Bachelor Programme in Industrial Design, 180 Credits

Entry Requirements

General entry requirements and approved work samples and approved interview. General entry requirements for bachelor's studies must be submitted no later than supporting documentation deadline for Second admissions round (Autumn).

Degree

After completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts (180 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts (180 credits) is called Konstnärlig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Industrial design).

Description of the education for current education cycle

The education is at first-cycle level. The goals for first cycle education are found in the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434), Chapter 1, Section 8. First-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by pupils in national study programmes in the upper-secondary schools or its equivalent. The Government may, however, permit exceptions for courses and study programmes in the fine, applied or performing arts.

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

National goals for current degree

For a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts the student shall:
Knowledge and understanding:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the principal field (main field of study), including knowledge of the practical and theoretical foundation of the field, knowledge and experience of methods and processes in the field as well as specialised study within the field.

Competence and skills:

• demonstrate the ability to describe, analyse and interpret design, techniques and content as well as to reflect critically on his or her artistic approach and that of others in the main field of study
• demonstrate the ability in the main field of study to create, realise and express his or her own ideas, identify, formulate and solve artistic and creative problems autonomously and to undertake artistic tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss his or her works and artistic issues in speech, writing or in other ways and in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity.

Judgement and approach:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant artistic, social and ethical issues
• demonstrate insight into the role of art in society, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

Local goals for current degree

For a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design at Umeå University, the student shall

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate knowledge of and experience with methods and processes within the field of design, rooted in a value system that promotes sustainability from social, ecological, and economic perspectives.

Competence and Skills

• Demonstrate the ability, within design work, to identify relevant stakeholders and groups, establish collaboration with them, and contribute actively to teamwork, including interdisciplinary teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Judgement and approach

• Demonstrate an understanding of the overall significance of the design field in society, with particular focus on the industrial designer's role in promoting societal development and contributing to sustainability from a diversity of perspectives, including social, ecological, and economic.

Examination format

Each course syllabus outlines the specific examination formats used.

During the course of the education, exercises, assignments, and design projects are included both in teacher-led instruction and in independent and group-based forms of study. These components are often subject to assessment, as specified in the course syllabus.

Examinations and assessed components may be conducted both individually and in groups. They include oral presentations, written reports, and visual or design-based outputs.

Grades

Each course syllabus specifies the grading scale and criteria used for assessment.

Transfer of Credits

Students who have acquired relevant knowledge through previous studies or professional experience may apply for a credit transfer. If approved, the student will be exempt from completing the corresponding parts of the programme. Detailed information about the application process and requirements is available on Umeå University's website.

General

The Bachelor's Programme in Industrial Design is based on an artistic foundation, comprises 180 ECTS credits, and is taught in English. Its purpose is to provide a first-cycle study programme in industrial design for a changing future, leading to a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design.

Vision: Together, we cultivate the ability to imagine sustainable futures that consider not only human needs but also the well-being of ecosystems and other life forms. Through shared exploration, experimentation, and learning, we engage in a collaborative process of knowledge creation -in, about, and through design. We aim to nurture a generation of caring, curious, and critical designers who feel empowered to engage in diverse practices, contributing to life-centric futures and embracing lifelong learning with responsibility and resilience.

The Bachelor's Programme in Industrial Design supports and develops students' ability to apply design knowledge with a reflective and critical approach. It provides a solid foundation in design subjects, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the contemporary design industry.

The main field of study is industrial design, encompassing products, environments, services, and systems. This includes investigating how these are created, planned, shaped, and decided upon. Ongoing developments in the environment, society, economy, and technology continuously open up new perspectives on design. As a result, industrial design also involves  research and experimentation to generate new knowledge and evolve future design practices.

The programme places strong emphasis on developing the skills and abilities needed to shape, express, and promote new approaches, ways of thinking, and solutions that contribute to a sustainable society. It is rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition, particularly in the relationship between design and use, and between the individual and society. Sustainability is integrated throughout the programme, with attention to social, ecological, and economic dimensions. The programme seeks both breadth and depth in understanding the historical, contemporary, and future potential of design work, as well as its contribution to sustainable societal development.

Compulsory Courses
All courses within the programme are compulsory. Compulsory courses are those that all students in the programme are normally expected to take. Students enrolled in the programme are guaranteed a place in all compulsory courses, provided they meet the entry requirements specified in each course syllabus.

Elective Courses
The programme does not include any elective courses. Opportunities for specialisation, breadth, and depth are instead integrated within the compulsory courses and through cross-cutting themes that span multiple years of study.

Optional Courses
The programme does not include any optional courses.

Internship
A compulsory work-based placement (internship) is included as part of the course Becoming a Designer: Internship, which is offered during the spring semester of the second year. For more information, see the course syllabus and Umeå Institute of Design's internship guidelines.
Under the heading "Programme Syllabus," the courses included in the programme are presented.

Programme Overview
The programme is structured around a recurring format of 15-credit course blocks.
Each block consists of various modules and components that follow a weekly rhythm, combining scheduled teacher-led sessions with self-directed study and group work. From the second semester onward, at least one collaborative project is carried out each term in cooperation with companies, public agencies, municipalities, or other organizations.

