Bachelor of Design and Business (top-up)

18 Months On Campus Bachelors Program

VIA University College

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Design and Business at VIA University College is a 1.5-year top-up programme (90 ECTS) that builds on your AP Degree in Design, Technology and Business, letting you specialize in fashion design, branding and marketing, or entrepreneurship and innovation within the dynamic fashion and lifestyle industries. It's perfect for creative, business-minded students who want to blend design skills with real-world innovation, sustainable practices, and professional collaboration to launch concepts that make an impact.

Curriculum structure
1st Semester
You'll kick off with cross-professional projects alongside students from all specialties, building a shared understanding of design and business while diving into core modules like Design (focusing on theory, methods, and sustainable practices) and Business (covering sales, user analysis, innovative models, and industry surveys). This hands-on approach mixes theory, group projects, and workshop practice, helping you refine concepts through feedback and presentations that bridge creative and commercial worlds.

2nd Semester
Building momentum, you'll deepen into speciality modules tailored to your choice—such as advanced work in Fashion Design, Branding and Marketing Management, or Entrepreneurship and Innovation—while tackling elective courses and a 10-week internship in Denmark's fashion or lifestyle sector. Expect project-based learning with continuous guidance, where you apply business understanding to real challenges, network in Danish workplaces, and prepare for interdisciplinary teamwork that employers love.

3rd Semester
The programme wraps with your self-formulated Final Bachelor's Project (9 weeks), an independent capstone examined orally, drawing on everything from common modules to your specialty for innovative, sustainable outcomes in design and business. You'll integrate 15 ECTS of focused work, honing skills to develop professional concepts and reflect on your growth across the fashion-lifestyle spectrum.

Focus areas
Choose from Fashion Design, Branding and Marketing Management, or Entrepreneurship and Innovation to specialize in creating sustainable products, strategic brand strategies, or innovative business ventures.

Learning outcomes
Graduates can independently develop innovative, sustainable concepts for fashion and lifestyle using design theory, business models, and cross-professional collaboration; they'll identify learning needs, enter professional teamwork, and hold a Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Design and Business at level 6 of the Danish Qualifications Framework.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
This is a nationally regulated Professional Bachelor’s Degree (PBA) programme, equivalent to 90 ECTS, governed by Danish ministerial orders for quality assurance in design and business education.

Reputation (employability rankings)
VIA's practical, industry-connected approach— including internships and real projects—equips you for roles in creative companies, with strong emphasis on Danish workplace networks and graduate employability in fashion/lifestyle sectors (official stats highlight high job placement via internships).

[Official programme link](https://en.via.dk/programmes/bachelor/design-and-business-bachelor-top-up)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At VIA University College's Bachelor of Design and Business (top-up programme), you'll dive straight into hands-on experiential learning that builds real-world skills in design processes, business innovation, and cross-professional collaboration right from the first semester. You'll work on project-oriented assignments—both individually and in study groups—combining theory with practical classroom teaching, getting continuous guidance and feedback, and wrapping up projects with presentations to mimic industry scenarios. This approach ensures you not only learn but apply concepts in fashion and lifestyle industries, using our dedicated workshops and labs for everything from concept development to sustainable design solutions.

This practical focus extends through specialized facilities and activities tailored to the programme:
- Workshops and labs: Access material laboratories, flat screen and digital print facilities, knitting workshop, embroidery workshop, and sewing machines daily (7 am to 10 pm with your student card) to experiment with materials, aesthetics, and prototypes during projects.
- Group projects: Collaborate cross-professionally from semester 1 with students from design, branding, marketing, and other specialties on integrated assignments that build a shared design-business language.
- Internships: Complete a 10-week internship at the end of semester 2 (and additional ones later) in fashion or lifestyle businesses—ideally in Denmark to build your network, experience Danish workplace culture, and boost job prospects.
- On-campus incubator (The Garage): Get entrepreneurial support with industry workshops like photography, trend forecasting, "From Design to Reality," and Creative Idea Festival to turn ideas into viable businesses.
- Project-based digital and practical tools: Use facilities for digital printing and flat screens in hands-on teaching, supporting experimental design processes without specific software named in curricula (focus is on practical application over listed tools).

Imagine graduating with a Professional Bachelor’s Degree, ready to lead in design and business—apply now to experience this at VIA! For the full facilities list, check [VIA Design & Business facilities](https://en.via.dk/programmes/bachelor/design-and-business-bachelor-top-up).

Progression & Future Opportunities

At VIA University College's Bachelor of Design and Business top-up programme, you'll dive straight into hands-on experiential learning that builds real-world skills in design, business, and innovation for the fashion and lifestyle industries. From day one, you'll tackle project-based assignments both individually and in study groups, getting continuous feedback from instructors while blending theory with practical classroom teaching. You'll have full access to specialized workshops and labs like the material laboratory, flatbed and digital print facilities, knitting and embroidery workshops, and sewing machines—open daily from 7 am to 10 pm with your student card—to bring your concepts to life.

This sets you up perfectly for collaborating across design and business: here are some standout experiential opportunities tailored to the programme:
- Group projects across specialties: In your first semester, work cross-professionally with students from design, branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship on shared projects to build a common language and understand diverse skills.
- 10-week internships: At the end of your second semester, gain industry experience at a fashion or lifestyle company or organization (we recommend Danish placements to boost your network and job prospects).
- Workshops and labs for practical making: Use dedicated facilities like the material lab, digital print, knitting/embroidery workshops, and sewing machines for experimental design processes, materials testing, and concept development.
- On-campus incubator (The Garage): Get guidance on starting your own business, plus student-led workshops on photography, trend forecasting, "From Design to Reality," and Creative Idea Festival events.
- Project presentations and feedback: Conclude projects with real-world-style presentations to peers and instructors, honing communication and commercial skills.

Imagine turning your ideas into professional realities with this support—it's why our graduates are ready to jump into the industry. Ready to apply and make it happen? Check the full facilities details here: [VIA Design Facilities](https://en.via.dk/programmes/bachelor/design-and-business-bachelor-top-up).