MSc and MA degree studies in International Design Business Management consist of the following study modules: Major studies, Specialisation/Minor studies, Thesis and Electives studies. The extent and content of modules varies between different fields and tracks, kindly check more details as per your targeted degree and school.

In addition to the goals stated in Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) 7 §, the aim of the Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees in International Design Business Management is to provide students with

• deep overall knowledge of the area of the specialised master’s degree programme, and very good knowledge of the specialisation/minor subject or corresponding study entities included in the degree;
• the knowledge and skills required in challenging managerial positions or positions demanding a high level of expertise, or as entrepreneur;
• the ability to independently produce and apply knowledge in their own field , and preparedness for demanding international postgraduate programmes;
• the ability to address ethics, sustainability, and international context; and
• excellent communication and team working skills.

The International Design Business Management (IDBM) is a joint master's programme between all the Schools of Aalto University: School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Business, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Science. IDBM educates students with arts, business and engineering backgrounds to make better business with meaningful innovations and design, providing a strategic view into design-intensive businesses management. Graduates of the IDBM programme will be able to drive innovation and lead initiatives to undertake new business ventures within global environments.

Academically rigorous and practice-oriented IDBM programme prepares students to lead and collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams. The objective is to gain knowledge in multiple disciplines and to learn to connect one's own disciplinary expertise to a wider multi-disciplinary design business framework. During a six-month long real-life industry project students explore and develop innovative product, service and business concepts. Projects are coached by multi-disciplinary faculty and expert industry tutors.

The global approach of IDBM program prepares students to work in multi-cultural settings and collaborate across national and cultural boundaries. On the practical level, the global aspect refers to the continuous development of international networks through student selection, industry cooperation, research activities and study exchange. Additionally, students of IDBM master's programme studying Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree at Aalto School of Business are offered an opportunity to extend their studies to a double degree with ESADE Business School in Barcelona Spain.

Director of the Master's Programme

IDBM ARTS programme director Peter McGrory

Learning Outcomes

The International Design Business Management (IDBM) is a joint master’s programme of all the schools of Aalto University: School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Business, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Science. IDBM educates students with arts, business and engineering backgrounds as T-shaped professionals providing them with a strategic view into management of international design-intensive businesses, operations, and product and service development. The objective is to gain knowledge in multiple disciplines and to learn to connect one’s own disciplinary expertise to a wider multi-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary design business framework. The global approach of IDBM programme prepares students to work in multi-cultural settings and collaborate across national and cultural boundaries.

Learning Outcomes of the Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management:

Graduates of the IDBM programme will be able to drive design-oriented innovation and lead development initiatives within global environments.

This includes the ability to:

• use a design approach in product, service and business development
• lead and collaborate in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams, deepening and connecting one’s own disciplinary expertise to a wider business context
• drive change and development activities in organisations
• communicate ideas and concepts both verbally and visually at operative and strategic levels
• understand and utilise academic research in defining and approaching problems in systematic and systemic manner

Education Content

Studying consists of the IDBM core studies, the ARTS identity studies and the BIZ/Tech skills studies.  The main part of the IDBM core studies is the industry project. Academically rigorous and practice-oriented, the IDBM programme prepares students to lead and collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams. The aim is to create enhanced abilities to recognize and acknowledge value in the tools, practices and mental models of other disciplines. During a six-month long real-life industry project students explore and develop innovative products, services and business concepts. Projects are coached by multi-disciplinary faculty and expert industry tutors. The ARTS identity studies give the student the chance to deepen the student’s knowledge in design discipline. In order to gain knowledge in multiple disciplines and in order to connect student’s own disciplinary expertise to a wider framework, the BIZ/Tech skills studies are offered.

Graph of the degree structure

For the exact dates of each period, please check Academic calendar 2020-2022

IDBM ARTS curriculum

IDBM ARTS Major Studies 82 ECTS

Alternative and Elective studies 38 ECTS

As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad. Students are also recommended to take courses from BIZ Skill studies and Tech Skills studies.

The skills courses aim to widen student’s perspective and t-profile by providing basic understanding, knowledge and skills to business and engineering. Please note that for some of the courses, there might be restrictions about how many students are accepted. In addition, students need to make sure that they fulfil all the pre-requirements set for the courses.

