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Deutsch Who is the Master’s in Design Management suitable for?
The Master’s degree programme in Design Management at Macromedia University is aimed at bachelor graduates who wish to work at the interface of design, business, and innovation. The target group consists of individuals interested in strategic design who want to develop creative solutions for business challenges. The programme appeals both to applicants with a design background (e.g. design, architecture, media) as well as career changers from other disciplines who want to acquire management skills in the field of design. The programme is particularly suitable for those aiming for leadership positions such as Design Manager, Innovation Manager, or Product Manager, and who want to be prepared for an international work environment.
What formal criteria apply for admission?
For admission, you need a completed bachelor’s degree, regardless of the field of study. Depending on your initial degree, two options are available:
- With a bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS credits, admission is granted to the 4-semester variant of the master’s (120 ECTS in the master’s programme).
- With a bachelor’s degree of 210 ECTS credits, you can enter directly into the 3-semester variant (90 ECTS in the master’s programme).
You should enjoy creative tasks and have an interest in economic and analytical issues. Ideally, you have some initial experience in the creative field or project work, are open to interdisciplinary collaboration, and can work independently and in a structured manner. Communication skills, team spirit, and an affinity for digital technologies are helpful, as projects often take place in an international and business environment. A strong interest in innovation processes as well as the willingness to work in English-speaking teams and projects complete your profile.
Which skills does the Master’s degree in Design Management teach you?
In the Master’s programme in Design Management at Macromedia University, you learn to manage design processes holistically and to combine creative strategies with entrepreneurial thinking. The curriculum integrates design methodology, digital technologies, innovation management, as well as user research. Core subjects include strategy and innovation processes, project management, design theory, human-centred design and UX principles, global economic developments and design research. You acquire skills that enable you to lead interdisciplinary teams, promote design decisions within companies, and make the value of design demonstrable. Practice- and research-oriented projects as well as the development of your own design strategies with a focus on digital technologies are central. With your emphasis on project and leadership skills, you are prepared to integrate design effectively into the strategic processes of companies and organisations.
How is the Master’s degree in Design Management structured?
The three-semester Master’s programme (90 ECTS, for entry with 210 ECTS prior studies) is organised as on-campus study. You study in small learning groups at the Munich or Berlin campus. The course schedule is modular: the first semester focuses on projects with a practical and research emphasis as well as familiarising yourself with advanced digital technologies and current topics. The second semester is dedicated to project management, global developments and a large interdisciplinary project. In elective modules, you deepen individual priority areas. The third semester concentrates on strategy and innovation processes, design theory and the economic impact of design. Elective areas allow for further specialisation. The final modules cover leadership and entrepreneurship, design research and the Master’s thesis. The degree is taught in English and offers a variety of practice-oriented teaching formats with experts from the industry.
Which career paths open up after graduation?
As a graduate of the Master’s in Design Management, you are prepared for numerous fields of activity that require creative and analytical skills. Typical professional roles are design manager in companies or agencies, innovation manager, product manager, as well as brand manager. You are capable of taking responsibility for design processes, leading innovation projects and acting as an interface between creative departments, management and clients. Employment opportunities are found in international companies, agencies, start-ups, the creative and media industries, or consultancy firms with an innovation focus. Many graduates take on leadership roles or develop their own entrepreneurial projects in the design environment.
Where is the Design Management programme offered?
You can study the Master’s in Design Management either at the Munich or the Berlin campus of Macromedia University. Both locations offer modern seminar rooms, dedicated design studios and libraries. Study organisation is designed for personal support – small groups and close contact with professors enable individual feedback and guidance. The close connection to a large network of cooperation partners promotes practice-oriented work and contacts within the industry.
What costs should you expect and how is financing possible?
The monthly tuition fees for the Master’s in Design Management are 895 euros. The total cost for the three-semester programme is 16,110 euros, plus a one-off registration fee. Various options are available for financing: you can apply for BAföG, take out a KfW student loan or use the educational fund (Brain Capital), where you repay the tuition fees income-dependently after graduation. Additionally, the university supports you with advisory services on scholarships and individual payment models. This ensures access even for students without personal assets.
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