The course imparts the fundamentals of art, design, art theory, media, materiality and communication. At Bern University of Arts, students develop their own artistic and creative practice. Meanwhile the University of Bern supplies the history and theory of art component of the course. This combination of creative-artistic production and academic reflection is unique in Switzerland.

The subject and contextual knowledge acquired provides the basis for the competent transmission of art and design, which is professionalised within the framework of the master’s course. In co-operation with our practice-partners in schools and museums, the bachelor’s course gives students their first experiences of communicating their knowledge and competence in various professional areas.

The bachelor’s course followed by a master’s degree is intended to provide professional training with a view to obtaining the teaching diploma for secondary schools in the area of pictorial design at the Bern College of Education (Pädagogische Hochschule Bern). The bachelor’s degree is therefore not itself a professional qualification.

The bachelor’s degree in Communication in Art and Design is an entry qualification for the master’s course, which opens the professional doors to middle school teaching, adult education, museum education, culture and the media, and the education and training sector generally. The bachelor’s degree is a preparation for work in these areas.