Curriculum Master s Programme in Design Content Introduction... 3 1. Objective and content of the Master s Programme... 3 1.1 Overall objective of the Master s Programme... 3 1.2 Competency description for the Master s Programme... 3 1.3 Qualifications and learning outcomes... 4 2. Admission and Enrolment... 5 2.1 Admission requirements... 5 2.2 Enrolment... 5 2.3 Material fee... 5 2.4 Communication... 5 3. Structure of the Master s Programme... 5 3.1 Course registration... 6 3.2 Courses... 6 3.3 Programme structure... 6 3.4 Types of instruction... 7 3.5 Internationalization... 7 4. Examination and Assessment... 7 4.1 External and internal grading... 7 4.2 Assessment... 7 4.3 Forms of examination... 8 4.4 Examination overview... 10 4.5 Examination language... 10 4.6 Registration for examinations... 10 4.7 Examination attempts... 10 4.8 Re-examination/make-up examination... 11 4.9 Syllabus... 11 4.10 Study Activity... 11 5. Other Rules and Conditions... 11 5.1 Transfer in the line of study... 11 5.2 Copyright... 11 5.3 Exemption... 11 5.4 Academic transfer credits... 12 5.5 Illness... 12 5.6 Leave of absence... 12
6. Expulsion and Other Disciplinary Measures... 13 6.1 Rules and regulations... 13 6.2 Academic integrity... 13 6.3 Procedures regarding breaches of rules and regulations... 13 6.4 Sanctions... 14 6.5 Procedure... 14 7. Complaints and Appeals... 15 7.1 Assessment complaints... 15 7.2 Appeals pertaining to decisions made by Design School Kolding in legal matters... 15 8. Commencement and Transitional Provisions... 16 Appendices:... 16 Page 2/16
Introduction The curriculum for the Master s Programme in Design is pursuant to: Executive Order on admission to Master s Programmes in higher artistic education institutions, no. 254 of 13 March 2015 Executive Order on study programmes in higher artistic education institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, no. 1410 of 12 December 2014 Executive Order on examination and grading in higher artistic education under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, no. 1526 of 16 December 2013 This curriculum is effective from 1 September 2016 and applies to students enrolled at Design School Kolding. 1. Objective and content of the Master s Programme 1.1 Overall objective of the Master s Programme Section 3 of the Study Programme Order states that the three overall objectives of the Master s Programme are to: 1. develop and expand the student's academic knowledge and skills and strengthen his or her theoretical and methodological qualifications and competencies, as well as increase the student's independence relative to the Bachelor Degree, and 2. provide the student with an opportunity for in-depth studies through the application of advanced elements in the disciplines and methodologies of the subject area(s) in question, including training in scientific and artistic work and methodology that further develops the student's ability to work in a more specialised professional capacity and to participate in advanced scientific and artistic development work, and 3. qualify the student for further studies, including PhD programmes. 1.2 Competency description for the Master s Programme The Master s Programme in Design entitles the graduate to the Danish title cand.des. (candidatus/candidata designii) followed by the line of study, as well as the English title Master of Arts (MA) in Design followed by the line of study in English. The objective of the Master s Programme in design is to qualify the student in obtaining academic knowledge, methodological skills and professional competencies within the design disciplines for employment in the field of design. On an artistic and scientific basis, the Master s Programme evolve the student s skills within aesthetics, innovative design and Page 3/16
problem-solving, alternating between concrete approaches to materials and abstract, theoretical approaches, qualifying the student to solve concrete, theoretical and abstract design assignments. 1.3 Qualifications and learning outcomes A Master s Degree gives the following qualifications cf. the Danish qualifications framework for higher education (appendix 1): A graduate candidate has KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING within the subject area that enables him/her to: possess knowledge that is based on internationally recognised design practise, artistic development work and leading research within relevant subject areas understand and reflect on the knowledge of the subject area as well as be able to identify design challenges and scientific issues A graduate candidate has SKILLS that enable him/her to: master the subject area s design methods, tools and forms of expression and apply relevant scientific methods and tools, as well as master general skills related to work within the specific design discipline evaluate and select among the design methods, tools and scientific theories of the subject area, and on a scientific or design basis set up new expressions and solution models disseminate and communicate design, and discuss professional and relevant scientific issues with both peers and non-specialists A graduate candidate has COMPETENCES that enable him/her to: manage complex and unpredictable work and development situations that require new solutions or expressions independently initiate and carry out discipline-specific and interdisciplinary collaboration and assume professional responsibility. independently take responsibility for his/her own professional development and specialisation. Additionally, Design School Kolding set a number of both general and specific learning objectives that are stated in the respective course descriptions. Page 4/16
