Programs/Master/General programmes
★ StudyPath verdict
7.2/10
Best for independent designers seeking to deepen research skills through self-directed projects combining making and theory. Trade-off: highly self-guided structure may challenge those preferring structured curricula.
Tuition · Intl
€13,502
EU: €2,143/year · click ↗
Duration
2 years
60 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by May 26
Language
English
IELTS 6+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2021
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
20
DUO ↓57% ↗
Intl. %
?
no data yet
S:F ratio
18:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6
IELTS required
Entry route
Bachelor
2 bachelor routes ↗
Satisfaction
4.0/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
?
no data yet
Median salary
?
no data yet
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 26 Jun 2026
About this program
At the Master Design you learn to do design research to seek answers to a self-defined design question. You combine methods of making, gaining in-depth knowledge and positioning. This master of the Willem de Kooning Academy has its own design research methodology, which is the base of workshops, lectures and coaching sessions. During the study you constantly reflect on what you discover and share your findings through storytelling. With your design research you contribute to new practices in which relevant issues and ways of working are explored. In the first year you get to know different methods in the three learning lines design research, storytelling and new practices. By deploying it directly to answer your own design question, you gradually develop your own methodology. You also work on a suitable network of participants and look for your positioning in your context. In the second year you work on your own methodology, and are thereby relevant to the social and design context in which you work. You graduate on design (methodology and work), a publication and a clear vision with which you stand as a professional in your new network. The program is taught in English, but students individually can work in Dutch. The study after an application assessment accepts both students from the Netherlands and within the EU.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English60 ECTSMaster of ArtsField area: Language & CultureSector: Kunst en CultuurCode of Conduct (intl.)Part-timeMaster
About Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Rotterdam) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands with over 38,000 students.
Living in Rotterdam
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€580/mo
Monthly total
€850–€1,600
Cost of living
Medium
Population
651k

Modern, innovative, and business-oriented. Rotterdam is less touristy than Amsterdam, offering a more authentic Dutch experience. The city is known for its contemporary architecture and entrepreneurial spirit.

View city guide →
Specializations
Year 3 tracks
?No data yet
Curriculum
Course structure by year
Year 130 ECTS
Exploration and Methodology Development
  • Design Research methods (workshops, lectures)
  • Storytelling
  • New Practices
  • Personal methodology development
  • Research goal refinement and positioning
Year 230 ECTS
Refinement and Graduation
  • Methodology refinement and iterations
  • Design goal iterations
  • Publication and final project
  • Professional practice vision
60 ECTS total · semester-by-semesterSource ↗
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
?No career-outcome data yet
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Women among first-years78%
Say workload is “just right”58%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
4/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 12 respondents
Content & set-up4
Teachers4.2
Atmosphere4.6
Involvement & contact4.2
Study guidance4.2
Testing & assessment3.9
Facilities4
Career preparation3.8
Teachers' English4.8
Would choose again3.9
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-05-01
Application deadline
2027-05-01
Application deadline
2028-05-01
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
  • IELTS: 6
  • TOEFL iBT: 80
Scholarships
NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship)Not specified on RUAS overview page
LPDP-Netherlands Joint Scholarship ProgrammeNot specified on RUAS overview page
Internships
?No data yet
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