Study options

International Design Business Management, Master of Science (Technology)

IDBM is a pioneering and renowned study programme that truly embodies the vision of Aalto by integrating design and technology with global business development. Through transdisciplinary teamwork and real-life business challenges provided by our prominent industry partners, the programme prepares students as the next generation of creative professionals. IDBM is uniquely positioned as the only programme offered in all six schools of Aalto, allowing programme graduates to earn a Master’s degree in either business, design or technology.
IDBM student explaining a concept to IDBM Impact 2018 event visitors

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Technology and Engineering

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Chemical Engineering

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

We do not work in silos, so why should we study in one? IDBM students tackle complex, real-life challenges in multidisciplinary teams and develop holistic perspectives of tomorrow’s challenges. The programme embraces design more broadly as a method, mindset and competitive advantage. It does so by focusing on product, service and business design, technology and innovation management. IDBM graduates have:

  • The ability to work in and lead diverse teams. Graduates have discovered and unlocked their potential in multidisciplinary teams. They have developed important interpersonal and communications skills through collaborative industry projects. Become an effective team player by improving vital project management skills.
  • A forward-looking view of the world. Graduates possess knowledge about current and future trends shaping organisations and societies.
  • Not only business sense but design and tech-savviness. Graduates have expanded their competence achieved in business by bringing in design and technical perspectives to gain a more holistic view on how to create value for end-users.
  • Competence to manage, develop and lead design-driven strategies. Graduates have gained insight into how design is managed and how can its impact be evaluated and analysed. They have learnt from industry leaders how to create new ideas and execute them with design-driven strategies and processes.

Upon graduation from the IDBM programme, graduates are ready to take on significant roles in teams working in the intersection of design, business and technology. They are able to drive innovation and lead initiatives to undertake new business ventures in global environments.

Language of instruction

Language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

The programme includes in total 120 cr:

  • 40 cr IDBM major studies
  • 20-30 cr engineering specialisation/minor studies
  • 20-30 cr electives
  • 30 cr thesis
Master's Programme in International Design Business Management

Specialisations

Applicant should hold a B.Sc. or equivalent degree in a relevant field in engineering, technology or natural sciences. The previous studies of the applicants should be relevant for the specialization they are applying for.
The compatibility and relevance of previous studies is evaluated in relation to the desired engineering specialization area as stated in the letter of motivation.

All master students from the different tracks (Design, Science and Technology, Business) will study the same compulsory IDBM major courses during the first year of studies. The courses include topics such as creative teamwork, business model design, corporate entrepreneurship and global virtual teamwork. One of the core IDBM major courses is the six-month long Industry Project where multi-disciplinary student teams work together on real-life challenges provided by industry partners. In addition to the major studies, students are expected to complete specialisation studies in his/her own field. The amount of specialisation studies vary between IDBM study options. Further information on IDBM programme website.

Internationalisation

Aalto University also offers diverse possibilities for developing one’s global competence by:

  • choosing courses with intercultural approach, learning foreign languages and/or becoming a student tutor for international students
  • completing part of the degree abroad in an international partner university as an exchange student
  • conducting practical training or Master’s thesis abroad
  • taking a summer course abroad

Further study opportunities

The programme provides eligibility for doctoral studies.

How to apply for doctoral studies?

Career opportunities

IDBM prepares you for a career in creative industries and in organisations that draw on creativity, design and technology as key components of their competitive positioning. These career opportunities exist both in large multinationals and in startups, in a variety of fields as organisations are starting to recognise the importance of design in retaining their relevance and creating better value. In positions ranging from service design to design and strategy, IDBM graduates leverage design to create new products and services, often involving the latest technology.

Aalto University has well-established career services which help you get employed in Finland and abroad. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon their graduation. There is also a very active entrepreneurship community at Aalto, which can help as a springboard for founding a company. Finally, if an academic career is of interest, the Master’s programme in International Design Business Management is a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.

Research focus

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Co-operation with other parties

IDBM is a truly multidisciplinary programme that embodies the vision of Aalto: a community of bold thinkers, where science and art meet technology and business. You have the entirely unique opportunity to study and work together with ambitious students from the schools of ARTS, Business, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Science.

Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the University bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.

Chat with Aalto students

Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto? Come chat with our students about all things Aalto on Unibuddy chat platform.

Chat with our students!
4 student ambassafors taking a selfie

Admission requirements

Evaluation process

Please note that the admission process is competitive and not all eligible applicants will necessarily be admitted.

The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases.

Phase 1
In Phase 1, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Relevance of previous studies
Academic performance
Suitability / Motivation letter
Other areas of competence

Only the applicants who are ranked highest in the Phase 1 evaluation will be invited to Phase 2 in the selection process.

Phase 2
In Phase 2, the evaluation is based on the following criteria:
Suitability/Interview

Some of the applicants are invited to Phase 2. The invitation to Phase 2 will be send to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance. Phase 2 consists of a face-to-face interview, which can be conducted online.

After the evaluation conducted in Phase 2, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases 1 and 2.

Programme-specific admission requirements 2024: International Design Business Management (TECH)

Phase 1

Phase 2

Study-option-specific documents requested

The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:

Motivation letter

The applicant must show his/her motivation for studying in the IDBM programme by providing a motivation letter. The letter is written in English and the maximum length of the letter is 4000 characters (including space characters). The motivation letter should answer at least the following questions:

  • Why am I applying for the Master's Programme in IDBM?
  • What am I expecting to learn or gain by participating in the IDBM Programme?
  • What specialization area studies would I choose and why?
  • The contribution I will bring to fellow students and the continued success of the IDBM Programme?

The applicant must clearly indicate in the motivation letter in which specialization area(s) listed they are interested. (The lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application.)

CV

The professional experience of the applicants is looked at broadly and is considered to include work experience relevant to the IDBM programme as well as experience in artistic and scientific work, including entrepreneurship and other relevant civic activities.

Contact information

Johanna Rametta

IDBM Programme Manager

[email protected]

Learning Services of Aalto School of Chemical Engineering

[email protected]

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