MS Design at Stanford University

Programme overview

Welcome to Design! The DESIGN-MS bulletin outlines 2026-2027 degree requirements for students pursuing the Master of Science degree (MS) from the School of Engineering . The master's degree is only offered to active students admitted through Graduate Admissions .

Faculty: Hasso Plattner Institute of Design | Department: Hasso Plattner Institute of Design | Duration: 51 units in the programme; 45 minimum university units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 51 units in the programme and 45 minimum university units. Requirements are organised into: Program Requirements; Breadth in Discipline.

Career pathways

The degree prepares students for further study in design, design careers in public or private sector institutions, entrepreneurial endeavors, and even careers that may not yet exist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level graduate admission (Graduate Admissions): a U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent, transcripts for every institution attended, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL/IELTS scores unless exempt (U.S. citizens and permanent residents, native English speakers, or applicants with English-medium degrees). Each graduate programme sets its own GRE policy (required, optional or not considered). Programme-specific criteria are set by the department.

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

The graduate application fee is $125, nonrefundable, payable by credit card or bank transfer from a U.S. checking account. Deadlines are set by each programme; one application per academic year may be submitted. The application for 2027 entry is open. Computer Science MS and PhD applications close December 8, 2026; Education PhD closes November 16, 2026 and Education MA/MS closes January 7, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply

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