The Master of Design (MDes) Scheme course at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University teaches students four refined specialisms within design.
The Master of Design (MDes) Scheme at PolyU offers four interdisciplinary specialisms designed to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the design field: Innovative Business Design (IBD), Intelligent Systems Design (ISD), Smart Service Design (SSD) and Transitional Environments Design (TED)

Established in 2004, the MDes was the first scheme-based taught postgraduate programme at PolyU School of Design – ranked among the top 25 design schools globally. The programme fosters a collaborative studio environment where students learn from peers, explore new approaches and grow into well-rounded creative professionals.

Located in Hong Kong, the MDes offers a unique East-meets-West experience. As a Special Administrative Region of China, the city provides access to both regional and global platforms – from Chinese to Western tools and networks – making it a powerful base for innovation and cross-cultural learning.

Taught in English, the programme is led by a diverse faculty of international experts. Students tackle transformative challenges with global relevance, shaped by advanced technologies and responsible worldviews. Graduates emerge with strong portfolios, strategic design thinking skills and the ability to lead innovation across industries.

International applicants are welcome.

School: School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Course: Master of Design (MDes) Scheme
Type: Postgraduate
Location: Hong Kong, China
Course dates: September 2026 to July 2027
Application deadline: 15 January 2026

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Critical thinking, creativity and strategic innovation
– Each specialism equips graduates with future-ready skills – from developing innovative business models and AI-enabled systems to service innovation and regenerative urban design

What are the requirements?

– A Bachelor's degree in design or related field, such as business, humanities or a technological field (IBD, SSD), STEM, communication, psychology or anthropology (ISD), spatial design, architecture, landscape design or urban and rural design (TED).

What facilities and resources are available?

– University Library with over 9 million holdings
– Industrial Centre – an innovation hub unique among Hong Kong's UGC-funded universities
– Campus facilities, including catering outlets, bank and bookshop
– Sports facilities, including swimming pools, stadiums and courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton, squash and tennis
– Fitness rooms and activity spaces are available across venues

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Graduates may become strategic thinkers, innovation leaders, startup founders or cross-disciplinary creatives. They contribute to sectors such as healthcare, finance, hospitality, public services, education and urban development, leading teams, shaping business models and designing meaningful solutions. Some also pursue teaching, research or further academic work to advance design knowledge and practice.

Who teaches this course?

– Stephen J Wang, leader of MDes Scheme and Specialism Leader of ISD
– Sylvia Liu, specialism leader of IBD
– Shera Park, specialism leader of SSD
– Laurent Gutierrez, specialism leader of TED

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