Design
At a glance
Faculty
Academic degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Form of study
Consecutive full-time Master's degree
Standard period of study
3 semesters
Place of study
Language of instruction
German
Start of studies
Winter semester (October 01)
Admission requirements
- Completed university degree with at least 210 ECTS, incl. internship semester (at least 18 ECTS)
- Passed aptitude test
Costs
Semester fee (incl. semester ticket)
Semester abroad
Possible as a theoretical or practical semester
Studying with a practice partner
Accreditation
accredited by the Accreditation Council
Registration
from May 02 – June 15
Registration
Profile of the degree program
The consecutive Master's degree course in Design is application-oriented and combines creative practice with academic work. The focus is on design as an interdisciplinary interface – between theory and practice, between science and society and between spatial, material and systemic design.
Building on architecture, interior design and product design, you will deal with current social, ecological and technological challenges during your studies. You will not only develop solutions, but also learn to understand and critically reflect on their effects.
You will further develop your own creative position, strengthen your conceptual skills and learn to use scientific methods in a targeted manner in design and research processes. The result is a way of working that combines independent thinking, research-based design and practical implementation.
Specializations
Over the course of their studies, students choose an individual profile via projects and modules.
Three specializations are available for orientation:
- Heritage Design
(design in the context of our architectural heritage) - Human-oriented architecture and design
(Health Design) - Designing sustainable and socio-technological environments and products
What we value
Project-based learning
You will work on your own projects right from the start, developing, testing and developing ideas. Theory and practice are closely intertwined.
Interdisciplinarity
Architecture, interior design and product design are considered together. You will learn to work across disciplinary boundaries and combine different perspectives in a meaningful way
Research and reflection
We understand design not only as a draft, but also as a research process. You learn to use methods in a targeted manner and to critically scrutinize your work.
Social and technological relevance
You deal with current topics such as sustainability, transformation and new technologies and develop design solutions with a social impact.
Individual profiling
With options, projects and a mentoring system, you can set your own priorities and develop your personal profile in design in a targeted manner.
Course content and schedule
The Master's degree course is project-based and lasts three semesters. The focus is on your own project, which you develop over the entire duration of your studies – from the initial idea to the Master's thesis. The modules are organized along this process and build on each other in terms of content.
Selected feedback
1st semester
In the first semester, you will get to grips with project-based work and develop the basis for your own Master's project. You will explore methods of design research and learn how to combine scientific work with creative processes.
You prove it:
- the Master Seminar: Orientation & Design Practice,
- the modules Design Research & Scientific Work,
- as well as interdisciplinary cross-sectional modules that provide insights into all specializations.
At the same time, you start your own project in the modules:
- Master project development
- Master Project Research
The aim is to develop a well-founded research question and prepare your topic in terms of content and methodology.
2nd-3rd semester
In the following semesters, you will continue to develop your project – from deepening its content to writing your own final thesis.
The focus is on creative development in the module:
- Master project design
You provide additional evidence:
- Specialization modules (compulsory elective), with which you can sharpen your profile and set individual priorities.
The final part:
- the Master's thesis
- as well as the Master's colloquium, in which you present and defend your thesis
The aim is to bring your project to a high creative and scientific level and to complete it independently.
Job & Career
Graduates are qualified for:
- Management functions in:
- Architecture
- Urban and spatial planning
- Interior design
- Product and service design
- New interdisciplinary professional fields, e.g:
- UX/UI design
- VR/AR and digital media
- Smart City & Transformation Design
- Health Design
- Sustainable design
- Activities as:
- Specialist advisor
- Designer in research and development
- Founding
Testimonials
"Understanding that everything in design says something about character and influences it, from the herb garden on the kitchen island to the four-poster bed in the bedroom. Putting this at the heart of design with the psychology of needs and integrating it into the new way of thinking will become increasingly important in the future."
Melanie Schneider, 2nd semester, M.A. Interior Architecture & Architectural Design on human-oriented architecture & design and psychological aesthetics.
Curriculum and examination regulations
The module plan provides an overview of the structure of the degree program. The module handbook provides information on the content of the individual modules. Further information on the legal basis can be found in the study and examination regulations.
Suitability test
The admission procedure has two stages:
1st application
- Online application in the portal
- Upload an artistic portfolio
- Specification of a focus of interest (specialization)
2. examination interview
- Invitation after preselection
- Date: July 15
- Format: online or on site
- Presentation of the submitted portfolio and colloquium (defense)
Result
- Feedback from July 16
Do your doctorate now!
After successfully completing your Master's degree, you can further deepen your knowledge with a doctorate at Coburg University of Applied Sciences.
