Courses
In the PhD programme, the course element consists of both mandatory and elective course credits. The course element gives bredth and depth in design, in generic research competencies, and in the PhD student’s individual research area. Taking into account the doctoral student’s prior knowledge, research specialisation and interests, the course element is designed in consultation between the supervisor and the doctoral student, and is added to the Individual study plan. More detailed information for enrolled PhD students about current and upcoming courses is given in the UID PhD student handbook on the internal Aktum web pages.
Courses at Umeå Institute of Design
Third-cycle studies in industrial design that are to be concluded with a doctoral degree consist of a course component of 70-100 credits. All PhD students at the Faculty of Science and Technology – including UID PhD students – are required to take a portfolio of mandatory, generic, PhD-level courses. Design-specific mandatory course credits comprise a minimum of 30 credits within the below specified thematic areas, and an additional mandatory 8 credits tied to UID research seminar participation throughout the PhD education. The remainder of the credits are comprised of elective courses. The courses offered at the faculty and the department will vary with time. Information about forthcoming courses will be available on the Faculty’s and UID’s respective websites.
The subject-specific design course credits in the UID PhD programme are divided between five thematic areas. PhD students shall take a balanced combination of credits across these five areas (at least 5 credits within each area). Courses and other types of activities relating to the mandatory thematic areas and associated expected learning outcomes will be given at UID, and annonced both internally and externally to make it possible for PhD students to plan their participation in these over the course of their education.
THEMATIC AREAS FOR DESIGN CREDITS
Design research methodology, with focus on practice-based design research
Design theory and philosophy
Use and users with focus on user involvement and participation
Design history
Design research ethics
For more information on the thematic areas and the course credits, visit this document: Appendix to General study plan: Compulsory course credits in design
Planned PhD Courses
Use and Users, 7,5 credits – Autumn term 2025, September–December
Design Research Ethics, 5 credits. Autumn term 2026. Dates to be annnounced
PhD-level courses are open to PhD students from other environments than UID.
If you are interested in joining a course, please contact the UID director of PhD studies.
Courses at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Each term, the Faculty of Science and technology gives several of the below mandatory courses. These are announced online. For upcoming course dates, information and application, click here
Mandatory courses
- Oral Presentation (Muntlig presentation), 1ECTS.
- Introduction to research ethics, (Etik och redlighet) 2ECTS.
- Communicating Scientific Research (Kommunicera vetenskaplig forskning), 3 ECTS.
- Philosophy of Science (Vetenskapsteori), 2ECTS.
Elective courses
- Writing science: How to write and publish scientific papers, (Vetenskapligt skrivande), 5ECTS.
- Writing research proposals that get funded, 3ECTS.
- Innovation and utilization of ideas, knowledge and research results, 2ECTS
contact
If you have any questions or would like to register for PhD-level courses, please contact: maria.goransdotter@umu.se
Latest update: 2025-05-08