Design (MA)

The 1-year fast-track Master's programme is aimed at graduates of an 8-semester Bachelor's degree (minimum requirement: 240 ECTS credits) who would like to deepen their knowledge in the areas of design research, design theory and aesthetic-artistic practice.

In the central studio project as well as in freely selectable specialisations such as Teaching Experience, Design Leadership or Interdisciplinary Futures, you can expand your specialisation in a targeted manner and sharpen your argumentation strategies for design decisions. You will deepen your knowledge further in your research-orientated Master's thesis. The programme combines practical and academic approaches to critically question current design issues - and prepares you with important skills to react flexibly to changes and uncertain conditions in the design profession.

The 2-year Master's programme (minimum requirement: 180 ECTS credits) offers a comprehensive specialisation in an annually changing study topic, combined with newly developed knowledge modules and an extensive elective area that reflects the breadth of design disciplines and research topics at the FH Potsdam. The studio combines a future-relevant topic of the design profession with its theoretical, methodological and creative design treatment.

In the first two semesters, in addition to the studio, you will deal with current topics and methods of design research, relevant texts and positions, future literacy and design leadership. In the third semester, the focus is on teaching and learning concepts in design as well as an individual specialisation project - and in the elective area you have the opportunity to set your own priorities. The fourth semester is dedicated entirely to your Master's thesis, the question and presentation of which you will reflect on and develop further in an accompanying seminar.

In the 2-year Master's programme with double degree option, you will spend the first year of study at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences. In the second year, you will continue your studies at the National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech). There you will have the opportunity to specialise in topics such as XR, UX and service design as well as human-centred AI in the Interaction Design master's programme. You will develop, design and realise independent projects that integrate methodological-theoretical as well as design, creative and artistic-experimental approaches. You will write your Master's thesis in your second year at Taipei Tech - supervised by professors from both universities.

In the "Thesis Development I" module, you will immerse yourself in design research and learn to apply both scientific and creative methods. You will develop research questions, structure your work and apply qualitative and quantitative methods. You will also deal with creative techniques, innovation processes, research planning, scientific ethics and self-management. The perfect start to your studies and an initial orientation for your Master's thesis!

In the reading group, you will analyse key texts from design theory and research. You will analyse current developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, ecological transformation and the overcoming of a purely human-centred design process. You will acquire methods for analysing scientific texts and learn how to write a survey paper. The course also strengthens your ability to critically read, interpret and discuss English-language specialist literature in a differentiated manner.

The "Studio X - Extended" offers you the opportunity to work on a current design-related or transdisciplinary issue over the course of two semesters. The focus is on social, technological and creative challenges, which are reflected upon and addressed using design methods. Together with students from different design disciplines, you will work in interdisciplinary teams, learn from each other and apply methods of design research, speculative design and artistic practice.

In the studio, the focus is on a critical examination of the pressing issues of our time - such as the interactions between technology and society, aesthetic impact and responsibility, ecological sustainability and ethical design standards. The aim is not only to analyse complex problem areas, but also to work on them in a well-founded and reflective way.

In addition to methodological skills in research, project organisation and scientific work, key qualifications in communication, argumentation, visualisation and teamwork are also taught. You will thus acquire the necessary skills to actively participate in current discourses in design and to develop a sound basis for your Master's thesis.

How does design influence the future? In this module, you will learn critical-reflexive design methods such as speculative design or design fiction in order to be able to evaluate new technologies and their social, ecological and ethical effects. You will become familiar with methods of futurology, including trend and scenario analyses, simulations and participatory approaches.

This is not just about forecasts, but also about futures literacy - the ability to consciously scrutinise and reshape images of the future. They acquire scientifically sound methodological skills and learn how technology ethics and design impact assessment are incorporated into the design process. Through joint reflection and discussion, you will sharpen your critical thinking and develop a feel for sustainable and future-oriented design.

How do you lead design teams? How do you develop creative strategies in start-ups, companies or NGOs? In this module, you will learn how to strategically manage design processes, lead teams and drive innovation. You will gain insights into management theories, business fundamentals and the development of social innovations.

Strategic foresight, corporate strategy and project management are just as much a part of the programme as intercultural skills and conflict resolution. You will learn how to turn an idea into a successful start-up, how design is integrated into companies and which career paths are possible in design leadership - whether entrepreneurship, management or an academic career.

This module provides you with the knowledge and skills to not only design as a designer, but also to strategically lead companies and actively shape the future!

The "Studio Z project" gives you the opportunity to realise an individual in-depth project - as a continuation of your Studio X project, as a specialisation or as preparation for your Master's thesis. You will work independently on a complex issue and develop your design and methodological skills in a targeted manner.

At the same time, you will sharpen your creative signature and train the presentation of your ideas and research results - from narration and argumentation to the visualisation and staging of your designs. In this way, you will lay the foundation for your Master's thesis and your professional designer profile.

In the "Teaching Experience" module, you will become a teacher yourself: you will plan, realise and evaluate your own teaching formats - whether as a workshop, in co-teaching with professors or as part of project weeks. You will contribute your professional strengths and develop didactic concepts specifically for design degree programmes.

You will learn how to integrate feedback in a meaningful way, moderate group processes and prepare teaching content using media. At the same time, you will strengthen important social and communication skills - such as empathy, conflict resolution and intercultural understanding. The module prepares you for teaching and knowledge transfer in the field of design - and adds valuable key qualifications to your profile.

