Study options

International Design Business Management, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

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 students gathered around a table and drawing

Degree:

Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

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:

Business and Economics

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Business

Tuition fees:

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

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

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.

Language of instruction

The 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

IDBM is organised by the School of Business and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

  • IDBM Major (40 ECTS)
  • Minor studies (24 ECTS)
  • Electives (20 ECTS)
  • Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
  • Thesis seminar (6 ETCS)

The first year of the IDBM programme consists of IDBM Major compulsory modules and a six-month-long industry project. During the second year, students can complement their studies by completing an exchange semester, minor studies or choose additional courses depending on their interest and track requirements.

In addition, students of the IDBM Master's programme completing the degree in Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration at Aalto School of Business are offered the opportunity to extend their studies with a double degree at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (PSP) together with an academic advisor. The primary purpose of PSP is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order.

Master's Programme in International Design Business Management

Specialisations

As an IDBM student you complete courses together with an international, tight and diverse community of students. Compulsory IDBM core studies are linked to an extensive industry project and related teamwork, which enables students to learn how to utilize and apply different knowledge, tools and methods in practice. Moreover, the IDBM industry project deepens the understanding of students about real-life processes of the participating firms in global design-intensive businesses. Skills in project management and business planning are developed through the projects.

Examples of the wide course selection include:

  • Business Model Design (5 ECTS)
  • Corporate Entrepreneurship and Design (5 ECTS)
  • IDBM Industry Project (15 ECTS)
  • Networked Partnering and Product Innovation (5 ECTS)

See all courses

The opportunities in the digital design & innovation space have all come through the lovely people I met during my studies in IDBM.

Juho Kinnunen, Senior Business Designer, Futurice

Internationalisation

Study with an ambitious and diverse group of students from around the world. Complete an intense industry project for a global organisation in multidisciplinary teams and participate in trips to destinations related to the challenges presented in the project. Additionally, students of the IDBM Master's programme at Aalto School of Business have a unique opportunity to extend their studies by completing a double degree at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad each year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies, but also multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.

Further study opportunities

The degree grants eligibility 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

More information about the research: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-management-studies

Co-operation with other parties

Aalto University and the departments involved in the programme collaborate with many high-quality universities worldwide.

The student can take advantage of the studies within other Aalto University Schools, studies under the flexible study right agreement (JOO) within other universities as well as the major's international connections and student exchange possibilities.

Multidisciplinary opportunities

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.

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Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.

The applications to Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management are evaluated based on the following criteria.

Admission group 1

Bachelor’s degree from a university in Finland

Phase 1

Phase 2

Admission group 2

Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied science in Finland or from a higher education institution abroad

Phase 1

Phase 2

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School of Business alumni stories

Here you can find School of Business alumni stories. Our alumni share their professional journeys and give advice and tips regarding working life. The stories have been sorted based on the alumni's majors. The newest publications are placed first in the major groups.

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IDBM Alumni Stories

See what the IDBM alumni have to say about the programme, and how the master's studies helped them along their career paths.

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Contact information

School of Business

[email protected] / [email protected]

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