Chinese
Masters in Design (MA)
Faculty of Design and Performance Arts
| Name of qualification and level | Duration of studies | Intake | Necessary no. credits for degree | Tuition fee | Application fee | Supervisor | Programme mentor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designer (MA) | 4 semesters – full time programme | September | 120 credits | 2,600 EUR / semester | 100 EUR / application |
Krisztián Palócz |
Krisztián Palócz |
Who is the programme aimed at?
The Master’s in Design at Széchenyi István University is an advanced, research-based programme for designers who want to explore how design can respond to emerging social, environmental, technological and industrial challenges.
The programme combines advanced design practice with design research, critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students work on complex projects that connect human needs, technological possibilities, environmental responsibility and future-oriented thinking.
Rather than focusing solely on the development of products, the programme approaches design as a strategic and research-driven discipline. Students learn to investigate complex problems, develop and evaluate alternative scenarios, work across disciplinary boundaries and translate research findings into innovative design concepts and prototypes.
The programme is structured around two complementary areas of focus:
ETHICAL DESIGN
Ethical Design explores the social and environmental responsibilities of contemporary designers. Projects investigate how products, services, materials and communication can contribute to more inclusive, sustainable and responsible futures.
Key areas include:
- inclusive and accessible design;
- ESG branding and communication;
- sustainable materials and CMF;
- material-driven design;
- sustainable packaging;
- service design;
- human-centred and socially responsible design.
FUTURE SCENARIOS
Future Scenarios explores design as a tool for investigating, visualising and shaping possible futures. Students work with scenario building, emerging technologies and speculative approaches to examine how changing social, technological and environmental conditions may transform everyday life.
Key areas include:
- Future Mobility;
- Future Spaces;
- Future Materials;
- AI and emerging technologies;
- speculative and scenario-based design.
The two areas are interconnected rather than isolated specialisations. Students are encouraged to develop an individual professional profile and to work across disciplinary boundaries according to the requirements of their projects.
Design at Széchenyi István University
Studying design in Győr offers a distinctive environment in which design, engineering, technology, business and the creative industries coexist within the same university ecosystem.
Project-based education enables students to work with specialists from different disciplines and to engage with real-world design challenges, external partners and international professional contexts.
International visibility is an important part of this approach. Design students from Széchenyi István University have presented their work at major European design events, including Blickfang Vienna, creating opportunities for professional feedback, networking and international exposure.
Read more:
SZE’s Design Students Present Work at Top European Design Exhibition
The programme also encourages students to consider what happens beyond the academic design project. Research, concept development, prototyping, intellectual property, testing and pathways towards production can form interconnected stages of the design process.
Student success story:
SZE Alumni’s Modular Children’s Furniture Receives Hungarian and International Design Protection
Structure of studies
The programme consists of four semesters and 120 ECTS credits.
Its structure gradually moves from advanced methodological and research foundations towards increasingly independent design research and professional practice.
Semester 1 — Foundations
Students strengthen their advanced design and research methodology and become familiar with the conceptual foundations of Ethical Design and Future Scenarios.
The semester establishes a shared methodological foundation for research-based design practice.
Semester 2 — Exploration
Students work on complex design projects related to their chosen areas of interest and begin to develop their individual professional and research profiles.
Greater emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration, experimentation and the integration of research into design practice.
Semester 3 — Integration
Advanced projects connect design research, professional practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Students are encouraged to work with external partners, researchers, industry experts and international networks while preparing the methodological and conceptual foundations of their Master’s project.
Semester 4 — Master Project
The final semester focuses on an independent Master’s project in which students integrate design research, critical reflection and advanced professional design practice.
The Master’s project demonstrates the student’s ability to independently investigate a complex design problem and develop an original, professionally and academically grounded design response.
Throughout the programme, project-based learning is supported by theoretical and methodological courses in design research, philosophy, scenario building, innovation and related disciplines.
Interdisciplinary projects and intensive creative formats also form an important part of the educational environment, connecting students from different fields and encouraging experimentation beyond conventional disciplinary boundaries.
Discover our project-based approach:
SZE’s Architecture and Design Communities Hold Joint Creative Week
Language requirements
- TOEFL 513 / IELTS 5.5 /oral examination, TOEFL IBT test score of 66 (issued in the last two years).
- Certificate of any standardised international English language exam corresponding with Hungarian B2 at the Bachelors level and C1 at Master’s level issued by an accredited language centre/ academic institution.
- In case the student has completed his/her previous level of studies in English, proof can be uploaded about the fact that the language of instruction was English, issued by the institution.
