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.




YOUR CREATIVE DIRECTION MASTER PROGRAMME IN DRESDEN
Choose your preferred form of study:
- Type of study: full-time
- Start: Winter semester 2023/24
- Length of study: 3 semesters / 4 semesters (depending on previous studies)
- Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Courses: 3 days per week
Lead, design, research: With the M.A. Creative Direction to your dream job
Do you want to start your career right after graduating with a Bachelor's degree and do your Master's at the same time? Or are you already in the middle of your professional life, but want to further develop your qualifications and train as a creative director? You can also study this degree programme while working.
Against the backdrop of a shortage of skilled workers, agile team structures and advancing digitalisation, the creative industry is in a constant state of change. Design research is steadily gaining in importance and the job market demands professional designers with leadership skills. The FHD is responding to these developments with the Master's degree programme in Creative Direction. The programme combines the fields of design, research, marketing as well as human resources and leadership. With your degree, you are qualified for leading positions in the creative industry as well as for a further academic career in research within the framework of a PhD programme.
Overview of the Master’s Programme Creative Direction
Why should you do your Master in Creative Direction at the FHD?
Overview of the Master’s Programme Creative Direction
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 Structure
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 orientation
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
Upon successful completion of the consecutive Master's programme "Creative Direction (M.A.)", graduates are awarded the academic Master's degree with the title Master of Arts (M.A.).
Course Contents
The consecutive Master's programme "Creative Direction (M.A.)" focuses on three areas of study in which in-depth competences for professional creative work are taught: visual communication, personnel and project management as well as applied research.
Basically, the degree programme focuses on design education with an emphasis on communication design. We impart in-depth knowledge in the areas of
- 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. In the course of the degree programme, students also acquire competences in the areas of applied design research, marketing and management. Graduates have advanced knowledge in the management-related subject 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.
Career Prospects
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.
Study Requirements
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.
Application
Is this degree programme the right one for you? Then send us the completed enrolment application with the relevant documents by e-mail to bewerbung@fh-dresden.eu or online using our application form. You will receive a confirmation of receipt from us and, after we have checked your application documents, we will arrange an appointment to meet you in person at our university, where we can clarify your individual questions together.
Tuition Fees and Financing
There are fees for studying at our private, state-recognised university. From 625,- € per month you can study the Master's programme "Creative Direction" full-time. As an FHD Bachelor graduate, you pay less. You can find all important information about tuition fees in our current overview of fees.
You can find information about funding opportunities here. We will be happy to answer all your questions about tuition fees and financing options during a counselling interview at Dresden University of Applied Sciences.
Project & internship partner for your master study of Creative Direction
The master's program Creative Direction cooperates with numerous partners from business, culture and research. The research and teaching has a high practical relevance and is interdisciplinary.
Your professors and lecturers
We will gladly advise you

Dein Team der Studienberatung
Kontakt
Campus Straßburger Platz | Raum 106
Tel +49 351 44 45-444
studium@fh-dresden.eu