Students of the Africa Studio during a course

International Design Strategy Africa Studio

Taught in French Cotonou
Diplôme visé contrôlé par l'ÉtatLabel - Diplôme conférant grade de master contrôle par l'État
Updated on 03.02.25
Informations

Degree: Diplôme de design Bac +5: Postgraduate studies / Master's level degree

Prerequisites: 3 years of undergraduate studies in design

Admissions: On our application website

Modality

Location: Cotonou, Benin

Teaching language: French

Postgraduate studies / Master's level degree in Africa

Discover the Beninese culture through a two-year master's level degree program and obtain a French certified degree. This program is offered in partnership with the Africa Design School, the first design school in West Africa based in Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin.

This program leads to the master’s level degree (Diplôme de design) certified by the French Ministry of Higher Education.

International design strategy in Benin

Benin is undergoing rapid development of its territory and the digital transition of its companies, placing urban planning and societal design at the heart of the Africa Studio’s challenges.

In this programme, taught in French, students will work in multicultural teams on projects focusing on societal, ecological and environmental issues and will try to answer the question of how to put design at the service of the population and its surroundings.

This 'international design strategy' program in Cotonou is taught in French.

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Curriculum
A unique two-year program in Benin

The 'International design strategy' program

The 'International Design Strategy' program offers a fantastic opportunity to discover and understand other cultures and to evolve in an international context.

By the end of the program, students will be able to support companies in developing their innovation strategies in a global world.

Find out more

Obtaining the master's level degree

The Master's level degree is awarded by the final jury to students who have obtained :

1. a minimum TOEIC score of 800 points;
2. a mark of 10/20 or above, broken down as follows:

  • 40% marks awarded for continuous assessment,
  • 60% marks obtained in the final presentation on the student's course of study (final project, work placement and any other element chosen by the student).

This course must be completed in its entirety to obtain certification and cannot be broken down into blocks. The course is taken as a whole and not in modules. Please contact us for information on equivalences.

This master's level degree (RNCP level 7 - RNCP36106 - published on 07-01-2022) is approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, which confers the grade of Master.

Admission requirements

This program is open to all applicants who either:


  • hold a Bachelor’s Degree in design or equivalent,
  • have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies in design or equivalent, equating to at least 180 ECTS credits

You may apply before actually receiving the degree or having completed your undergraduate studies. However, admission will only take effect once the degree is obtained or the undergraduate credits have been validated.


Applicants whose level we assess to be insufficient may be recommended to follow a semester or a full year in our 3rd year of DN MADE / International Class before entering the master’s program.

Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.




Language requirements

English
If you are not a native English speaker, we ask that you provide proof of your English proficiency (minimum level of 600 points at the TOEIC test or equivalent).

  • The Master’s level degree being subject to the validation of 800 points in the TOEIC, you will be required to take the TOEIC exam during the course.

French
A French level equivalent to 4/B2 assessed by a TCF1 or DELF2 test is required to join the program.

How to apply?

Applications are open from November to June 2025 for the academic year 2025-2026

Applications for the 4th year of the Master's level degree via our application website are organised into 9 admission sessions:

  • November session: registrations until November 29, 2024
  • December session: registrations until December 20, 2024
  • January session: registrations from January 1 to January 31, 2025
  • February session: registrations from February 1 to 28, 2025
  • March session: registrations from March 1 to March 31, 2025
  • April session: registrations from April 1 to 30, 2025
  • May session: registrations from May 1 to 31, 2025
  • June session: registrations from June 1 to 30, 2025
  • July session: registrations from July 1 to 25, 2025

This 'international design strategy' program in Cotonou is taught in French.

Apply

Selection process

1. Online application and payment of the application fees (€50);

2. Upload all the required documents for application;

3. Application review and online interview if your application file is accepted;


4. Publication of the admissions results at the end of each admission session: Admissions results are sent by email.

Admission results within 15 days.

Tuition fees

French students and European Union students: €8,900 per year

Non-European Union students: €9,900 per year

+ CVEC (Student and campus life contribution): contribution set at just under €103 per year

CVEC website

Scholarships

The school itself does not offer any scholarship. However, according to your country of residence and your particular situation, different possibilities may be available to finance your studies in France: government grants, funding granted by international organizations and NGOs, private fellowships...

Campus France has a scholarship search engine  which may help you identify a scholarship available in your situation (country of residence, degree being prepared etc.).

 

Obtain a visa for Benin

Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.

You will have to take the following steps:

  • Entry in Benin with a 90-day multiple entry visa (100€)
  • Once in Benin, you will have to make an appointment with the DEI (Department of Emigration and Immigration) to apply for a long stay visa or a residence permit.

In case of admission, the information given above will have to be reconfirmed with the Africa Studio

Academic calendar

The academic year runs from the beginning of September to the beginning of July for all our programs.

Academic Calendar 2025/2026 will start on September 2025 for this program.

This date is provided for information purposes only and is subject to change.

Teaching staff

Deputy Executive Director
Stéphane Gouret

Africa Studio Educational coordinator
Tymélia Zanifé

Job prospects and further education
International career prospects

This program trains students to become global players who can understand Benin context better, and most of all, improve the ability to design for clients and employers from other cultures. It is a living experience that will change its participants, often opening up unexpected, exciting international career opportunities.

Master’s level degree in design

As all our postgraduate studies, this program leads to the Master’s level degree in design, certified by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and registered in the Registre National des Certifications Professionnelles (the French directory for vocational qualifications or RNCP) as a Level 7 Master’s level degree.


Further education

The Master’s level degree confers the "Grade de master", and you can pursue your education at a PhD level.

Contact
Discover some of the many projects carried out by students from L'École de design Nantes Atlantique.
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International Design Strategy Africa Studio

Taught in French Cotonou
Diplôme visé contrôlé par l'ÉtatLabel - Diplôme conférant grade de master contrôle par l'État