- If the uploaded document(s) do(es) not meet the above-mentioned requirements, the University relies on an online language interview.
Professional requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a Bachelor’s degree relevant to Master’s-level studies in design or a related field.
Applications should include:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate;
- transcript of records;
- professional portfolio containing selected design projects, concepts or other relevant creative work;
- evidence of relevant professional experience, where applicable.
Applicants from related creative, engineering or interdisciplinary backgrounds may also be considered if their previous studies, professional experience and portfolio demonstrate appropriate preparation for advanced design studies.
The portfolio is an important part of the admission process. It should demonstrate the applicant’s design thinking, creative development process, technical and visual communication skills, and ability to critically reflect on design problems.
Programme educational objectives:
The Design MA programme prepares graduates to become independent, responsible and research-oriented design professionals capable of addressing complex contemporary and emerging challenges.
Graduates of the programme are expected to:
PEO 1 — Advanced Design Practice
Develop original and professionally grounded design responses to complex social, technological, environmental and industrial challenges.
PEO 2 — Research and Critical Thinking
Apply design research methods, critical analysis and evidence-based decision-making throughout the design process.
PEO 3 — Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Work effectively across disciplinary and professional boundaries and contribute to collaborative projects involving design, engineering, technology, business, research and the creative industries.
PEO 4 — Ethical and Sustainable Responsibility
Integrate social, environmental and ethical considerations into professional design practice and contribute to more responsible and sustainable futures.
PEO 5 — Professional Development
Build an independent professional identity, remain responsive to developments in contemporary design and related fields, and pursue continuous professional and academic development.
Student Outcomes:
By completing the programme, students will be able to:
SO 1 — Contextual Understanding
Critically understand the social, cultural, economic, technological and environmental contexts in which contemporary design operates.
SO 2 — Design Research
Select and apply appropriate qualitative, quantitative and design-specific research methods; collect, evaluate and interpret relevant data and sources.
SO 3 — Complex Problem Solving
Frame complex design problems, identify relationships between multiple factors and develop coherent concepts and design strategies.
SO 4 — Future-Oriented Thinking
Identify emerging trends and technological, social and environmental changes and translate them into alternative scenarios and design opportunities.
SO 5 — Interdisciplinary Practice
Collaborate effectively with professionals from other disciplines and integrate different forms of knowledge into the design process.
SO 6 — Research through Design
Plan and conduct independent design research, use prototyping and experimentation as methods of inquiry, critically evaluate results and translate findings into advanced design solutions.
SO 7 — Professional and Ethical Responsibility
Act independently and responsibly as a design professional, applying relevant ethical, legal and professional standards while considering the wider social and environmental consequences of design decisions.
SO 8 — Communication
Communicate complex design concepts, research findings and professional proposals effectively through visual, written, verbal and digital formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Job opportunities:
Graduates of the Design MA programme are prepared for a wide range of roles within contemporary design, research and innovation environments.
Depending on their individual professional profile and project experience, potential career paths include:
- Product Designer;
- Strategic Designer;
- Design Researcher;
- Mobility Designer;
- CMF Designer;
- Material Researcher / Material Designer;
- Service Designer;
- Inclusive Design Specialist;
- Design Strategist;
- Future Scenarios Designer;
- Design Innovation Consultant;
- ESG Design and Communication Specialist.
Graduates may work independently, within design studios, corporations, research and development teams, innovation centres, public institutions or interdisciplinary creative organisations.
The programme also provides a foundation for further academic development, including doctoral studies and research careers in design and related interdisciplinary fields.
Suggested additional block: DESIGN IN PRACTICE
From university projects to international design
At Széchenyi István University, design education extends beyond the studio. Students are encouraged to test their ideas in professional, interdisciplinary and international contexts — from experimental workshops and industry collaborations to international exhibitions and the further development of promising student projects.
Explore recent stories from our design community:
International Exposure
SZE’s Design Students Present Work at Top European Design Exhibition
Students from the Design Campus presented their work at Blickfang Vienna, one of Europe’s recognised platforms for independent contemporary design.
From Diploma Project to Protected Design
SZE Alumni’s Modular Children’s Furniture Receives Hungarian and International Design Protection
A graduation project developed at SZE progressed through research, prototyping and intellectual property protection towards potential manufacturing.
Interdisciplinary Design Culture
SZE’s Architecture and Design Communities Hold Joint Creative Week
An intensive creative programme brought together students and educators from different design and architectural disciplines to work beyond the boundaries of conventional courses.
Subject matter details:
Please find here the subject list of the program
How to Search for Your Programme’s Subjects:
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