MSc Design Management

MSc Design Management has been developed for those already within a creative industry who are looking to gain core and relevant skills of business and management, and for those in an established business environment looking to gain experience and knowledge in developing creative strategies.

Key Information

• Level: Postgraduate Taught
• Delivery type: Full Time, Part Time
• Degree qualification: MSc
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Scottish Borders
• Start date: September, January
• Next intake: January 2026

Our MSc Design Management will provide those already within the creative industry with the opportunity to gain core and relevant skills in business and management and for those working in an established business environment looking to gain experience and knowledge in developing creative strategies. The postgraduate master's degree will develop your skills and knowledge to enable you to produce insightful projects and instigate problem-solving across all departments and stakeholders that support the product in areas of services, communications, technology, and brand entity.

You'll approach design management by applying innovative process analysis, a new way of thinking and professional application to current industry problems to achieve positive outcomes. The programme will enable you to confidently deliver innovative business strategy, whilst producing innovatively designed products through creative teams and creative problem-solving.

MSc Design Management will allow you to develop productive working cultures whilst remaining focused on the customer and staff journey, enabling businesses to acquire the strategy goals via effective design. It blends creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and management.

The programme offers specialised courses in strategic design, sustainable design and management, change management, and user experience design. You'll develop decision making skills and understand how design is used in the organisation for product development and associated departments. You'll apply your learned skills, techniques, and knowledge to undertake your masters project and fine-tune your expertise within the industry.

Upon completion of the programme, you'll be able to effectively manage design and creative strategies and communicate ideas critically and effectively to a wide range of individuals and organisations, through professional visual, written, and verbal communication.

Your Student Experience

Your learning will be informed by our Fashion and Textiles faculty and staff, whose work covers many key areas including:

• Smart Nanotextiles – Nanofibres and Nanoyarns
• Fashion Technology
• Fashion Sustainability
• Design Innovation
• Printed Textile Design
• Medical Compression Design
• Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Management
• Brand Management and Marketing
• Garment Making and Pattern Cutting

Course Content

September Intake

Year 1

Mandatory September

• Design Thinking and Innovation
• Strategic Design
• Sustainable Design & Management

Mandatory January

• Change Management
• Research Methodologies

Optional January

• Design Technologies
• User Experience Design

Mandatory May

• Masters Project: Academic Paper

January Intake

Year 1

Mandatory January

• Change Management
• Research Methodologies

Optional January

• Design Technologies
• User Experience Design

Mandatory September

• Design Thinking and Innovation
• Strategic Design
• Sustainable Design & Management

Mandatory Secondary January

• Masters Project: Academic Paper

Teaching Staff

Programme Leader

• Catherine Clark, Assistant Professor

Fees and Funding

January 2026 intake tuition fees | Status | Full Time | Part Time | | --- | --- | --- | | UK | £10,528 | £5,264 | | International | £19,816 | £9,908 |

September 2026/January 2027 intake tuition fees | Status | Full Time | Part Time | | --- | --- | --- | | UK | £10,864 | £5,432 | | International | £20,456 | £10,228 |

Scholarships and Bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

Entry Requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

• A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or its non-UK equivalent, in any subject provided that it includes evidence of management, creative subjects or engineering, and a personal statement demonstrating an interest in the subject.
• In addition, work or project experience in a related company role will be taken into consideration, please include your CV as part of your application.
• We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world.
• English language requirements: The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.

Heriot-Watt University

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Overview:

Heriot-Watt University is a research-focused institution with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, as well as an online presence. It is known for its career-focused degrees and strong links with industry. Heriot-Watt is highly regarded for its research, with a significant portion ranked world-leading and internationally excellent.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Heriot-Watt offers a diverse and international student community, with one-third of its Edinburgh Campus students coming from outside the UK. The university provides a range of facilities across its campuses, including healthcare, libraries, food and drink, sports centers, and more. Students can participate in clubs and activities, and the university offers accommodation options near its campuses.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Career-focused degrees:

Heriot-Watt is ranked first in Scotland for graduate employability and its graduates are first in the UK for CEO or MD roles.

Global reach:

The university has campuses across the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia, providing students with a truly international experience.

Strong research:

Heriot-Watt is valued for its pioneering research, which is informed by the global needs of business and industry.

Diverse student community:

The university boasts a diverse international student community, fostering a multicultural learning environment.

Beautiful campuses:

Heriot-Watt's campuses are located in stunning settings, offering students a unique and inspiring learning environment.

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Academic Programs:

Heriot-Watt offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences and Business
• Art and Design
• Languages and Culture

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Other:

Heriot-Watt is committed to sustainability and is actively working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The university also offers a personalized virtual experience through its online tour platform, allowing prospective students to explore its campuses virtually.