Student Guide

Master's Programme in International Design Business Management

For Aalto students
This site contains the student study guide for the Master's Programme in International Design Business Management. Here you will find the programme curriculum as well as detailed guidelines for planning your studies. All the materials and instructions are for the students in the programme. If you are interested in applying to the programme, follow the links at the bottom of the site to the application page.
Are you an applicant? View programme pages for applicants

Master's Programme in International Design Business Management (IDBM) is jointly organized by all the Schools of Aalto University: School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Business, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Science. The programme is coordinated by the School of Business.

IDBM educates students with arts, business and engineering backgrounds to make better business with meaningful innovations and design, providing a strategic view into design-intensive businesses management. Graduates of the IDBM programme will be able to drive innovation and lead initiatives to undertake new business ventures within global environments.

Academically rigorous and practice-oriented IDBM programme prepares students to lead and collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams. The objective is to gain knowledge in multiple disciplines and to learn to connect one's own disciplinary expertise to a wider multi-disciplinary design business framework. During a six-month long real-life industry project students explore and develop innovative product, service and business concepts. Projects are coached by multi-disciplinary faculty and expert industry tutors.

The global approach of IDBM program prepares students to work in multi-cultural settings and collaborate across national and cultural boundaries. On the practical level, the global aspect refers to the continuous development of international networks through student selection, industry cooperation, research activities and study exchange.

Application for an extension to the right to study

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Some of Aalto’s web services have been temporarily closed or restricted to Aalto’s internal network.
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Unite! Language and Culture Tandems: Learn, Practise, Connect

Learn language and culture with another Unite! student from one of the nine Unite! alliance universities.

Events

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For Aalto community Pedagogical training, Students –

Teaching Assistant as a Learning Instructor (2 ECTS), pedagogical training, autumn 2026

Teaching period: 26.10.-30.11.2026, in English, register by 4.10.2026
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Networking, Students –

Thesis Takeoff group

Do you feel stuck with your thesis? Is it hard to stay motivated or focused when working alone? Do you need peer support and guidance to make progress? Join the Thesis Takeoff group!
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Campus, Information sessions, Networking, Students –

Aalto Thesis Day events 2026

Information for students: Master’s thesis in partnership with a company.

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For Aalto community Information sessions, Students –

Info Session on ARTS Study and Internship Opportunities Abroad

Come and here more about ARTS' internationalization opportunities abroad!

Tuition fees 

Tuition fee for tuition-fee students in this programme:

  • Study right started on or before 1 August 2024: 15,000 EUR / academic year
  • Study right started on or after 1 August 2025: 17,000 EUR / academic year

For more information, please see the Tuition fees and scholarships webpage in the Student Guide.

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