Program update and structure (from winter semester 2025/2026) The Master’s curriculum has been revised for the winter semester 2025/2026 to reflect recent developments in design education and professional practice in Germany. The programme expands from three to four semesters to better meet student needs and strengthen career preparation. The added third semester is a dedicated mobility semester: students will either complete a professional internship (now an integral part of the curriculum) or take an exchange semester with one of the programme’s international partner institutions. This change is intended to improve graduates’ readiness for the design job market.
Curriculum, focus and learning environment Rooted in the Bauhaus-inspired approach of the Department of Design in Dessau, the programme brings together core design disciplines—communication, product and space design—alongside audiovisual and digital media. Teaching emphasises rigorous fundamentals, interdisciplinary problem solving and the programme’s guiding theme of “creating relations.” Students work on practical and experimental projects that require systematic thinking and creative development of individual solutions, and a high level of media competence is expected in every semester. The international classroom is designed to build intercultural skills through collaborative, cross-cultural project work.
Interdisciplinarity and connections with other programmes The Master of Arts in Integrated Design serves as a bridge between the German-language Intermediales Design master’s and this English-language international track, enabling more interdisciplinary study and shared, interactive classes between the two programmes. The curriculum is organised as an interlinked structure: product design, communication design and media design are the primary fields, supported by complementary design disciplines to allow broad foundational knowledge and opportunities for methodical and creative specialisation.
Key programme details and where to find more information For specifics on course content, assessment and formal regulations please consult the study and exam regulations or the programme web page: www.hs-anhalt.de/maid.
Program requirements and components (concise)
This Master’s programme is studio-centred and project-driven: an inter-linked main studio project (Studio Module) forms the heart of the curriculum, where progressive research and creative methods are used to tackle complex design challenges and produce applied, strategic design solutions. The course places strong emphasis on applied practice and experimentation, encouraging students to work across methods and media to develop relevant outcomes grounded in critical inquiry.
Complementing the studio work are elective and expertise modules that broaden technical and professional capacities. Electives focus on applied and advanced technologies, experimental approaches or core skills that support studio projects. The Expertise Module offers specialised workshops, excursions and synchronising classes designed to build additional qualifications and professional competencies (for example, teaching or management). The programme also integrates Design Sciences for theoretical and scientific reflection, a mandatory Design Theory class, basic German instruction, and ongoing mentoring to support academic and professional development.
Core modules / requirements:
Key learning outcomes:
For further programme details and official documents, consult the programme website.
This master’s programme expects applicants to hold an undergraduate degree in design or a closely related field. Typical backgrounds include product, communication, media, interior, architecture, and environmental design. Applicants should supply a complete copy of their university transcript showing all courses and results; the programme is aligned with the European credit framework (commonly 180 ECTS for a standard bachelor’s), so make sure your transcript clearly indicates credit and grading information.
If your transcript is not in the local language, you must provide a certified (sworn) translation of the full document. The selection also considers practical experience and creative ability: you will need a current portfolio that demonstrates professional-level design work, a letter explaining your motivation for the programme, and (if available) at least one letter of recommendation. Proof of English proficiency is required — check the programme’s admissions page for accepted tests and minimum scores. Note that the programme requests at least 12 months of professional work experience obtained after the conferral of the bachelor’s degree.
Admission requirements (bullet list)
If you are an international applicant, prepare certified translations well in advance and confirm how your home-country credits map to the ECTS standard to avoid delays in your application.
Winter Semester (International)
30 April 2026
Summer Semester (International)
31 October 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
30 April 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
31 October 2026
Graduates are prepared for professional roles across core design fields including product design, communication design, media and digital design, and spatial/experience design. The programme’s studio-centred and interdisciplinary approach equips students to work in design studios, creative agencies, in-house design teams, and other organisations that require strategic, research-informed design solutions.
The integrated mobility semester (internship or exchange) and the portfolio-focused assessment strengthen employability in international contexts. Graduates can also continue to specialise through further professional training, research projects or other postgraduate study paths.