Master’s Degree in Higher Artistic Education in Commercial Space Design (Official Master’s Degree within the European Higher Education Area, EQF Level 7, MECES Level 3
60 ECTS
1 year
On-campus
September
1st pre-registration period: 18 February – 22 March 2026
The Master’s Degree in Commercial Space Design at Madrid Higher School of Design prepares professionals capable of combining a global perspective with specialised expertise in the retail sector.
This is a comprehensive, All-in-one master’s programme that integrates spatial design with a strategic understanding of business models, service design and user experience, all aimed at developing innovative and socially responsible projects.
The ESD’s Master’s in Retail Space Design combines architecture, design and visual marketing, providing an in-depth understanding of retail in its broadest sense, as a reflection of social behaviour and a force shaping both urban life and the identity of cities.
As in professional practice, this master’s degree provides multidisciplinary training in design, technology, business management, marketing and strategy, all focused on designing and shaping meaningful shopping experiences.
The ESD’s Master’s in Commercial Space Design is aimed at graduates with a creative background in architecture or design who wish to deepen their expertise and specialise in the field of retail.
As a public institution, ESD offers an extensive network of collaborations with companies, organisations and institutions at both national and international level, while maintaining its social commitment through publicly regulated tuition fees adapted to students’ income levels.
The core methodology of the Master’s programme is project-based, with many of these projects developed in collaboration with companies and external institutions.
With a maximum of 20 students per group and a faculty that combines academic expertise with professional practice, the programme develops within an approachable and supportive environment that enhances the quality of teaching and learning.
A comprehensive education in spatial and service design, combined with a strategic understanding of business models, helps to train future professionals specialising in a complex field that has a significant socio-economic impact and is constantly evolving within the retail sector.
Design thinking is used in developed societies to foster creative solutions to complex challenges, and is especially valuable where knowledge from multiple disciplines contributes to economic development and quality of life. The MDEC (Master’s Degree in Commercial Space Design) is framed within this vision.
The ESD’s Master’s in Commercial Space Design seeks to train commercial space design professionals capable of working across a broad spectrum — from highly specialised roles within major brands to design services for SMEs — while providing students with an integrated strategic perspective.
As a public institution, ESD offers an extensive network of collaborations with companies, organisations and institutions at national and international level, while maintaining its social commitment.
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Discover our mission and what drives us
Career opportunities for commercial space designers today are wide-ranging and full of possibilities within a constantly evolving professional landscape. Numerous paths are offered by the retail sector offers that allow designers to explore different roles and find their place in the industry.retail, que permiten a los diseñadores explorar diferentes roles y encontrar su lugar en el mercado.
In Póster, our digital magazine, you can find more outstanding student projects.
Applicants holding an Official Higher Artistic Education Degree, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification issued by an institution within the EHEA that grants access to Master’s level studies in the issuing country may apply. Applicants holding a non-EHEA university degree may also apply without the need for official recognition, provided they can demonstrate an equivalent level of education and eligibility for postgraduate studies in the country of issue.
Early Pre-registration 1
(preparatory phase with no allocation effect)
Application period:
18 February – 22 March 2026
Application validation period:
27 – 30 March 2026
Provisional list of eligible candidates 1:
5 April 2026
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Early Pre-registration 2
(preparatory phase with no allocation effect)
Application period 2:
5 April – 22 May 2026
Application validation period:
29 May – 2 June 2026
Joint provisional list of eligible candidates (1 + 2):
8 June 2026
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Official Admission & Enrolment
(single administrative resolution with legal effect)
Final application deadline for admission process:
8 – 23 June 2026
Admission validation period:
24 – 26 June 2026
Provisional admission results:
29 June 2026
________
Final admission results:
17 July 2026
________
Official enrolment period:
Until 31 July 2026
You must complete the application form and submit the following documents:
Designers graduated in Higher Education in Design and Fine Arts, architects and technical architects interested in commercial design, and marketing professionals interested in design and its management.
| Degree | 10% |
| Average academic grade of qualifying studies | 15% |
| Portfolio 1. Quality and relevance of projects 50% 2. Variety of themes 25% 3. Relevance to the master’s subject area 25% |
25% |
| Personal Interview (to be held in June or September) During the interview, candidates who meet the specific criteria will be assessed, with questions focusing on the documents submitted with the application and related topics. |
10% |
| Motivation Letter The content and expression of the letter will be assessed according to the following structure: 1. General professional interests 30% 2. Alignment with the master’s programme 30% 3. Specific objectives after completing the programme 40% 40% |
10% |
| Online Admission Test (from 15 June to 27 June) This 90-minute test aims to evaluate aspects that are difficult to assess through other criteria: 1. Ability to relate heterogeneous concepts 40% 2. Ability to interpret visual messages 30% 3. Ability to adopt the perspective of the user or recipient 30% |
20% |
| Curriculum Vitae | 10% |
External internships are aimed at students who wish to develop a professional career in the fields of design, visual communication and image. The objective is to provide direct professional experience that supports their growth: engaging with organisational and professional planning processes, information management, decision-making, and problem-solving are key aspects reinforced through professional practice.
Work internships take place during the second half of the course. The ESD’s Internship Coordination Team is responsible for contacting and proposing agreements with those organisations, companies and institutions that best meet the students’ training needs, as well as monitoring their placement. Internship allocation is subject to the availability of host organisations, the validity of agreements, the alignment between student profiles and placement requirements, and the specific tasks to be performed in each case.