University of Bergen, West Norway

Master's Programme in Design

As a student on the master's programme in design, you spend two years immersed in your own artistic project, with time to explore, test ideas, make mistakes, and change direction.

The programme offers two programme options:

Furniture and room design/interior architecture
Visual communication

Why choose this programme?

You apply based on your own project, working within furniture and room design/interior architecture or visual communication. The programme has a small intake and a strong sense of team spirit, and you work from your own space in a purpose-built facility at Møllendal in Bergen. Admission is based on portfolio and interview rather than grades, so what matters is the project you bring and were you want to take it.

What will you learn?

At the core of the programme is the development of a larger, independent master's project, and you are your own most important instrument and source of material. Through the programme, you engage with questions central to the design field: how designers can contribute to innovation and new professional knowledge, how design work can respond to relevant social challenges, and how an artistic project can move across established professional boundaries. Much of the learning takes place through conversations and discussions within the Department of Design and in meetings with other professional environments, and all students take part in a dedicated seminar programme.

Student life

Teaching combines lectures, seminar groups, practical exercises, self-study, and work on your master's project. You will spend time researching, designing, testing, and reflecting on your work while continuously developing your ideas. Over four semesters, you develop your project from a preliminary phase through to an approved description, then focus on communicative and presentation skills, before completing the project and a master's exhibition.

Career opportunities

A Master's degree in Design can prepare you for careers where creative development, design processes, and independent project work are important. Possible career paths include:

Designer in private companies, cultural institutions, or design studios
Design consultant working with concept and product development
Creative project manager for design and innovation projects
Independent designer or entrepreneur

The programme provides experience in managing complex design projects and developing solutions through research, experimentation, and artistic practice.

Visit programme site to learn more