Universidad de Buenos Aires
The main language of the Master's degree programme is English, but basic knowledge of Spanish and German is also required. Students will have the opportunity to acquire or improve their knowledge of both Spanish and German during their studies through integrated language courses.
International applicants (non-Argentinian): 30 October for the following summer semester intake
Open Design / Diseño Abierto para la Innovación is an international and interdisciplinary Master's programme that is jointly organised by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) and Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA). Successful graduates will be awarded a double degree by both partner institutions.
The programme focuses on the "design turn" in interdisciplinary research. Design as an integrating process becomes a novel mode of interdisciplinary cooperation between the natural sciences and the humanities, engineering and design disciplines as a basis for innovative processes. The course focuses on theoretical perspectives and practical dimensions in the sense of a unity of theory and practice, research perspectives and their application.
Students will be given the opportunity to reflect on complex problems that require input from multiple disciplines, acquiring skills in a broad spectrum of empirical methodologies including cultural studies, humanities, natural sciences, and design disciplines.
The programme conveys key qualifications that are becoming increasingly important in view of today's profound social change and the associated global challenges: interdisciplinary research, intercultural communication, the acquisition of language, media and technology skills, the ability to self-reflect and cooperate with people from different academic, work and corporate cultures.
Programme graduates are prepared to work in intercultural and interdisciplinary communication and mediation. They are also prepared for interdisciplinary problem-solving, development and innovative research, conceptual work and project development for the industrial, scientific and social sectors, research and research facilitation.
The standard period of study of the Open Design programme is two years. The programme is structured into mandatory and optional modules. Over the course of the first three semesters, students will explore three key seminars (Spatial Structures, Media Technologies, Design Strategies) in increasing complexity from the foundational elements to experimentation and practical, research-oriented project work. Each semester, students also complete a laboratory module, in which the knowledge acquired in the different seminars is put into practice. Laboratories serve as platforms for translating design into a scientific process of experimentation and research.
Modules 1-7 (Mandatory)
Spatial Structures I-III:
Students acquire expertise in the historical and theoretical description and application of spatial structures within different sciences. They will synthesise this knowledge into new spatial structures in disciplines, such as physics and architecture, materials research, and design.
Media Technologies I-III:
Students acquire expertise in the history and theory of media technologies, including the transfer, processing, and conservation of data and objects.
Design Strategies I-III:
Students acquire expertise in diverse design strategies within different disciplines and are encouraged to analyse these as comparative processes of "Gestaltung".
Laboratory Elements:
On the basis of the foundational elements of "Gestaltung" and research processes (draft, concept, model, etc.), students gain interdisciplinary project skills and extensive experience of software programmes.
Laboratory Experiments:
On the basis of the foundational elements of experimentation and the structure of experimental systems, students master interdisciplinary methods and acquire extensive user experience in media technology and design strategy.
Laboratory Projects:
This module enables students to carry out research and project work on a semester topic. They apply design strategies as an integrative process in the development and implementation of innovative interdisciplinary project work.
Intercultural & Interdisciplinary Competence:
This course examines processes of specifically culturally coded perceptions and evaluations that determine both the meaning of cultures and symbolic orders and cultural techniques and materials.
Modules 8-11 (Optional)
Language Course 1 & 2:
Students will develop advanced language skills in English, Spanish, or German.
Elective 1 & 2:
In these modules, students can acquire interdisciplinary competences in other subjects of their own choice.
Module 12 (Mandatory)
Master's thesis:
Students demonstrate that they are able to work independently on a topic or scientific question, establishing interdisciplinary connections within the current state of research.
All students spend the first two semesters at UBA and the third semester at HU Berlin. During the fourth semester, students can decide to complete the programme and write their theses in either Argentina or Germany.
Approx. 315 EUR (at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, included in the tuition fees)
Applicants must have completed a four-year Bachelor's degree or equivalent university degree with at least 2,600 attendance hours (clock hours). If applicants completed a Bachelor's degree with a duration of less than four years, they must submit proof of at least one year's work and/or research experience in their field of study.
Applicants must provide proof of English language competence in accordance with the minimum level B2 (CEFR).
Applicants whose native language is not Spanish must also demonstrate a basic knowledge of Spanish at A2 (CEFR) or an equivalent level.
During the first two semesters, it is highly recommended that students take a German language course. Basic knowledge of German is necessary for the third semester, which takes place in Berlin.
International applicants (non-Argentinian): 30 October for the following summer semester intake
