasons for choosing this course and find out about your previous education. 

DO I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK GERMAN?

Knowledge of German is not required for the entrance exam. However, in choosing this course you should take into account that the majority of the compulsory lectures on the curriculum are taught in German. 

IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS MY PORTFOLIO WITH SOMEONE IN ADVANCE?

We’d be happy to help. Please write to marcus.bruckmann@uni-ak.ac.at to make an appointment or send your portfolio for review per E-mail. There’s also the opportunity to find out more and to talk to teachers and students at our Open Day 4th November 2025. 

WHAT CRITERIA ARE AT PLAY IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS?

The entrance exam is there to assess artistic and technical ability. An examination committee made up of a number of lecturers carries out the evaluation. They decide who is suited to the course and to whom a place will be offered. They also make sure to keep a gender balance in the class. 

HOW MANY CANDIDATES ARE ACCEPTED?

There are usually somewhat around 100 candidates.. 
On average we accept around 10 candidates per year. 
For these students courses start on October 1st of the following winter term. 

WHY ARE THERE TWO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN CLASSES?

There are two classes for Industrial Design (Industrial Design 1 and Design Investigations) due to the large number of applicants and students in this area. Both classes cover the same curriculum. The difference lies in the focus of the content taught, which is moulded and influenced by the individual teams. 

Industrial Design 1 is headed by Stefan Diez. The 15–strong teaching team is made up of designers, architects, artists, and a set designer, some of whom are employed full time at the university, whilst others run their own enterprises alongside their teaching responsibilities. 

Please bear in mind that you have to decide on a specific Industrial Design class before you register. It’s therefore advisable to also have a look at the website of Industrial Design 2 (Design Investigations) at: designinvestigations.at

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

Admission to the study program depends just as much on your entitlement to begin a university degree (general qualification for university entrance, or equivalent) as it does on your passing the entrance exam. However, this entitlement won’t be checked until after you’ve passed the entrance exam, so there’s no need to bring the related documents to the exam with you. 

WHERE YOU FIND US

Department of Industrial Design 1
Schwanzer Wing, ground floor
University of Applied Arts Vienna
Oskar-Kokoschka-Platz 2
1010 Vienna
Austria

CONTACT

Katrin Sailer
Industrial Design 1
Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien
Oskar-Kokoschka-Platz 2
1010 Wien
Phone : +43 1 71133 2410
id1@uni-ak.ac.at
www.instituteofdesign.at
www.dieangewandte.at

industrial design – dieAngewandte
instagram

During lecture-free periods (particularly over the summer months) the best way to get in touch with us is by email.