Throughout your studies, develop a long-term project guided by dedicated mentors and enriched by peer collaboration and advanced labs at Merz Akademie in Germany.
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Find Your Voice
Learn how to present and communicate your work across different formats. This will strengthen your academic profile and expand your professional prospects in Germany and beyond.
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Mastery in Contemporary Media Techniques
Gain expertise in conceptual image strategies and contemporary media techniques. Learn about everything from storytelling and scrollytelling to generative AI and interactive simulations that will shape future society.
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Practice-oriented and Interdisciplinary Approach
Customize your studies in Germany by choosing from flexible modules in film, new media, and visual communication. You will also participate in interdisciplinary project weeks led by international lecturers.
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Access to State-of-the-art Equipment and Resources
Take advantage of our cutting-edge facilities, including VR labs and photo studios. Our extensive rental equipment and comprehensive library will fully support your creative projects.
In an era marked by wars, authoritarianism, global crises, climate change, and the evolution of AI and media, the Master of Arts in Research in Design, Art, and Media — Designing the Future program at Merz Akademie in Stuttgart champions art and design as vital to crafting new collaborative frameworks for life and work. The program provides the skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for making an impact through cinematic, artistic, design, activist, or social media endeavors.
Target Groups
Curriculum
Study Mode
Career Prospects
Targeted at (media) artists, designers, illustrators, photographers, influencers, and humanities or STEM graduates with a passion for artistic research, this program seeks individuals with:
Strong communicative and reflective abilities
Independent artistic or theoretical practice
A BA degree in humanities, art/design, and an interest in contemporary art, film, or design
A self-driven work ethic
This course emphasizes the integration of art, design, and media within theoretical and social contexts. It centers on photography, film, graphic design, illustration, 3D design, interaction design, game design, media art, digital folklore, and artistic research. The curriculum focuses on individual projects, enabling students to develop process-, context-, and research-oriented methodologies. "Experimental Worldbuilding" and "Documentary Practice" enrich the program further, complemented by expert feedback and a blend of mandatory and elective courses.
Engage in project-based learning and enjoy 24/7 lab access to enhance your technical skills and utilize comprehensive resources. Regular colloquia with peers, artists, and theorists foster a community of collective reflection and individual practice, honing your ability to contextualize, critique, and network effectively.
Graduates of the M.A. Research in Design, Art and Media - Designing the Future find themselves in pivotal roles across various sectors:
Leading positions in agencies
NGOs
Public institutions like the Staatstheater Stuttgart
This master's program offers extensive freedom in structuring your studies and choosing media. It bridges the gap between experimental world-building and documentary practice in Germany.
Personalized Academic Experience
Take advantage of close contact with professors, including up to 25 hours of direct interaction per semester, as well as dedicated staff support for academic and administrative needs.
Vibrant Campus Life In Stuttgart
Study at Stuttgart's Kulturpark Berg, a vibrant campus hub where creative communities, student housing, and the Haus des Dokumentarfilms foster collaboration and innovation.
Accreditations
German Council of Science
German Council of Science
The Wissenschaftsrat (WR; Council of Science and Humanities) is an advisory body to the German Federal Government and the state governments. It makes recommendations on the development of science, research, and the universities, as well as on the competitiveness of German science.
Requirements
Qualification Requirements
The application requirements for the study program in "Research in Design, Art and Μеdia" are:
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Bachelor's (Undergraduate) Degrее
Applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, such as a Diplom. This degree should be in one of the following fields:
Artistic/Design disciplines
Humanities/Cultural Studies
Natural Sciences, with an emphasis on programs like Computer Science
ECTS Credits Requirement:
For Applicants with 210 ECTS Credits: Those who have completed their Bachelor’s degree with 210 ECTS credits meet the direct entry requirements for the Master’s program.
For Applicants with 180 ECTS Credits: Applicants who have earned 180 ECTS credits through their Bachelor’s degree are required to obtain an additional 30 ECTS credits. These credits must be acquired through study-relevant coursework as part of a preliminary semester. Successfully completing this requirement allows for the commencement of the Master’s degree, aiming for a total of 300 ECTS credits. The study program for these applicants extends to 4 semеstеrs.
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Admission Τеst
Credit System Variance: Applicants who have earned their first degree under a credit system different from the ECTS are encouraged to apply. They have the option to apply for both the direct entry and the preliminary semester pathway. The admissions committee will assess the applicant's qualifications and previous education to determine the most suitable pathway for them.
Admissions Committee Assessment: The final decision on the admission pathway (direct entry or preliminary semester) for applicants with degrees based on different credit systems will be made after a thorough evaluation by the admissions committee. This ensures a fair and comprehensive assessment of all applicants' educational backgrounds and qualifications in relation to the program's requiremеnts.
Language Requirements
The following certificates are recognized as proof of your language proficiency.
English
CEFR English
min B2
IELTS
min 5
EF SET
min 51
TOEFL iBT
min 72
Cambridge
min B2 First (FCE)
ILR
min 2
CLB
min 7
Does the university recognize "other equivalent language certificates"? no information provided by university
Application & Admission
Application Deadlines
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For Candidates with Previous Degree from
Winter Semester (Starting: October)
Summer Semester (Starting: April)
Germany
Winter Semester: -
Summer Semester: -
Another EU Country
Winter Semester: -
Summer Semester: -
Rest of the world
Winter Semester: -
Summer Semester: -
Explanation regarding the application period
For applicants who do not require a visa, the application deadline for the 2026 winter semester is 6 July 2026. This may also apply to applicants residing outside Germany or the EU. For full details on dates and deadlines, please refer to: https://www.merz-akademie.de/en/bewerbung-master/#dates.
An exposé outlining a project you would like to work on as part of the Master’s degree program (2-3 pagеs).
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Letter of Motiνatiοn
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Portfοliο
A portfolio of 1-3 current textual and/or artistic/design works relevant to the Master’s program. The work submitted should provide an overview of your skills and interеsts.
I believe that knowing what I know now, I would perhaps focus a little more on graphic design right from the start – as that’s what I enjoy most in everyday professional life. At the same time, I am very happy that the Merz Akademie gave me the opportunity to try out different areas and also work on interdisciplinary projects. What I would definitely make more use of are the workshop courses and facilities. I didn’t have such a great need for them during my studies, but I would really like to work with them now.
Location
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Merz Akademie - University of Applied Art, Design and Media, Stuttgart
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English
Germany
Another EU Country
Rest of the world
