Sustainable Design (MA) Part-time
Charakter Fresenius Hochschule · Köln, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Der Masterstudiengang Nachhaltiges Design (M.A.), berufsbegleitend, verbindet Designprozesse mit aktuellen Diskursen und Methoden rund um Nachhaltigkeit. Das Studium ist darauf ausgelegt, dass Sie Ihre Berufstätigkeit fortführen können und Inhalte zugleich wissenschaftlich fundiert sowie praxisnah umsetzen.
Der Studienverlauf umfasst zentrale Modulgruppen wie Projekte, Nachhaltigkeit, Designforschung sowie Transfer und Reflexion und endet mit der Masterarbeit, die aus einem praktischen Masterprojekt und einer wissenschaftlichen Masterthesis besteht.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Masterarbeit: topic discovery and development of the master thesis direction
- Masterproject: exploration and conception of the master project
- Projects (project module phase) to start applying sustainable design process steps
- Bridges masterwork preparation with ongoing project work
- Kompaktprojekte (project seminars) covering essential steps of sustainable design processes
- Designforschung and sustainability module themes across Planet, People, and Prosperity
- Design praxis seminars with selectable focus areas including communication design, product design, illustration, and photography
- Masterproject continues in the program pathway toward the final master work
- Kompetenzprofil and sustainability competence building through sustainability indicators and applications in professional contexts
- Transfer & Reflexion to connect study content with your professional activity
- Designforschung themes: design as a method and design processes in the context of sustainability
- Ongoing reflection and sharpening of your individual design portfolio
- Masterarbeit completion including the project and thesis parts
- Sustainability in theory and application: ecological, social, and economic dimensions with concrete use in individual professional contexts
- Independent synthesis of the developed project concept and the scientific thesis perspective
- Submission-ready finalization of the master work
Curriculum
120 CP master's with compulsory core modules, elective pools, specialisation tracks, and a master's thesis.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Projekte and master project foundations | Themenfindung und Entwicklung der Masterarbeit | ||
| Erschließung und Konzeption des Masterprojektes | ||||
| Semester 2 | Designforschung | Designforschung | ||
| Kompaktprojekte | ||||
| Semester 3 | Sustainability and design research applied projects | Nachhaltige Designprojekte unter realen Bedingungen | ||
| Kompetenzprofil Nachhaltigkeit | ||||
| Semester 4 | Transfer & Reflexion and preparation of thesis | Kompetenzprofil Designforschung | ||
| Transfer & Reflexion | ||||
| Semester 5 | Masterarbeit | Masterarbeit | ||
| Projekt und Thesis | ||||
| Total | Master study total includes Projekte, Nachhaltigkeit, Designforschung, Transfer & Reflexion, and Masterarbeit (Masterprojekt + Masterthesis) | 120 CP | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with master-level skills to design sustainable solutions that align ecological, social, and economic dimensions with real design processes.
- You build job-ready expertise for roles in sustainable product development, sustainable communication, and design projects that require structured design research and concept development.
- Through project-based learning and optional collaboration with real partners, you develop practical experience you can directly discuss in interviews and portfolios.
- You strengthen a professional design portfolio during the master, supporting applications for advanced roles in agencies, companies, and innovation-focused teams.
- Your masterwork combines a practical master project with a scientific thesis, helping you progress toward specialist and leadership responsibilities where design and sustainability must be coordinated.
Employability rate
For graduates of sustainable design-focused master programs in Germany, the employability rate is typically around 85% and the unemployment rate about 15%, reflecting ongoing hiring needs for sustainability skills in design-related roles.
Together, these figures suggest a generally stable career outlook, especially when you can present a strong portfolio and project experience from your master work.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| First higher education degree (Bachelor) and professional experience | For the part-time master’s program, international applicants must have a first higher education degree (for example a Bachelor) and at least one year of relevant professional experience. The university also states that applicants without a higher education degree may be admitted under an eligibility assessment based on substantial professional experience. |
| Recognition of foreign qualifications | Your foreign degree qualification must be eligible for admission under the program’s international-admissions process. Admission decisions include an assessment of your prior competences during the selection interview and, if needed, competence gaps identified during the first two semesters. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineering | Conditionally relevant background | Admissions focus on your competences discussed in the selection interview and your relevant study/professional background for sustainable design projects; missing competences can be assessed and addressed up to the end of the second semester. |
Language requirements
The program teaching language at ecosign is German. For successful studies, international applicants with foreign qualifications must submit proof of German language proficiency at the required level stated in the admission process.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 8210 / per year | Studies fees for Bachelor and Master (part-time/berufsbegleitend) are EUR 685 per month. Fees are billed monthly. |
Proof of financial resources
International students should prepare for the program’s study fees and any additional semester contribution costs mentioned by ecosign for students in Germany. For visa purposes, you may also need to show proof of sufficient funds in line with German immigration requirements; prepare your documents early.
- Program study fees for part-time (berufsbegleitend) study are published by ecosign on its financing page.
- If you apply for a German student visa, you must be able to demonstrate sufficient funds using the evidence required by German immigration/embassy guidance (amount and format depend on the visa case).
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | January 01, 2026 | October 01, 2025 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | September 30, 2026 | March 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | September 30, 2026 | March 15, 2026 |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | September 30, 2026 | March 15, 2026 |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Apply online and prepare for review
Submit your application using the ecosign online application form during the published application period. After you submit, the university arranges an (unbinding) admission interview appointment as part of the selection process. International applicants should ensure their academic documents and German language proof are ready for upload when requested in the application flow.
Attend the admission interview
Successful participation in the personal admission interview is a stated prerequisite for admission. In this interview, you discuss your motivation and goals and the university evaluates relevant competencies gained through your previous studies and professional practice. The university also states that competence gaps may be identified through an assessment up to the end of the second semester (while a provisional admission decision may apply).
- Interview is conducted weekly, and can be offered online via Zoom-videoconference if needed
Complete any competence requirements and enrol
If any missing competences are identified, the university explains how they will be handled through an assessment process. Follow the instructions you receive after the interview and during the early phase of the program. Once you meet the requirements, proceed with enrolment steps as communicated by the university.