Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest (MOME)

General university info

Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) is a leading Central European institution for art, design, architecture and media higher education, located in Budapest, Hungary. With roots dating back to 1880 as the Hungarian Royal National School of Arts and Crafts, MOME has evolved into a contemporary, innovation-driven university that combines artistic excellence, design and research with a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Named after Bauhaus artist László Moholy-Nagy, the university embraces his legacy of experimentation, interdisciplinarity, and the integration of technology and creativity. MOME positions itself as an open, future-oriented institution where students and faculty collaborate to address 21st-century challenges through design, research and critical reflection.

Mission and Vision

MOME aims to shape how art, design, architecture and media can respond to complex global challenges. The university strives to contribute to a more thoughtful, inclusive and innovative society through education, research and collaboration. Rooted in its long history but oriented toward future possibilities, MOME’s mission is to foster the next generation of creators who will shape culture and society in meaningful ways.

Academic Profile

MOME offers a full three-cycle structure (BA, MA and doctoral): bachelor programmes cover disciplines such as Architecture, Product Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Media Design, Animation, Interaction Design, Designer-Maker and Art and Design Theory. Master’s-level training expands these fields and includes six English-language MA programmes aimed at an international student community: Animation, Art and Design Management, Designer-Maker, Design, Interaction Design and Photography.

The Doctoral School provides DLA (Doctor of Liberal Arts) and PhD programmes, with a focus on both artistic research and design-oriented scientific inquiry. Doctoral students work in close collaboration with MOME’s academic centres, research units and industry partners, engaging in project-based research that bridges theory and practice.

Innovation and Research

MOME’s research and development ecosystem places a strong emphasis on innovation, closely linking academic research with industry collaboration, applied design research, and socio-environmental innovation. Innovation-focused activities at the university work in close cooperation with the Doctoral School, the EU Projects Office, the Knowledge Transfer unit, and multiple interdisciplinary labs, fostering a dynamic and collaborative research environment.

MOME’s research and innovation activities span four key areas that reflect the university’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges through design. The Ecology and Action Lab focuses on socio-ecological systems and sustainable, community-centred design solutions. The Future Care Lab reimagines healthcare and care systems at the intersection of design, technology, and human well-being. The Heritage in Motion Lab explores how cultural heritage and our perception of time are reshaped in a rapidly changing, digital world. And the Society and Action Lab uses participatory, practice-based research to tackle social issues such as migration, gender equity, and urban life with creative, socially-responsible design approaches.

MOME also operates MOME Open, the university’s adult learning and lifelong learning platform, and maintains an expanding portfolio of EU-funded projects, strategic partnerships and applied research collaborations with public, private and civic organisations.

Educational Philosophy

MOME’s teaching model is characterised by small-group studio work, mentorship, community-based learning and a strong emphasis on personal artistic development. The university promotes value-driven education, interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world engagement, encouraging students to work on societal, technological and environmental challenges.

Workshops, labs and production studios support hands-on, experiential learning in both traditional and cutting-edge fields – from craft and material practices to digital media, immersive technologies, spatial design and interaction design. Graduates go on to lead in the creative industries, cultural institutions, design and media companies, public-sector innovation and entrepreneurship.