Merz Akademie

What Merz Akademie does

Merz Akademie is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences (Hochschule für Gestaltung, Kunst und Medien) located in Stuttgart, Germany, operated as Merz Akademie gemeinnützige GmbH under the Merz Bildungswerk umbrella. It offers Bachelor of Arts programs in Film und Video, New Media, and Visuelle Kommunikation, alongside a broader portfolio of Master of Arts programs covering Photography, Film, Graphic Design, Illustration, 3D / Interaction / Games, Media Art / Digital Folklore, and Artistic Research. The institution maintains specialized teaching infrastructure including workshops, studios, photography facilities, video and audio studios, screen printing workshops, VR capabilities, and a library, delivered by a faculty that includes internationally recognized practitioners such as Olia Lialina and Danja Vasiliev.

The business model is tuition-based, with Bachelor's tuition of 479 EUR per month and Master's tuition of 595 EUR per month taking effect in winter semester 2026/27, supplemented by a one-time 250 EUR Master's enrollment fee and a 96.50 EUR semester contribution routed through Studierendenwerk Stuttgart. As a non-profit limited liability company, Merz Akademie reinvests revenue into operations and does not have outside equity shareholders. Enrollment is direct-to-consumer through an online application portal with document review and interview-based admission, complemented by event-driven outreach (campus events, open houses, summer festivals, portfolio checks, and online Q&A sessions with program directors).

Revenue is augmented by funded research partnerships (notably with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz since 2019, funded via BMBF PROMOS), DAAD STIBET I scholarships for international Master's students, and authentic client commissions via industry partners such as Into Branding Munich and Motel One Group. The institution's footprint remains concentrated in Stuttgart and Baden-Württemberg, with selective international programming through partnerships such as the University of South Wales and Cardiff Council. Graduate outcomes are anchored in external validation, with alumni-founded agencies winning the German Design Award 2026, UX Design Award 2025, and German Brand Award 2025.

Name

Merz Akademie

Legal name

Merz Akademie gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://merz-akademie.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Merz Akademie is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences in Stuttgart, Germany, offering Bachelor and Master of Arts programs in design, art, and media, taught by practitioner faculty to creative-discipline students through direct on-campus enrollment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Bachelor Program: Monthly tuition fees for the Bachelor's program starting Winter semester 2026/27 at 479 EUR per month, plus semester contributions to Studierendenwerk Stuttgart (96.50 EUR).
2. Tuition - Master Program: Monthly tuition fees for the Master's program starting Winter semester 2026/27 at 595 EUR per month, plus enrollment fee of 250 EUR for first payment.
3. Semester Contribution: Semester fee for Studierendenwerk Stuttgart and VVS StudiTicket at 96.50 EUR from Winter semester 2024/25.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Merz Akademie is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences in Stuttgart, Germany, delivering state-accredited Bachelor of Arts programs (Film und Video, New Media, Visuelle Kommunikation) and Master of Arts programs (Photography, Film, Graphic Design, Illustration, 3D/Interaction/Games, Media Art/Digital Folklore, Artistic Research). Its core offering is the tuition-based degree programs, supported by workshops, studios, an International Office, library resources, and research/transfer activities.

