Design Research (MA)

Department Architecture, Facility Management and Geoinformation

Major Fields of study

The one-year MSc. program is conducted by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and Bauhaus Dessau Foundation in cooperation with Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. It is conceived as a preparatory step towards doctoral work. It strives to integrate design and research, which are often perceived as separate disciplines. The practical experience of design gained by participants in previous study semesters and in professional practice provides the basis for an approach to design now primarily based on research and analysis.

Course content and objectives

The core of the MSc. program, communicated using different teaching methods with the participation of the three aforementioned partner institutions, relies on three thematic building blocks: Design as research – analysis of the synthesizing practices; design as projection – anticipation and intervention strategies; design in the world – impact and application. The participants gain sound scientific knowledge and competences on the basis of tasks that are both practice-oriented and forward-looking. The successfully completed MSc. program qualifies graduates to study for a doctorate. Moreover, the program fosters personal growth and as such paves the way for a meaningful level of social engagement. The MSc. program COOP Design Research opens up professional perspectives in the fields of research and teaching, design and cultural studies, and curatorial practice.
The program is conducted at Gropius’ Bauhaus in Dessau. Some lectures take place at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin.
Please refer to www.coopdesignresearch.de for more information.

Requirements

University Degree
A qualified university degree in a bachelor’s or master's degree program in Architecture, Design, Cultural Studies or related programs with a standard period of study of at least 4 years (240 ECTS) is required.
Language Skills
English language proficiency (TOEFL min. 600 (PBT) or 94 (iBT), IELTS min. 7,0 or equivalent). An evidenced graduation from an English-medium university is also accepted.
Aptitude Test Procedure
Candidates are asked to submit a portfolio. After submission and evaluation of the portfolio, an additional personal interview can be requested.

Curriculum

CURRICULUM OF ONE YEAR

01
Introductory phase / Preliminary laboratory
3 Weeks [ECTS Part of 02 Labratory]

The preliminary laboratory (3 weeks) provides access to the program. This involves a general introduction to the various positions in design research and the working practices and methods of scientific work. Selected examples of design research will be analysed and reflected on in seminars.

02
Laboratory
12 weeks [10 ECTS]

The laboratory is made up of three thematic building blocks: design as research, design as education and design as projection. In lectures, seminars and exercises these diverse modes of design knowledge production will be systematically analysed both historically and theoretically and argued in presentations based on selected examples.

03
Exposé
6 weeks [5 ECTS]

Following up 02 Laboratory, the insights, methods and skills acquired in the first term will be applied in a self-chosen thematic project. The exposé serves as a test phase for an independent, original design research argumentation.

04
Theory and Methods
weekly [5 ECTS]

The lecture series offers an overview of the history of modern design research and presents discourses, projects and concepts in the field.
The seminar will reflect on different approaches to the development of theories in, e.g., the natural sciences, the humanities and design. The seminar also includes an introduction to the varied methods of scientific work, e.g., literature research, archive study techniques, data analysis, interview techniques, qualitative methods, e.g. participatory observation or material studies, and aims to enable students to take a reflexive approach to these methods.

05
Elective subject
[5 ECTS]

The elective subject comprises block sessions in which partner universities present their research areas and introduce the participants to the issues arising from these contexts. The elective study broadens the thematic spectrum and enlarges upon the teaching content of the lectures and modules.

06
Lecture series / Master Talks
[5+5 ECTS]

The Master Talks offer a platform for international exchange on approaches to design research. Guest scientists and designers present their research approaches and hypotheses for discussion. In accompanying or separately organised research colloquia, the program’s participants, in association with the guests, can deepen their understanding of issues arising from the contexts of the respective themes.

07
Master Thesis
[25 ECTS]

The Master Thesis follows up the exposé. Students develop and elaborate their research argumentation to a full thesis under the supervision of their mentors within 20 weeks.
Master Thesis will finally be presented in a public colloquium.

Application Requirements

This Master of Science Program requires a successful completion of a Diploma or a Bachelor / Master degree in the field of Architecture or Design, Cultural Sciences or similar of at least 240 ECTS (four years) and a full online application.

Application Documents

Academic Transcripts

Applicants must provide an official copy of their bachelor degree / diploma, the transcript of records and an official copy of their highschool diploma. All of your academic credentials must be translated into English or German.

Proof of English Language

Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for acceptance.

If you have completed your Bachelor or Master course in the English language and you can provide a certificate to confirm this, you do not need to do a language test.

Otherwise, you must submit one of the following:
TOEFL test with a result of at least 600 paper-based (PBT) / 94 internet-based (iBT),
IELTS Academic test with a result of at least 7,0 or Cambridge Main Suite of English Examinations or equivalent.

You should plan to take the language test well in advance of the application deadline since you will have to add them to your application package.

