Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master's Programme in Lighting Design

The Master's programme in Lighting Design is a two-year, research-based, full-time study programme offered by Aalborg University. The programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of lighting design, including the theoretical foundations, technical skills, and creative approaches necessary to succeed in this field.

Programme Structure and Contents

The programme is structured in modules and organized as a problem-based study. Each semester has an overall theme, which is reflected in the scope of the mandatory course modules and semester projects. The programme includes a combination of academic, problem-oriented, and interdisciplinary approaches, with a focus on developing students' professional skills and independence.

First Semester

The first semester includes the following modules:

• Seeing the Light (15 ECTS)
• Meaning of Light: Light and Space (5 ECTS)
• Lighting Fundamentals (5 ECTS)
• Rendered Lighting Simulation/CGI (5 ECTS)

Second Semester

The second semester includes the following modules:

• Creating with Light: Interactive Lighting (15 ECTS)
• Evidence-based Lighting Design (5 ECTS)
• Light and Context (5 ECTS)
• Intelligent Lighting Design (5 ECTS)

Third Semester

The third semester offers three options:

Option A

• Lighting Design Innovation (20 ECTS)
• 3rd semester elective courses package (10 ECTS)

Option B

• Project-Oriented Study in an External Organisation (25 ECTS)
• 3rd semester elective courses package (5 ECTS)

Option C

• Project-Oriented Study in an External Organisation (30 ECTS)

Fourth Semester

The fourth semester includes the Master's Thesis (30 ECTS).

Elective Courses

The 3rd semester elective courses package includes the following options:

• Design Experiments (5 ECTS)
• User Experience Design for Service Interaction (5 ECTS)
• Academic Paper Writing (5 ECTS)

Admission Requirements

Applicants with a legal right of admission (retskrav) are not offered a bachelor's education with a direct admission to this programme. Applicants without a legal right of admission must meet specific requirements, including:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architecture, Royal Danish Academy - Architecture, Design, Conservation
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design, Royal Danish Academy - Architecture, Design, Conservation
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architecture, Aarhus School of Architecture
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering (Architecture and Design), Aalborg University
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Landscape Architecture, University of Copenhagen
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering (Architectural Engineering), Technical University of Denmark
• Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction Management, KEA/VIA
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Medialogy, Aalborg University
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Art and Technology, Aalborg University
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering (Sustainable Design), Aalborg University
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design, Design School Kolding
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Humanities and Technology, Roskilde University

Competence Profile

A graduate of the Master's programme in Lighting Design has competencies acquired through an educational programme that has taken place in a research environment. The graduate can perform highly qualified functions in the labour market on the basis of the educational programme and has prerequisites for research (a Ph.D. programme).

Knowledge

The graduate must have knowledge of theory based on the highest international research in relation to designing with daylight and electric light in virtual and real space. They must be able to understand and synthesize at the highest international level the knowledge of light in the subject areas of architecture, media technology, and engineering.

Skills

The graduate must master the lighting design scientific methodologies, tools, and general skills related to employment within the field of lighting design. They must be able to evaluate and select among theories, methods, tools, and general skills to create new lighting analyses and solutions.

Competencies

The graduate must be able to manage work situations and developments that are complex, unpredictable, and require new solutions that can be used to explore and exploit the great potential of new lighting design with a media- and light technological, architectural, and sustainable approach. They must be able to independently initiate and carry out discipline-specific and cross-disciplinary collaboration by combining the art and science of designing with light.

Additional Information

For further description of the chosen exam format, please refer to the semester descriptions for the relevant semester and module. All students who have not participated in Aalborg University's course 'Problem-based Learning' or PBL introductory course during their Bachelor's degree must attend and have approved the PBL introductory course before they can participate in the project exam.

Commencement and Transitional Rules

The curriculum is approved by the dean and enters into force as of September 1, 2020. The Study Board does not offer teaching after the previous curriculum from 2017 after the summer examination 2021. The Study Board will offer examinations after the previous curriculum, if there are students who have used examination attempts in a module without passing.

Amendments to the Curriculum and Regulations

On March 7th, 2023, the Pro-Dean of Education has approved the elective module "User Experience Design for Service Interaction" (module code: MSNSSDM1202) to be replaced by the elective module "User Experience Design for Service Interaction" (module code: MSNSSDM1232). Furthermore, the Pro-Dean has approved the removal of the elective module "Advanced A/V Production" on the 3rd semester. The amendment is valid from autumn 2023.

On November 30th, 2023, the Pro-Dean of Education has approved that the description of the type of exam has been modified in the following modules: "Seeing the Light", "Creating with Light: Interactive Lighting", "Lighting Design Innovation", "Project-Oriented Study, 25 ECTS", "Project-Oriented Study, 30 ECTS" and "Master's Thesis". The amendment is valid from autumn 2023 and spring 2024. Furthermore, the Pro-Dean of Education has approved that a list of 7 degrees has been added to the list of applicants without legal right of admission. This amendment is valid from autumn 2024.

On September 26th, 2024, the Pro-Dean of Education has approved a revision of the admission requirements in section 7. The amendment is valid from autumn 2025.

The Vice dean of Education has on February 12, 2025, approved that the prerequisite for enrollment for the exam is erased in the module Creating with Light: Interactive Lighting, valid from Spring 2025.