Code: BIZ223
Credits: 120 ECTS
Programme Director: Ville Eloranta
Additional information: IDBM programme website

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the IDBM programme will be able to drive design-oriented innovation and lead development initiatives within global environments.

This includes the ability to:

• use a design approach in product, service and business development
• lead and collaborate in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams, deepening and connecting one’s own disciplinary expertise to a wider business context
• drive change and development activities in organisations
• co communicate concepts and ideas both verbally as well as visually at an operative (tactical) and strategic level
• understand and utilise academic research in defining and approaching problems in systematic and systemic manner

Degree requirements 120 ECTS

Follow this link to view the degree structure graph.

1. Advanced studies 100 ECTS

IDBM Major studies 40 ECTS

^{*The course is recommended to be completed in period IV-V during 1st year of studies or period I-II during the 2nd year of studies. The course is parallel to 26E04903 IDBM Capstone: Global Virtual Teamwork.}

Specialisation studies 24 ECTS

Compulsory BIZ minor, choose one

Master's thesis 36 ECTS

Credits: 120 ECTS
Programme Director: Ville Eloranta
Additional information: IDBM programme website

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the IDBM programme will be able to drive design-oriented innovation and lead development initiatives within global environments.

This includes the ability to:

• use a design approach in product, service and business development
• lead and collaborate in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams, deepening and connecting one’s own disciplinary expertise to a wider business context
• drive change and development activities in organisations
• co communicate concepts and ideas both verbally as well as visually at an operative (tactical) and strategic level
• understand and utilise academic research in defining and approaching problems in systematic and systemic manner

IDBM Major studies 40 ECTS

^{*The course is recommended to be completed in period IV-V during 1st year of studies or period I-II during the 2nd year of studies}

School of Chemical Engineering

Responsible professor at Aalto School of Chemical Engineering: Professor Lauri Rautkari

Follow this link to view the degree structure graph.

Specialisation Studies 30 ECTS

At the School of Chemical Engineering (CHEM) a student can specialise in Chemical, Biochemical and Materials Engineering including subjects of Biomass Refining, Biotechnology, Chemical and Process Engineering, Chemistry, Fibre and Polymer Engineering, Functional Materials and Sustainable Metals Processing.

The specialisation area studies aim to

• Form solid foundation of students’ expertise in their specialised field.
• Provide profound engineering basis for working in an international, competitive and highly innovative environment.
• Deepen students’ theoretical and practical knowledge base in specialisation area.

IDBM students at CHEM are requested to draft their personal study plan at the beginning of their studies with academic and learning services support. The approved personal study plan includes, among other courses, a detailed content of the chosen specialisation area. The selection of the specialisation area is subject to students’ academic background and other relevant prior knowledge.

Biomass Refining

• specialisation area can be any combination of courses belonging to the Biomass Refining major.

Biotechnology

• three compulsory courses: CHEM-E3190 Metabolism 5 cr, CHEM-E3120 Microbiology 5 cr and CHEM-E3140 Bioprocess technology II 5 cr
• additionally choose courses from the Biotechnology major to fulfil 30 cr target

Chemical and Process Engineering

• specialisation area can be any combination of courses belonging to the Chemical and Process Engineering major.

Chemistry

• four compulsory courses: CHEM-E4110 Quantum mechanics and Spectroscopy 5 cr, CHEM-E4120 Quantitative Instrumental Analysis 5 cr, CHEM-E4130 Chemistry of the Elements 5 cr and CHEM-E4160 Reactivity of Aromatics 5 cr
• additionally choose courses from the Chemistry major to fulfil 30 cr target

Fibre and Polymer Engineering

• specialisation area can be any combination of courses belonging to the Fibre and Polymer Engineering major.

Functional Materials

• Choose courses from the list to fulfil 30 cr target
  • CHEM-E5160 Functional soft materials 5 cr
  • CHEM-E5150 Surfaces and films 5 cr
  • CHEM-C3410 Nanomaterials  5 cr
  • CHEM-E4155 Solid state chemistry 5 cr
  • CHEM-E4105 Nanochemistry and nanoengineering 5 cr
  • CHEM-E5125 Thin Film Technology 5 cr
  • CHEM-E5115 Microfabrication 5 cr
  • CHEM-E8135 Microfluidics and BioMEMS 5 cr
  • CHEM-E2200 Polymer blends and composites 5 cr
  • CHEM-E5105 Powder Metallurgy and Composites 5 cr

Sustainable Metals Processing

• specialisation area can be any combination of courses belonging to the Sustainable Metals Processing major.

