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Deutsch Who this M.A. in Strategic Design is for – and what you need to apply
This full-time, English-taught master’s in Berlin suits you if you want to move from creative execution to strategy. Typical profiles include: design or architecture graduates aiming at roles in brand, service or experience design; early-career UX, communication or product designers seeking leadership skills; filmmakers or photographers ready to broaden into innovation and design management while keeping a strong creative practice.
Admission requirements
You apply online and, if eligible, complete short video questions followed by an admissions interview (on campus or online). Your file should show academic readiness and a clear design process.
- First academic degree (Bachelor or Diploma) in a design-related field: design, architecture, interior architecture, UX design, photography or film.
- Portfolio: 15 pages of your own creative work. Emphasise process and reasoning, not only final visuals.
- Motivation letter: your goals for the M.A. and how you understand Strategic Design.
- Secondary school leaving certificate.
- Proof of English proficiency. If you do not have a standard test result, you can take the SRH English Proficiency Certificate.
- CV (with recent photo) and ID copy; for non-German citizens, passport or national ID.
- Selection steps: three short video questions and an admissions interview with the programme heads.
International qualifications are welcome and assessed in the admissions check for master’s-level equivalence. The programme is delivered in English; no German language certificate is required for admission. Abitur is not required for a master’s—admission is based on your prior degree and portfolio.
Personal requirements
Strategic Design is collaborative and research-driven. Expect studio projects, critiques and client-oriented briefs. For a 120 ECTS master’s over four semesters, plan roughly 35–45 hours per week across seminars, studio time and self-study, with workload peaks before reviews and deadlines.
- Strong self-organisation and perseverance to manage concurrent projects and iterative feedback.
- Confident English for seminars, critiques and written work; you should discuss concepts and present to mixed audiences.
- Curiosity for user research, systems thinking and data-informed synthesis, not just visual craft.
- Willingness to document your process and build a coherent, evolving portfolio.
- Openness to teamwork and co-creation with peers and external partners in Berlin’s creative scene.
If you thrive on connecting design with brand, strategy and change, and you can sustain a steady, studio-style rhythm over four semesters, you will be well prepared for this programme.
What will you study in the Strategic Design master’s at SRH University?
The Strategic Design M.A. in Berlin is taught entirely in English. You need proof of English proficiency; if you do not have a recognised certificate, you can take the university’s SRH English Proficiency Certificate test. SRH is a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) and is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) in Germany.
You will work at the intersection of innovation, brand and creative leadership. The curriculum combines strategy, research and making. Over four semesters (120 ECTS), you progress from exploring methods and frameworks to executing complex projects and completing your Master’s thesis.
Design strategy, systems and foresight – You dive into Design Thinking and Transformation Design, connect Strategy & Brand, and learn Systems Thinking and Futures/Foresight basics to map complex problems and plan long-term change.
User research and data-informed design – You practise user-centred research, synthesis and idea development, and work with data-driven/quantitative research and analysis to inform decisions and evaluate impact.
Brand, storytelling and implementation – You develop brand identity and strategic information design, apply storytelling and change management to bring concepts into organisations, and train publication and presentation skills to communicate results professionally.
Sustainability and intercultural practice – You explore sustainability theory, social design and media ethics, and build intercultural communication skills to deliver responsible, inclusive solutions in international contexts.
Practice runs throughout: the programme includes excursions, mentoring and contact with industry experts. You finish with an independent Master’s thesis in semester four. As a university of applied sciences, SRH emphasises applied projects and the award follows the Bologna framework (ECTS).
Electives and focus: While the degree follows a set structure, you shape your profile through project choices, collaborations with external partners and your thesis topic (e.g. service design, experience design, innovation strategy or sustainable business design).
How does studying in the Strategic Design master’s work?
Teaching language and proof of English
The programme is delivered 100% in English. An English language certificate is required for admission. If you lack a standard certificate, SRH offers its own SRH English Proficiency Certificate as an alternative route.