2. Admission and Enrolment 2.1 Admission requirements A prerequisite for admission to the Master s Programme is that the applicant holds a qualifying Bachelor degree and passes the school s admission test cf. the Admission Order for the Master s Programme. The purpose of the admission test is to clarify the applicant s talent and development potential as a designer. The applicant s motivation is also part of the assessment. Design School Kolding can let applicants who do not hold a qualifying degree take the admission test, if the applicant has qualifications that are equal to a qualifying degree, and if it is judged that the applicant can finish the programme within the prescribed period of study. Applicants with a Bachelor Degree in Design from Design School Kolding will automatically be accepted to the Master s Programme up to two years after their graduation. The Master s Programme must be commenced in an autumn semester. Design School Kolding defines the specific criteria for selection and admission in separate admission rules. 2.2 Enrolment A maximum enrolment period of three years for the Master s Programme has been determined, which means that the programme must be concluded no later than three years after the student has been enrolled. Leave of absence is not included in this framework. Design School Kolding can grant exemption from this rule if special circumstances apply. 2.3 Material fee The student must pay DKK 1,500 to cover shared materials in the Master s Programme. The fee is charged at the beginning of the first semester. 2.4 Communication Communication between the individual student and Design School Kolding is via school email and Blackboard. The student is furthermore responsible for making sure that other relevant contact information is updated. 3. Structure of the Master s Programme The Master s Programme is a two-year full-time study programme corresponding to 120 ECTS credits or two academic years. An academic year consists of two semesters; an autumn and a spring semester. Page 5/16
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a numerical value that is assigned to a course element to indicate the student s required work load. Preparation, course participation, written assignments etc. are included in the work load. An academic year is divided into 60 ECTS credits equivalent to the course load for a full-time student in one academic year or two semesters. This means that 1 ECTS credit is equivalent to a work load of 27.5 hours. 3.1 Course registration All students are registered for courses equalling 30 ECTS credits per semester/60 ECTS credits per academic year at the relevant programme level. All students will be registered for courses regardless the fact that they need to pass courses from previous semesters. Registration for courses automatically leads to registration for examination. 3.2 Courses The academic content of the Master s Programme is divided into subject-specific and interdisciplinary courses. Subjectspecific courses focus on introduction to topics which pertain to the particular line of study whereas interdisciplinary courses embrace all design disciplines. The courses can be divided into three main areas: tool courses and material understanding methodological and theoretical courses project-oriented courses The diploma includes information about international and business-oriented courses. The academic and theoretical progression is supported in the planning of the courses in terms of order, level and how the courses relate to each other. The distribution of interdisciplinary and subject-specific courses throughout the two academic years also ensures progression in the programme. 3.3 Programme structure In the Master s Programme, there are five subject areas, each with their own line of study: Communication Design Fashion Design Textile Design Industrial Design Accessory Design (offered for the first time in 2017) Page 6/16
3.4 Types of instruction Instruction can take many forms and can e.g. include: Class instruction Company collaboration Internship Project work with individual supervision Group work with supervision Study trip/excursion Self-study Exam projects Presentation with feedback Furthermore, seminars and individual development studies are held. 3.5 Internationalization In the Master s Programme, the primary language of instruction is English. The focus is placed with great emphasis on the student s ability to communicate his/her design knowledge and competences in an international context. The student s diploma will indicate the amount of ECTS credits obtained through international courses. Literature in English is included in some courses. Texts in Norwegian and Swedish may also occur. 4. Examination and Assessment 4.1 External and internal grading Examinations can be assessed by either external or internal grading. Examinations with external grading are conducted by the school s examiner(s) and an external examiner. The designation no external examiner indicates that the examination is assessed by the instructor alone. One third of the courses in the programme, at least 40 ECTS credits, are assessed by external grading by examiners officially appointed by the Danish Agency for Higher Education. 4.2 Assessment The student is always assessed individually. When an examination is assessed, the examination grade may be awarded according to the 7-point grading scale or it may be given the assessment pass or fail. Page 7/16