Master's thesis 30 ECTS

School of Electrical Engineering

Responsible professor at Aalto School of Electrical Engineering: Professor Jaan Praks

Follow this link to view the degree structure graph.

Specialisation Studies 30 ECTS

Studies at IDBM ELEC provide you with great opportunity to deepen your core competence in technology achieved at bachelor’s level and combine it with wider design and innovation framework. The specialisation areas at Aalto School of Electrical Engineering include Automation and Electrical Engineering, Computer, Communication and Information Sciences and Electronics and Nanotechnology providing the full range of core competences to excel in modern electrically driven developments.

The specialisation area studies aim to

• Provide specialisation and engineering skills for working in an international, competitive and highly innovative environment
• Understanding of modern electrical or electronic technologies and developments
• Establish solid foundation of students’ selected expertise field in electrical engineering
• Deepen students’ theoretical and practical knowledge base in their specialisation area.

Students select 30 cr of specialisation studies from the courses offered in the Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering, Computer, Communication and Information Sciences (Communications Engineering, Acoustics and Audio Technology) or Electronics and Nanotechnology. Courses must be offered by the School of Electrical Engineering (ELEC-EXXXX).

Master's thesis 30 ECTS

School of Engineering

Responsible professor at Aalto School of Engineering: Professor Kalevi Ekman

Follow this link to view the degree structure graph.

Specialisation Studies 20 ECTS

The specialisation areas of IDBM ENG include Civil and Structural Engineering, Energy Technology, Geoengineering, Geoinformatics, Mechanical Engineering, Real Estate Economics, and Surveying and Planning. The specialisation area studies aim to

• Form solid foundation of students’ expertise in their specialised field
• Provide profound engineering basis for working in an international, competitive and highly innovative environment
• Deepen students’ theoretical and practical knowledge base in their specialisation area

Choose 20 cr from one of the minor programmes below:

Master's thesis 30 ECTS

School of Science

Responsible professor at Aalto School of Science: Professor Patrick Rinke

Follow this link to view the degree structure graph.

SCI Minor 25 ECTS

SCI IDBM minor studies provide students with the opportunity to deepen core competence achieved at the bachelor’s level. The specialisation areas at the School of Science include Engineering Physics, Mathematics, Systems and Operations Research, and Computer Science (including Computer Science, Software and Service Engineering, and Human-Computer Interaction minors). Students need to complete a 25 cr minor in one of these areas.

The objective of these specialisation areas is to

• Build a solid foundation of expertise in the students´ specialised field.
• Provide profound engineering or natural/computer science basis for working in an international, competitive and highly innovative environment.
• Deepen the students´ theoretical and practical knowledge base in their specialisation area.

Compulsory SCI minor, choose one

Choose the minor subject with aim to deepen the core competence acquired at Bachelor´s level

Master's thesis 30 ECTS

Students are highly recommended to undertake courses from schools or departments other than their own discipline, area of expertise or competence as elective studies.

The aim of the elective studies is to widen student's perspective and t-profile by providing understanding, knowledge and skills to design, business and engineering. The list of recommended courses can be found from the link below. Please note that for some of the courses, there might be eligibility and acceptance restrictions. In addition, students need to ensure that they fulfil all the pre-requirements set for the courses.

Elective studies 30 ECTS

University Wide Studies:
https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/University+Wide+Studies

Studies at other Aalto schools or in Finnish universities:
https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/Studies+at+other+Aalto+schools+or+in+Finnish+universities

Minors in Aalto 2020–2022:
https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/Minors+2020–2022

Courses about entrepreneurship:
https://avp.aalto.fi/avp-courses/

Courses according to Schools:
https://courses.aalto.fi/

Language study requirements Master of Arts 2020–2022

The courses available in 2021–2022 are listed at Language Centre's page.

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

Master of Arts (Art and Design):

• 9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland, and 3 cr in one foreign language.

Courses fulfilling language requirements for Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Note! If you are planning to graduate with older (before 1.8.2020) degree requirements, the requirement for foreign language is 6 cr. The studies need to include an oral and a written component (o+w).

