What Media Design Hochshule does

Media Design Hochschule (mdh), legally MDH Hochschule GmbH, is a privately held, state-recognized university of applied sciences founded in 1987 in Berlin and operating under §123 of the Berlin Higher Education Act since April 1, 2004. It delivers accredited Bachelor and Master degree programs in media, design, information technology, business, and law across three German campuses (Berlin headquarters at Franklinstraße 28-29, Düsseldorf, and Munich, the latter opened in March 2023), supplemented by online and continuing-education formats. The portfolio spans roughly 30 active programs, including Digital Film Design (Animation & VFX), Game Design, Media Design, Fashion Management, Media Management, Global Business, Information Technology (with specializations in Web Development, Network & Cyber Security, and AI & Data Analytics), Digital Business, Legal Tech, Wirtschaftsrecht, plus corresponding Master degrees, and a vocational Ausbildung track with IHK certification. Beyond degrees, mdh sells short-format Micro Degrees in AI & Data Analytics and Cybersecurity, and evening continuing-education courses in areas including UX/UI, Social Media Marketing, Brand Management, Midjourney, Blender, and Clo3D.

The underlying technology stack is conventional for a modern higher-education provider: digital learning platforms and learning management systems deliver evening and online courses with interactive modules, and the institution operates an online application portal at studium.mediadesign.de. AI is featured in the product surface both as curriculum (Midjourney workshops, ChatGPT courses, IT specializations in AI & Data Analytics) and as an operational asset: the in-house AI agent 'Marie' is scheduled for a June 2026 launch under the mdh Future Labs initiative to support students and prospective applicants. Marketing and analytics infrastructure relies on Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager, Facebook/LinkedIn/TikTok pixels, HubSpot CRM, and YouTube embeds, with social channels across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

mdh generates revenue almost entirely through tuition fees, with pricing varying materially by program, nationality (EU vs. Non-EU), and delivery format (online vs. in-person). Programs are billed on a subscription basis at €89–€650 per month, with total program costs ranging from €4,272 (Digital Business B.Sc. online, German rate) to €45,640 (Digital Film Design B.A. Berlin, Non-EU rate); some programs offer one-time fee structures (e.g., Wirtschaftsrecht LL.B. at €5,999). The institution serves three primary customer segments: prospective university students (Bachelor/Master), working professionals (continuing-education evening courses), and apprenticeship seekers (IHK-certified vocational training), distributed across approximately 50 nationalities, with 50,000+ alumni and a network of 6,000+ industry partners.

Name

Media Design Hochshule

Legal name

MDH Hochschule GmbH

Website

https://mediadesign.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Media Design Hochschule is a private, state-recognized German university offering accredited Bachelor and Master degrees, Micro Degrees, and vocational training in design, media, IT, business, and law across campuses in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Munich plus online programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: The university generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged to students for Bachelor, Master, Micro Degree programs, apprenticeships, and continuing education courses. Fees vary by program type, nationality (EU vs Non-EU), and delivery format (online vs in-person).
2. Continuing Education: Revenue from evening courses and professional development programs offered on a per-course basis with monthly payment options

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Media Design Hochschule (MDH) is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences in Germany that delivers accredited Bachelor and Master degree programs, Micro Degree certificates, dual vocational Ausbildung tracks, and continuing professional education courses across media, design, IT, business, and law disciplines. Programs are delivered across three physical campuses in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Munich, plus online, and are accredited by ZEvA and German state authorities.

