University of Florence

What you'll study

This master's combines theoretical foundations and hands-on studio work to equip students with tools for sustainable innovation. Core study areas include sustainable design theory, circular economy and lifecycle assessment, material innovation and ecodesign, product-service systems and service design, user-centred and participatory design methods, and design management for innovation.

• Design studio and workshops: semester-long studio projects and collaborative laboratories that progress from research to prototyping and evaluation.
• Materials and manufacturing: investigation of low-impact, bio-based and recycled materials, plus digital fabrication and rapid prototyping techniques.
• Methods and research: qualitative and quantitative research methods, systems thinking, lifecycle assessment (LCA) and metrics for sustainability.
• Policy and business contexts: courses on circular business models, design for social innovation, regulation and standards affecting sustainable products.
• Final project / thesis: an independent design research or intervention project addressing a real-world sustainability challenge, often developed in partnership with industry, public bodies or NGOs.

The programme emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, fieldwork and contact with local craft, manufacturing and creative industries in Tuscany. Students typically have access to workshops, maker spaces, digital fabrication labs and departmental research groups to realise prototypes and conduct experimental research.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally require a recognised first-cycle degree (laurea triennale or equivalent) in design, architecture, industrial design, engineering, product design or a closely related discipline. Admissions typically consider academic transcripts, a portfolio of design work, a curriculum vitae and a statement of purpose explaining the applicant's interest in sustainable innovation.

• Portfolio: demonstrated design capacity, process work and any sustainability-related projects.
• Additional assessment: some applicants may be invited to an interview or portfolio review.
• Language: courses for this programme are primarily taught in Italian; applicants must demonstrate adequate proficiency in Italian or meet requirements set by the university. International students should check language support options and whether any courses or seminars are available in English.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that require combining creative design with sustainability expertise. Typical career paths include product and industrial designer with a sustainability focus, service and UX designer for sustainable services, design strategist or innovation consultant, circular economy specialist, materials and prototyping engineer, and design manager in companies pursuing sustainable product development.

Other opportunities include working with public authorities and NGOs on sustainable design policies, joining start-ups and social enterprises that build sustainable solutions, or continuing to doctoral research in design, sustainability transitions or related fields.

Why study at University of Florence

The University of Florence offers this programme within a historically rich cultural context and an academic environment that combines design practice with research. Students benefit from the university's multidisciplinary departments, facilitating collaboration with architecture, engineering, economics and conservation studies.

• Strong links with regional industry, artisanal networks and innovation actors in Tuscany, providing opportunities for internships and applied projects.
• Access to workshop facilities, digital fabrication labs and research groups focused on materials, sustainability and design methods.
• An environment that supports cross-disciplinary exchange and field projects in a region renowned for craft, manufacturing and cultural heritage, useful for designers working on circular and locally embedded solutions.

Prospective students should consult the university's official programme pages for up-to-date information on application procedures, language requirements and available support for international applicants.