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What is it about?

The transition to a circular economy calls for designers who look beyond products alone. Materials, production processes, usage, and value chains are all interconnected; every design decision sets off a chain reaction. In the Postgraduate Circular and Systemic Design, you will learn how to approach challenges from this integrated perspective. You will explore how processes, organisations, and value chains are linked, and how designers can contribute to new circular systems — from material choices to business models.

The programme goes beyond the recycling economy, which primarily focuses on processing materials at their end-of-life. Instead, we focus on the next step: how products, processes, and systems can be designed so that materials retain their value for longer, and circular strategies are integrated from the very beginning of the chain.

In this programme you will:

  • Learn to think in a circular and systemic way
  • Analyse value chains and organisations
  • Apply design methods to real-life cases
  • Connect insights to leadership, collaboration, and finance
  • Work with experts and companies driving the circular transition

The programme is aimed at designers from various disciplines and combines theoretical insights with practical experience. You will work on real business cases and receive input from guest speakers active in the field. In this way, you will learn how circular principles are translated into concrete design and innovation processes.

For whom?

This programme is for designers who want to increase their impact and deepen their understanding of the transition to a circular economy.

  • Are you curious about how materials, processes, value chains, and organisations are interconnected?
  • Do you want to better understand how design decisions influence production, use, and value creation?
  • Are you open to a broader view of design — interested not only in designing products but also the systems in which they function and how they can be made more sustainable?

Then this programme is for you! Check the admission requirements under the ‘Practical information’ section to see if you qualify for this programme.

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Why?

As materials become scarcer and Europe becomes increasingly dependent on foreign resources, the circular transition needs designers who can see the bigger picture and drive change. This programme provides you with the insights, skills, and tools to help lead that shift.

We offer you:

  • Systemic insight: understand how design choices create ripple effects across entire value chains.
  • Practical experience: work on real business cases from across the industry.
  • Leadership skills: learn to mobilise people and organisations.
  • Financial insight: translate a circular vision into economic reality.

What you will learn

The programme consists of two modules, to be completed within a maximum of two academic years.

  • The Postgraduate Circular and Systemic Design goes beyond theory; it equips professionals to design and implement circular solutions in practice.
  • By combining the circular economy with system thinking and design methodologies, you will learn to rethink products, services, and entire value chains — rather than simply optimising them.
  • What sets this programme apart is its hands-on approach. You will work on real-world business cases, enabling you to translate insights directly into concrete applications and create immediate value for organisations.
  • Graduates develop a future-proof skill set that connects materials, business models, user insights, and strategy. You will leave the programme not only with knowledge but with the capabilities to drive the circular transition within organisations effectively.

Module 1: Insights and analysis

Build a strong foundation for circularity and systems thinking.

  • Explore how materials, processes, organisations and value chains are interconnected.
  • Examine both local and global contexts, from regional manufacturing industries to international production chains.
  • Deepen your understanding of topics such as personal leadership, financial management, and the processes of innovation and change.
  • Through studio assignments, real-world business cases and guest lectures, you will directly connect theory with practice.

You will develop a broader perspective on your role as a designer within the transition to a circular economy.

Module 2: Application in a professional context

Bring your knowledge to life within a real-world organisation.

  • Tackle a circular challenge provided by a company or partner organisation.
  • Develop a design or implementation proposal through co-creation with key stakeholders.
  • Consider circular design principles, ecological impact, economic reality, and organisational requirements.
  • Learn to justify your ideas, build buy-in, and translate design choices into actionable strategy.

You will develop a practical case that can be immediately applied within a professional context.

Dates and location

The programme starts on Monday 21 September 2026 and runs until mid-June 2027. During the first semester, classes take place weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

The detailed course schedule will be sent by email to enrolled participants in September. There are no classes during the autumn, Christmas and Easter holidays.

On-campus sessions take place at Howest Campus Kortrijk Weide – Industrial Design Center.

Study tracks

You decide how intensively you want to follow the programme. Depending on your learning goals, you can choose the track that suits you best.

Impact track

The complete programme including all modules.
You attend all on-campus classes and coaching sessions, work on studio assignments and complete an internship during semester 2.

  • This track leads to the postgraduate certificate.

Full track

Semester 1 only.
You follow all modules from the first semester and receive a certificate of participation upon successful completion.

  • This track is ideal if you want to broaden your knowledge without completing an internship or final assignment.

Core track

A selection of modules from semester 1, focused on an in-depth exploration of circular and systemic design. This track also concludes with a certificate of participation.

  • Perfect if you want to deepen your expertise in specific themes.

Study workload

The full programme consists of 60 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit equals 25 hours of study time.

The workload combines classes, studio assignments, research, collaboration with organisations, and independent project and study work.

Assessment

Assessment is based on assignments, presentations and project work within the different modules.

There are two assessment periods:

  • January (semester 1)
  • June (semester 2)

Each participant is assessed individually on the competences acquired within each module.

