Graduate Certificate in Integrated Design
Design today is an integrative, boundary-crossing practice that connects disciplines and bridges gaps between people, organisations, and sectors. As a dynamic field, Integrated Design is essential for addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing industries, the public sector, and communities. No longer limited to traditional outputs, design now plays a pivotal role at every stage of projects—whether creating a service, product, communication strategy or addressing systemic issues.
This Graduate Certificate offers an immersive, project-based Integrated Design Studio, simulating professional practice. Working in small teams, students collaborate with industry partners to tackle real-world challenges, guided by faculty and industry experts. This hands-on approach builds essential skills, fosters industry connections, and provides direct insight into future career opportunities.
By integrating Service, Experience, Interaction, and Transformative Design, the programme equips design professionals to drive impactful change across industries, social sectors, and government.
Learn more about our Integrated Design Studio here.
Courses
The Graduate Certificate in Integrated Design is offered in both the August and January semester (Semester 1 and 2) and consist of 16 units of courses;
- Integrated Design Studio 1 (8 units)
- Integrated Design Studio 2 (8 units)
Timetable
The Division of Industrial Design reserves the right to make changes to the schedule. In case of changes, all registered students will be informed accordingly, ahead of time.
Successful applicants will be taking the courses together with the current MDes cohort.
Admission Requirements
Bachelor degree holders in relevant disciplines or with relevant professional experiences.
Application
To apply, please go to the Online Application Portal (https://myapplications.nus.edu.sg) > Graduate Cert
Mandatory Application Materials
- Bachelor's Degree Scroll and Transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Design Portfolio: Case study of previous works
Please share a selection of your best works (3 – 4 case studies). The selection of case studies should showcase your design approach, process, and areas of interest.
Max. 5 pages per case study and submission will be in PDF format (max 20 MB).
For each case study, include the following:
- Context:
- What was the project about?
- What was the timeframe?
- Was it a student project, or a live project with a client?
- Specify your contributions:
- What was your role in the project? (eg. work independently or as part of a team).
- Key Learnings & Reflections:
- What aspects are you most proud of?
- What did you learn from this project?
- What would you do differently if you were to approach it again?
- Challenges:
- What were the main challenges you faced during the project?
- How did you address or overcome them?
- Statement of Purpose
Respond to the questions below (max 800 words):
- What draws you to NUS and the Graduate Certificate in Integrated Design?
How do you see this programme aligning with your professional aspirations and design practice?
- How do you hope to challenge yourself and grow during this programme?
Are there specific skills, perspectives, or methodologies you aim to develop?
- Can you share an example of a challenge you hope to tackle using integrated design?
How do you see yourself applying what you learn in real-world projects? - Collaboration is central to integrated design.
What role do you typically take in multidisciplinary teams, and how do you navigate different viewpoints?
- What draws you to NUS and the Graduate Certificate in Integrated Design?
Application Deadline
- 1 May 2025 to 1 June 2025 (August 2025 intake)
- 1 October 2025 to 1 November 2025 (January 2026 intake)
Period of Normal Candidature
- 12 months
Award of Graduate Certificate
- Upon completion of 16 units with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.50 out of 5.00.
Alternative Pathway:
Admission to Master of Design in Integrated Design
- Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate programme, graduates with GPA ≥ 3.00 may apply for a relevant MDes programme, subject to approval by the Division of Industrial Design.
- Submission of MDes programme application is required.
- Successfully completed courses with grade point ≥ 3.00 may be transferred, up to a maximum of 8 units.
- Units transfer within 5 years from award of Graduate Certificate.
Fee Structure
- Total Fee for Graduate Certificate in Design Leadership (inclusive of GST): S$25,288
- Fee Rebates, SkillsFuture Credits and SSG funding are not applicable.