Creative Direction (M.A.)

Choose your study programme:

Type of study: Full-time
Start of degree programme: Winter semester 2024
Duration of study: 3 semesters / 4 semesters (depending on previous studies)
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Courses: usually 3 days per week

Lead, design, research: With the M.A. Creative Direction to your dream job

Do you want to combine your design skills with management tasks and lead design projects as a creative director? Or pursue an academic career and advance design research? No matter what you choose: With a degree programme in Creative Direction, all doors are open to you.

The creative industry is in a state of constant change due to a shortage of skilled workers, agile team structures and advancing digitalisation. Design research is becoming increasingly important and the labour market demands professional designers with leadership skills. We responded to these developments with the Creative Direction Master's degree programme. The programme combines the specialist areas of design, research, marketing, human resources and leadership. With your degree, you will be qualified both for management positions in the creative industry and for a further academic career in research as part of a PhD programme.

Want to find out more? Our next online information event on the Master's degree programme in Creative Direction will take place on 16 May at 4 pm. Go to registration

Overview of the Master’s Programme Creative Direction

Why should you study Creative Direction at the FHD?

We have held many discussions with partner companies and agencies in order to analyze the specific requirements and needs of the job market in the creative sector. The course content is specifically geared to what is important in your future career field: in-depth specialist knowledge paired with applied methodological knowledge and, of course, excellent leadership skills.

You can contribute yourself and your plans during your studies. Do you already have a project idea? Then you can continue to work on it during your studies and gear your exams towards it. Use your studies as a chance to try things out and let our experts support and guide you.

The master's degree program opens up a wide range of career prospects in business as well as in academia: after graduation, you can continue your academic career, pursue a doctorate, and advance design research.

Of course, our university offers you state-of-the-art technology and spatial equipment for your studies: In addition to printing workshops and studios for film and photography, a VR lab and our new biofeedback lab are also available to you, so that you can implement your projects optimally.

You want to start your own business or maybe you already have a business idea? Our start-up consulting team is at your side and accompanies you from the first idea to the foundation of your own company.

The most important at a glance

Programme Profile

In the Creative Direction degree programme, design is viewed as a process that places people and their needs at the centre. The degree programme links design with current developments in research, business and society, so that you develop not only subject-specific but also broadly diversified competences.

The degree programme normally lasts 3 or 4 semesters (depending on the extent of the Bachelor's degree completed beforehand). You acquire the state and internationally recognised Master of Arts (M.A.). The degree enables you to develop and implement innovative design approaches based on current research. You will also be able to lead teams, make personnel decisions and administer the realisation of complex projects.

Study contents

The consecutive Master's degree course "Creative Direction (M.A.)" focuses on three areas of study in which in-depth skills for professional design are taught: visual communication, personnel and project management as well as applied research.
In principle, the course focuses on design training with an emphasis on communication design. We impart in-depth knowledge in the following areas

Visual communication
Human Centered Design
design thinking
Methods of functional and aesthetic analysis

On this basis, graduates are able to develop and implement innovative design approaches. As part of the degree program, students also acquire skills in the areas of applied design research, marketing and management. Graduates have advanced knowledge in the management-related specialist areas of human resources and leadership & strategy in the agency context. On this basis, they are able to lead teams and projects and make personnel decisions.

Course of studies

The programme is completed in 3 or 4 semesters of standard study time*. The programme can be started in either the summer or winter semester. Throughout the programme you will earn 90 credit points (or 120 credit points), whereby one credit point corresponds to a workload of 30 hours. The programme consists of various modules, which are made up of attending lectures (including preparation and follow-up), self-study and taking exams.

*Note: Graduates of the FHD Bachelor's degree programme Graphic Design Screen and Print Media / Media Informatics & Media Design as well as graduates of other universities with a Bachelor's degree of 210 credit points can complete the Master's degree programme in 3 semesters. Applicants who have a Bachelor's degree with only 180 credit points must complete an additional semester.

Practical and application-oriented studies

The close integration of technical and methodological skills and their application in real work situations is a fundamental part of the program. You can apply your theoretical knowledge practically in your own projects. For this purpose, students have access to the very well-equipped studios, laboratories and workshops of the FHD. You will also benefit from the numerous cooperations of the FHD. Within the framework of these cooperations, the FHD can draw on the latest technological developments and thus open up a broad and high-caliber network for its students through corresponding events, guest lectures and internships.

Degree and career prospects

Upon successful completion of the consecutive Master's degree program "Creative Direction (M.A.)", graduates are awarded the academic Master's degree with the title Master of Arts (M.A.).

The successfully completed degree programme forms the basis for professional activity in leading positions in the creative industries or for the continuation of an academic career within the framework of a PhD programme.

Graduates of the Creative Direction degree programme work in the entire range of requirements of graphic design and creative production in positions of management, project and process management and in mediation and consulting. You will work in management positions in nationally or internationally operating companies, offices or agencies. Furthermore, graduates are prepared for the step of entrepreneurial self-employment. The Master's programme at the FHD enables you to promote, found and manage your own projects and ideas.

Tuition Fees and Financing

As a private university, we offer you many advantages and services from the first interest in a place at our university to your graduation - and beyond. With us, you are not just an anonymous matriculation number, but we accompany you individually, purposefully, supportively and challengingly on YOUR way through your studies.

In order to be able to offer you this high quality of study, we have to charge tuition fees. As a private university, the FHD is not supported by public funds, but has to finance itself completely.

Of course, there are various ways in which you can finance your studies. We will be happy to look at your individual situation and find solutions together.

Book a consultation appointment now

Study requirements and application

For admission to the Master's programme, you need a first university degree with professional qualification or a degree from a state or state-recognised university of cooperative education. Bachelor's or diploma degrees in design programmes such as graphic, communication, industrial, spatial, interface, UX and screen design or related programmes are considered relevant for the Master's programme in Creative Direction (M.A.). Admission to the degree programme also requires passing an aptitude test.

If you would like to apply for this study program, please send us the completed enrolment application with the corresponding documents by e-mail to bewerbung@fh-dresden.eu or online via our application form. Everything else about the application process can be found here.