Masterstudio Scenography MA

    In the Masterstudio Scenography, students develop the ability to confidently translate challenging content into accessible spatial images and develop staged spaces with narrative quality.

    Key data

    Studying type
    Master of Arts FHNW
    ECTS points
    90
    Next start
    Mon. 15.09.2025| Fall Semester (Details see dates)
    Final application date
    Sat, 15.3.2025
    Studying mode
    fulltime
    Duration
    3 to 4 Semester
    Teaching language
    English (B2 or equivalent)
    Place
    Basel
    Stay abroad
    -
    Application fee
    CHF 200.- (incl. aptitude assessment and enrolment)
    Semester fee
    CHF 750 (CH); CHF 1.000 (EU); CHF 1.250 (Not-EU/EFTA) Fees detail

    Thank you for your interest in studying at the Basel Academy of Art and Design. The application deadline for a Bachelor's degree programme beginning in the fall semester 2025/26 has expired on March 15, 2025. The next application window for the fall semester 2026/27 opens on November 1, 2025.

    Go to information events

    Mobile navi goes here!

    Information on programme contents

    In the Masterstudio Scenography, students develop the ability to confidently translate challenging content into accessible spatial images and develop staged spaces with narrative quality. In parallel to the acquisition of methods and tools for the design of staging in space, practice-oriented projects are offered with the participation of renowned experts. The Masterstudio Scenography aims to empower independent designers to take progressive positions in the context of scenography. Relevance in the sense of ‘social scenography’, the economical handling of the resources used and the application of contemporary production techniques form the framework of project-based, research-oriented practice.

    Masterstudio Design

    The Masterstudio Design builds on existing knowledge and previously acquired skills. Students actively engage with their own design approach in terms of methodology and content within a larger context. The three studios (Fashion Design, Industrial Design and Scenography) are designed to be permeable and cross-disciplinary in order to make full use of the potential of design as a practice that shapes living spaces and thus shapes the environment for the pressing issues of our time.

    The course is aimed at interested and critical designers, architects, interior designers, and other professionals with an affinity for design who want to further develop their conceptual skills and their interdisciplinary communication and who want to help shape our world as creatives.

    Goals and benefits

    The Masterstudio Scenography aims to enable independent designers to take up progressive positions in the context of scenography. Relevance in the sense of 'social scenography', the economical use of resources and the application of contemporary production techniques form the framework of project-based, research-based practice.

    Career prospects

    Graduates are qualified to work as designers in cultural or business settings and assume responsible positions in full-service design agencies; they can set up their own business, either alone or in a team, or they can choose to pursue a career in teaching and research. Students with an MA degree command cross-disciplinary skills that qualify them for professional work as a designer in a design agency, for a career in teaching and research, for free-lance work, either alone or in a team, or to set up a business of their own.

    With its studios and central Campus.Workshops, HGK offers ideal conditions for combining craft curiosity, the acquisition of technical skills, and the necessary digital know-how. In addition, all students have their own 24/7 workspace in one of the spacious studios. In addition, the programme Interior Design & Scenography features an analogue and a digital workshop. The facilities are open to students 365 days a year.

    Information on admission, aptitude assessment and admission to the study programme

    Academical qualifications
    Admission to the aptitude assessment normally requires one of the following qualifications:

    • A Bachelor’s degree in Design or a related field of study.
    • A similar, equivalent degree in Design (at BA level pursuant to the “Dublin Descriptors").

    If an applicant shows promising design potential, lateral entry from a different discipline is possible; in this case, please contact the Head of the degree programme.

     Language of tuition
    International students are welcome to apply for the Master’s degree programme. The language of tuition is English and partly German (B2 level or equivalent).

    To apply for a place at the HGK Basel, the required documents must be submitted by deadline 15.03.2025.
    Please send the specific enquiries to email address.

    Dates aptitude assessment 2025

    • 01.11.2024
      Publication of the detailed information on the aptitude assessment
    • 15.03.2025
      Registration deadline and deadline for submitting the required documents for the aptitude assessment.
    • 08.- 12.09.2025
      Introductory weeks at the HGK Basel (mandatory)
    • 15.09.2025
      Fall Semester begin 2025/26

    Here you will find answers to FAQs about preparing and registering for a Bachelor’s (BA) or a Master’s (MA) degree programme at the HGK Basel FHNW.

    Here you will find answers to organizational, administrative and legal questions all about studying -->

    Further Information Masterstudio Scenography MA

    Further information on our events, projects and publications can be found on our blog.

    International students can find further information on the website of the International Office of the HGK Basel.

    Contact

    Loading

    Public transport
    The campus is easy to reach by public transport. The stop Freilager on BLT line 11 is immediately in front of the Campus (from Bahnhof SBB in direction Aesch)

    By car
    Leave the motorway A2 at the junction Basel-St. Jakob and follow the sign Dreispitz. Approaching from Münchensteinerstrasse enter the Dreispitz complex through Gate 13 and park your car in one of the public car parks (Ruchfeld or Leimgrube). When setting your satnav, please note that the Freilager complex is part of the municipality of Münchenstein, Canton Basel-Landschaft.

    Access by car for people with disabilities
    Choose the access via Florenz-Strasse in the direction of the High-rise building (Building D). To lower the bollard at the gates of the campus please ring the bell. You will be connected to our reception in Building D.

    Map as PDF

    The buildings of the HGK Basel are accessible by wheelchair, stroller,  and for people with walking difficulties. The entrance to the highrise building (Building D) is at ground level, the studio building (Building A) can be reached via a ramp. There is at least one lift in both buildings.

    Access by car for people with disabilities: See Gender-neutral toilets: See ‘Getting there.

    Toilets for people with disabilities: 

    Highrise building (Building D): Ground floor to 8th floor in the centre of the building
    Studio building (Building A): Ground floor to 3rd floor, southern section of main corridor

    Gender-neutral toilets: See ‘All Welcome WC’.

    Parent-child-room: See 'Parent-child-room'.

    Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW
    Institute Contemporary Design Practices
    Freilager-Platz 1
    Postfach

    CH-4002 Basel

    Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW
    Institute Contemporary Design Practices

    Freilager-Platz 1, Hochhaus: D 4.05
    4142 Münchenstein / Basel

    T +41 61 228 40 66
    F +41 61 467 48 85
    M info.iig.hgk@fhnw.ch

    Transversal Design (MA) ICDP

    FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
    Basel Academy of Art and Design
    Institute of Contemporary Design Practices

    Freilager-Platz 1

    CH - 4142 Münchenstein near Basel