1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL
  3. Studies
  4. Master's degree programmes
  5. Design
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Design

In the Master of Arts in Design programme, you will contribute to social transformation with your creativity. You will develop entrepreneurial and research skills in a diverse and interdisciplinary context.

Here you will learn to identify socially relevant topics. The Master of Arts in Design is uniquely project-based. Develop your project from the initial idea to the formulation of a business model or research project. Full-time or part-time study – the choice is yours!

"The students share the intention of transcending the boundaries of their disciplines."

Begin your studies in autumn 2026.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Arts (MA)
  • Specialisations Design Entrepreneurship
    Design Research
  • Mode of study Full-time (3 semesters)
    Part-time (5 semesters)
  • Start date 2 September 2026
  • Application deadline 16 March 2026
  • ECTS credits 90 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language English, German
  • Location Bern
  • School Bern Academy of the Arts

Kontakt

Social Media + Online

Focus Areas

In the Master of Arts in Design programme, you will learn how design can drive social transformation. It is not merely about aesthetics or function, but about promoting sustainable development and social change.

What You Will Gain With Your Degree

In the Master of Arts in Design programme, you will explore design as an interdisciplinary and participatory approach to fostering social transformation and sustainable development.

You will engage with research fields such as social design, healthcare design, design entrepreneurship, environmental communication design, knowledge visualisation, design and rhetoric, and design history, developing practical approaches to address socially relevant challenges.

Specialisations

In the Master of Arts in Design programme, you have the choice between two specialisations: Design Entrepreneurship and Design Research.

In the Design Entrepreneurship specialisation, you will create a business model with the aim of successfully founding a sustainable company. Your final thesis will enable you to apply for design and start-up funding such as BRIDGE Proof of Concept or First Ventures from the Gebert Rüf Foundation.

In the Design Research specialisation, you will plan a research project to expand your knowledge or develop new approaches. Your thesis will enable you to apply for research funding and admission to doctoral programmes such as the Studies in the Arts (SINTA) doctoral programme at the University of Bern and the HKB.

Partners + Exchanges

HKB maintains close ties to a number of partner universities, both in Switzerland and abroad, and collaborates with international partners on numerous projects. HKB is also a member of several international networks.

HKB students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies or work experience abroad. In turn, interested persons from abroad can apply to study at HKB or spend part of their studies here.

Combining Theory and Practice in Research Projects

The teaching is closely linked to research at the IDR Institute of Design Research. In the Design Research module, you will gain your first experience in research.

View the IDR Institute of Design Research IDR

Career Prospects

Career prospects for graduates of the Master of Arts in Design are diverse and provide opportunities that go beyond traditional design roles. You will have the chance to take on social responsibility and develop projects that are socially relevant. These broad prospects enable multifaceted professional development.

Ready for a Challenge?

Our Master of Arts in Design programme prepares you for careers focused on shaping change and fostering innovation. With your acquired expertise, you will be able to actively participate in transformation processes in various positions and roles in companies and organisations. Your skills will enable you to take on a wide range of responsibilities in the long term, whether in the development of new concepts, the management of change initiatives or consulting on innovation strategies.

Your expertise as a designer is in demand in sectors such as:

  • Public administration and services

  • Research

  • Education

  • NGOs

  • Finance and management

  • Healthcare

  • Transportation

  • Media

  • Start-ups in the above-mentioned fields

A doctorate – your career in teaching and research

If you have a good, very good or excellent Master of Arts in Design degree, you can apply for a doctorate on the interdisciplinary SINTA doctoral programme. Furthermore, your professional and research experience, as well as your methodological skills, will qualify you to begin teaching at a university or similar institution.

View the doctoral programme “Studies in the Arts, SINTA”

Duration + Content

You can complete the programme full-time (3 semesters) or part-time (5 semesters). The Master of Arts in Design programme consists mainly of individual project development in close collaboration with one or two supervisors of your choice, as well as workshops lasting three to six days.

Full-time or Part-time Degree?

You design your studies around your individual needs and follow a project-based approach. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, while small learning groups and close guidance from your coaches ensure a focus on your learning.

Full-time Degree

The Full-time degree requires a commitment of up to 40 hours per week. However, it is possible to take on a part-time job for up to 8 hours per week.

Part-time Degree

The weekly workload for the part-time degree is approximately 20 hours. The hours vary depending on the number of courses you choose. Experience shows that the part-time degree is compatible with a 40% workload.

Study Plan

The degree programme focuses on design in a social context and on design methods and their application. You will develop your skills in three core modules, further courses and other teaching formats.

