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Design Leadership (M. Sc.)

3 Studierende vor einem ModellNext application period starts in May 2026!

The Master Design Leadership is about how to use the mindset, tools, techniques, and methods of design and designers to shape the practice of leadership. The programme is fully taught in English and welcomes both German and international students. It is designed as an interdisciplinary programme at the interface of design, economy and technology. 


As a graduate you will be qualified to lead creative work in industry and to build up a strong design team. The programme is well situated in the heart of Europe (1h from Munich) and has a strong network within the surrounding German economy – both to top agencies and world leading industry champions.



Master of Science (M. Sc.)

3 semesters

Winter

Yes Admission information

Yes

Yes

English


Ingolstadt

Contents

The teaching concept offers digitalized courses (e.g. inverted classroom) in combination with a lot of practical project studies to enhance the learning progress. Graduates of this programme are in great demand. There is a wide field of application in management and leadership roles in national or international companies and agencies.

Generally the contents focus on:

  • Digitalization
  • Internationality
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Sustainability

Clusters

Cluster Design

Project Design Creation (Ind.)

Project Design Prototyping (Ind.)

Cluster Leadership

Project Interdisciplinary Innovation (Group)

Project Applied Design Leadership (Group)

Design Leadership Methods

Studierende im Design Labor

Cluster Economy

Advanced Management Theory and Methods

Creativity Methods in Business 

Cluster Integrative

Design Culture Theory and Methods

Individual Electives 

Scientific Research Seminar

Zwei Studenten mit Heißklebepistole vor einem Modell
  1. Cluster Design
  2. Cluster Leadership
  3. Cluster Economy
  4. Cluster Integrative
PreviousNext
Curriculum

1. Semester

Project Interdisciplinary Innovation (Group)

Project Design Creation (Ind.)

Advanced Management Theory and Methods

Creativity Methods in Business

Individual Electives

2. Semester

Project Applied Design Leadership (Group)

Project Design Prototyping (Ind.)

Design Leadership Methods

Design Culture Theory and Methods

Scientific Research Seminar

3. Semester

Master's Thesis


Quick Info

Admission and application

Application dates

  • New registration into this programme is only possible for the winter semester (October-February).
  • Applications may be submitted through our online application system from May 2nd to July 15th.
  • Note that uni-assist (for applicants from abroad) may require up to 6 weeks to issue a VPD – see requirements below.

Requirements

  • Proof of Bachelor´s degree in design (sciences), engineering sciences, or a degree in another related discipline at a German university with at least 210 ECTS credit points or an equivalent degree of a foreign university.

Note that all foreign applicants must submit their Bachelor's degree to uni-assist which verifies their eligibility and coverts their grades to the German grade system. Uni-Assist will issue a so called preliminary inspection documentation (VPD) which you have to upload to the application portal (similar to their other documents).

  • Proof of English proficiency level B2 or higher.

Admission restrictions may apply. Admission is based on the grade point average of your Bachelor's degree. The average mark required depends on the number of applicants and available capacity.

Please find further information on master applications here. For applications from abroad, see our master's from abroad-pages.

There is no requirement to formally prove German language skills for your admission. You may start with little or no German language proficiency. However, German is the official national language in Germany. The transition from your home country to the German university system and every day life will be made easier the more German you know. Furthermore, German skills will greatly increase your chances in finding a student job and or an internship at a German company.

Important Information for Applicants from Third Countries

Please take note of our Statutes for International Orientation and Selection Procedures

Service fees and Financing

A wide range of support options in the form of scholarships are available to students at THI.

  • If you are an applicant from abroad, you may qualify for a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): www.daad.de
  • If you are a German students we recommend to research for suitable scholarships on www.mystipendium.de
  • Please note that we cannot offer any guidance or support concerning scholarship applications.

We recommend that single students budget at least 700-900 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, health insurance, stay, books, semester contribution)

For German and EU citizens, as well as other interested parties with German university entrance qualifications under certain conditions, studying at THI is free of charge; only a semester fee payable to the Erlangen-Nuremberg Student Services Association is required.

Applicants from outside the EU/EEA should note the following

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt intends to charge tuition fees of 1.200 euros per semester (Master studies) from the summer semester 2026 onwards. At THI, we are committed to offering our students the best possible conditions to develop their skills and personalities for the professional world of the future. In our International Welcome Center you will find excellent services and support.

Please note: No service fees for exchange students, visiting students, participants of summer school!

For in-depth information, please follow the link to our International Welcome Center-Website on Service fees.

 If you have any questions, please go to Contact for prospective students

Contact options for prospective students

Apply online

Academic Director

Programme Director Design Leadership (Master)
Prof. Dr. (Ph.D.) Bernhard Rothbucher
Phone: +49 841 9348-5072
E-Mail: Bernhard.Rothbucher@thi.de

Module Handbook

The module handbook is the guide to all modules of the degree programme. It contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature and references.

Here you can find the course descriptions of compulsory and elective subjects. 

MHB M-DL WS 2025/26

MHB Electives M-DL WS 2025/26

Study and Examination Regulations

Study and examination regulations (SPO) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. Please turn to the pages of the legal department for Statutes for the Master Design Leadership (only available in German at the moment).

For any questions on requirements, exams regulations and more, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.

Links

Semester dates

 

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  • Esplanade 10
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  • Phone: +49 841 9348-0
  • Mail: info@thi.de

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