How design master’s degrees can change the course of your career

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design) shares results of it’s recent graduate survey

As the sole public-funded provider of design education from undergraduate to doctoral levels in Hong Kong, PolyU Design is an important hub for developing design professionals for Hong Kong and the region.

We have reached out to our local and non-local graduates from the Master of Design (MDes) Class of 2023 to see what they are doing professionally a year after their graduation.

Before we delve into our graduates’ employment status, we want to give contextual information regarding the immigration policies that make it easier for non-local graduates to stay in Hong Kong and allow them to explore various job opportunities.

Hong Kong Immigration Policies

The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is a policy in Hong Kong designed to attract and retain non-local graduates from local universities.

The policy applies to individuals who have obtained a degree or higher qualification from a recognized Hong Kong institution. Successful applicants are granted a visa valid for 2 years.

Graduates can apply for an extension of stay for 3 years (and subject to renewal for another 3 years) if they find employment within the initial visa period. Graduates are allowed to work in any field without restrictions.

After working for a certain period, IANG visa holders may apply for permanent residency, typically after seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong.

The IANG policy benefits non-local persons who have been admitted to Hong Kong to study and who want to transition to employment as an alternative path to getting a work permit.

What have PolyU Design graduates achieved professionally

Without further ado, let’s explore what our graduates are doing professionally.

All of them are engaged in employment or further studies:

• 80% have full-time employment. Others have part-time/ self-employment and further studies.
• Half of the non-local students have taken advantage of the IANG policy to stay in Hong Kong; their employers include those in higher education, the entertainment industry, the new energy vehicle market, professional services in design, architecture and consultancy, and IP services.
• Other graduates secured employment in the government, software engineering, consumer electronics manufacturing, fashion, market research, and cultural institutions.

In terms of their position in the organisation:

• 20% manage a senior position and 28% a middle position.
• Their common job titles are designer, associate, consultant, manager, researcher, and lecturer.
• 80% of the surveyed employers are organisations with more than 250 staff members.
• Two-thirds of our graduates reported that their organisation put design as an integral part of its development and decision-making process.

Regarding the job search:

• Half of them reported that they confirmed their post-degree employment before graduation.
• Otherwise, on average, our graduates took 4 months to secure their first job after earning their master’s degree.

Although not many of them were willing to disclose their salary and there are too many influences on the remuneration

• the salary (in HKD) of a senior position can be upwards of 30,000 to 50,000 or above, and a junior and middle position are usually ranged between 25,000 and 40,000, applicable to the labour markets of Hong Kong and China.

What do these insights mean for international students

Enough about the findings. Let’s uncover the core insights for prospective international students searching for overseas courses and advice for postgraduate studies.

• The findings prove that the right postgraduate education can enhance one’s professional profile and get them hired in 2023/24 within a relatively short period of four months.
• Not all non-local students remained in their study destination (Hong Kong in this case) after completing their studies, but those who stayed have shown they engaged in a wider spectrum of job responsibilities. One might explain that graduates who choose not to return to their home countries immediately after graduation are more willing to take risks and the study overseas experience has helped them grow to operate with more ease outside their comfort zone.
• More graduates have joined organisations with a design-driven culture. Both they and their management understand that the impact of design is not limited to the product level but also at the organisation level, and can even be extended to the community and environment. Many of our graduates want to know that the time and effort spent in their work have meaning in real life. Having invested in postgraduate education, our graduates understand better the importance of finding a culture that values design to work in.

Not everyone needs a master’s degree. But if you believe it can improve your options in your career, you should look into educational and professional opportunities abroad, and be self-aware of the kind of culture and environment that support your growth.

Ensure your research covers these areas and you are more likely to come to the right program.

Learn more about The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)