Design
In A Nutshell
Profile
The way in which we shape our environment directly affects our quality of life. For instance, complicated ticket machines present a barrier to train travel for older people. Soulless skyscraper developments create social problems. How can we do it better? Our Master’s program trains designers who are passionate about designing the future. Social, humane, and environmentally friendly design that can also survive on the market – this is how we want to move our disciplines forward.
The Master's program in Design is directed at graduates from the areas of product design, architecture, and interior design and architecture. The Master’s in Design at Coburg University has two focus areas to choose from:
- Integrated design processes
- Interior architecture & architectural design
In the Master's program at the university, students receive more supervision, more practical training, and more perspectives for starting a career.
More supervision: In the Master’s program in Design, you focus on a project of your own choosing which you work on intensively over three semesters – while closely supervised by a personal mentor. The thesis may cover practical or research-oriented topics. The individual coaching is supplemented by a number of courses with interdisciplinary content.
More practical training: Coburg’s design education is famous for its close cooperation with the professional world and its interdisciplinary orientation. When you develop new products or spaces in our program, you also perform intensive research on the technical, economic, ecological, social, and psychological factors that affect your Master's project. The interdisciplinary process leads to completely new design solutions. The many awards that Coburg’s graduates have received over the past few years show that our concept works.
More perspectives: interior designers, architects, and designers from Coburg enjoy an excellent reputation in business and among their peers. We maintain close connections with businesses, design firms, and cultural institutions all over the world. Many cooperative projects during the program make it easier for students to start their professional career. Our Master's graduates take on management responsibilities in business and culture.
Structure of the Program
Semester 1
The program begins with an internship. At a suitable partner, you will perform research for your project which you will work on during the course of the program. You can perform experiments, field research, or test series.
Semester 2
In the second semester, you deepen your skills in the areas of design, management, and communiaction. You can choose four seminars based on your interests. You also continue wo work on your project with your mentor. You present your work progress every week and receive feedback.
Semester 3
In the third semester, you write your Master's thesis. Your Master's thesis condenses your project into a research paper. In the accompanying Master's seminar, you practice your communication and presentation skills.
Focus Area: Integrated Design Processes
- Ecodesign
- Business & Service Design
- Materials & Technology
- Simplicity & Design
- Interaction Design
- Innovation by Design
- Human-centered Design Concepts
Focus Area: Interior Architecture & Architectural Design
- Social Interior Design
- Acoustic Design
- Scenography & Concept Art
- Light and Colors
- Heritage Design
- New Work / New Office
Additional courses supplement the program. This includes lectures and seminars on innovation and project management, marketing and communication, or social space solutions. If you would like to know whether this Master's program is the right one for you, please contact the academic program director:
- Prof. Wolfgang Schabbach (focus area „Integrated Design Processes“)
- Prof. Markus Schlempp (focus area „Interior Architecture & Architectural Design“)
Curriculum and Examination Regulations
The [module plan]* provides and overview of the structure of the program. The [module manual]* provides information about the content of the individual modules. For more information about the legal foundations, see the [program and examination regulations]*.
*only available in german at the moment
Application and Admission Requierements
Admission conditions
- A completed university degree of at least seven semesters (210 ECTS points) in a design-related or technical field of interior design and interior architecture, architecture, or design or a related academic program, including a required internship of at least 25 ECTS points with a GPA of at least 2.5 (German grading system)
- A passed aptitude test at Coburg University. We will inform you in writing of the date after receipt of your application. The prerequisite for participation in the aptitude test is that we have received all of your application documentation (official online application and program-specific academic supplemental documents).
The program-specific supplemental documents include: - An art portfolio and letter of motivation that demonstrates the commitment and willingness to study the subject of design intensively in the Master's program.
- A comprehensive topic proposal for the planned focus project
Both need to be sent to the secretary's office of the Design department by e-mail as a pdf (fd-koordination[at]hs-coburg.de or) delivered in person.
Application
Here you can find all the important information about evaluating your school-leaving certificates and learning German in order to start a master program at the University of Coburg.
Since the program is taught in German, you also have to prove your knowledge in German before the start of studies (level C1/C2).