Online MA Design Management – Master’s in Design Management
Your Pathway to Creative Leadership and Strategic Innovation
The MA Design Management equips you with the skills to bridge creativity and leadership, preparing you for senior roles in design, innovation, and business strategy. This postgraduate degree blends creative situated practice with advanced management training, enabling you to direct teams, manage design projects, and apply design thinking to real-world business challenges.With a strong focus on both creativity and management, the program develops your ability to combine visual communication, user experience, and innovation with strategic decision-making. Upon graduation, you’ll stand out with a qualification accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and eligibility for Foundation Chartered Manager Status, a globally recognised mark of professional leadership.
Certgates & Arden University Partnership
This program is delivered online by Arden University, a UK institution known for accessible, career-focused education. Through Certgates, students benefit from dedicated application support, career-focused guidance, and a personalised learning journey while accessing Arden’s iLearn digital campus. Together, we ensure your MA Design Management experience is flexible, supported, and professionally empowering.
Why Choose This Program ?
Accreditation
This MA Design Management is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), ensuring global recognition of your leadership training. On completion, you’ll be eligible to apply for:
- CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice
- Foundation Chartered Manager Status (fCMgr) – demonstrating your professional competence and setting you on the pathway to full Chartered Manager Status.
What You Will Study?
The course combines design innovation with leadership, helping you develop advanced skills to manage people, projects, and processes within creative industries.
Core Modules:
Unique Structure:
Unlike traditional programs, your Research Report precedes the final Creative Situated Practice module, allowing you to apply research findings directly into a live, industry-linked design project. This ensures your final portfolio demonstrates both academic rigour and professional application.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the MA Design Management combine creativity with strategic leadership, skills in high demand across industries. You’ll be prepared to lead design teams, manage complex projects, and drive organisational innovation.
Potential career paths include:
- Design Manager / Strategic Design Manager
- Senior Designer / Innovation Designer
- UX/UI Lead Designer
- Brand or Design Consultant
- Human-Centred Design Specialist
- Design and Communication Manager
- Customer Experience Researcher / Innovation Consultant
- Service and Experience Design Lead
You’ll also be able to apply your skills beyond creative industries, including roles in research, R&D, consultancy, and transformation design.
How We Teach, How You Learn
Assessments (Practice-Driven, No Exams):
Learning Experience:
Entry Requirements
Arden considers applications on a case-by-case basis.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is the MA Design Management accredited?
Yes. It’s accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and graduates gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice with Foundation Chartered Manager status.
What is unique about this programme?
Unlike traditional design degrees, the dissertation precedes the Creative Situated Practice module, ensuring applied continuity between research and practice.
How am I assessed?
There are no exams. Assessments include design portfolios, development reports, collaborative projects, and a final practice-based portfolio.
What careers can I pursue?
Graduates move into roles such as Design Manager, Strategic Design Manager, Innovation Designer, Brand Consultant, or UX Lead.
Get a Free Consultation
Advance your career with the MA Design Management, where creativity meets strategic leadership. Apply today and take the next step towards Chartered Manager recognition and leadership in the design industry.