The assessment pass or the grade 02 or higher means that the examination has been passed. Passed examinations cannot be retaken. Examinations representing no more than one third of the ECTS credits of the programme can be assigned the grade pass or fail, except for credit transfer examinations, which are only given the grade pass. All examinations are assessed on an absolute and non-relative basis. The academic assessment is based on the objective of the programme and the specific learning outcome for the course in question. Special conditions Students with physical or psychological disabilities or equivalent difficulties may be offered special assistance with examinations and assessments if the Study Council finds it necessary, in order for these students to be assessed on equal terms with other students in the examination situation. It is a condition that the assistance will not result in a lowering of the academic level. An application must be handed in to the Secretariat. The decision is made by the Head of Education. The diploma does not contain information on special assistance with examinations. 4.3 Forms of examination The different forms of examination are mentioned in the examination overview and in the individual course descriptions. Oral examination Oral examinations are public. However, Design School Kolding can close the door to the examination in extraordinary circumstances, including if it is in the student s best interest. The deliberation part of the examination is closed to the public. No sound or image recording is allowed during examinations. Course participation Assessments, where the exam form is course participation, are based on active and satisfactory class participation. Course participation must amount to at least 75%. At the beginning of the course, the teacher determines and defines what active participation means and what potential assignments are required for the course. The term satisfactory means that the student s participation is given a passing grade. There is no external examiner in course elements with this form of examination. Group work In case of group work, each student receives an individual assessment based on their oral and/or written performances. The written component of the Master s project may be completed as a group consisting of no more than three students. It must be possible to assess the contribution from all group members individually, and each student s contribution to the written assignment must be clearly indicated in the table of contents. The synopsis, introduction and conclusion may be written together as a group. Page 8/16
The extent of written assignments for groups is: Extent Extent for group of 2 students Extent for group of 3 students 5 standard pages 9 standard pages 13 standard pages 6 standard pages 10 standard pages 14 standard pages 7 standard pages 12 standard pages 17 standard pages 8 standard pages 14 standard pages 20 standard pages 9 standard pages 15 standard pages 21 standard pages 10 standard pages 17 standard pages 24 standard pages 11 standard pages 19 standard pages 27 standard pages 12 standard pages 20 standard pages 28 standard pages 13 standard pages 22 standard pages 31 standard pages 14 standard pages 24 standard pages 34 standard pages 15 standard pages 26 standard pages 37 standard pages Written exams Written exam assignments that are subject to external grading must be submitted to the Secretariat. The written exam assignment must include a standard front page. Technical problems with submission of an exam assignment cannot alter a submission deadline. The extent of the written exam assignments is included in the individual course descriptions. The number of pages may deviate from the guidelines by plus/minus 10%. One standard page equals 2400 characters including spaces. Notes are included in the extent of the assignment, but not front page, table of contents, bibliography, illustrations, captions and appendices. The front page of the assignment must indicate the total number of characters/standard pages. If the assignment exceeds the maximum number of characters, the examiners can reject to assess the assignment, which results in a lost examination attempt for the student. The student s ability to communicate a design professional problem and compose a written assignment that meets academic standards (references, quotations etc.) is highly weighted. Written exams are assessed within four weeks after the submission deadline. From the published exam grade date to a possible re-examination, there will be a minimum of 14 days. The Master s Project The Master s Project consists of a written and a practical component of respectively 10 and 20 ECTS credits. The written component The written component must include an abstract in both Danish and English equalling 1 standard page. The abstract is not included in the number of standard pages for the assignment. Spelling and communication skills are included in the assessment of the written part of the Master s Project with limited weight, unless there are quite extensive deviations from standard language use cf. the Examination Order section 36, subsection 2. Page 9/16
The practical component If the practical and written part of the Master s Project is not passed at the examination date or if the student is absent from the exam, the student must write a changed project formulation within the same subject area. The changed project formulation must be handed in to the Head of Subject no later than 2 weeks after the examination result has been announced to the student. Hereafter, a new examination date is set with a three months notice. 4.4 Examination overview An overview of the examinations in the Master s Programme can be found in appendix 2. 4.5 Examination language Examinations are normally conducted in Danish, but students are encouraged to let themselves be examined in English in oral examinations with international examiners. Students, including exchange students and students with another primary language than Danish, may request the examination to be conducted in Norwegian, Swedish or English. 4.6 Registration for examinations Students are automatically registered for all examinations and assessments relating to the semester in which they are enrolled, as well as examinations the students failed in previous semesters. It is not possible to withdraw from an examination. If a student is absent from or does not pass the examination, the student will have lost one examination attempt, but he/she is automatically registered for a re-examination in the same examination term. If extraordinary circumstances occur, such as illness or a sudden unforeseen event, immediately prior or during the examination, it is possible to grant exemption to prevent the use of an examination attempt. The student must inform the Secretariat no later than on the day of the examination. 4.7 Examination attempts A student can be assessed in the same examination no more than three times; hereafter the student is dis-enrolled from the programme. If special circumstances apply, the Study Council can grant exemption from this rule, section 5.3. Page 10/16
