CAMPUSES IN ROME
TRIESTE + SAN LORENZO + OSTIENSE

Design Management

The Master in Design Management is RUFA’s programme dedicated to design-driven innovation. You will learn to understand complex systems and transform needs, behaviours and emerging scenarios into strategies capable of generating value for businesses, institutions, communities and people.

TAUGHT IN
ENGLISH

CAMPUS
ROME

COURSE DURATION
12 MONTHS

COURSE START
JANUARY

A Master’s programme for designing meaningful lives

You will tackle real challenges, transforming research and insights into concrete solutions. You will work across design, business and technology to build experiences that are useful, accessible and sustainable.

Request information

CLASS HOURS
500

INTERNSHIP HOURS
250

VISITING PROFESSORS
+ 20

CULTURAL PARTNERS
+ 100

Master’s objectives and skills

In an era marked by rapid transformations and complex systems, design takes on a crucial responsibility: creating sustainable, inclusive and competitive solutions to improve society and organisations.

In an era marked by rapid transformations and complex systems, design takes on a crucial responsibility: creating sustainable, inclusive and competitive solutions to improve societies and organisations.

You will develop a systemic vision to guide innovation processes and support organisations through change.

You will learn to analyse contexts and users, define priorities, coordinate different skills and translate design into measurable and achievable strategic decisions.
The objective is to develop professionals capable of integrating research, design and strategy processes, operating at every level of the system: from the conception of products and services to their communication, distribution and after-sales management.

QUALIFICATION

First-Level Academic Master’s Diploma
60 CFA

FUTURE CAREERS

Visual Designer
Design Manager
Service Design Strategist
Research & Service Designer
Business Designer
UX / Experience Designer
User Interface (UI) Designer
Brand Strategist
Strategic Brand Manager
Project Manager (Design & Innovation)
Content Designer
Systemic Designer
Designer for Sustainable Social Change
Organizational Change Manager
Consultant for Digital Innovation
Consultant for New Business Development

MAIN DISCIPLINES

Branding
Design Management & Innovation
Service Design & Systemic Design
Business Design & Project Management
Design Thinking & Human-Centered Design
UX & UI Design
Design for Sustainability & Social Innovation

A 12-month experiential programme

The course includes 500 hours of teaching and 250 hours of curricular internship, organised into consecutive modules with real-world projects in collaboration with museums, galleries and cultural institutions.

Attendance is compulsory.

Applications are currently open for entry in January 2027.

REGISTER FOR THE ADMISSION TEST

Tipologia/Typology	Camera singola/Single room	Camera doppia/ Double room
Full inclusive	€ 2,534.00	€ 2,370.00
Early bird*	€ 2,364.00	€ 2,240.00
Senza alloggio a Roma/Without accomodation in Rome	€ 2,002.00	€ 1,922.0

Labs and project work

During the programme, students explore:

Human-Centered Design applied to art, healthcare, tourism, education and public policy;
Systemic and Strategic Design, to understand business models and complex organisational processes;
Design Thinking, to interpret future scenarios and generate innovation;
User Experience and Engagement Design, to create meaningful experiences with digital technologies;
Strategic Brand Management, to build strong brand identities and authentic communication with users and stakeholders.

Thanks to an interdisciplinary approach, the Master’s programme transforms ideas into sustainable design strategies capable of improving quality of life and the competitiveness of organisations.

Internships and partnerships

The RUFA Master in Design Management benefits from a network of more than 100 partners, including design studios, innovative companies and third-sector organisations.
Main partners include:
5A Design, AMKA Onlus, Ashtart Consultancy S.r.l., Baas Box, Cappelli Design, Creation, Fifth Beat, FolkFunding – Produzioni dal Basso, ILI Editore, Iperdesign, Lopelab, Particle, Ragù Communication, TWM Factory, WeManage.

Each student completes a 250-hour curricular internship, providing the opportunity to apply what they have learned in practice and establish direct contact with the professional world.

Admissions, Documents, Fees and Financial Support

Admission to RUFA first-level Academic Master’s programmes requires a three-year Academic Diploma under the new system, a four-year Academic Diploma under the previous system, a university degree, or another qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable by the Academy in accordance with international agreements.

Admission is based on an entrance assessment designed to evaluate the applicant’s motivation and suitability for their chosen course of study. The application must include a curriculum vitae, a personal statement of at least 500 words, and proof of English language proficiency at B2 level or above. Applicants may also submit a portfolio, a summary of their dissertation, or any other relevant documents demonstrating their skills and experience.

The entrance assessment consists of a motivational interview, which may include the presentation of a portfolio of work, projects and/or any other documentation considered useful for admission. The interview may also be conducted online.

ADMISSION TO THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS

Applications for admission in January 2027 are now open.

APPLY FOR THE ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT

ADMISSIONS

Online Application Form
Copy of an identity document and Italian tax code (for Italian applicants only).
Upper secondary school diploma, original copy or self-certification – Download the template
CV
Personal statement
Portfolio or other documents (optional)

ENROLMENT

Online enrolment application
Two passport-sized photographs
Receipt of payment of the enrolment fee
English language certificate or other proof of English proficiency at B2 level, required for all students
For non-EU students: a study visa/residence permit is required in order to attend academic programmes
For international or Italian students who obtained their qualification abroad: a Declaration of Value issued in the country where the qualification was awarded, or Statements of Verification and Comparability issued by CIMEA.

For each Academic Master’s programme, RUFA offers two scholarships to Italian and international students enrolling on any Academic Master’s programme.

For each programme, RUFA awards one scholarship covering 50% of the tuition fee and one scholarship covering 30%. The amount is deducted directly from the tuition fee. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic and artistic merit.

A panel of experts assesses scholarship applicants by considering the strength and consistency of their academic profile, dissertation, portfolio, projects submitted and, where applicable, the outcome of the interview.

Applications for a scholarship must be submitted at the same time as registration for the entrance assessment by selecting the relevant option when completing the form.

CALLS AND APPLICATIONS

RUFA believes in the value of accessible and inclusive education. For this reason, it supports students experiencing financial hardship or coming from diverse backgrounds by offering solutions designed to facilitate access to academic programmes and help every talent build their professional future:

• 12-month interest-free payment plan (Terms and Conditions);
• “Per Merito” student loan, which requires no guarantor for students who are up to date with the requirements of their chosen programme;
• €2,000 fee exemption for students with a certified disability of over 66%;
• 5% reduction for payment in a single instalment by 31 January (Italian nationals only);
• 10% reduction for enrolled siblings;
• 20% reduction for RUFA graduates.