Degree programme Design Engineering
Textile and Fashion

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Design Engineer

The Degree programme Design Engineering includes the two specialisations Textile and Fashion. The combination of design and technology represents the special demand in this Degree programme and ensures a broad basic knowledge that meets the requirements of an innovative and global textile and apparel industry.

The term design is understood as deliberate shaping or design. The engineering part is defined by the design of industrial, virtual and technically manufactured products. In order for a product to be convincing in the market today, multi-layered knowledge must be applied during development in addition to convincing aesthetics. Especially in the field of fashion and textiles, sustainable factors and circularity are playing an increasingly important role.

The combination in this Degree programme of design and technology optimally prepares you for the demands of a global textile and apparel industry. Fashion and textile design today and in the future develops more than just clothing or follows fast-moving trends. It is about the design and developments of sustainable products and concepts in the context of nature, environment and social challenges. From the responsible selection of raw materials and materials, to material-saving, recyclable production options and fair production conditions: a fashion or textile designer can directly influence the design of a more sustainable future.

By integrating these challenges, the Design Engineering degree programme holds a unique degree programme in Germany, which is completed with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) by combining construction and design skills.

For admission to this Degree programme, the aptitude test (abbreviated EFP) must be passed.

Curriculum

Module Manuals

Fact Sheet

Entrance examination

Field of study Textile

The textile field of study maps the design of fabrics for clothing, fashion, interior textiles and technical textiles from conception to the development and implementation of market-oriented collections.

Students learn to apply artistic and technical features and functions of textile materials and patterns. Innovative methods of surface structuring, pattern design and material application are taught, which can be implemented in textile design in terms of design and production technology. Important knowledge of textile materials and manufacturing processes along the entire process chain from fiber and surface production to aesthetic and functional finishing process(es) is taught and how these are considered in the design process. The goal is to be able to plan, design and develop aesthetically pleasing, innovative and sustainable textile products.

In the advanced courses "Textile Surfaces" and "Textile Printing", further specialisation is placed on digital implementation using various CAD systems and realisation in our extensive machine park, thus enabling practically oriented and modern studies.

Field of study Fashion

The fashion apprenticeship program trains design engineers to create aesthetically and functionally sophisticated apparel, taking into account industrial and market-specific requirements. A wide range of optional courses such as CAD subjects, fashion photography and fashion theory offer scope for specialization. Unlike the classic studies in Fashion Design, there is an interweaving here with the engineering course in Clothing Technology. This qualifies the students in the areas of pattern construction and manufacturing processes. Within this field of study, important knowledge for serial clothing design is acquired. The intensive examination of form and material properties of individual product groups provides a good basis for innovative and forward-looking ideas. Students learn to interpret model sketches, visualize them in 3D and independently convert them into basic and subsequent model construction. Furthermore, competencies are taught both for the independent development of a collection and its technical implementation according to industry and sustainability standards.

The special intention of this Degree programme is to combine fashion design and technology in equal parts. The combination of design and technology optimally prepares students for the demands of an innovative and global textile and apparel industry. The orientation towards industrial needs is also reflected in the uniqueness of the degree: it is the only fashion design degree with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Germany. After the basic studies, you have the option to specialize in men's or women's fashion.

Subjects of study (excerpt)

Basic studies:

  • Foundation courses in textile and clothing technology
  • Textile products
  • Creativity teaching
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics and chemistry

Main studies:
(according to the field of study)

  • Design technology fashion/textiles
  • Quality Management
  • Surface design
  • Clothing/textile design
  • Technical textiles and finishing
  • Cut design
  • Collection development fashion/textile
Further information - valid for both fields of study

Standard time to degree: 7 semesters

Start: Winter semester

Application procedure: No admission restrictions

Admission requirement:

  • General entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, certificate of a technical secondary school or other equivalent certificates (e.g. entrance examination, "Meisterstudium")
  • Passing of the aptitude test

Teaching language: German

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Suitability test

The Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology requires students to pass an aptitude assessment test, or EFP, as a prerequisite for admission to the Degree programme in Design Engineering. The examination is held once a year.
The next Qualifying Examination for the Degree programme in Design Engineering will be held on May 25 and 26, 2024. To participate, registration via the online form is required by May 15, 2024 .

Fill out this form completely and carefully. If you have any problems or questions, please feel free to contact us at the email or telephone address listed below. Upon receipt of the application, we will send you a written invitation to the examination in good time before the date of the EFP, with all details on the date, location and organizational procedure.

The EFP takes place digitally and by mail.

