Overview This English-language MA focuses on shaping both physical and digital environments to contribute to eco-social change. The programme integrates social design, socially engaged art, sustainable fashion, digital innovation, critical theory and hands-on design practice so students can develop interventions and new approaches that address social and environmental challenges.
Content and approach Students work on social innovations and practical interventions aimed at a sustainable future, selecting one of four design specialisations: communication design, film, photography or web development. The course encourages drawing on each student’s prior academic background as well as experience from related areas—entrepreneurship, civic engagement, technology and crafts—to fuel fresh ideas and critical debate around social and technological change.
Practice, research and impact Project work with real-world partners is central: students create concrete solutions and visions while using methods such as artistic research, cooperation, co-creation and other qualitative research approaches. The programme emphasises fairness, transparency and sustainability, helping students to compile a substantive body of project work that reflects socially engaged, responsible design practice.
Core components and expectations
This MA runs over four semesters and balances critical theory, research methods and hands-on practice to prepare you for socially driven design work focused on sustainability and innovation. In the first year you build a foundation in social design thinking, research methods, campaigning, and branding alongside introductions to professional practice. The second semester deepens this with two parts of sustainable innovation, sociology applied to branding, and a supervised internship to gain workplace experience.
The third semester centers on an integrated Design Thinking sequence—research, synthesis/creation, and realisation/prototyping—together with developing a Social Design Manifesto and a professional portfolio. Ongoing “Profession and Best Practice” modules run through each year to support skill development for the workplace. The final semester is dedicated to completing a Master’s thesis and defending it in a colloquium.
For international students, this structure means steady progression from theory to studio prototyping and real-world application: you will produce tangible outcomes (campaign concepts, prototypes, a manifesto and a portfolio), complete an internship, and finish with an independent research project. These elements are designed to help you demonstrate professional competency to employers, collaborators or further academic study.
Key modules (by semester)
Learning outcomes (concise)
Practical notes for applicants
This program evaluates applicants based on a combination of academic qualifications, language ability, motivation and creative potential. You should submit documentation that demonstrates your completed undergraduate degree, your proficiency in English, and a clear statement of why you want to join the program. A concise CV and your secondary school certificate are also part of the file to confirm your educational background.
A central part of the application is a small creative portfolio focused on the theme “Why change?”. You are asked to provide two to three pieces that explore this prompt—these can be short films, written pieces, photographs, illustrations, or any other creative format that communicates your ideas and approach to design and social innovation.
Required application documents:
Winter Semester (International)
15 August 2026
Summer Semester (International)
1 February 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
1 October 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
1 April 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles that bridge design, social innovation and sustainability — for example in NGOs, cultural organisations, design and communication agencies, public sector projects, impact-driven startups, and research institutions. The combination of practical projects, an internship and a portfolio/manifesto gives you concrete outputs to present to employers or clients.
The programme also supports entrepreneurial and freelance pathways: alumni can establish studios or consultancies focused on socially engaged design, sustainability strategy, community-led projects or digital services. Those interested in further research can pursue doctoral studies in design research, social practice or sustainability-related fields.