Sustainable Design, Master of Arts

Who is the Master's in Sustainable Design (M.A., part-time) suitable for?

The part-time Master's programme is aimed at professionals from the fields of design, creative disciplines, or related creative fields who want to integrate environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable concepts into their daily work. It is particularly suitable for designers and professionals in agencies, businesses, or freelancers who want to expand their expertise with sustainable processes and strategies. The programme offers you the opportunity to combine theoretical foundations and practical experience in sustainable design and to further develop your projects directly within the context of your current professional activities.

Admission requirements in detail

The following formal requirements must be met in order to apply for the Master's programme in Sustainable Design (M.A., part-time):

• A first qualifying degree (e.g. Bachelor's or Diploma) in design, creative disciplines, or a related field of study, as well as at least one year of relevant work experience in the field of design.
• Alternatively, admission without a degree is also possible if you can demonstrate at least two years of relevant work experience in design or a comparable creative field and pass an aptitude test.
• An admission interview is part of the application process; in this interview, your previous experiences, motivation, and goals will be discussed.
• Attendance at the on-site sessions in Cologne is required; evening events can take place digitally.

Personal requirements:

• Independent time management to successfully organize seminars, evening events, and self-study alongside professional activities.
• Interest in current discourses on sustainability and willingness to work interdisciplinary.
• Ability to reflect and motivation to critically question and further develop existing design processes.
• Strong communication skills and openness to discourse and cooperation with businesses, research partners, and other creative actors.
• Willingness to experiment with and implement sustainable solutions in a practical manner.

What competences do you acquire in the Master's programme Sustainable Design?

The part-time Master's programme "Sustainable Design" provides you with profound expertise at the interface between design and sustainability. The study content is divided into four modular thematic areas:

• Projects: You will learn about the development of sustainable design processes – from ideation through research to the realization of design projects. Topics include sustainable communication strategies, product development, and practice-oriented project work, often in collaboration with partners from the fields of science and business.
• Sustainability: These contents offer you in-depth knowledge in ecological, social, economic, and cultural aspects of sustainable design. The goal is to integrate sustainable practices seamlessly into design and decision-making processes.
• Design Research: The focus is on scientific methods and processes in a design context. You will engage with strategies and research tools to implement sustainability in creative processes based on evidence.
• Transfer and Reflection: Here you will reflect on your own professional actions and transfer the acquired competences to real application fields in your professional and project practice. Practical tasks and the continuous analysis of your own profile are at the center.

Finally, as part of the Master's thesis, you will develop an independent master project and a scientific master thesis. The content is designed to combine design competence with current sustainability discourses and promote in-depth analytical and creative skills.

How is the part-time study programme organized?

The Master's programme "Sustainable Design" is explicitly tailored to the needs of working professionals and spans over five semesters. The key organizational elements are as follows:

• Precence in Cologne: Seminars and lectures take place on two evenings per week from 6 pm, with the option of digital participation.
• On-site block events: In addition, there are one to two Saturdays per month with block seminars and project work in presence.
• Flexible self-study times: You independently organize the majority of pre- and post-preparation. The workload is flexibly distributed alongside your regular work.
• Study Structure: The content is distributed across four groups of modules, each encompassing several thematic modules and partly worked on in individual projects and case studies.
• Cooperation with practice partners: Collaboration with companies or research institutions is possible in many modules and particularly in the final project.

The exam dates are scheduled to ensure good compatibility with your work routine. The course structure supports you in balancing competence acquisition and time requirements optimally.

What perspectives does the Master's programme in Sustainable Design offer?

The degree qualifies you for challenging tasks and leadership roles in the field of sustainable design. Typical professional fields and opportunities include:

• Leading positions in design agencies focusing on sustainability, development processes, and innovation
• Product development and communication in companies that value sustainable solutions and transformation
• Consulting in the areas of sustainability, communication, and design strategy as an independent or employed consultant
• Research and development at the interfaces of design, sustainability, and new technologies, also in collaboration with research institutions
• Teaching and further education: With a Master's degree, you can also pursue an academic career or work in adult education.

The key point of all career prospects is the ability to design, evaluate, and implement sustainable design processes. Graduates of the programme are in increasing demand as companies and organizations place more value on sustainable innovations and responsible design.

How much does the program cost – and how can you finance it?

The fees for the part-time Master's programme "Sustainable Design" start at 420 euros per month. In addition, there is a one-time registration fee of 200 euros, resulting in total costs of about 12,800 euros.

• Future promotion: Upon timely enrollment, the tuition fee for the first year is reduced by 1,400 euros.
• Financing options: ecosign offers various options, including interest-free deferrals of tuition fees (payment in installments after completion), tax relief, and access to numerous scholarships, particularly in the field of further education.
• Individual consultation: You can avail yourself of personal financial advice to find the right solution for your life situation.