The pedagogical approach is designed to strengthen students' ability to independently identify knowledge needs and develop effective learning strategies. To support lifelong learning, the teaching is structured to ensure that you, as a student, actively participate in and take responsibility for your own learning process.

The programme follows a clear progression that gradually deepens your ability to manage complexity in relation to situations, contexts, materials, and design outcomes. Each year introduces new perspectives on design, broadening and deepening your understanding over time.

Year 1:
In the first year, you are introduced to the fundamentals of methods and materials used in form, colour, and visualisation. You will also gain an overview of the various situations and contexts that characterize contemporary design practice. The focus is on product design and the interplay between form and function, with work centred around clearly defined objects, environments, and areas of use.
You will work hands-on in maker spaces, explore different materials, and develop your own design proposals. Independent work is encouraged, and you will be provided with tools to begin shaping your own role as a designer.

Year 2:
In the second year, the focus shifts to exploring methods and materials for creating and investigating interactions and experiences within design. You are introduced to tools and techniques for designing more complex objects and systems that integrate various materials, technologies, functions, and applications. You will collaborate closely with other students in design teams, and course components may involve communication and cooperation with professionals from outside the field of industrial design. During the spring semester, a compulsory internship is included as part of the programme, offering you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real-world working environment.

Year 3:
In the third year, you are introduced to the fundamentals of design as an investigative and research-oriented practice, while also exploring experimental approaches to shaping processes and developing design methods. The focus is on critically examining different ways of working and contributing to knowledge development within design. You will work in open-ended and partially unknown situations, systems, and contexts -challenging yourself and supporting your continued growth as a designer. During the spring semester, you will carry out your degree project: an independent project within the field of industrial design.

The programme consists of three types of courses, each with a different focus:

"Exploring": These courses aim to develop artistic, exploratory, and expressive practices.
You will work hands-on - often in the studio or the school's maker spaces - experimenting with materials, techniques, and forms to build your creative confidence and design intuition.

"Design": These are project-based courses that focus on a variety of design methods, contexts, and outcomes. You will investigate and develop approaches for carrying out design tasks and for envisioning sustainable future scenarios through iterative, research-informed processes.

"Becoming": These courses emphasize the development of your professional identity as a designer and the relevance of design in societal development. They support reflection on your role in the field and help you build the skills needed to navigate the ethical, cultural, and systemic dimensions of design practice.
Themes: At the beginning of each 15-credit period, a theme week brings together students from all three years of the programme to work collaboratively. These projects focus on topics and areas relevant to design, such as artistic practices, emerging technologies, specific sustainability challenges, and socio-political issues. Theme weeks are designed to foster cross-year dialogue and to explore key questions that shape the future of design.

Strands: Each year includes two recurring components - called strands - that run across all courses.
Each strand corresponds to approximately 3 credits per semester and is planned term by term to ensure both continuity and progression.

• "Design Expressions": This strand supports the regular practice and development of expressive and form-giving skills, helping you refine your ability to communicate ideas through visual and material means.
• "Design Studies": In this strand, you will read and discuss texts that address fundamental concepts, ideas, and practices in the design field. The aim is to support and develop reading, thinking, and writing as central components of design work.

The degree project within the Bachelor's Programme in Industrial Design takes place during the sixth semester and may be initiated once the entry requirements specified in the course syllabus are fulfilled. The project comprises 15 credits and offers students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme. The degree project must include both expressive (form-giving) and investigative design work. Both the process and the outcome are to be presented and discussed through oral, visual, and written formats, including a final report. The course also includes components in which students review and provide feedback on a peer's project, fostering critical reflection and dialogue. The degree project is carried out individually.

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Discontinuation

Information on discontinuation is available on Umeå University's website.

Other

Admission to a Later stage of the Programme
To be admitted to a later stage of the programme, applicants must meet the programme's general entry requirements. In addition to academic transcripts from comparable education, applicants must submit a portfolio that demonstrates their individual level of knowledge, skills, and artistic ability. Eligibility is assessed by the department.

Admission to a later part of the programme is not possible if fewer than two semesters of study remain before graduation.

Outline

Included courses (all are compulsory):

Becoming (40.5 credits)
Becoming a Designer: Introduction - 12 credits
Becoming a Designer: Internship - 15 credits
Becoming a Designer: Direction - 6 credits
Being a Designer: Reflection - 7.5 credits

Exploration (36 credits)
Explorations of Form and Material - 12 credits
Explorations of Interaction and Experience - 12 credits
Explorations of Design (as) Research - 12 credits

Design (61.5 credits)
Designing for Functionality - 12 credits
Designing for People - 12 credits
Designing with People - 12 credits
Designing Together - 12 credits
Designing Design: Immersion- 6 credits
Designing Design: Articulation - 7.5 credits
Design Expressions (13.5 credits)
Design Expressions 1 - 3 credits
Design Expressions 2 - 3 credits
Design Expressions 3 - 3 credits
Design Expressions 4 - 1.5 credits
Design Expressions 5 - 3 credits

Design Studies (13.5 credits)
Design Studies 1 - 3 credits
Design Studies 2 - 3 credits
Design Studies 3 - 3 credits
Design Studies 4 - 1.5 credits
Design Studies 5 - 3 credits

Degree Project in Design - 15 credits