Qualification

Participants who successfully complete the full programme (Impact track) and hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree will receive the postgraduate certificate in Circular and Systemic Design.

Participants who do not meet the diploma requirements, or who choose the Full track or Core track, will receive a certificate of participation.

Admission requirements

You have a background in or affinity with:

  • industrial product design
  • product development
  • industrial design
  • other design-related programmes with a focus on product, system or innovation development

You hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and have an interest in (product) design, circularity and systems thinking.

Selection procedure

Candidates must submit a CV and motivation letter in English. After a positive evaluation, you can proceed with enrolment.

In addition, candidates are asked to identify three potential companies or organisations for possible circular collaboration projects.

Application deadline

The application deadline is the end of August 2026.
The programme will only start subject to a sufficient number of registrations.

Cost

  • Impact track (full programme): €2,700
  • Full track (semester 1): €1,850
  • Core track (selected modules from semester 1): €1,250

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation, 20% of the registration fee will be charged to cover administrative costs. More information can be found in the education and examination regulations.

Financial support

This programme qualifies for financial support through the Flemish SME portfolio (kmo-portefeuille) under the theme of innovation (recognition number: DV.O241438). Applications for financial support must be submitted within fourteen days after the start of the programme.

More information is available via kmo-portefeuille.

This programme does not qualify for Flemish Educational Leave.

Steun­maatregelen

Enrolment

You can complete your registration for the 2025-2026 academic year starting 28 June 2025 at the info days on campus, online and during working hours (by appointment) at the student secretariat of the Howest campus where your course takes place.

Online enrolment is done through our online system. Upon completion of your registration, you will pay the accompanying tuition and fees for the postgraduate course. Withdrawal before the actual start of the course allows a partial refund of the tuition fee. 20% of the tuition fee is a non-refundable administrative cost. Once the programme has started, no refund will be made, regardless of whether certain course units are offered in the first or second semester.

What documents should you have in hand?

  • A copy of your ID (front and back) will be requested during online registration.
  • You will also need to upload a copy of your higher education diploma.

Online registration

After registering

  • After completing your online registration, you will receive an e-mail with all the information needed to complete your enrolment.
  • After your file has been checked and processed by Howest, you will receive your contract and a request for payment of tuition fees and extra study costs, delivered electronically.

Register now!

Have you decided? We look forward to welcoming you to our Howest community! 
You can find all information about registering via the link below.

Apply now

Studenten in pauze met koffie op de campus

FAQ

If you cannot find the information you are looking for or if you have a specific question about this programme, feel free to contact us.

Julie Bruggeman

Julie Bruggeman

Contact person

Contact

Completing the online registration implies that you are officially enrolled and commits you to paying the registration fee. After your file is processed, you will receive an email with an invoice for payment of the registration fee.

Most advanced programmes (such as micro degrees and post-graduate programmes) are not eligible for scholarships or reduced fees. That type of financial assistance is reserved for students within the standard programmes (bachelor's). However, there are other possibilities offered by the Flemish government such as Flemish educational allowance, KMO-portefeuille and study vouchers.

Yes, it is possible. Please send your account number and billing details to howestacademy@howest.be. The refund for the originally paid registration fee will only be made after registration of payment with the SME-wallet. You will therefore temporarily have a double payment pending.

If your training is partially or fully funded through financial assistance (SME, Flemish training leave, Flemish educational allowance, Flemish training vouchers), it is important to check the terms of the financial assistance programme concerning compulsory attendance. Students are responsible for having their attendance formally registered by the lecturers.

The coordinator of your course will indicate which platform will be used for short-term courses. For long-term programmes, your course material can be found on leho.howest.be. You can log in with the details you received from the registrar’s office after enrolment.

Send an e-mail to howestacademy@howest.be and you will get a quick reply.

For short-term postgraduate courses, direct registration via the webpage is final and binding. For diploma and credit courses such as bachelor’s, associates and microdegrees, pre-registration is not binding, but it assures you a place in the programme.

  • For associates degree:
    You are officially enrolled once you have completed your pre-registration online and signed it digitally. After processing and approval of your online registration by the registrar’s office, you will receive login details and an invoice for payment of the registration fee.
  • For microdegrees:
    You are officially enrolled after your pre-registration has been processed by the student registrar and after you have signed your programme contract. This can be done manually or digitally via the digital student learning platform: https://leho.howest.be/ (shortcut at the bottom -> ibamaflex -> important information).

Payment of the registration fee must be made no later than 1 October or - if the course starts at another time - within 15 days of registration. For payments made by invoice, the latest payment date mentioned on the invoice applies. Only in exceptional cases will instalment payments be allowed and only if an instalment plan has been submitted and agreed to by Howest's financial officer. Please contact us at howestacademy@howest.be for more information.

Ben je ingeschreven voor een bachelor-na-bachelor, een postgraduaat, een micro degree en/of een navorming? Dan kom je niet in aanmerking voor financiële ondersteuning in je studiekosten.

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