Start of studies
Winter semester
Standard period of study
3 semesters
Language of instruction
German
Registration deadline
June
Scope of study
90 ECTS points
Semester fees
133,55 Euros
3 + 1 for Bachelor with 6 semesters
Admission requirements for the programme are a completed university course of at least seven semesters (210 ECTS) with an overall grade of at least “good” (2.5) and a passed aptitude test.
Applicants with a standard period of study of six semesters (180 ECTS) can be admitted under the condition that they make up for the missing semester as a so-called supplementary semester within the Master’s programme.
3 – 1 for Bachelor with 8 Semestern
Applicants with a standard period of study of eight semesters (240 ECTS points) may be exempted from the Master’s semester by the examination board. Prerequisites for this are, for example, a specific, completed vocational training or the recognition of periods of practical work experience in the corresponding occupational field. Periods of practical training abroad can also be recognised.
1. semester
Master-Basics
4 SWS | 5 ECTS
Master-Project: Orientation
1 SWS | 6 ECTS
Individual module 1-2
2 x 5 ECTS
Cross-sectional module 1-3
3 x 3 ECTS
2. semester
Master-Project
15 ECTS
Individual module 3-4
2 x 5 ECTS
Scientific work
2 ECTS
Competence module 1-3
3 x 1 ECTS
3. semester
Individual module 5
5 ECTS
Master’s thesis
25 ECTS | MA
Master project
In the master’s project, students use their knowledge in a challenging project over three or two semesters. You can either create a design draft in the areas of product design, architecture or interior design or deal with design-relevant issues in a theoretical master’s thesis.
The intensive exchange with mentors promotes project development and the ability to reflect. The master’s project also forms the topic of the master’s thesis and includes independent project selection and definition, research skills, specialist knowledge, project management, research methods, as well as communication and presentation skills.
Mentor reviews provide effective feedback and guidance on project progress, creativity, research, design principles, technical feasibility, communication and goal setting.
Support at the university
Even if you manage the master’s project yourself, it will be closely supervised within the university. The mentors are responsible. During your master’s thesis, you will ensure that the interim results are constantly compared with the original question.
As you continue your studies, your master’s project will be the focus of numerous feedback discussions and correction sessions. At the end of your “research journey”, you document your results and the path to get there in your master’s thesis.
Learning through research makes you fit
“Research-based learning” is the name of the teaching method in which students independently work on a self-initiated design project. This is the leitmotif in our master.design as part of the master project. The advantage: Because you deal intensively with a challenging question over two or three semesters, you acquire a clear academic profile.
In addition, you will train the following skills so that you are well prepared for demanding tasks at work:
• Taking responsibility for leading something independently to a goal
• Interdisciplinary teamwork
• Reflection on your own approach and work methodology
• Learning to deal with failure and developing alternative paths
• The perseverance to stick with a project on good days and bad days
Organization
In the Master Design you concentrate on a master project of your own choosing, which you work on intensively over three semesters – closely supervised by a personal mentor. The focus project is also the topic of your master’s thesis. In addition to individual coaching, there are numerous courses with comprehensive learning content.
Master:Basics
5 ECTS
Practical training
Form of teaching
The course begins with the module “Master: Basics”. It imparts basic knowledge and prepares students for the master’s degree program in design to ensure successful participation.
Master-Project: Orientation
6 ECTS
Seminar, External course
Form of teaching
The starting event “Master Project: Orientation” offers a comprehensive introduction to the Master project. The students become familiar with the process, structure, choice and definition of topics, receive methods for identifying design topics and clear objectives. You will also receive information about resources, support structures and access to facilities.
Cross-sectional module
3 x 3 ECTS
Seminaristic lessons, practical training, exercise
Form of teaching
The “cross-sectional module” expands the students’ technical expertise beyond their specific design direction and promotes the integration of interdisciplinary approaches. The lectures not only deepen knowledge in various design areas, but also develop methodological skills. This includes:
a. Interdisciplinary design concepts:
• Lectures on design concepts that span multiple disciplines
• Exploring interfaces between product design, architecture and interior design
b. Current trends and innovations:
• Analysis of contemporary trends and presentation of innovative technologies and materials
c. Sustainable design:
• Deep dive into sustainable design principles and case studies of eco-friendly design solutions
Individual module 1-5
5 x 5 ECTS
Seminaristic lessons, practical training, exercise
Form of teaching
The “Individual Module” promotes students’ individual and subject-specific qualifications through tailor-made in-depth study of product design, architecture and interior design. In the process, technical knowledge and methodological skills are strengthened.
The “Individual Modules” offer the opportunity to deepen specific skills or specialize in a specific area. Examples of such modules include digital modeling and rendering in architecture, material innovation in product design, lighting design for interior designers and design psychology.
Students choose from a wide selection of specialized modules to set individual priorities and deepen their knowledge in practical seminars.
Scientific work
2 ECTS
Seminaristic lessons, practical training, exercise
Form of teaching
“Scientific work” prepares students for scientific work in design and promotes intellectual and social skills. It teaches basic principles of design science methodology, teaches the basics of scientific work and develops research, presentation and writing techniques.
At the same time, critical thinking and analytical skills are promoted and social skills are developed through teamwork and discussions.
Competence module 1-3
3 x 1 ECTS
Seminaristic lessons, practical training, exercise
Form of teaching
The “competence module” enables individual priorities and promotes technical knowledge and interdisciplinary skills. It offers a variety of learning opportunities according to students’ needs, including:
• Selection from various specialist modules to set individual priorities
• Wide range of topics to choose from
• Integration of interdisciplinary teaching content and transferable skills
• Practical application through workshops and seminars, e.g. B. in project management, communication, materials in design, design thinking, human-centered design, circular design and sustainability, experimental materials in design, smart architecture and interior design, design for aging, research methods, social effects of design, etc.
Master thesis
25 ECTS
Master of Arts
The master’s thesis is a challenging individual piece that demonstrates all of your skills.
Since you can deal intensively with the topic of your master’s thesis from the first semester, you have plenty of time to develop a creative and independent thesis. This alleviates the time pressure that many students feel at the end of their studies when it comes to writing an academic paper.
You write your master’s thesis with your mentor, who will supervise you from the beginning of your master’s degree. In your master’s thesis, you condense your master’s project into a scientific work. The master’s thesis is the highlight of the master’s degree, in which students apply their knowledge and skills in an individual research project. The work is processed individually and can be implemented with external partners.
It is an internationally recognized scientific work and primarily serves as proof that the examinee is able to pose a specific question, research it and present the scientific work in writing (to cite it correctly, etc.). Depending on the question, your master’s thesis includes the following elements:
• A complex design draft with sketch phases, models, perspective representations, digital simulations or similar.
• The scientific written elaboration and extensive documentation of the design draft
• A presentation with a colloquium or public presentation
Wir sind akkreditiert
Der Studiengang Master Design ist durch die Akkreditierungsagentur Aquin akkreditiert.