Sustainable Design Management, Master of Arts

On-campus program @ Fresenius University of Applied Sciences 

👉 The Master's degree programme in Sustainable Design (M.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at graduates with a first degree related to design or sustainability. The flexible full-time programme lasts two to four semesters and includes project-based modules on design processes, sustainability research, and design research. Students work on interdisciplinary projects with real partners from industry and academia, deepening their individual creative competence. The programme is transdisciplinary and open, allowing specialisations in various design fields. The course concludes with a practice-oriented master's project and thesis. Graduates are awarded the state-recognised Master of Arts degree (M.A.) and qualify for leadership and expert roles in the field of sustainable design.

At a Glance

🏫 University Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Idstein (Germany)
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is one of Germany's largest private universities with campuses in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich and Wiesbaden. It offers practice-oriented bachelor's and master's degree programs in the fields of chemistry & biology, business & media, health & social affairs and design, as well as training and continuing education. Studies are possible on a full-time, part-time and distance learning basis.
🎓 Field of Study Media SciencesMedia Design
📜 Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
⏳ Duration 2 Semesters
🎯 ECTS 60 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German and English
📖 Course contents Elective semester projects (Comprehensive semester projects under real conditions, often in collaboration with partners), development of an individual project idea, sustainability (current sustainability research, summarised under the keywords Planet, People and Prosperity), design practice (basic and advanced seminars in product design, communication design, illustration and photography), management by design (imparting management skills in the context of sustainability from three perspectives: frameworks, entrepreneurship, transformation), professional profile development (individual support for professional profile development through reflection sessions; creation of project portfolios), master’s thesis
📚 Electives Communication design, product design, illustration, and photography
📍 Location Cologne
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
💶 Fees
from 685 € monthly
from 8420 € total
🔗 More Info https://www.hs-fresenius.com

Requirements and Target Group

The Master's programme in Sustainable Design Management is aimed at graduates who have already completed an undergraduate degree related to design, art, or sustainability and wish to qualify for leadership or project responsibility roles in the sustainability-oriented design environment. The target group includes designers, communication and product designers, creatives with an interest in sustainability, as well as career changers from adjacent disciplines who want to deepen their competencies in sustainable transformation processes and management tasks.

Formal Admission Requirements for the Master's Programme

For admission, you need a first professional university degree (e.g. Bachelor, Diploma, or a comparable qualification) in the fields of design, art, or sustainability. The study variant (60, 90 or 120 ECTS) and duration of study (2 to 4 semesters) will be adjusted according to your prior qualifications:

  • A six-, seven- or eight-semester Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
  • The initial degree should ideally have content references to design and/or sustainability.
  • A personal admission interview will take place, during which a portfolio and previous projects or concepts can also be presented.
  • If there are subject-related deficits, it is possible to take additional courses at the start of studies.

You should bring creativity, an interest in sustainable design processes, and the ability to work conceptually. Initiative and willingness to implement interdisciplinary projects are helpful. Experience in design, project management or sustainability topics facilitates entry. Teamwork skills, communication competence and willingness to reflect are essential, as many modules are structured in a project-oriented and practice-related way. Openness to academic discourse as well as commitment to exchanges with actors from business, science and civil society are advantageous.

Course Content in Detail: What Competences Will You Acquire in the Master’s in Sustainable Design Management?

The Master’s programme in Sustainable Design Management at Hochschule Fresenius focuses on the combination of design practice, sustainable development, and management methods. You engage with current sustainability research, particularly in the areas of Planet (environment), People (society), and Prosperity (economic development). You participate in extensive semester projects under real conditions – often together with cooperation partners from business or research.

  • Project Development: Conception and implementation of your own design projects with a focus on sustainable impact.
  • Sustainability: In-depth analysis of current challenges, deepening knowledge in theories of sustainable economics, ecological impacts, and social responsibility.
  • Design Practice: Mandatory and elective seminars in communication design, product design, illustration, and photography broaden your creative spectrum.
  • Management Skills: You learn to apply methods of management by design, entrepreneurship, and transformation processes from a management perspective in the context of design-economic questions.
  • Profile Building: Personal competence portfolio, reflection sessions and individual support promote the development of your professional identity in sustainable design management.
  • Master’s Thesis: In the final semester, you implement your individual focus areas in a practice-oriented master’s thesis.

You develop a holistic understanding of the connection between design and sustainable management, enabling you to responsibly manage design processes, change projects, and transformation processes.

Course Structure: How Is the Master’s Programme Organised?

The Sustainable Design Management (M.A.) programme is designed as a two-year full-time on-campus course with 60 ECTS credits. The programme is highly project-oriented: each semester begins with extensive practical projects, which you often work on directly with partner companies. At the start, you have the opportunity to develop an individual project idea and define your own focus areas.

  • Practical projects and elective modules run spread over the semester.
  • Seminars in design areas such as product design, communication design, illustration, and photography are offered as supplements.
  • Support of profile building through regular reflection sessions and creation of your own project portfolio.
  • In the final semester, you write your master’s thesis, which combines scientific analysis and a practice-oriented design project.

The focus is on the interplay of theory and application, supported by experienced lecturers with practical relevance. The programme starts each winter and summer semester and is based at the Cologne campus.

Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities: What Can You Achieve with the Master’s?

With a Master of Arts in Sustainable Design Management, you qualify for responsible and leading positions at the interface of design, sustainability, and management. Typical fields of employment include:

  • Management of sustainability projects in agencies, design studios, and companies
  • Consulting on sustainable design strategies in industry, NGOs, or public institutions
  • Leadership of innovation and transformation processes in economic, social or environmental organisations
  • Research and development in the field of sustainability and design
  • Founding your own companies or start-ups with a focus on sustainable products, communication, or services

Graduates bring both design expertise and deep knowledge of sustainable economics and change management – a combination increasingly in demand on the job market. Thanks to Hochschule Fresenius’s extensive practical network, you can already build professional contacts during your studies.

Study Location: Learning and Networking at the Cologne Campus

You study at the Cologne campus, one of Germany’s most important creative and economic locations. The Hochschule Fresenius campus is located in the MediaPark in the Neustadt-Nord district, surrounded by media companies, agencies, start-ups, and numerous networking opportunities.

  • Central location with modern facilities and access to library, workshops, and project spaces
  • Direct exchange with fellow students from various design and management degree programmes
  • Various opportunities to participate in events, lectures, and collaborations with partner companies from the region

Cologne offers you a creative environment where you can develop and implement innovative ideas in practice.

Costs and Financing: What Expenses Should You Expect?

The tuition fees for the Master’s programme in Sustainable Design Management amount to 685 euros per month. In addition, there is a one-time registration fee of 200 euros. The total cost for the two-year programme (24 months) is therefore 8,420 euros. The price includes all courses, study materials, and individual support by lecturers.

  • Payment in monthly instalments possible
  • Partial financing through scholarship programmes of Hochschule Fresenius
  • Opportunities for funding through the Aufstiegs-BAföG or education loans from KfW
  • Support with application procedures as well as individual advice on funding options

Employer-related financing (e.g. within the framework of personnel development) is possible on request. You should also take additional living costs in Cologne into account when planning.

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