The Merz Akademie, officially known as the Merz Akademie - Hochschule für Gestaltung, Kunst und Medien, Stuttgart, is a private, state-recognised university founded in 1918. With more than 250 students, it is a small institution located in Stuttgart, Germany. The university campus is located in the Berg Kulturpark, a unique environment that combines urban and cultural elements.

It offers a range of academic programmes focusing on design, art and media. Key areas of study include cross-media publishing, film and video, new media and visual communication, with a strong emphasis on theory and cultural studies. The university is particularly renowned for its innovative approach to teaching and learning, as well as its strong focus on interdisciplinary studies and artistic research

Merz Akademie has gained national recognition for its innovative programmes and commitment to excellence in art and design education. It received institutional accreditation from the German Council of Science and Humanities in 2008 and 2015, further cementing its reputation as a leading institution in its field.

One of the unique aspects of the Merz Akademie is its strong international dimension. It regularly invites international guest lecturers and professors to enrich its teaching and research activities. It also actively participates in international projects and collaborations, fostering a global perspective among its students and faculty.

In 1918, Albrecht Leo Merz founded the "Freie Akademie für Erkenntnis und Gestaltung" (Free Academy for Knowledge and Design). Merz's reformist pedagogy, which sought to integrate intellectual and physical work, has been a guiding principle of the university throughout its history. This commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary learning continues to shape the Merz Akademie's approach to education, making it a unique institution in the field of art, design and media studies.