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad the language requirements are:

• Master of Arts (Art and Design): 3 cr

Students in this category may fulfil the language requirement for their Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree by completing courses that support their studies or their stay in Finland. Students who have been educated abroad are recommended to take Finnish courses as well as English courses that focus on the field-specific language of arts and fulfil the language requirement of the degree. Students may also choose to fulfil the language requirement by completing courses in another foreign language of their choice. All courses counted towards the requirement must be taken in the same language. Language studies may either be counted towards the electives of the degree or completed in addition to the studies required for the degree.

Elective studies 20 ECTS

You can choose elective studies to your Master's degree so that the scope of the degree (120 credits) is fulfilled. Elective studies can include basic, intermediate or advanced level courses. You can use the module e.g.

• To complete a second minor
• To broaden your skills and knowledge via multidisciplinary studies:
  • select courses in the field of technology or art
  • select courses in other universities via JOO study right
  • Select gender studies via Hilma network or other Aalto networks
• To gain entrepreneurial skills
• To deepen your language and communication skills
• To deepen or broaden your skills and knowledge in the field of business
  • select additional courses in your degree programme or major
  • select courses from other degree progarmmes or majors in the School of Business
  • select additional courses in your minor
  • complete the Customized Student Business project BIZ-E0100 (read more here)
• To gain work experience and working life skills via practical training
• To gain skills in self leadership and finding meaningfulness via Personal Impact courses
• To complete courses in Aalto University Summer School
•  

Elective studies 20–30 ECTS

Students are highly recommended to undertake courses from schools or departments other than their own discipline, area of expertise or competence as elective studies.

The aim of the elective studies is to widen the student’s perspective and t-profile by providing understanding, knowledge and skills to design and business. The list of recommended courses will be updated under the Planning your studies section. Please note that for some of the courses, there might be eligibility and acceptance restrictions. In addition, students need to ensure that they fulfil all the pre-requirements set for the courses.

Compulsory language studies

Language studies are mandatory according to Aalto degree regulations.

Students who have received their education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish

Students who have received their education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish, or received their education abroad, are required to complete 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency. Relevant courses (marked with 'o' and 'w') are offered by the Aalto University Language Center.

Students who already have excellent command of English may choose 3 credits of basic level Finnish courses instead.

Students with Finnish bachelor’s degree whose language of education is Finnish or Swedish

Compulsory language studies are included as part of the Finnish bachelor’s degree for students who have studied in Finland and whose language of education is Finnish or Swedish. If the language studies have not been completed in the student’s bachelor’s degree, the student must take 2 ECTS in the second national language and 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency.

The language studies are included in student’s elective studies.

For more information:

Academic policies and regulations

Communication and Language Studies for a Master's Degree

Please find a list of recommended elective courses below. For more topics and courses kindly check https://courses.aalto.fi/ or https://mycourses.aalto.fi/

Aalto ARTS

Aalto BIZ

Aalto ELEC

Aalto ENG

For instructions on writing and handing in the thesis please see the page Completing your Master's thesis.

The approval of the master’s thesis and the master’s thesis evaluation are handled in the IDBM Programme Committee meeting. Please see the page Applications for application deadlines.

The programme study module includes a Master's thesis. The thesis must demonstrate readiness for scientific thinking, command of research methods, conversance with the topic of the thesis, and ability for scientific communication.

In many programmes, the students also take part in a thesis seminar, which is designed to help the students to prepare their thesis work. The seminar commonly consists of meetings, completing thesis, presenting the research topic to the seminar group and acting as an opponent for a fellow student’s thesis. Seminar lasts usually the whole semester, and it is organised during both autumn and spring semesters.

Seminar practices vary depending on the degree programme: please see the instructions for each programme in Sisu or MyCourses. For instructions on writing and handing in the thesis please see the page Completing your master's thesis.

At the end of their studies, students are required to complete a master's thesis corresponding to 30 credits. The thesis is ideally written on a topic combining the knowledge from major and specialization studies. The topic is agreed between the student and the thesis supervisor. The supervisor must be a professor at Aalto University and have a relevant expertise in the topic, whereas the thesis advisor(s) can be from the university, company or another university. Thesis advisor(s) must have at least a master’s degree. Master’s thesis work includes a seminar or equivalent presentation. The master’s thesis is a public document and cannot be concealed in any part.

Both the approval of the master’s thesis topic and the evaluation and approval of the master’s thesis are handled in the IDBM Programme Committee meetings. Please see the page Applications for application deadlines.

For instructions on writing and handing in the thesis see the page Completing your master's thesis.