4.8 Re-examination/make-up examination Re-examinations and make-up examinations are normally held shortly after the ordinary examination term; week 35 for summer examinations and week 8 or 9 for winter examinations. 4.9 Syllabus The student cannot submit the same syllabus for examination in different courses. The Master s Project is exempt from this rule. If the student can submit a syllabus of own choice for an examination, the student must have the instructor s approval of the syllabus within a deadline set by the instructor. 4.10 Study Activity If a student has not passed at least one exam for a continuous period of 12 months, the enrolment can be terminated. The Head of Education can grant a dispensation if unusual circumstances apply. 5. Other Rules and Conditions 5.1 Transfer in the line of study Transfer in the line of study is not possible on the Master s Programme. 5.2 Copyright According to the Examination Order section 54, Design School Kolding: with all due respect to the students copyright and the property rights to the results or products created in the given case, cf. subsection 2. Subsection 2 If the project includes parties from outside Design School Kolding, such as companies, institutions etc., the school, the student and the third party must before the project begins come to an agreement about the extent to which the school, the student and the third party are entitled to make use of the results obtained in the course of the project in respect of existing copyright rules. The agreement must state whether information regarding the business of the third party, which appears in the finished project, can be published. (Examination Order, chapter 13, section 54, subsections 1 and 2). 5.3 Exemption An exemption is a deviation from the rule(s) that usually applies for the area in question. The Study Council advises the Head of Education in exemption cases concerning leaves of absence (section 5.6), additional examination attempts (section 4.7) as well as exemption because of illness (section 5.5). The exemption is only Page 11/16
granted, if extraordinary circumstances apply, and only in cases concerning the rules and regulations in the curriculum which are set solely by Design School Kolding, cf. the Study Programme Order section 15, subsection 5. Applications for exemption from, rules and regulations pertaining to academic or principle matters, must be submitted to the Secretariat and will be evaluated on the next Study Council meeting. An application for exemption must be substantiated and in writing. Furthermore, it must state which rule the student is applying for exemption from and what the student wants to achieve with the exemption (e.g. reduced extent of written assignments or an extra examination attempt). Documentation for the extraordinary circumstances that justify the application must be included. 5.4 Academic transfer credits Students who have previously completed an education, parts of an education or single subjects which may serve as a substitute for parts of the programme at Design School Kolding are obliged to apply for academic credit to the Study Council. It is the student s responsibility to make Design School Kolding aware of this. The decision regarding academic transfer credits is made by the Head of Education. The Masters final examination project is not eligible for academic transfer credit. 5.5 Illness Illnesses that last longer than one week are reported to the Secretariat by the student as soon as possible by email. For longer periods of illness, Design School Kolding can require a doctor s certificate. The doctor s certificate must be sent to the Secretariat. It is the student s responsibility to provide the doctor s certificate and the student is also responsible for the cost of the certificate. If a student has been ill for more than 6 months (total length for one or more periods of time), the student will be invited for a care conversation. If a student is ill for more than 12 consecutive months including holiday periods, the student will be dis-enrolled from the programme. In order to continue the programme, the student must apply for re-enrolment. The Head of Education may grant exemption from this rule if special circumstances apply, section 5.3. 5.6 Leave of absence Leave of absence during the programme can only be granted if is due to maternity/paternity leave, adoption, military service or UN service. The student can only apply for a leave of absence, when he/she has completed and passed every examination within the first semester. Page 12/16
