Master of Arts in Design Management
The Master of Arts in Design Management at Raffles College, awarded in partnership with...
Master of Arts in Design Management
Singapore
INTAKE: Jan & Jul
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Design Management at Raffles College, awarded in partnership with Coventry University, UK, is designed for creative professionals seeking to combine design expertise with strategic management acumen. The program focuses on fostering critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and leadership skills necessary to manage design-led organizations and projects. Students explore the intersection of design, innovation, and business strategy, preparing them for managerial roles across creative industries such as fashion, interior design, graphic design, product development, and brand management. The curriculum balances theoretical frameworks with practical applications, enabling students to transform creative concepts into viable business solutions.
Curriculum: The program offers a carefully structured curriculum that blends academic rigor with hands-on learning. Key modules typically include Strategic Design Management, Innovation and Creativity in Business, Branding and Marketing for Design, Research Methods for Creative Practice, and Sustainable Design Strategies. The program culminates in a professional research project or dissertation, allowing students to apply their learning to real-world design management challenges. Through workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects, students develop skills in critical analysis, project planning, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking, which are essential for success in competitive creative industries.
Research Focus: Raffles College emphasizes a research-driven approach, encouraging students to engage in applied research that addresses contemporary challenges in design management. Students are trained to undertake critical investigations, analyze design trends, and evaluate the impact of innovative strategies on organizational performance. The program’s research components foster originality and thought leadership, enabling graduates to contribute to both academic knowledge and industry practices.
Industry Engagement: A key strength of Raffles College is its strong industry engagement, which allows students to gain exposure to real-world projects and professional networks. Through partnerships with design agencies, corporations, and creative enterprises, students participate in internships, live projects, and collaborative workshops. This close interaction with industry professionals ensures that graduates are equipped with practical insights, strategic thinking skills, and an understanding of market trends, making them highly employable in the global creative economy.
Global Perspective: The Master of Arts in Design Management program integrates a global perspective by exposing students to international design standards, best practices, and cross-cultural management strategies. Collaboration with Coventry University ensures that students benefit from a curriculum aligned with global benchmarks, while Singapore’s status as a multicultural hub provides unique opportunities to understand diverse design markets. Graduates are prepared to operate confidently in international environments, leading design teams, and managing creative projects across borders.
Location
Singapore
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
SGD 39240
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: SGD 1090
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 55% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 59 or higher.
Raffles College of Higher Education (RCHE), Singapore, offers a range of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in pursuing their academic and professional goals. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, creative talent, leadership potential, and overall contribution to the college community, making education more accessible for students from diverse backgrounds.
Merit-Based Scholarships: RCHE provides merit-based scholarships to international students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements or exceptional creative abilities. Eligibility is generally assessed based on previous academic records, portfolios, or relevant industry experience, encouraging high-performing students to pursue their studies with financial support.
Talent and Creativity Scholarships: For students pursuing creative fields such as design, multimedia, or performing arts, RCHE offers scholarships that reward innovative thinking, artistic skill, and portfolio excellence. These scholarships help nurture talent while reducing the financial burden for international students.
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Design Management program at Raffles College of Higher Education, Singapore, are exceptionally well-prepared for a diverse range of creative and managerial roles in both local and global industries.
Design Manager: Graduates can assume the role of a design manager, where they lead multidisciplinary design teams, oversee the development of creative projects, and ensure that design outputs align with the organization’s strategic vision. They are responsible for balancing creativity with operational efficiency, managing resources, timelines, and client expectations.
Creative Director: This role allows graduates to take charge of a brand’s or agency’s creative vision. They develop overarching strategies, set aesthetic standards, and ensure that all creative outputs consistently reflect the organization’s identity and values. Creative directors also mentor teams, foster innovation, and guide the conceptualization of projects from inception to execution.
Brand Manager: Graduates pursuing brand management focus on developing, implementing, and maintaining brand strategies. They work on positioning, marketing campaigns, and brand communications to strengthen market presence. Their role often involves market research, consumer behavior analysis, and ensuring brand consistency across multiple platforms and touchpoints.
Innovation Manager: In this role, graduates drive innovation initiatives within organizations, identifying opportunities for creative solutions and new product or service development. They foster a culture of experimentation, evaluate emerging trends, and implement strategies that enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Product Development Manager: Graduates can oversee the full lifecycle of product design, from ideation and prototyping to production and market launch. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines and budgets, and ensure that products meet user needs, market expectations, and sustainability standards.
User Experience (UX) Strategist: This role focuses on designing user-centric experiences across digital and physical products. Graduates analyze user behavior, create intuitive interfaces, and optimize interactions to enhance engagement and satisfaction. They collaborate closely with designers, developers, and marketers to ensure cohesive and impactful user experiences.
Project Manager (Creative Industries): Graduates may take on project management roles, coordinating complex creative projects from planning to delivery. They manage teams, schedules, budgets, and client communications, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with high-quality results.
Design Consultant: As consultants, graduates advise businesses on design strategies that can improve competitiveness, customer engagement, and brand perception. They analyze market trends, assess organizational needs, and provide actionable recommendations for integrating design thinking into business operations.
Entrepreneur in Creative Sector: The program also prepares graduates to launch and manage their own design-led startups or creative ventures. They develop business strategies, identify market opportunities, and leverage design innovation to create sustainable and scalable enterprises.
Academic or Researcher in Design Management: For those inclined toward academia or research, graduates can pursue teaching roles or advanced research in design strategy, management, and innovation. They contribute to the development of knowledge in the field, publish scholarly work, and mentor future design leaders.
