Bachelor of Science in Design Management
About This Programme
Bridges design and business, design thinking, strategy, branding and the management of creative projects and teams. Prepares graduates to lead design-driven innovation across the creative industries and corporate design functions.
Course Highlights
- Unique design-plus-business major spanning CAAD and the School of Business
- Design-thinking spine: user-centered design, service design, strategic design thinking
- Business grounding in management, marketing, economics and business writing
- Required internship in design management
What You'll Study
An interdisciplinary program bridging CAAD design studios with SBA business courses (management, marketing, economics), taught through user-centered and service-design projects plus an internship (DES 397).
First Year - Design Foundations (30 credits)
- DES 111 Descriptive Drawing I3 credits
- DES 121 Introduction to Architecture, Art and Design History (or Major Elective)3 credits
- DES 131 Design Foundations I3 credits
- MTH 100 Fundamentals of Logic and Geometry (or higher GER-MTH)3 credits
- WRI 101 Academic Writing I3 credits
- DES 122 Modern Developments in Architecture, Art and Design (or Major Elective)3 credits
- DES 132 Design Foundations II3 credits
- WRI 102 Academic Writing II3 credits
- GER-Core History and Culture of the Arab World3 credits
- GER-SCI Natural Sciences3 credits
Second Year (30 credits)
- BUS 100 Introduction to Business3 credits
- DES 230 Visual Communication Design3 credits
- DES 231 History of Design3 credits
- ENG 203 / ENG 204 Writing about Literature or Advanced Academic Writing3 credits
- STA 202 / QBA 201 Introduction to Statistics or Quantitative Business Analysis3 credits
- DES 275 Fundamentals of Design Management3 credits
- MGT 201 Fundamentals of Management3 credits
- MKT 201 Fundamentals of Marketing3 credits
- GER-Core Culture in a Critical Perspective3 credits
- GER-SCI Natural Sciences3 credits
Third Year (30 credits)
- DES 300 User-Centered Design Project3 credits
- ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics3 credits
- IEN 301 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mindset3 credits
- DES 360 Critical Discourse in Design3 credits
- MKT 301 Consumer Behavior3 credits
- GRD 361 The Design Profession3 credits
- Major Electives6 credits
- GER-Core (Arts & Literature; Human Interaction and Behavior)6 credits
- DES 397 Internship in Design Management (summer)0 credits
Fourth Year (30 credits)
- DES 462 Design Management3 credits
- DES 475 Service Design3 credits
- ENG 225 Writing for Business3 credits
- DES 480 Systems and Strategic Design Thinking3 credits
- MGT 301 Organizational Behavior3 credits
- Major Electives6 credits
- GER-Core General Education requirement3 credits
- Free Electives6 credits
Entry Requirements
Applicants below the English threshold may enter via the Achievement Academy Bridge Program.
Careers
Graduates work at the intersection of design and business - design/innovation management, service design, product and brand roles, and design-led entrepreneurship.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
UAE CAA-licensed program (CAAD, Department of Art and Design)
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Science in Design Management
Start Date
August 2026 (Fall; also Spring & Summer intakes)
Typical Offer
85%+ secondary-school average (best years), IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80; math completed in the final 3 years at grade B or equivalent
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Art & Design
Campus
Sharjah
Course Type
Design management degree
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 110,876/yr
Apply online at apply.aus.edu. A non-refundable application fee of AED 400 + 5% VAT applies, and a AED 5,000 seat-reservation deposit confirms your place. AUS offers extensive merit, need-based and athletic scholarships.