Study model and where you will study
This is a full-time, on-campus degree in Berlin (4 semesters, 120 ECTS). You study at SRH University’s creative campus environment in Germany’s largest design and start-up hub, with direct access to agencies, cultural institutions and fast-growing companies—ideal for projects, networking and internships.
Learning format, class atmosphere and support
Learning follows SRH’s CORE principle: active, problem-based study in blocks, frequent feedback and close contact with lecturers. Expect studio work, project coaching, mentoring and sessions with guest experts. The focus is on applied outcomes and personal leadership development rather than mass lectures.
Assessments and thesis
Assessment is primarily coursework-based: project work, research outputs and professional presentations, culminating in the Master’s thesis in the fourth semester. Academic methods training supports you throughout the research and writing process.
Enrolment as an international student
EU/EFTA citizens pay monthly tuition. Non-EU students enrol on a semester basis and pay per semester (see costs below). The university provides programme information and guidance; administrative steps such as residence permits or proof of financing are handled with the relevant German authorities after you receive your admission.
What does the Strategic Design master’s cost?
Total tuition depends on your citizenship and the 4-semester standard duration (120 ECTS). For EU/EFTA students (including Western Balkans, Switzerland, Ukraine), tuition is €830 per month; over 24 months that equals a predictable monthly budget. For non-EU students, tuition is €5,950 per semester (four equal semester payments across the programme). The fee level remains constant for your entire study period.
There is a one-time enrolment fee: €750 (EU/EFTA) or €1,000 (non-EU). Plan for additional costs such as health insurance, public transport, studio materials/printing and living expenses in Berlin. Berlin offers a wide range of housing options but is one of Germany’s pricier cities; early accommodation planning is recommended.
SRH notes that financing can combine personal funds, education loans and scholarship programmes. Non-EU students should factor in that payments are made per semester and are commonly due before the semester starts.
What careers and recognition does the Strategic Design master’s offer?
The degree is awarded by a state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) private university of applied sciences. The programme is accredited through SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, valid until 30 September 2029. With 120 ECTS over four semesters, it follows the Bologna system used across the EU, facilitating degree recognition for further study or employment in many countries.
What this means for you: a recognised European Master of Arts that signals quality assurance to employers and institutions. The applied focus typical of a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) strengthens your portfolio and practical readiness.
Typical career paths include:
- Design Strategist or Innovation Consultant in agencies, corporates or start-ups
- Brand/Design Manager shaping brand identity and experience across channels
- Service Designer or Experience Designer improving services and customer journeys
- Creative Director or design lead guiding teams and implementation
- Strategic roles in corporate strategy/innovation units or public-sector transformation
Berlin’s ecosystem of design studios, tech companies and cultural institutions offers strong networking potential during your studies—use projects, mentoring and excursions to build contacts that support post-study work opportunities in Germany and the EU.
Who is the Strategic Design master’s right for – and who not?
This programme suits graduates who want to move from crafting artefacts to shaping strategy, innovation and brand at an organisational level—while keeping a strong human-centred and sustainable lens.
- You have a Bachelor’s in a creative/visual discipline (e.g. design, architecture, film, photography, UX) and a portfolio.
- You want an English-taught, practice-oriented master’s in Berlin with industry exposure.
- You aim for roles in design strategy, service/experience design, brand leadership or innovation.
- You value small-group coaching, mentoring and project-based assessment over exam-heavy study.
- You prefer a 120 ECTS master’s that can support further study options in Europe.
It also has clear boundaries. If these apply, consider alternatives within SRH or at other universities.
- You do not have a design/creative background or portfolio and seek a general business or management master’s.
- You need a programme in German – this master’s is taught exclusively in English.
- You cannot relocate for on-campus study in Berlin and require a fully online or part-time format.
- You expect very low or no tuition like at public German universities; this is a private, fee-financed institution.
- You need direct access to a regulated profession (e.g. architecture licensure) – this programme is not designed for that pathway.
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