The Master in Societal Design at Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering explores how design can reshape social, economic and environmental systems.

The Societal Design Master teaches students how to tackle complex, systemic challenges and apply design to create positive societal impact. The programme explores applied systems thinking, offering tools, techniques and practices that ensure graduates are confident facing complex problems, interact confidently with professionals from any field and are able to begin their career as societal designers.

The programme encourages students to challenge the deep assumptions behind how we govern, relate and create. Through modular learning, design experiments and trans-disciplinary partnerships, students will develop the capacity to work across systemic challenges such as housing, health, carbon, biodiversity and critical resources.

Building on design for social innovation, the programme offers skills and opportunities to collaborate with professionals from diverse fields. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to contribute to the urgent task of societal regeneration.

In collaboration with Dark Matter Labs, students gain the unique opportunity to work with its global multidisciplinary team. Founded by architects, Dark Matter Labs combines design expertise with knowledge across economics, policy, law, urban planning, engineering and organisational culture. Renowned for their pioneering work in the field of applied systems change, Dark Matter Labs continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in societal design.

If you have ever wondered how designers can contribute to practical interventions in local, national and global systems, then this is a chance to interact with a team of people who do it on a daily basis.

School: Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering
Course: Master in Societal Design
Type: Postgraduate
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Course dates: September 2026 to July 2027
Application deadline: 15 July 2026

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Applied systems thinking
– Ability to understand interconnected systems and how they relate to design
– Using ecological and social design mapping methods to surface and integrate diverse perspectives
– Collaborative and cross‑sector design across economics, policy, urban planning, engineering and more
– Designing purposeful interventions for urgent societal challenges such as housing, health, carbon, biodiversity and critical resources

What are the requirements?

– An official undergraduate degree or equivalent
– Applicants without a university degree are eligible to apply through proven professional experience or by proving significant knowledge in the relevant study area (these applicants will receive a university specialist certificate)
– Supporting documents in the same language as the programme and in PDF format, including a CV, letter of motivation, portfolio or a link to a digital portfolio/personal website as well as a passport for non-EU applicants or ID for EU applicants

What facilities and resources are available?

– Specialised workshops and laboratories
– Outdoor spaces
– Conference rooms
– Exhibition rooms
– Multi-purpose classrooms
– Other educational spaces in different parts of the city

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Students will be able to establish careers as societal designers, systems change designers and strategists, social innovation designers and consultants in sectors of employment such as public institutions, NGOs and non-profits.

Graduates can also pursue roles in urban planning and policy innovation, environmental, sustainability and regeneration initiatives as well as private sector organisations focused on systematic transformation.

Who teaches this course?

– Emily Harris, course director
– Martin Lorenz, course director

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