Product overview

Media Design Hochschule (mdh) is a private university of applied sciences offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The core offerings include accredited Bachelor and Master degree programs across media, design, IT, business, and law disciplines. Bachelor programs span Digital Film Design (Animation & VFX), Game Design, Media Design (UX/UI, Communication Design), Fashion Management, Media Management, Global Business, Information Technology (Web Development, Network Security, AI & Data Analytics), Legal Tech, Digital Business, and Business Law. Master programs include Design, Design Management, Art Market Management, Digital Leadership, Global Business, Information Technology (Cybersecurity, AI, Front-end Development), Business Law, and Digital Business. Additionally, the institution offers Micro Degree certifications in AI & Data Analytics and Cybersecurity, vocational training programs (Ausbildung) in media design and game development with IHK certification, and continuing education evening/online courses covering graphic design, UX/UI design, social media marketing, online marketing, brand management, Midjourney AI image generation, Blender animation, and Clo3D fashion design. Programs are delivered at campuses in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Munich, with state recognition since 2004 and accreditation from ZEvA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor programs (10 accredited BA degrees) Ten state-recognized Bachelor of Arts degree programs covering Digital Media Design, Game Design, Media Design, Film und Motion Design, Screen Acting, Mode Design, Informatik (with AI focus), Wirtschaftsinformatik, BWL (with focus on digital business), and Medienmanagement.
• Master programs (8 accredited MA degrees) Eight accredited Master of Arts degree programs in Brand Design, Medien- und Kommunikationsmanagement, Game Development, Digital Management, Digital Film Design, Visual Computing, IT und Management, and Wirtschaftsrecht.
• Micro Degree programs Short-form certificate programs including Digital Media Design and AI Foundations.
• Ausbildung (dual vocational training) Dual vocational apprenticeship programs (IHK-recognized) including Kaufmann/-frau für Marketingkommunikation, Kaufmann/-frau für Digitalisierungsmanagement, Mediengestalter/in Bild und Ton, and Mediengestalter/in Digital und Print.
• Continuing education courses (Weiterbildung) Continuing professional education courses in areas such as UX/UI design, digital marketing, project management, and AI.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ graduates have completed programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berlin International CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2024New partnership with Berlin International College for international student pathways and educational collaboration
• Hunan Normal University (China)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024International exchange and collaboration with university in China, visited by Managing Director Martin Adam
• TrixterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm production company where alumni have interned and worked; notable projects include Marvel films
• Assemblage WorldwideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative platform linking sustainable actors, NGOs, universities and organizations for knowledge sharing and collaborative projects in fashion sustainability
• THE REVIVALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization for sustainable design; collaborated on upcycling projects with Fashion Management students
• Victoria & Albert Museum (London)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum store collaboration with THE REVIVAL featuring upcycled denim products designed by Ghanaian artisans
• Central Saint Martins School (London)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on fashion sustainability education and research
• London College of FashionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in fashion education and sustainability initiatives
• The Hopenclass (Paris)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFashion education partnership in Paris for student collaboration
• Non VerbaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for international student exchange from Nepal
• BSR (Berliner Stadtreinigung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project 'Escape Cubes' with Berlin waste management company for creative sustainability initiatives
• BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on Digital Humanities through VR workshops

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HMKW Hochschule für Medien, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft: Berlin-based private university of applied sciences focused on media, communication, design, and business — directly comparable private higher education model with similar creative-industries positioning.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Large German private university group with multiple campuses offering design, media, and business programs — comparable multi-campus private higher education model with broader portfolio.
• Hochschule Macromedia: German private university with multiple campuses offering Bachelor and Master programs in media, design, film, gaming, fashion, and business — nearly identical program mix and target audience as mdh.
• AMD Akademie Mode & Design: German private school for fashion, design, media, and communication with multiple locations; comparable creative-industries program catalog and target student profile.
• SRH Hochschule: Large German private university group with multiple campuses (including Heidelberg, Berlin) offering Bachelor, Master, and continuing education programs across design, media, and technology disciplines.
• DEKRA Hochschule für Medien: Berlin-based private media university offering state-recognized Bachelor and Master programs in film, TV, journalism, and communication — direct competitor in the German creative higher education segment.

Broad incumbents

• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with extensive online and campus programs spanning business, IT, design, and health — broader incumbent operating at significantly larger scale across similar disciplines.
• FOM Hochschule: One of Germany's largest private higher education institutions with dual-study and continuing education programs for working professionals — comparable business/IT continuing education model though broader and more established.
• HTW Berlin (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft): Major Berlin public university of applied sciences offering design, engineering, and business programs — public-sector incumbent with overlapping program areas but tuition-free model.

Emerging players

• CODE University of Applied Sciences: Berlin-based private university focused on software engineering, interaction design, and digital product development — emerging private competitor targeting a similar digitally-native creative-tech student segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MediadesignDe
• Facebookfacebook.com/MEDIADESIGNHOCHSCHULE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mediadesign-hochschule-fur-design-und-informatik
• Instagraminstagram.com/mediadesign_hochschule
• TikToktiktok.com/@mdhmediadesign
• Xx.com/md_h

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Media Design Hochshule