In the "Thesis Development II: Master Proposal" module, you will develop a well-founded research project for your Master's thesis - including a clear research question and design focus. You will try out argumentation and presentation strategies, learn how to prepare complex topics in a structured way and deal with media design and dramaturgy.

You will also practise academic and creative writing and convincing communication of your results. You will be well prepared - in terms of content and methodology - for your Master's thesis and its presentation.

The free elective area offers you the opportunity to set your own specialisations - both within the design disciplines and research projects of the Department of Design as well as interdisciplinary. You can take courses from other departments at the university as well as from universities in the Brandenburg-Berlin metropolitan region. The FLEX modules at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences offer a variety of inter- and transdisciplinary modules that allow you to expand and deepen your knowledge and skills in different areas.

The modules cover topics from the fields of sustainable development, data literacy, gender and diversity as well as business management and development. There is also the option to deepen your foreign language skills and learn interdisciplinary working methods in a global context. These modules promote a broad, practice-orientated education that provides you with both technical and methodological skills for professional practice.

The Master's thesis is the culmination of your studies, in which you demonstrate your advanced knowledge and specialised skills. You will show that you are able to analyse complex topics and combine theory with aesthetic and artistic practice. The thesis prepares you to take on and further develop challenging tasks in the artistic-creative or scientific-theoretical field, both nationally and internationally.

The Master's thesis consists of the final dissertation including the colloquium. The Master's degree programme concludes with a public presentation of the research results of the Master's thesis at the university and a defence in a professional discourse.

The aptitude tests for the Master's degree programme in Design take place once a year in July. Registration takes place via the online portal for the aptitude test.

For the start of the next winter semester, registration for the aptitude test is possible from 1 May to 15 June .

Documents to be submitted

When registering, the following documents must be submitted in the registration portal by the deadline:

• Curriculum vitae in tabular form
• University degree certificate(s) or current transcript of records with the ECTS credit points earned to date and the grade earned to date, if the degree programme has not yet been completed
• Project outline of a maximum of 2 DIN A4 pages, which takes up the chosen study topic and formulates its own creative and/or transdisciplinary question or position in the context of the study topic
• Portfolio of previous artistic/design work and/or academic work
• If applicable, proof of previous specialised internships and practical work experience as well as job references
• Proof of awards and prizes, if applicable
• If applicable, evidence of design- or artistically or scientifically relevant further education and training or comparable design or scientific knowledge and skills acquired outside of higher education
• If applicable, application for compensation for disadvantages for the aptitude test
• Expression of interest in participating in the double degree programme, if applicable

To apply for the four-semester English-language Master's programme and the double-degree programme, you must also provide proof of English language skills at a level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

If you would like to take part in the double degree programme, you can indicate this in your application. You will be accepted after a selection interview with professors from both universities at the end of the first semester. This gives you enough time to familiarise yourself with the general conditions of the double degree programme. For your year abroad in Taiwan, you have the opportunity to take advantage of a scholarship programme of the FH-Potsdam.

All documents must be uploaded in electronic form (PDF) to the university's online platform.

The artistic-creative aptitude test takes place online. After a preliminary review of your documents, you will be sent the exact date and Zoom link by e-mail invitation approximately 14 days before the aptitude test. The examination is divided into

1. digital presentation of the project outline for the chosen study topic combined with an interview in front of the responsible committee,
2. digital presentation of a portfolio with a maximum of 25 work samples or projects or publications at the request of the committee.

The following are accepted as work samples

• Visual work (e.g. graphic design, photographs, infographics, illustrations, UI/UX design, moving images and animation)
• 3D design (e.g. 3D models and renderings)
• Projects with a process focus (e.g. research and concept development, prototyping and evaluation)
• Texts (e.g. scientific publications, blog posts)

Please also refer to the information on the evaluation criteria and notes on the project outline for preparation.

After the aptitude test

As a rule, the assessment of artistic aptitude for the degree programme is valid for the winter semester immediately following the assessment procedure. In individual cases, the Master's Commission will decide upon application.

Detailed information on the assessment of artistic aptitude for the Master's degree programme in Design can be found in the regulations for the assessment of artistic aptitude for the degree programme. You can view these on the module handbooks and study and examination regulations page of the Department of Design.

Have you successfully passed the aptitude test? Then you must submit your application for a place on the FH Potsdam MyCampus university portal by 15 August for the following winter semester.

Have you accepted the offer of admission and received your letter of admission? Then you can submit your enrolment application for the coming winter semester in the UAS Potsdam MyCampus university portal.

Documents to be submitted

• Officially certified copy of the university entrance qualification or university degree certificate
• Proof of statutory health insurance for students or proof of exemption from the statutory insurance obligation via the electronic student registration procedure
• Payment receipt/confirmation of payment of the semester fee and, if applicable, other fees
• Certificate of de-registration from the last university attended, if applicable
• If applicable, further documents according to the enrolment application or enrolment notification
• Photo for the issue of the Campus.card

Do you still have questions about the enrolment procedure at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences? We have compiled frequently asked questions and answers on enrolment and admission.

Starting your studies

Once you have successfully completed the application process, we recommend that you take a look at the Department of Design's study start page. There you will find important information and dates about starting your studies at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam at the beginning of the semester.