Sustainable Design Management, Master of Arts

What content does the Sustainable Design Management (M.A., part-time) course cover?

The course is aimed at working professionals who want to understand and implement the interplay of sustainability, management and design in a holistic way. The learning content is divided into four central module groups:

• Projects: You develop skills to lead sustainable project and transformation processes – from needs analysis through target group analyses, conception, implementation to realisation. Example topics include Circular Design, Sustainable Entrepreneurship and sustainable communication strategies.
• Sustainability: You acquire up-to-date knowledge on ecological, social, economic and cultural aspects of sustainability and engage with their practical application.
• Management by Design: In this module strand, you deepen management competencies focusing on sustainable corporate management. The key areas are frameworks, entrepreneurship and transformation processes.
• Transfer and Reflection: You continuously transfer what you have learned into your professional practice, thus closely linking theory and application.

The acquired skills include:

• Project management and change management in the context of sustainable development
• Creative development and implementation of sustainable business models
• Leadership skills in dealing with multidisciplinary teams and cooperation partners
• Analysis and application of sustainability-related theories and methods to real corporate and social processes

What is the procedure and structure of the part-time Master’s degree?

The five-semester course is specially tailored to working professionals and offers high flexibility:

• Lectures take place two evenings per week from 6:00 pm, optionally on site in Cologne or digitally.
• Block seminars are held on selected Saturdays during the semesters.
• The lecture periods are usually from September to January (winter semester) and from March to June (summer semester).
• Self-study, literature work and handling of practice-oriented projects are carried out flexibly according to individual time management.
• In the fifth semester, you write a Master's thesis with theoretical and practical parts, which can also be carried out in cooperation with companies.
• The close link between theory and practice is supported by projects with external partners as well as by networking events and practical workshops.

The degree programme is assigned to the Faculty of Business & Media at Hochschule Fresenius and is state-recognised.

What career opportunities open up after graduation?

With a Master’s degree in Sustainable Design Management, you qualify for numerous positions in the areas of sustainability, leadership and innovation:

• Managerial or project leadership positions in companies focused on sustainable development
• Responsible positions in sustainability management, corporate social responsibility or environmental communication
• Consulting tasks for companies and organisations in the transition to sustainable business models
• Guidance and coordination of transformation processes in agencies, NGOs or start-ups
• Establishing your own sustainable company or business division
• The diverse cooperation network provides additional options for internships, career entry or career steps in academia and business

You are enabled to initiate and lead sustainability initiatives, shape transformative management processes and develop creative, future-proof solutions.

What are the costs of the course and how can you finance it?

The tuition fees for the part-time Master’s degree in Sustainable Design Management amount to from 420 euros per month over five semesters. Thus, the total costs are approximately 12,600 euros. In addition, there is a one-time registration fee of 200 euros. All seminars, block events as well as digital teaching materials are included in the tuition fees.

There is currently a future promotion for prospective students: By enrolling by the specified deadline, the tuition fee in the first year of study is reduced by 1,400 euros.

Various financing options are available:

• Tax deductibility of continuing education costs as income-related expenses
• Applications for scholarships and funding programmes – including special further education scholarships
• Student loans and education funds from external providers
• Interest-free deferral of part of the tuition fees, payable after graduation

Hochschule Fresenius offers individual financial advice and supports you in checking funding options as well as in the application process.