The examination takes place separately for the fields of study "Textile" and "Fashion". It can be repeated a maximum of two times if the candidate fails. As a rule, passed aptitude tests remain valid for three subsequent enrollment dates. A summary as well as details on the procedure of the aptitude test can be found as a PDF file "Explanations" also in the download area "EFP".

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FAQ

EFP Design

students
Design Engineer | Textile
Theresa Scholl M.Sc. | Graduate

Color & Trim Designer Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

"The unique selling point of the studies at the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology is definitely the strong practical orientation.As early as the basic studies, students have the opportunity to implement their own designs in the laboratories and thus gain a better understanding of the entire textile chain. In my current job, it is not only the specific technical knowledge that helps me, but also the ability to deal with different key topics simultaneously and to work together in interdisciplinary teams. I can recommend prospective students to get a taste of the different professions in the textile industry through internships before or at the beginning of their studies - there are so many different directions!"

students
Design Engineer | Fashion
Elisabeth Wagner, B.Sc.

"The Design Engineering Degree programme combines creative design with technological foundation courses. This means that any design for an outfit or textile surface that is created can actually be implemented in the university's laboratories. It was precisely this aspect that influenced my decision to take this Degree programme. I especially appreciate that there are no limits to my personal and professional development, so working on interdisciplinary projects is strongly encouraged, as is gaining practical experience in industry. For this reason, I used the time of my bachelor's degree to complete both an internship in a fashion company and a semester abroad at the partner university VIA University College in Denmark. After successfully passing my BA studies at the university, I felt I hadn't seen everything, as the choice of subjects and projects is huge, so I decided to do my Master's at the university as well."

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The career prospects after a successful Bachelor's or Master's degree at the Hochschule Niederrhein Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology are very versatile due to the broad and practical apprenticeship, as well as the proximity to industry. Graduates work in a wide variety of industries such as e-commerce, sustainability, product development in the field of filters, medicine, smart textiles, safety clothing, automotive, wind power, fashion, climate protection, ...

... as a developer, product manager, coordinator, researcher, contact ...

graduate
Design Engineer | Textile
Maike Jansen, M.F.A.

Employment at the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology I Semester abroad and study abroad in Sweden.

"I work as a research assistant in dobby and jacquard weaving at the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology. I particularly enjoy the combination of creative work and the technical realization on the weaving machines.

I completed my Bachelor DI Textile at this faculty and spent a semester abroad in Borås, Sweden. The experience of being on my own in a foreign country and getting to know interesting people from all over the world was formative and led to several friendships. I was enthusiastic about the teaching education there with its artistic approach, which is why I completed my master's degree there. These experiences can be combined well with the teaching education at the faculty, since every artistic, creative idea should ultimately be realizable and must be adapted to the technical conditions. Here you can benefit from the wealth of experience of both lecturers and technicians."

(Kopie 12)

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(Kopie 11)

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Cloth factory Willy Schmitz

"The Willy Schmitz cloth factory has been located in Mönchengladbach for more than 80 years and has always recruited employees at the university when it was still the weaving school. The cooperation with different Degree programmes, especially in the subjects 'Design Engineer Fashion + Textile' and our internships, allows students and the company to get to know each other, to prepare in a practice-oriented way and to neatly define mutual expectations.
There are currently twelve permanent employees who have found their way to the Tuchfabrik via an internship or a Master's or Bachelor's thesis."

Markus Schmitz | Managing Director

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Junkers & Müllers GmbH

Junkers & Müllers - Technical Textiles made in Germany

"For more than 70 years, we have been producing technical textiles in Mönchengladbach as the family-owned company Junkers & Müllers. We manufacture exclusively in Germany, because the spatial unity of development and production at the Mönchengladbach site ensures effective interaction between technical innovation and technological implementation.

Whether textile sun protection, fabrics for digital printing or other special applications, we offer the right solution. Around 300 employees guarantee high-quality products. A team of engineers stands for forward-looking product developments. Our designers ensure aesthetic innovations, always oriented to current and international trends. Qualified specialists dye, finish, coat, impregnate, print and pleat on state-of-the-art machines. With our extensive in-house machinery, we have a wide range of textile Technologies at our disposal. Our globally active sales team senses and serves the needs of our customers.

We are proud of our long-standing cooperation with the Hochschule Niederrhein. With studies in the Faculty of Design or Textile Engineering, you have the best prerequisites to also become part of our team and contribute your professional knowledge."

Dr. Christian Junkers | Managing Director of Junkers & Müllers GmbH