Modules and Courses

This module covers:

  • Social impact of design

  • Relationships between people, social structures and the environment

  • Practical methods for socially sustainable products, services and projects

  • Needs, habits and perspectives of relevant stakeholders

This module covers:

  • Knowledge of design methods, social business strategies and entrepreneurial principles

  • Entrepreneurial thinking for long-term innovative solutions to ecological and social challenges

In this module you will

  • explore the history, principles and methods of design research
  • learn to analyse design processes, products, services and user experiences to generate new knowledge
  • engage with “research for design”, “research on design” and “research by design” 
     

The following courses will help you develop additional skills and competencies:

  • Design Processes and Story Frameworks

  • Organising the MAD Festival

  • Dis.em.powered by Design

  • Design and Planetary Responsibility

  • Postcolonial Critique and Practice

  • Present your Project

  • Visual Storytelling

  • Operational Planning and Fundraising in Entrepreneurship/Research

Admission Requirements

Places in the programme are limited (numerus clausus). Suitability for admission is determined through an aptitude assessment. Applicants are required to apply with an idea for a product, a service, or a research project.

Your Academic Requirements

You will be admitted to the degree programme with:

  • a Bachelor’s degree
  • a diploma from a university of applied sciences
  • an equivalent academic degree

In exceptional cases, the HKB may waive these specific academic requirements for candidates with exceptional artistic talent.

Your Professional Requirements

You have experience in the profession, in teaching or in research, at least in the form of an internship.

Supplementary Information on Admission

Find out which languages and prior knowledge are required before starting your studies, what the admission requirements are for international applicants and how students are selected.

As an applicant, you should be able to:

  • describe your motivation for research or entrepreneurial activity in a motivation letter

  • demonstrate an understanding of the course structure and content of the programme, and explain how you see yourself within it (motivation letter)

  • clearly communicate your own design concepts (portfolio)

  • critically reflect on and explain your own design processes (portfolio)

  • identify and present at least one project idea clearly, explaning its social relevance its connection to your previous education, career, or life experience (interview)

  • respond convincingly to questions about your project idea (interview)

You have a good command of German or English, both spoken and written, and possess basic knowledge of the other language. A language certificate is not required for the application, as language skills are assessed during the admission interviews. If necessary, you will have the opportunity to acquire the basic skills in German or English during the first semester.

International applicants will require authentic and valid identification recognized by Switzerland; a visa may often be required. Successful international applicants must apply for a residence permit, and submit proof of sufficient funds. Prior to starting their studies, they will be required to obtain health insurance cover. Applicants should make sure they are fully informed about and compliant with their specific entry requirements for Switzerland.

Application

So, you have decided to study at the Bern University of the Arts?
Then do not hesitate and apply right now!

Application Deadlines

Application deadline:  16 March 2026
Start date: 2 September 2026
Assesment date: 8–9 April 2026

Online application explained in brief

You can only apply for your studies online.

Application Documents

Please submit the following documents in electronic format (passport photo: JPG, other documents: PDF).

  • ID or passport
  • Passport photo according to international passport requirements (JPG)
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification 
  • Transcript of Records (ToR)
  • Diplomas and university entrance certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, baccalaureate, Abitur or equivalent)
  • CV in tabular form
  • Copies of the required certificates and confirmations
  • Employer references (internship certificates)
  • Language certificates (if available)

For International Students, in Addition

  • Residence permit (if available)

If You Were Already Matriculated at Another University

  • Confirmation of your exmatriculation

  • Transcript of records of current and/or terminated studies

If you do not yet have one or more of the required documents, please state why in the Comments section.

Transgender identities

Would you prefer us to address you differently to the details recorded in your official documents?

Please register the first name you go by and your gender (if binary) at the application stage, to ensure that we address you correctly during the application process. The relevant form is available on the BFH website. Please upload the completed form together with your application.

Additional Documents for Registration

Letter of motivation

In which specialistion – «Entrepreneurship» or «Research» – of the Master of Arts in Design at the HKB would you like to study, and why? Maximum 500 words.

Upload your portfolio

As part of your online application, upload your portfolio under «Additional Documents» as a single PDF file under “Additional documents”. Links to websites may also be included.

If you wish to include other file formats, please insert them as hyperlinks to a file hosting service in the PDF: This allows you to provide links to websites, large images, audio or video files stored on Dropbox or similar platforms.

Please name the file as follows:
«[Surname]-[First name]-Portfolio-Application-MA Design-20xx»

Based on your portfolio and application documents, we will decide whether you will be invited to an interview.

The portfolio may contain the following elements:

  • selected projects (results and documentation) from the Bachelor’s degree programme

  • selected projects (results and documentation) from assignments (created independently or as part of your employment)

  • selected research projects (results and documentation)

  • information on the creation of the projects

  • comments relating to the projects

Present your project idea to us

If you are invited to an interview, we will notify you by letter. You will have 20 minutes to present your project idea, followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session regarding your project. The aptitude assessment panel consists of the head of degree programme, at least two lecturers, and one assistant. Please note that an unsuccessful interview cannot be repeated; however you may submit an application a maximum of two times.
 

Please be patient

We will inform you by May at the latest whether you can begin your studies in the Master of Arts in Design programme. In addition to direct admissions, we will also create a waiting list. If you are placed on the waiting list, we will inform you in June whether you can begin your studies. We look forward to receiving your application!