Product overview

Merz Akademie is a state-recognized university of applied sciences (Hochschule für Gestaltung, Kunst und Medien) in Stuttgart, Germany, offering a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts) and graduate (Master of Arts) programs in creative disciplines. The Bachelor programs include Film und Video, New Media, and Visuelle Kommunikation, while the Master programs span Photography, Film, Graphic Design, Illustration, 3D/Interaction/Games, Media Art/Digital Folklore, and Artistic Research. The institution emphasizes artistic practice combined with theoretical reflection, preparing students for careers as independent media authors and creative professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts (Film und Video) Undergraduate program focusing on film and video production, covering cinematic techniques, documentary practice, and visual storytelling. Aimed at prospective students seeking university-level creative education.
• Bachelor of Arts (New Media) Undergraduate program exploring digital media, net art, interactive design, and emerging technologies in the creative field. Aimed at prospective students with interests in digital/internet-based creative practices.
• Bachelor of Arts (Visuelle Kommunikation) Undergraduate program in visual communication, graphic design, illustration, and visual identity systems. Aimed at prospective students interested in graphic-design and visual-communication careers.
• Master of Arts (Photography) Graduate program in photography, focusing on artistic practice, visual research, and contemporary photographic discourse. Aimed at graduates holding a first university degree seeking advanced specialization.
• Master of Arts (Film) Graduate program in film, covering directing, cinematography, and film theory within an artistic research context. Aimed at graduates seeking advanced specialization in film practice and theory.
• Master of Arts (Graphic Design) Graduate program in graphic design, emphasizing experimental typography, publication design, and visual communication research. Aimed at design graduates seeking research-led visual communication practice.
• Master of Arts (Illustration) Graduate program in illustration, focusing on editorial illustration, book arts, and narrative visual practice. Aimed at illustration graduates seeking advanced editorial and book-arts practice.
• Master of Arts (3D / Interaction / Games) Graduate program in 3D design, interactive media, and game development, covering digital environments and user experience. Aimed at graduates seeking advanced interactive/3D creative practice.
• Master of Arts (Media Art / Digital Folklore) Graduate program in media art and digital folklore, exploring net art, digital cultures, and internet-based artistic practices. Aimed at graduates seeking advanced study in media arts and digital cultures.
• Master of Arts (Artistic Research) Graduate program focusing on research methodologies in art and design, combining theory with studio practice. Aimed at graduates pursuing research-oriented practice-led creative doctorates or research careers.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• University of South WalesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Joint comic book project 'OPEN DOORS. OPEN MINDS' celebrating 70th anniversary of Stuttgart-Cardiff city partnership. Students traveled to Cardiff in October 2025, funded by BMBF PROMOS program.
• Max Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration since 2019 for visualizing movement records of various animal species using design and art tools. Students work with empirical data from crabs, fish schools, bird flocks, zebras, and bats to create artistic visualizations.
• Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (University of Konstanz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration since 2019 with Max Planck Institute for visualizing scientific behavioral data through artistic design. Projects include Re-Shaping Nature and Herd & Hovering.
• Merz BildungswerkcoreOthersMerz Bildungswerk is the parent organization and legal entity of Merz Akademie. The academy is described as 'eine Einrichtung des Merz Bildungswerks' (an institution of Merz Bildungswerk).
• ComicJuju e.V. (Die Stuttgarter Comictage)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for comic project exhibition and joint publication as part of Stuttgart Comic Days. Co-organized with Sarah Chand as project management.
• City of StuttgartmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in city twinning project with Cardiff for OPEN DOORS. OPEN MINDS comic project. Coordinator Carolin Kümmerlen involved.
• Cardiff CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in city twinning project with Stuttgart. Cardiff delegation traveled to Stuttgart for exhibition opening in March 2026.
• Into Branding MunichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect collaboration with Motel One Group for authentic student design commissions. Students created interactive coloring sheets for young hotel guests worldwide.
• Motel One GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational hospitality group receiving student-designed coloring sheets and puzzles for children aged 3-12 at Motel One and The Cloud One hotels worldwide.
• ITFS (International Trickfilmfestival Stuttgart)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudents presented games and interactive projects at GameZone 2026 at Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. Festival features Animated Games Award Germany nominees.
• ifa-Galerie StuttgartmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerExternal venue for lecture series events including 'Transformers' lecture on war documentation in photography, graphic design and illustration.
• Württembergischer Kunstverein StuttgartmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremiere venue for student film 'There is Always Dance in Abundance' as part of ÜBER:MORGEN Festival of the Kulturregion Stuttgart.
• Galerie Stadt SindelfingenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Olia Lialina retrospective 'online since 1996' exhibition from June 28 to October 11, 2026.
• Deutsches Bauernkriegsmuseum BöblingenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for 'Ukraine Comix – Leben in der Kriegszone' exhibition featuring Ukrainian artists' comics about wartime life.
• Staatsgalerie StuttgartmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for GameZone 2026 at ITFS, showcasing student games and interactive projects from New Media program.
• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)coreOthersProvides STIBET I funding program for international Master's students. Equal Opportunities Scholarship (500 EUR/month for 5 months) and Final Thesis Scholarship (250 EUR/month for 5 months).
• Studierendenwerk StuttgartcoreOthersStudent services organization providing semester contributions, BAföG support administration, and student housing services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kunstakademie Düsseldorf: Renowned public art academy with strong reputation in fine arts and related creative disciplines. Comparable mission to train independent artists, with a more traditional fine-arts focus.
• Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin): One of the largest and most prestigious public arts universities in Germany, with broad fine arts, design, music, and performing arts programs. Larger and more diversified than Merz Akademie but competes for the same German design/media student pool.
• Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: German university with strong design, media, and architecture programs carrying the Bauhaus heritage. Comparable overlap in design/art/media education with a broader academic portfolio.

Direct peers

• Macromedia University of Applied Sciences: Private, state-recognized German university with tuition-based programs in design, media, and creative disciplines. Closest private-sector competitor in Germany's fee-charging design education market.
• HfG Offenbach (Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach): State-recognized German university of design with similar portfolio across visual communication, media, and art. Direct match by mission, structure (Hochschule für Gestaltung), and target student profile.
• Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd: State-recognized Hochschule für Gestaltung in Baden-Württemberg focusing on design, communication, and product design. Same regional landscape and Hochschule designation, with overlapping design curriculum.
• HfG Karlsruhe (Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe): Public German university of design in Karlsruhe covering product design, communication design, and media art. Same state (Baden-Württemberg), similar Hochschule für Gestaltung designation, and overlapping curriculum.
• Köln International School of Design (KISD): Part of TH Köln, KISD is a German design school emphasizing interdisciplinary, project-based design education. Comparable mission in training socially responsible creative designers and direct overlap in design pedagogy.

Regional players

• Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg (HFBK Hamburg): Public art school in northern Germany offering fine arts, design, and time-based media. Regional rather than direct peer, but comparable scope of creative disciplines and university of applied sciences structure.
• Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart: Stuttgart-based fine arts academy offering studio-based art education. Same city, comparable state-recognized status, but with a more traditional fine-arts focus rather than Merz Akademie's design/media emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/merzakademie
• Facebookfacebook.com/merzaka
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/school/merz-akademie---hochschule-f%C3%BCr-gestaltung-stuttgart---staatlich-anerkannte-fachhochschule
• Instagraminstagram.com/merzakademie
• Xx.com/merzakademie

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Merz Akademie