Design Innovation

While suited for anyone aspiring to be an effective radical innovator, it directly prepares graduates for the roles in innovation leadership, innovation management, product management, strategic marketing, market research, design strategy and new product or service development. Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide variety of sectors such as design, manufacturing, IT, web design, media and all areas of the public services. We welcome participants from various disciplinary backgrounds, including graduates of social sciences, anthropology, design, computer science or engineering. Graduates of other disciplines are also invited to apply.



We particularly welcome mature applicants through our Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) stream who have gained knowledge and skills through industry experience. Our RPL policy facilitates a review of the professional skills and relevant life experience of applicants without significant academic qualifications, but who have equivalent learning achievements which adequately prepare them for the programme.



"The Masters in Design Innovation proved to be a real turning point for my career. It allowed me to rediscover the crucial elements of insight-led, user-centred design, & in doing so, gave me the skills & opportunity to work on innovative solutions for some of the world's biggest companies." Michael Torrans, Innovation Services Design Lead Associate Manager, Accenture



"The decision to study the MSc in Design Innovation has been invaluable for my career. It has given me the confidence to tackle complex problems in my own work using design thinking. The course has shifted my mindset to be more experimental & collaborative in my work." Lydia Ward, UX Researcher, Genesys



"I studied part-time over two years while continuing to work. It was a great opportunity to upskill with like-minded people from diverse backgrounds. The teaching is superb, the course content is fresh, & I worked on exciting industry-led team projects as part of each module." Claire Lillis, Programme Manager, Aerogen



Both full- and part-time courses are continuous assessment, with grades awarded for assignments completed within each module.



Full-time programme

The full-time programme is delivered over 12 months beginning in September, approx. 4 contact days per month (9 am - 6 pm). Students use the time between classes to apply their learnings and complete assignments. Taught modules are delivered in semesters 1 & 2 (autumn and spring) with dissertation projects, including field research, carried out in semester 3 (summer).



Part-time programme

The part-time programme is delivered over 24 months beginning in September, approx. 2 contact days per month (9 am-6 pm). Students use the time between classes to apply their learnings and complete assignments. Taught modules are delivered in semesters 1 & 2 (autumn and spring) with dissertation projects, including field research, carried out in semester 3 (summer) of year 2.



The programme is delivered by assignments, lectures, workshops and dissertation. A large portion of the learning is experiential through case research, workshop discussion, fieldwork and individual or group assignments. A substantial field project is carried out in the third semester, with a written dissertation on completion. All modules and dissertation are 100% continuously assessed with no end-of-semester written examinations.

Year 1

• Business Analytics

• Business Management

• Climate Change

• Design Innovation

• Digital Marketing

• Economics

• Finance

• International Business

• It - Enabled Innovation

• Mathematical Science

• Sound And Music Computing

• Strategic Marketing

• Strategy & Innovation

• Theoretical Physics And Mathematics



Year 2

• Business Analytics

• Business Management

• Climate Change

• Design Innovation

• Digital Marketing

• Economics

• Finance

• International Business

• It - Enabled Innovation

• Mathematical Science P/T

• Sound And Music Computing

• Strategic Marketing

• Strategy & Innovation

• Theoretical Physics And Mathematics

Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor honours degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of second-class honours, grade 1 (2:1) in any discipline. The programme welcomes participants from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, including graduates of social sciences, anthropology, design, business or engineering. Graduates of other disciplines are also invited to apply. No former design experience is required. Participants may be required to conduct a brief interview to demonstrate their understanding of the programme objectives.



Applicants who do not hold a primary degree but have at least 5 years of relevant experience may apply via Maynooth University's RPL process for Non-Standard Entrants. Please click here for further information.



Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. Please be advised criteria may differ for EU and Non-EU applicants.



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Closing Date : 14 August 2026

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.



Full-time programme

The full-time programme is delivered over 12 months beginning in September, approx. 4 contact days per month (9am-6pm).



Part-time programme

The part-time programme is delivered over 24 months beginning in September, approx. 2 contact days per month (9am-6pm).

Commences September

This MSc programme is ideal for anyone aspiring to be an effective radical innovator. In particular, it directly prepares graduates for the roles of innovation leadership, innovation management, product management, strategic marketing, market research, design strategy and new product or service development in a wide variety of sectors such as technology, pharmaceutical, agri-food, design, manufacturing, service industries and all areas of the public service.