Design and Creative Leadership
Master's degree, part-time
The Master’s degree programme in Design and Creative Leadership equips you with a unique skill set for driving innovation by combining design and technology. Using a wide range of methods, you will explore how businesses and society can benefit from actively shaping technological developments such as Extended Reality (AR, VR) and Artificial Intelligence, while creating new experiential spaces. By choosing from the specialisations in Systemic Design, Experience Design and Strategic Communication, you can tailor your profile to reflect your individual strengths and interests.
Upon completion of the programme, you will be ideally prepared for leadership roles in innovation-driven sectors within the design and technology industries, as well as the broader creative economy. As a design strategist, experience design lead or foresight consultant, you will work in innovation departments, agencies, think tanks or interdisciplinary project teams.
The 120 ECTS credits are distributed as follows over the four semesters, including compulsory modules and the master's thesis.
Elective subject: in the 2nd and 3rd semester
2nd semester specialisation 1 | Allocation to one of the three courses (4 ECTS each) from the subject category Master's thesis and final examination:
- Interface and Experience Design
- Systemic Design
- International collaboration Project 1
3rd semester specialisation 2 | Allocation to two of the five courses (3 ECTS each) from the subject category Master's thesis and final examination:
- Cross-platform Content and Media Strategy
- Information Experience and AI-based Design
- Socio-spatial Design
- Biodesign
- International Collaboration Project 2
Contextual Studies: Selection of 1 or 2 modules totalling 6 ETCS each in the 2nd and 3rd semesters. More information here.
ECTS: Performance points according to the "European Credit Transfer System". According to international standards, 120 ECTS points must be earned over 4 semesters.
Course content in detail
E: Elective subjects
CS: Context Studies: Selection of 1 or 2 modules totaling 6 ETCS. General information can be found here.
ECTS: Credit points based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Consistent with international standarts, 30 ECTS points ca be earned each semester.
Attendance at the FHV, e-learning units, self-organised learning and group and project work alternate throughout the course. We recommend reducing your professional activities.
Courses and examinations take place:
- Generally Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from a few hours to a full day
- Five Wednesday evenings
- Depending on the elective module, 1-2 block weeks are possible
- Admission to the final oral examination:
- all courses in the curriculum must have been successfully completed (examination regulations and grading scale) and
- the Master's thesis must have been graded positively.
- Degree awarded: Master of Arts in Arts and Design, MA
- Level of the degree according to the national and European qualifications framework: Master (2nd cycle)
- Field of study according to ISCED-F code: 0219 - Arts
Career perspectives
With the Master's in Design and Creative Leadership, you open doors to forward-thinking roles in the design, technology, and innovation sectors. You will be well qualified to help shape organisations, agencies, or companies where creative strategies and visionary thinking are in demand. Typical career paths include positions such as Creative Director, Innovation Manager, Foresight Consultant or Experience Design Lead. As a Design Strategist, UX/UI Strategist or Researcher, you will contribute your expertise to interdisciplinary teams, working on solutions that centre both user needs and wider societal developments.
You won’t just generate ideas – you will actively shape the future with a systemic mindset, creative sensitivity, and a deep understanding of technological and social transformation.
The academic degree "Master of Arts in Arts and Design, MA" entitles you to doctoral or PhD studies at a university. A career in research is also open to you.
Design and Creative Leadership student stories
Why study Creative Design and Leadership at the FHV?
- Future-relevant, innovative content with a focus on AI, Mixed Reality, Biodesign, and strategic communication
- Top-class technical facilities, including the Interaction Design Lab, Mac Pools, Master Studio, and more
- Part-time study possible alongside employment
- Small groups ensure high practical relevance, intensive personal support, and plenty of interaction
- Short-term mobility opportunities at partner universities abroad
- FHV’s Master’s programmes offer an exceptionally interdisciplinary range of elective courses ▷ To Contextual Studies.
- A high proportion of external lecturers come from leading regional industry companies or renowned international institutions
- The programme structure is designed to balance work, study, and family life
- Our strong regional business and alumni network provides valuable opportunities for networking, insight, and growth
- Access to knowledge doesn’t have to be expensive: currently, no tuition fees are charged for this programme.
Access and application
The Master’s programme Design and Creative Leadership requires the following qualifications or competencies:
- completed Bachelor’s or Diploma degree
- comprising at least six semesters and 180 ECTS at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary institution, where admission requires a general university entrance qualification, and which is recognised as a post-secondary institution under the laws of the country in which it is based. Of these, 120 ECTS must have been completed at a tertiary-level institution.
According to the programme director’s requirements, additional achievements may need to be completed depending on the Bachelor’s degree. Missing knowledge can, for example, be made up by attending relevant courses from the Bachelor’s programme.
Personal requirements
- Interest in design-related issues
- Willingness to think holistically, work in teams, and question existing approaches
- Ability to conduct academic research
These personal requirements are assessed as part of the admission procedure.
For admission, proof of language proficiency at level B2 in German and English (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.
The application deadlines at the FHV are divided as follows:
Application deadline I - 15th November - 1st March
By applying by March 1st, you will benefit from a faster confirmation of your study place
Application deadline II - until 31st May
You can apply for all degree programmes until 31st May.
Application deadline III - until 31st August
Some degree programmes still have a few places available until 31st August.
Note: The ultimate application deadline for all applications sent from third countries (non EU or non-EEA, with the exception of Switzerland) is 1st March.
Two steps to your dream degree at the FHV:
Step 1:
Profound review of your application documents, in particular evaluation of your motivation letter as well as your Curriculum Vitae.
Step 2:
In a personal admission interview, we get to know more about you, your goals, and your motivation for your studies.
Proven academic achievements that have been completed in master's degree programmes at colleges and universities can be recognized on an individual basis for individual courses or modules. The decision on recognition lies with the programme director.
Do you still have questions about the study programme?
For a personal consultation, please contact us directly:
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Tuesday- Friday |
9:00 - 12:00 am |
or individual appointment
Information events are held at the FHV throughout the year. You are welcome to drop by and get advice. Here is an overview of upcoming events: