The programme offers a combination of academic study with creative and professional practice in a project-led curriculum that draws on a range of interdisciplinary perspectives and address the needs of managerial professionals who work in the local design industry, as well as those who work in non-design areas and are looking for a new thinking approach to resolve complex design and management-related issues.
 

The programme covers a breadth of topics from branding, design and innovation processes to anthropology, culture, history and meaning. More specifically, it aims to provide students with greater insight into creative briefs and target audiences/markets, both aiding solutions and articulation.

MA Design Management is a dynamic, interdisciplinary course that places design at its core, fostering your research, communication and analytical confidence and skills. Throughout this course, you'll explore and develop collaborative strategies and hone your leadership skills, empowering you to drive and facilitate transformative social and organisational change.
 

What to expect

• Practice: workshops and projects, design thinking, strategy, and systems thinking required to lead design for social equity and sustainability. 
• Systems knowledge: using design frameworks to consider current systemic realities and forecast desired futures to identify design interventions required for a responsible future.   
• Co-creation: collaboration with colleagues of diverse cultures and expertise to develop the team working and leadership skills required for effective design management. 
• Storytelling: crafting compelling narratives that engage and influence stakeholders through empathy, knowledge and rigour.
• Design research: identify, investigate and address a design management related issue of your choosing and develop mastery through a major project aligning with your career aspirations.   
• Leadership: facilitate the development of ideas that inspire meaningful change in organisations, locally or globally, and the confidence to manage and lead your own practice. 

​

  On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

1. Critically apply design research methods to design management problem definition and resolution within a private, public or third sector context (Research) ;
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the appropriate use of design management and critical and cultural theories/ tools for formulating concepts and ideas and delivering and evaluating projects (Subject Knowledge);
3. Utilise a broad range of research methods and analytical strategies to practical and theoretical problems in a range of media and formats (Analysis);
4. Originate design management solutions through the application of research principles, methodologies and consideration and appropriate application of visualisation techniques, creative problem solving, co-designing, prototyping and evaluation techniques (Experimentation);
5. Engage in the critical reflection of your own work and peer review through team working and collaborations (Personal and Professional Development, Collaborative and / or Independent Professional Working)
5. Present research and a self-directed major practical project and thesis in a range of media (film, reports, presentations) which has been rigorously planned, is academically informed, and offers outcomes and applications that meet professional contexts. (Technical Competence, Communication and Presentation) 

Application Code	2345-PE098A	Apply Online Now
Apply Online Now

Venue

• Island East Campus
  *Upon the avalibilty of classrooms, classes and examinations may be held in other Learning Centres.

Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

This is an exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

The entire programme comprises six modules (180 credits in total), to be completed in two years.

Year	Module Title		Credit
Year 1	Design Management and Innovation		40
	Design Research Methods and Critical Practice		20
	Collaborative Unit		20
Year 2	Design Leadership, Enterprise and Culture		20
	Global Design Futures		20
	Final Major Project: Proposal and Thesis		60

Download modules outline here

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

The team recognise that applicants come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds from across the world. We are actively seeking open-minded graduates from diverse academic and industry/professional backgrounds who want to explore design management at a high level.

A key characteristic of our candidates will be their desire to work across disciplines and professional boundaries, to explore the future changes of design management.

Also to show a willingness to work as a team player, good language skills in reading, writing and speaking, the ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

• Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in a specialist subject area to be able to successfully complete the programme of study and have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject
• Also to show a willingness to work as a team player, good language skills in reading, writing and speaking, the ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject area and capacity for research-led design, intellectual inquiry and reflective thought through: contextual awareness (professional, cultural, social, historical); evidence of research, analysis, development and evaluation (from previous academic study and employment) and a grounded understanding of the world of sonic, visual and networked culture and be able to engage in and contribute to critical discussion
• In the project proposal a description of the area of interest, field of study and the particular focus of their intended project. This should include an overview of how you intend to go about producing the project and the methodology
• The portfolio should be conceptual and research based, you must show your thinking and making process and a curious nature to explore, test and experiment.

If you need further advice on entry requirements, please contact the Programme Leader, Mr. Leo Chan by email: leo.chan@hkuspace.hku.hk.

