IDBM is a pioneering study programme that embodies the vision of Aalto University 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鈥檚 degree in either business, design, or technology. Students graduating from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture will complete and be awarded a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in International Design Business Management (IDBM).
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鈥檚 challenges. The programme embraces design more broadly as a mindset and strategic approach in diverse contexts. IDBM graduates have:
Upon graduation from the IDBM programme, graduates are ready to take on significant roles in teams working at the intersection of design, business, and technology. They are able to drive innovation and lead initiatives to undertake new business ventures in global environments.
The language of instruction in International Design Business Management programme is English.
The tuition fee for this programme is 17 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
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.
Students from all the tracks will study the same compulsory IDBM major studies during the first academic year.
The two-year master鈥檚 degree studies in International Design Business Management in the field of design consist of the following modules:
The first year of the IDBM programme consists of IDBM compulsory studies and a six-month-long industry project. During the second year, students can complement their studies by completing an exchange semester, minor studies or choosing elective courses depending on their interests.
For further information about the course content on the and in the Student Guide.
Admission to the IDBM programme is granted through six tracks in three different fields depending on the applicant's background and the targeted degree.
You will study with an ambitious and diverse group of students from around the world. You can 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. You can also complete a part of your studies abroad in an international partner university as an exchange student.
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 through 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.
IDBM graduates are eligible to apply for doctoral studies.
IDBM prepares you for leading design and creativity as strategic drivers for diverse purposes and contexts, such as entrepreneurship, social innovation, or leveraging design to create new products and services, often involving the latest technology, in commercial and non-commercial industries. These career opportunities exist both in large multinationals and start-ups, in various fields as organizations are starting to recognise the importance of design in retaining their relevance and creating better value. IDBM prepares graduates to pursue lead design positions ranging from strategic designers in business development, service or product teams, to innovation management roles and founders of new startups.
Our research focuses on industrial and societal developments that evolve design practice. We strive to devise actionable strategies for management and strategic planning of design in companies and in the public sector. Our research interests revolve around organisational adoption of design, the leadership of designers, and the implementation of design-driven development practices. We also aim to provide a deeper understanding of the processes behind design鈥檚 role in creating change.
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.
This is a practice-based programme that aims to connect students with the industry. The IDBM Industry Project course connects students with public and private commercial or non-commercial organizations to work on their real-life challenges for six months. Additionally, the active IDBM alumni and on-campus community provide opportunities for developing professional networks during studies.
We will organise an IDBM webinar on Wednesday 4 December 2024 at 16.00 (GMT+2 Helsinki, Finland time) via Zoom: . You are welcome to ask questions at the webinar!
Applicants meeting Aalto鈥檚 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 applications to Master鈥檚 Programme in International Design Business Management (IDBM) Master of Arts will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
| Artistic and/or design practice | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
A portfolio consisting of the applicant鈥檚 own work is mandatory. We recommend a total of 5 projects, 14 pages maximum. Please upload a single PDF-file to the application system before submitting the application. The file size must not exceed 30MB. In the portfolio, applicants display project work that illustrate their design skills/artistic expression in different settings. The portfolio must contain samples of the applicant鈥檚 work from professional and academic life; self-initiated projects can also be included. Artwork/project work can be provided as technical drawings, illustrations or photographs. If you present a work that has been undertaken as a team, please clarify your role in, and contribution to, the project. Each project should contain a title, year, the context in which it was developed (company, school or self-initiated) and some text, such an introduction of the project and description of the images. The portfolio must be designed by the applicant themselves and reflect their genuine work. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Portfolio |
| Relevance of previous studies | |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Applicants must have a suitable Bachelor鈥檚 degree related to one of the disciplines included in the programme, including design, arts, architecture and other creative fields. Applicants with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in humanities and social sciences must provide relevant experience in design in their portfolio and CV. Applicants with a degree in science and business must apply to the other IDBM respective tracks. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant鈥檚 further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
The applicant must convey his/her motivation for studying in the IDBM Master鈥檚 Programme by writing a motivation letter. The letter should address the following questions: 鈥 Why am I applying for admission to the IDBM Master鈥檚 Programme? 鈥 What am I expecting to learn or gain by participating in the IDBM Programme? 鈥 What can I contribute to fellow students and to the continued success of the IDBM Programme? |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Motivation letter |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
|
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
The professional experience of the applicants 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. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae |
Phase II
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant鈥檚 further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
The applicants are asked a series of questions regarding their motivation, aptitudes and interests to assess the ability to reflect and articulate the role of design in their past experiences. The interviews are conducted online. The applicant鈥檚 practical ability to communicate in English will be evaluated. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Interview |
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto鈥檚 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 I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
Only the applicants who are ranked highest in the Phase I evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
Part of the applicants are invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest seven days in advance.
The second phase consist of an interview, which will be conducted online.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
The documents required from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website: /en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. In addition, applicants to this study-option are required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
A portfolio consisting of the applicant鈥檚 own work is mandatory. We recommend a total of 5 projects, 14 pages maximum.
In the portfolio, applicants display project work that illustrate their design skills/artistic expression in different settings. The portfolio must contain samples of the applicant鈥檚 work from professional and academic life; self-initiated projects can also be included.
Artwork/project work can be provided as technical drawings, illustrations or photographs. If you present a work that has been undertaken as a team, please clarify your role in, and contribution to, the project. Each project should contain a title, year, the context in which it was developed (company, school or self-initiated) and some text, such an introduction of the project and description of the images. The portfolio must be designed by the applicant themselves and reflect their genuine work.
The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 30 MB and it can include maximum of 14 pages, larger ones will not be evaluated, even if the system allows uploading larger ones. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf. The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process. The portfolios will be examined on a laptop display of ca. 14鈥. It is highly advisable to use e.g., 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio.
Motivation letter
The applicant must convey his/her motivation for studying in the IDBM Master鈥檚 Programme by writing a motivation letter. The letter should address the following questions:
The maximum length of motivation letter is one page, maximum 2000 characters including spaces.
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.
Language of application documents
All the application documents must be submitted in English, preferably including Finnish/Swedish degree certificates.
An applicant can apply to the IDBM programme through more than one School. Such an applicant, however, can be selected only through one of the Aalto University Schools. An accepted student completes the master鈥檚 degree of the School which he/she is accepted to.
Note: The criteria mentioned here is for the IDBM programme in the Department of Design at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Applicants with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in architecture can apply both through the science/technology field and through the design field, depending on the applicant鈥檚 background studies and career intentions or aspirations. Students graduating from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture will complete and be awarded a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in International Design Business Management (IDBM).
Curious about life at Aalto University? Our student ambassadors are here to share their firsthand experiences and insights on student life, academics, and campus culture. Join us for interactive sessions, casual chats over coffee, and engaging discussions with current students and alumni.
Michael shares his experience in studying a Master's degree in Creative Sustainability and International Design Business Management.
Michael shares his experience in studying a Master's degree in Creative Sustainability and International Design Business Management.
Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.
arts-admissions@aalto.fi
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.
admissions@aalto.fi