Students on leave are still enrolled at Design School Kolding and therefore they cannot be admitted to another programme during the leave of absence. After a leave of absence has ended, the student is not entitled to be able to return to the curriculum that was effective before the leave of absence. The student cannot participate in examinations and assessments in the semester(s) the student has or had to leave. The Head of Education may grant exemption from this rule if special circumstances apply, section 5.3. 6. Expulsion and Other Disciplinary Measures 6.1 Rules and regulations The student must behave respectfully and properly at all times while he/she is enrolled at Design School Kolding, so that no harm is caused to other students and their belongings or to the surrounding community and Design School Kolding. In general, the student must comply with the rules laid down by Design School Kolding. 6.2 Academic integrity During the course of the study and the examinations, the student must adhere to the principles of academic integrity and provisions pertaining to examinations and assessments. Academic dishonesty is defined as plagiarism, suppression of academic information, cheating, fraud and other actions which serve to misrepresent the student s efforts or results. Failure to quote a source in written papers will be considered a suppression of academic information. Design School Kolding advises students to study the website www.stopplagiat.nu. 6.3 Procedures regarding breaches of rules and regulations The Head of Education considers cases regarding breaches of rules and regulations or examination rules and the principles of academic integrity. The Head of Education may bring the matter before the Rector. Should a suspicion of examination fraud be raised and confirmed, the Head of Education investigates the matter and reports it to the Rector. Other serious cases of academic dishonesty are also reported to the Rector. Page 13/16
6.4 Sanctions In cases of breach of rules and regulations, the school can use one of the following sanctions: issue of a warning expulsion from the examination expulsion from Design School Kolding for a limited time or indefinitely The Head of Education and the Rector may terminate the matter by issuing a verbal or a written warning. The Head of Education and the Rector may in particularly severe cases report the matter to the police. If a police report is made, the Rector must be notified. The Rector is authorised to dismiss a student. In cases where the Head of Education recommends expulsion, this decision has to be brought before the Rector. Expulsion from an examination A student may be expelled from an examination if he/she has cheated or helped a fellow student to cheat, or if the student in another way has breached the examination or assessment rules. Expulsion from the examination means that one examination attempt is lost and the student will not be assessed in the course in question; a previously assigned grade for the course may also be withdrawn. Expulsion from Design School Kolding A student who in a severe manner or repeatedly breaches the rules and regulations set by Design School Kolding, may be dismissed if the Rector finds that expulsion is justified, in order to ensure the uninterrupted function of the school including examinations and assessments. 6.5 Procedure The Head of Education is responsible for adherence to the provisions of the Public Administration Act and for ensuring that the student is given the opportunity to express his/her views on the case before a decision is made. The Head of Education may call the student for a hearing in order to clarify the case further. The student is allowed to bring a person (expert) to support the appeal. Page 14/16
7. Complaints and Appeals 7.1 Assessment complaints Complaints pertaining to assessments are handled according to the rules in the Examination Order. The complaint must be substantiated and in writing and must be received by Design School Kolding no later than two weeks after the date of the assessment. If extraordinary circumstances apply, Design School Kolding may grant exemption from this deadline. Complaints can result in a lower assessment than originally given. 7.2 Appeals pertaining to decisions made by Design School Kolding in legal matters Decisions made by Design School Kolding may be appealed to the Danish Agency for Higher Education when the appeal pertains to legal matters. The appeal is sent to Design School Kolding who makes a statement. Hereafter, the appellant has 7 days to make comments to the statement if he/she wishes to do so. Design School Kolding sends the appeal to the Agency with the institution s statement as well as the appellant s comments (if any) included. The deadline for appealing is two weeks from the day the decision has been announced to the appellant. Page 15/16
8. Commencement and Transitional Provisions The curriculum has been approved by the Design School Kolding Study Council on June 29 2016. The curriculum has been approved by the Head of Education Peter William Barker on June 29 2016. The curriculum applies to all current students at Design School Kolding. Transitional provision regarding the possibilities of exchange Students enrolled in the Master s Programme from 1 September 2016 will not be able to go on exchange. Students enrolled as Bachelors at Design School Kolding prior to 1 September 2014 and who have been enrolled in the Master s Programme based on the legal claim for admission are excluded from this rule. Rules concerning the maximum period of enrolment The rules concerning the maximum period of enrolment prescribed in this curriculum are effective for students enrolled 1 September 2014 or later, section 2.2. Students enrolled before 1 September 2014 can finish their education under the previous rules concerning the maximum period of enrolment. Students who have not finished their Bachelor Degree by the end of June 2017 will automatically be subject to the rules prescribed in this curriculum. Internship In the study year of 2016/2017 it is still possible for a Bachelor from Design School Kolding to be in an internship. The internship will be in the first semester and it will grant between 15-30 ECTS credits. Legal claims for admission The legal claim to be admitted to the Master s Programme, section 2.1, applies to graduated Bachelors from the study year 2014/2015. Appendices: Appendix #1: Qualifications framework Appendix #2: Exam overview Page 16/16