This programme approaches design management as a field of study that goes beyond a strategic function of business, to be a catalyst for social and organisational change and planetary health. Design managers must become adept at understanding the systems behind designed products and services and the audiences they serve in pursuit of a climate, racially and socially just world.
 

We explore design management as a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, a bridging discipline enabling business synergies. Through collaborations with your peers, you will engage in evidence-based design research, develop a deep understanding of, and confidence to deal with a broad range of contexts, systems, processes, methods and audiences to foster equality, diversity, inclusivity, and cultivate impactful practices.

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.

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 programme, you'll explore and develop collaborative strategies and hone your leadership skills, empowering you to drive and facilitate transformative social and organisational change.

By developing both transferable skills and a strategic perspective of design leadership and management you will qualify for opportunities within design strategy and innovation. You will develop strategic design management and business understanding, research and analytical skills, communication and people-skills, and problem-solving capabilities directed towards careers within the cultural and creative industries and wider future facing organisations.
 

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. 

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

1. Critically deconstruct and synthesise design management related problems and challenges through a strong understanding of complex socio-cultural and organisational landscapes (Enquiry);
2. Confidently structure and experiment with design management processes and design research methods that generate insights and resolutions relevant to the identified problem (Process);
3. Critically reflect on students own positionality as a design manager and leader and engage and collaborate within and around others to enable effective outcomes (Realisation);
4. Scope and ideate solutions to identified design management problems that turn insights into action; and find creative means to devise and test design intervention(s) that contribute to a positive impact (Knowledge);
5. Pesent a compelling and authoritative narrative across mediums that creates confidence in the recommended intervention(s) for the selected audience (Communication). 

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 four modules (180 credits in total), to be completed in two years.

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

 

University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London (UAL) comprises six prestigious Colleges and four Institutes, each College has a long established, global reputation for producing outstanding work. it currently educates over 20,000 students and boasts a global alumni network of over 270,000. UAL is committed to broadening access to creative education for students at all stages of their journey. In September 2024, UAL launched its School of Pre-Degree Studies, securing and strengthening its pioneering Foundation course for future young creatives to develop their talents. UAL Online, launched in the same year, offers fully online postgraduate degrees that are flexible and inclusive to learners across the globe. At its Colleges, UAL opened a new sustainable campus for London College of Fashion at East Bank, while construction progresses on a new London College of Communication campus at Elephant and Castle, set to open in 2027.

UAL is committed to maintaining the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research. The UAL Research Strategy 2023 – 2028 underpins UAL’s third vision statement, ‘changing the world through creative endeavour’.

For the 7th consecutive year, University of the Arts London (UAL) has been ranked 2nd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for art and design. (Read more link: https://www.arts.ac.uk/about-ual/press-office/stories/qs-world-rankings-2025-reaffirms-uals-status-as-leader-in-creative-education)

London College of Communication

London College of Communication (LCC), the dynamic community of staff, students, and graduates discovers new possibilities in creative communications. The College supports its students in exploring the power of storytelling, developing careers they love, and making a difference across wider society. Taught by experienced practitioners, they create work that challenges and inspires in ways that generate responsible and imaginative futures, and have opportunities to showcase their projects through events and exhibitions. As graduates, they go on to shape the creative industries by forging their own paths in thoughtful and experimental ways.

LCC uses the diversity of its skills, voices, and experiences to work closely with local communities and transform the world around them. It has strong industry networks that enable collaboration with organisations ranging from start-ups and charities to leading global businesses.

The Design School is a multidisciplinary community of internationally recognised educators, researchers and practitioners. Its ethos builds on the aesthetic traditions of design practice and encourages experimentation, critique and innovation within the context of a post-digital culture. It believes in the power of design practice, design thinking and design research to effect strategic change, shape positive futures and produce cultural value.