Portfolio

Candidates are asked to submit a portfolio. The portfolio must be sent via email (max. 10 Mb). After submission and evaluation of the portfolio, an additional personal interview can be requested.

Sending your Materials

Please submit the following application documents via email to: info@coopdesignresearch.de

1. COOP Design Resarch Application form, including your Articulation of Interest and Personal Background

2.1. Hochschule Anhalt Application to Graduate Studies (filled out and signed)

2.2. Documents and Certificates, including:

Transcript of Records from your Bachelor or previous Master course
Copy of your Passport
CV/Lebenslauf
Language test certificate, e.g. TOEFL, IELTS
Certified copies of original plus english translation of Bachelor Diploma and High School Diploma
Copy of a Passport Photograph

3. Portfolio

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send them to: info@coopdesignresearch.de.

Fees

Every student is expected to pay 1.250,00 € (program fee for Master Program) plus 76,-€ (admin. fee for general registration and student union) per semester.

Deadline

The COOP Design Research MSc. welcomes new students every winter semester which starts in the first week of October. The application deadline is April 15th of the same year.

Admitted applicants choosing to enroll must submit their semester fees by 15th September and arrive in Dessau latest by October 1st. We advise new students to arrive two weeks in advance to prepare their stay here.

Cooperative Teaching

The program is set out along transdisciplinary lines and draws on the following disciplines: Architecture, design, cultural studies, visual studies, materials science and the history and theory of design and architecture. The new Masters Program unites the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation with its historic collection and its education and communication formats with the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and the combined outstanding academic expertise of Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, especially of the Cluster of Excellence „Matters of Activity. Image Space Material". Moreover, engaging with the historic artefacts, materials and buildings found in the Bauhaus City Dessau means that contemporary issues in design may be explored through materials-based research and their currency tested in exhibition and communication formats.

Lecturers:

Regina Bittner, Stephan Pinkau, Claus Diessenbacher, Michael Hohl, Wolfgang Schäffner, Jasper Cepl, Joachim Krausse, Sabine Hansmann, Friederike Schäfer et al.

School Registration

There are several steps you will have to do when you arrive in Dessau. These include getting a German address as well as registering at the town hall, opening a bank account and organizing medical insurance. You also have to pay the semester fee, and after that you can be officially inrolled in COOP Design Research at the office of:

Mr. Hanjo Todte

Email: hanjo.todte(at).hs-anhalt.de
Building M (Mensa / Canteen), Room 201. Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 – 12:30 and 1:30 – 3:30

You will be asked for:
– passport and visa
– confirmation of admission from Hochschule Anhalt
– registration document from town hall
– proof of health insurance
– proof of the payment of the students fee

After you have completed the paper work, you will get your students card as well as login data for your university email and for the online platform. You will need your new email address to recieve all important information during the semester and the online platform to keep an overview of your grades and credits.

Student Housing

The housing administration responsible for the three student dorms in Dessau is the „Studentenwerk Halle“. Applications are considered according to the date of their registration at the Studentenwerk. At the moment there are more students applying than there are rooms, so the earlier you apply the better are your chances!
You can only apply though the Studentenwerkhalle online application form.
Here is also an overview of Student Dorms in Dessau for your Orientation.

Contact details of the Housing Administration:
STUDENTENWERK HALLE
Wohnplatzvermittlung Köthen, Dessau und Bernburg
Fasanerieallee 1a
Mensa 1. OG
06366 Köthen
wpvkoethen(at)studentenwerk-halle.de

If there are no rooms available in the dorms, we would like to refer you to:
CAMPUS COORDINATOR in Dessau
Mrs. Yili Lu
Yili.Lu(at)hs-anhalt.de
+49 340 5197 1518

Download

Information on Enrolment
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Financial Information
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Master Thesis Abstracts

Selection of successfully completed Master's Theses

You will find abstracts of successfully completed Master´s Theses as pdf for download located on our external website. Please follow this link to visit the COOP Design Research page to view the thesis abstracts.

Link: coopdesignresearch.de

Was bedeutet die Akkreditierung eines Studiengangs?

Durch die Beurkundung einer unabhängigen Akkreditierungsagentur wird die Studierbarkeit eines Studiengangs dokumentiert.

In einem Akkreditierungsverfahren werden die Lehrinhalte, die zu vermittelnden Kompetenzen, die Prüfungsformen, der Studienablauf und die Studiendauer von den Fachleuten der Agentur geprüft.

Die Akkreditierungsurkunde hat für einen befristeten Zeitraum Gültigkeit. Danach steht eine Re-Akkreditierung des Studiengangs an. So wird sichergestellt, dass auch in Zukunft eine den Anforderungen der Zeit angepasste Ausbildung gewährleistet ist.

Design Research (MA)

Department Architecture, Facility Management and Geoinformation

Major Fields of study

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