Graduate Certificate in Design Leadership
Contemporary organisations are realising the importance of Design Strategy as a method toward tactical thinking and Design Leadership as a competitive differentiator. Combined, it affords the ability to create effective products, services, and communication, focused on user needs and business goals.
This course will layout a foundation in which these two areas may be applied in a variety of business context, delivered through the lens of Design Thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students will learn how to tackle complex business problems through design cognition and methods and how to strategise and operate design projects in a complex real-world context.
Participants are enabled to integrate advanced and complementary areas of design-related practice in the realm of business, delivered in a service-learning context. In other words, students will be exposed to how strategy and leadership from a design perspective are best leveraged in certain business domains.
Courses
The Graduate Certificate in Design Leadership is offered only in the January semester (Semester 2) and consists of 8 units of courses;
- Design Strategies and Leadership (4 units)
- Collaborative Design (4 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)
- Statement of Purpose
- Respond to the questions below (max 800 words):
- What initially sparked your interest in design?
Was there a defining moment or experience that confirmed your decision to pursue this career? - What core principles or values guide your design practice?
Why are they fundamental to your approach? - How do you plan to challenge yourself and grow during this Graduate Certificate?
Are there specific skills, perspectives, or areas of knowledge you are eager to develop? - Why have you chosen NUS and the Graduate Certificate in Design Leadership?
What specific aspects of the programme resonate with your goals?
- What initially sparked your interest in design?
- Respond to the questions below (max 800 words):
Application Deadline
- 4 October 2024 to 15 November 2024 (January 2025 intake)
Period of Normal Candidature
- 6 months
Award of Graduate Certificate
- Upon completion of 8 units with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.50 out of 5.00
Alternative Pathway:
Admission to Masters 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$12,644
- Fee Rebates, SkillsFuture Credits and SSG funding are not applicable.