Legal information

We cannot correspond or provide telephone enquiries regarding the aptitude assessment. The HKB cannot accept any liability for submitted portfolios.

Transferring from another university

If you are enrolled at another university and wish to transfer to the Master’s in Design programme at the HKB, please contact the head of degree programme and indicate in the «Comments» section of the online application form that you would like to transfer and, if applicable, enter a higher semester.

Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP and visiting students

If you are enrolled at a university and would like to complete part of your studies within the Master’s in Design programme, please contact the head of degree programme.

For further information on the Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP and visiting semesters, please refer to the BFH website.

The costs for the study program consist of registration, tuition and examination fees as well as contributions for teaching materials and excursions.

  until SS 2026 per AS 2026/27

Application (per application) and aptitude assessment*  

 CHF 250

CHF 250

Matriculation**  

 CHF 100

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester) 

 CHF 750

CHF 850

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

 CHF 950

CHF 2,550

Examination fee (per semester)  

 CHF 80

CHF 80

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)  

 CHF 24

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

 CHF 15

CHF 15

Leave of absence fee (per semester) 

 CHF 100

CHF 100

* The application fee can be paid by credit card or by deposit slip / paper invoice (+ CHF 10 processing fee). There are no waivers or refunds for withdrawn or abandoned applications. The application is processed after payment has been received.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein.

There is also a fixed fee for materials whose amount depends on the degree programme as well as additional costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, supplies, etc.

Fees factsheet valid until SS 2026 (PDF, 63 KB)
Fees factsheet valid per AS 2026/27 (PDF, 92 KB)
General information about scholarships


If you have any questions regarding scholarships and loans please contact the Secretariat HKB Design and Fine Arts.

Advice + Information

An open mind and a family atmosphere await you at the HKB. Come and visit us!

Advice

Choosing a degree programme is an important decision. We are happy to answer your questions about the admission process or advise you on developing your project idea. Contact us by email and arrange a consultation – in person or online.

Leitung

Prof. Robert Lzicar

  • Studiengangsleiter MA Design
  • +41 31 848 49 02
  • Show e-mail

Assistenz

Anouk Bonsma

  • Assistentin Master Design
  • +41 31 848 56 37
  • Show e-mail

Prof. Dr. Arne Scheuermann

  • Leiter Institute of Design Research
  • +41 31 848 38 09
  • Show e-mail

Prof. Dr. Paola Pierri

  • Dozentin
  • +41 31 848 67 38
  • Show e-mail

Catalina Jossen

  • Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
  • +41 31 848 67 55
  • Show e-mail

Sekretariat HKB Gestaltung und Kunst

  • +41 31 848 38 48
  • Show e-mail

The Bern University of Applied Sciences offers students a wide range of opportunities at its locations in Bern, Biel, Burgdorf and Basel to make life attractive and enjoyable during their studies.

Take a look at ‘Studies + Life’

Info Events

At our information events, you will learn everything you need to know about the programme, the admission requirements and your career prospects.

  • Information Event

Master Design

Der Master Design ist ein individuelles Projektstudium. Sie wählen zwischen den Vertiefungen «Entrepreneurship» und «Research» sowie zwischen Voll- und Teilzeitstudium.

26.11.2025 – HKB, Fellerstrasse 11, 3027 Bern und online

Location + Facilities

Location

Bern Fellerstrasse 11

Facilities

The workshop promotes the sensitisation of the perception of materials and their processing according to creative-artistic aspects. The team conducts learning opportunities and accompanies projects by students and lecturers. Assistance and support in the realisation of works and ideas as well as advice on the purchase of materials are offered. A professional and generous infrastructure including wood, metal, plastics, ceramics and textiles is available. The range is supplemented by the material pool, an extensive collection of samples of various materials and processing methods.

The MediaLab is the competence centre of the HKB for audiovisual design and photography. Its staff hold courses, offer photography and AV training and advise students and lecturers at the HKB on content and technical issues. The workplaces and studios are equipped with an extensive production infrastructure and are available around the clock. Students at the HKB have the opportunity to use equipment outside of the MediaLab for the implementation and presentation of audiovisual and photographic projects.

In the printing studio you will find the HKB expertise for manual printing techniques. Its staff not only offer various courses in screen printing, gravure printing and letterpress printing, but also support students in their projects, if required. After attending an introductory course and after consultation with the responsible lecturers, students can also work independently in the printing studio outside opening hours.

The Media Library is the library of the departments of Design and Art, Conservation and Restoration, the Y Institute (Institute for Transdisciplinarity) and Research. It is open to members of the HKB as well as external users. 35,000 media are directly available in the open access library, including approximately 300 periodicals. As a member of the NEBIS network (Network of Libraries and Information Centres in Switzerland), it provides access to more than seven million titles in more than 300 libraries. These titles can be accessed online.