ADDITIONAL NOTES TO NON-HONG KONG RESIDENT APPLICANTS

To study in Hong Kong, all non-local applicants are required to obtain a student visa issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Government, except for those admitted to Hong Kong as dependants, who do not need prior approval before taking up full-time and part-time studies.  Non-local applicants issued with a valid employment visa also do not need prior approval to pursue part-time studies. It is the responsibility of individual applicants to make appropriate visa arrangements. Admission to a HKU SPACE academic programme/course does not guarantee the issue of a student visa. Applicants may wish to note that part-time courses are generally not considered by the Immigration Department for visa purposes except for self-financed, part-time locally accredited taught postgraduate programmes awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.

Application Fee

HK$300

Course Fee

• HK$150,000* (Payable in four equal installments)
  *The tuition fee is subject to annual review.

Applicants shall have:

a) a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 1 year of work experience in creative industries; OR

b) i) a Higher Diploma or an Associate degree awarded by a recognised institution, AND
ii) at least 4 years of work experience in creative industries, among which 1 year must be at managerial level.

For applicants with qualifications from a university or recognised institution within or outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching or assessment is not English, they are required (unless exceptionally exempted) to obtain a score of 6.5 in IELTS (with a minimum of 6 in each sub-test).

Applicants with other qualifications will be considered on individual merit.

Online Application Apply Now

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method

Online:

Applicants can submit their application through the online application system by clicking  Apply nowat the top of the page.
If the file size is over 5MB, please send a link to pg.cad@hkuspace.hku.hk for downloading the application materials with the title: MA Design Management Application Materials (Name: XXXXX).

In-person/ by post:

Applicants can submit their application to any one of our enrolment counters in person or sent by post to :

HKU SPACE PG Admission Team
19/F, Island East Campus 
494 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong
Application for MA Design Management

1. Hard copy of the completed application forms;
2. Copy of HKID card or passport copy with a valid visa label;
3. Copies of academic certificates and transcripts;
4. CV and Personal Statement;
5. Project Proposal; 
6. Digital Portfolio and Video Task;
7. Copies of English proficiency evidence (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)*;
8. A recent colour photo;
9. A crossed cheque for HKD300 as application fee (payable to ‘HKU SPACE’) 
   (only for applicants who do not submit the application online).

*For applicants with qualifications from a university or recognised institution within or outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching or assessment is not English, they are required (unless exceptionally exempted) to obtain a score of 6.5 in IELTS (with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-test).

 

Download area:

CV advice

Personal Statement advice

Digital Portfolio and Video Task advice

Project Proposal advice

Interview advice

LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON

London College of Communication

University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London (UAL) brings together, in a single federated structure, six of the most famous art and design colleges in the world. It comprises Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Fashion, London College of Communication (LCC) and Wimbledon College of Arts. Each has its own distinct approach, its own national and international reputation and its own established links with professional and cultural bodies. With a combined student population of approximately 26,000 and a global network of over 200,000 alumni, UAL is one of the world’s largest academic centres for art, design and communication.

UAL is not only a centre of excellence in practice-based learning, but also a leading research university. UAL has been placed in the overall top 30 UK research institutions for the quality of research submitted in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. It is a top 5 research university in its broader peer group and first in the power ranking in the Art and Design: Histroy, Practice and Theory category.

For the 6h consecutive year, University of the Arts London (UAL) has been ranked 2nd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for art and design, and the 2nd overall behind fellow London institution the Royal College of Art, which is dedicated to postgraduate studies. UAL offers pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Read more

London College of Communication

LCC courses are known for being industry focused so you will be taught by an inspiring community of experienced academics, technical experts and leading specialist practitioners. LCC students are often commissioned to work on live briefs for major companies such as Nike, The National Trust and Nokia, and our graduates go on to inform the future of the creative field – our alumni include TV presenters Craig Doyle and Kate Thornton; Charles Saatchi, art collector and the co-founder of advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi; and Bonnie Wright, the actress playing the role of Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter series. The College is also proud to house a selection of famous archives. From filmmaker Stanley Kubrick to graphic designer Tom Eckersley, these are invaluable tools for teaching, learning and research.