MDES INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
September 2025
Full time
24 months
Suzhou
Design School
This programme leads to a University of Liverpool degree which is recognised by Ministry of Education, China.
Knowledge and skills
By the time you graduate from the MDes Industrial Design, you will have:
- an original creative approach with the ability to develop and explore new design ideas and applications
- undertaken a final major design project to prepare you for a responsible design studio role within industry, or a project with an academic structure to prepare for doctoral study.
- strong critical, creative thinking, creative and communication skills.
This MDes course is designed to prepare the next generation of designers, trained in China, by a top-level international cohort of academic staff. Our students will be equipped with a transformative design mindset towards social innovation, sustainability, interaction design and technological development. This course is aimed to forge visionary and contemporary designers through a critical thinking approach and supported by our specialised Research Labs and Industry collaborations.
Vicente Esteban
Programme director
Modules
*Programme modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
The university offers a broad range of activities aiming to enrich master students’ theoretical and experiential learning and professional development. Trainings, workshops and seminars, covering varieties of themes and topics, both generic and subject-specific, are often offered at both university and school/department levels. You may also be provided with opportunities to work as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or intern at XJTLU. Depending on the programme, field trips and company visits may be organized, and invited talks may be given by the industrial experts and professionals. Such activities will not only support you in your programme study, but also develop your personal and professional skills and enhance your overall employability.
When it comes to XJTLU's masters life, I feel this place is very free. Our tutors come from different professional backgrounds and different countries. They respect your design, ideas and vision. The academic work and practical activities also help you to enhance your life skills.
Jiamei Guo
Student, MDes Industrial Design
Careers
Graduates from this program are well-prepared for careers as design practitioners and design managers. The program also offers a solid research foundation for graduates wishing to pursue further study in a design-related PhD.
Overview
The MDes Industrial Design programme is designed for graduates and professionals with a background in design or related fields, aiming to cultivate their ability to tackle complex design challenges with innovative and transformative thinking. The programme combines theoretical and practical learning approaches, guiding students to explore cutting-edge design concepts and techniques, integrate emerging technologies into the design process, and develop human-centred, innovative solutions.
Programme Highlights
Students will engage in independent research projects, combining critical inquiry and hands-on exploration to deepen their understanding of core theories and methodologies in design. The programme empowers students to push the boundaries of design, creating innovative outcomes with both demonstrative and practical value.
Focusing on complex and pressing real-world issues—including social challenges, technological breakthroughs, and environmental crises—the programme encourages students to develop creative design solutions that transform design into an effective tool for driving change and solving practical problems.
A semester-long industry internship is a key feature of this programme. Students will gain practical experience by working with leading design companies, participating in real-world design projects, and building valuable professional networks. This deep integration of academia and industry not only enhances students’ professional skills but also lays a solid foundation for their career development in the design field.
Through this programme, students will acquire advanced knowledge in cutting-edge design, enhance critical thinking and practical skills, and develop innovative problem-solving capabilities. The programme prepares students to stand out in the global design industry and excel in competitive professional environments.
CSD Accreditation
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is the first university in the Chinese mainland to have BEng and MDes Industrial Design programmes officially accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), an internationally recognised body for professional designers.
The accreditation provides XJTLU students with free Student Membership of the professional body, which allows them to get better job prospects, to access a large international network of peers and a large amount of resources.
CSD membership allows students to access a much wider network of professional designers working both in industry and academia, and foster their preparedness to the upcoming challenges of their career development.
Why should I study Industrial Design at XJTLU?