Strategic Design, M.A.
Do you want to not only make the world a better place, but also sustainably change companies? Do you have a bachelor's degree in creative disciplines such as design, architecture, art, photography, or film? Then you are warmly welcome to the Master's program in Strategic Design.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | B2 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester, summer semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.09, summer semester until 15.03 |
| Admission | No admission restriction: every eligible applicant is admitted |
| Campus | Campus Berlin |
Will I get in
Every applicant who meets the formal requirements is admitted — but places can run out before the deadline, so apply at the start of the window.
What you study
The Master's program in Strategic Design provides you with comprehensive skills for developing innovative design strategies. You will learn design thinking, project management, and how to conduct human-centered research. A focus is placed on data analysis and the application of participatory design strategies.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Companies, institutions, and startups today assert themselves more than ever through their brands – management, empathy, and strategic support of brand identity are crucial for gaining and maintaining a competitive advantage. Accordingly, the demand for specialists in design management, brand leadership, and creative direction is high. Service design and experience design are also typical fields in which strategic designers work.
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Another constantly growing field for strategic designers is innovation management. Driving innovation in companies, institutions, and startups is increasingly being led and moderated by strategically trained designers, as they can connect creative and strategic processes. Strategic designers can therefore also be found in the strategy departments of large companies.
Requirements and application
| Previous education | University or university of applied sciences degree (bachelor's or diploma) in creative disciplines such as design, architecture, interior design, UX design, photography, or film. |
|---|---|
| Language | English B2 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.09, summer semester until 15.03 |
How to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application directly to the university until 15.03Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
Questions about this programme
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.03.2027 (152 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.