Elective courses

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Please note

You may also, should you wish, get enrolled in a number of other Fashion courses which are primarily delivered in German, but where English-speaking students are well accommodated. This is due to the nature of the work, such as project work or computer-based tasks. A list of these courses will be available from the Academic Advisor of this track just before the semester starts. You will also receive this information in a special information session after your arrival at HTW Berlin.

Collection Project Fashion Design - Advanced

ECTS 10:

This project covers all phases of the design process from research and experiments to sketching and realization to styling, planning and executing a photo shooting. Students will work as a design team – sometimes together briefed by an industry partner. Students deepen their knowledge of construction and material selection, will apply presentation techniques such as mood boards, fashion drawings and technical drawings (work sheets). One or more outfits will be made by every student. The results will be presented in a brand book, as an Instagram account or in other ways. 

  • Advanced Collection Project Sustainable Fashion – Designteam (B6_24g - advanced level only)
  • Advanced Collection Project Knitwear Design – Designteam (B6_24e - advanced level only; profound knowledge of making knitted fabrics and designing knitwear is a prerequisite; it is recommended to choose this course together with the advanced knitwear design course) *
  • Expertise Prerequisites: Students from higher semesters (just before BA-thesis) who have designed at least one full collection and who have executed various outfits already. Willingness to work in a team is mandatory.

* B6_24 e will be mainly in German with adequate supervision and support in English.

Advanced Knitwear Design

ECTS 5:

The combinations of different yarns in color and structure with handicraft techniques are the starting point for experimental knitted swatches and garments – using fine gauge machines. Students deepen their knitting-specific understanding of composition in surface and form and their general knowledge about the specifics in making knitted fabrics and designing knitwear. This course (B 6_26a) allows students to apply and leverage the learnings in the “Advanced Collection Project Knitwear Design” (if chosen).

To attend this course, you should bring:

  • Great interest in craftsmanship
  • Motivation for high-quality knitwear development

Expertise prerequisites: Students from higher semester (just before BA-thesis) and willingness to work in a team; Ideally this course is chosen together with the advanced collection project knitwear design (B6_24e).

This course will be mainly in German with adequate supervision and support in English. Participation in all workshop dates is mandatory (will be announced at the kick-off).

German as a Foreign Language

ECTS 4:

At the beginning of the Welcome Weeks, two weeks prior to the start of the lecture period, we will offer a language test that determines the level for the ensuing two-week German intensive course.

Based on their level in the intensive course, students will then be able to enroll for one or more German language classes during the semester, lasting between 16 and 18 weeks.

Our language department offers a wide range of courses - from General German classes, focusing on the basics of grammar and conversation, to more advanced German courses with specializations in the fields of Design, Business and Technology.

More information on the German language course offering can be found here.

General Courses (AWEs)

ECTS 2:                                        

Every Semester students are able to choose from a list of general courses in order to complement their regular curriculum courses. As the specific topics of these courses are not determined before the Welcome Weeks (March for Summer Term and September for Winter Term) it is not possible to publish a reliable list here.

Some examples of General Courses taught in English from previous semesters are:

  • International Standardization
  • Design Thinking and Human Values
  • Becoming a Global Graduate
  • International Entrepreneurship

Additionally around 70-80 varying General Courses are offered in German (B2 German recommended) every semester, such as:

  • Wissenschaftliches Schreiben und Präsentationstechniken
  • Rhetorik
  • Karrieremanagement für Frauen
  • Film Workshop / Von der Idee zum fertigen Film
  • Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign

As the specific topics are not published yet at the time of the application, students can simply select "AWE - General Course" on their learning agreement and then apply for their specific General Course(s)  after their arrival.

Please note that some General Courses might have a limited places and therefore the acceptance is subject to the respective capacity and cannot be guaranteed.

If students cannot find a suitable course from the list after their arrival, it is of course possible to amend their learning agreement and to remove/replace one or more courses.