The Master's in Industrial Design is internationally oriented, and classes are conducted in English with a focus on problem-based project work in groups. You will learn to combine creative design and development processes with knowledge and insight into ergonomics, materials, environment, strategy, design management and economics, among other things. In this programme, you will not only work with specific product types, but also with how design and development processes proceed, and you will learn to create products and solutions that combine a product's functionality, interface, construction and materials with a company's strategy, marketing and productive operation.

With a Master's in Industrial Design, you will be highly skilled at product design where the combination of aesthetics, functionality and material selection helps you develop future-proofed products and services – from idea-stage to production and marketing. You will develop a feel for both product design and business aspects and be able to create solutions and products that are innovative, attractive and functional. Your skills within project management and cross-disciplinary collaboration will also strengthen your professional profile.

As an industrial designer, you will be a specialist in design and development, and you will know how to combine skills such as creativity, engineering and teamwork. Over the course of the programme, you will gain industry knowledge, business sense and a large national and international network. You can use this in a wide range of positions that involve working with innovation, design and development, such as design engineer, industrial designer, service designer, concept developer, product developer, product designer, portfolio manager, technical product developer, product manager or R&D project manager.

The Theme of 1st semester is the Product Development for a Client; the process from defining “what to design” to the detailed construction of critical components, while understanding and integrating the companies brand, business, users, market, production and manufacturing capability into the proposed solution.

• Project - Corporate Product Development (10 ECTS)
• Course - Production and Economy (5 ECTS)
• Course - Advanced Integrated Design: Prephase (5 ECTS) (5 ECTS)
• Course - Component Construction (5 ECTS)

The theme of 2nd semester is Product Development for a Sector where the process starts with identifying ill-defined, through market definition and design brief into a business concept proposal including a well designed product/service for a self-chosen organisation (company or start-up) in a specified sector.

• Project - Sector Product Development (15 ECTS)
• Course - Process Technology and Material Characteristics 2: Flexible Automation (5 ECTS)
• Course - Technology and Form (5 ECTS)
• Course - Advanced Integrated Design: Business Development (5 ECTS)

The 3rd semester theme is a dive into a self-chosen aspect of the Engineering Design field, through research oriented simulations and investigations into a particular aspect, method or approach within an open interpretation of “Process management”, “Technology interaction” and “Ergonomic design and simulation.” which also represents the elective course that goes with the project.

1) Project - Engineering in the Design Field: Value, Method and Approach (20 ECTS)

• Course - Project, Design and Construction Management (5 ECTS)
• Course - Advanced Simulation Methods 1: Process Management
• Course - Advanced Simulation Methods 2: Technology Interaction (5 ECTS)
• Course - Advanced Simulation Methods 3: Ergonomic Design and Simulation Interaction (5 ECTS)

(choose two of the courses) 

or

2) Project -Internship (25 ECTS)

• Course - Project, Design and Construction Management (5 ECTS)

or

3) Study at another University (30 ECTS)

or

4) Long Master’s Thesis (+30 ECTS)

• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

See the curriculum. 

Studying Industrial Design at Aalborg University in Denmark you are able to undertake an internship or an external study on 3rd semester. 

An internship gives you the opportunity to collaborate with a company, institution, etc. regarding your project work. Furthermore an internship gives you the opportunity to use the theoretical skills you have acquired during first and second semester hands on. 

For more information about internships please visit the international office at Aalborg University. 

You can also choose to do an external study at another university in Denmark or at a university outside Denmark. The courses followed at the foreign university have to be approved by the Board of Studies as an integrated part of your education at Architecture & Design (in the form of credit transfer).

For more information about external studies please visit the international office at Aalborg University. 

AAU Career helps you on your way from student life to job life in Denmark by giving you the tools to examine your options and find out what to do.

While studying at AAU, you can participate in career and job-related events, find help on our website, and book a personal career counselling session to talk about e.g.:

• Finding your way in your career
• Danish working culture
• Application and CV the Danish way
• What you can offer an employer
• How to go about job search in Denmark – both student job, internship and full-time job

Read more about AAU Career here

Are you a student at AAU? In AAU Study and Wellbeing Guidance, we can help you with, among other things, choices during your study programme, study doubts, study techniques, motivation, wellbeing, leave and study resignation or perhaps just a conversation about your thoughts regarding your study programme and wellbeing. We are happy to talk to you about anything big or small.

See opening hours and contact information

When doing project work, you work closely in groups with other students. This gives you the opportunity to cooperate, share knowledge and to explore larger and more complex academic problems than what you would have been able to do on your own. Furthermore, the groups serve a social purpose and make it easier for you to get to know your fellow students and feel more at home at the university. Learn more about teamwork at AAU.

Aalborg University works closely with the business community. This means that as a student you will work with real issues from companies and organisations. Thus, while you are studying, you already have the opportunity to enhance your academic competences with a business-oriented and practical angle.

At Aalborg University teaching is research based. This means that your lecturers are doing research within the same academic field as he or she is teaching. You thus have access to the latest knowledge and dedicated teachers who are passionate about what they teach. The teaching material not only includes books but may also consist of, for example, current academic articles from journals.

As a university city Aalborg has many advantages. The city is Denmark's fourth largest, and a good 20 percent of the municipality's inhabitants are students. The city has much to offer when it comes to culture, sports and leisure, but at the same time, has a manageable size and safe environment. Compared to other major university cities, it is easy to find good student accommodations in Aalborg. Learn more about student life in Aalborg.