Curriculum

The PhD Programme in Industrial Design is aimed at educating design researchers in terms of both depth and width. Third cycle students enrolled in the programme follow the curriculum of the General Study Plan that was valid in their year of admittance (see the current GSP below). Upon admission the PhD student also crafts an Individual Study Plan (ISP) together with their main supervisor. The ISP is followed up and revised yearly, in order to support and montior the PhD student’s trajectory through the education.

The PhD education content consists of course work (both mandatory and elective courses) and of a research project which is presented in a dissertation and defended at the end of the education. Two-thirds of the four-year programme is completely tailored to the individual student to ensure significant specialisation and expertise in design research. 

All third cycle students admitted to the UID research education follow the below general syllabus for PhD/PhLic education in industrial design at Umeå Institute of Design:

• General syllabus for third-cycle studies in industrial design (2023)
• Appendix to General study plan: Compulsory course credits in design