Master's Programme in Advanced Product Design
- 120 credits
- 2 years (full time)
- Master’s Degree
- Autumn Term 2025
The Master's programme in Advanced Product Design develops you into a skilled industrial designer with the toolkit and mindset needed to create, develop and design new relevant product solutions. Students explore design through the lens of environmental and societal challenges. The education is hands-on and practice-based, and a majority of the projects are carried out in collaboration with external partners.
Hear students talk about their MFA APD experience
While studying
The programme develops your design competences by providing professional tools, hands-on work methods, creative challenges and an inspiring study environment. You learn to combine the analysis of complex contexts with the identification of relevant design opportunities towards a holistic ideation scope. The methods and techniques are integrated in relevant course and project challenges. During the education, the field of design is explored through a mix of individual studies and group work.
Applied design courses
Applied design projects form the backbone of the APD programme. Projects usually include lectures, field trips and user studies, workshops and group work as well as studio work. Most projects target original problems identified by students, not problems that have been solved countless times by other designers. The projects can address anything from conceptualizing new technology solutions for specialists, to the design for upcoming consumer needs, to the design of professional tools within heavy industries.
Collaborative degree projects
The fourth and final term is devoted entirely to the examination project. You will carry out your exam project in cooperation with a corporate sponsor or other external partner. It is important that the project is seen as a collaboration and not a commission. You are expected to define a problem area, establish contact with an external partner and write a project brief that includes aims, method description and anticipated deliverables.
Internships
Internships allow you to develop your professional skills as well as your own professional networks in preparation for a future career in industrial design. The majority of the programme's students take advantage of the school's support and broad network of industry connections and do a full year of internships between the first and the second year of the programme.
Industry-like design studios
All programmes reside in industry-like design studios, where each student has an individual workspace. The shared spaces - workshops, computer labs, painting rooms, libraries - build innovative learning environments defined by a collaborative spirit.
24/7 access to facilities
Whether it's a weekend, day or night, all students have access to the school premises. Key equipment within the facilities include 3D-printers, laser cutters, milling machines, painting rooms and much more. The cutting-edge digital infrastructure with multiple computer labs and studios allow students to master 3D-modelling, digital sketching, electronic prototyping and programming.
Heinrich Zaunschirm explored whether low-cost DIY technologies could kick off a new generation of accessible prosthetics.
Programme overview
Year 1:
- Skills and techniques
- CAID 1 and 2
- Design for User Experience/People-Centred Design
- Sound in Industrial Design
- Product Analysis
- Strategic design
Year 2:
- Visual Design Prototyping
- Conceptual Product Solutions
- Creative Reflections on Product Design
- Degree project
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Master’s Programme in Advanced Product Design are well-equipped to embark on a diverse range of career paths.
- Design and development of new products in tech companies
- Enhancing usability and aesthetics in manufacturing industries
- Employment in the consulting sector, providing expert advice on product design
- In-house roles on long-term projects, from conceptual stage to production
- Creating future-oriented product experiences
The programme is highly regarded by industry professionals, making graduates sought after for their comprehensive understanding of both holistic concepts and intricate product design details.
Further studies?
An MFA degree from Umeå Institute of Design will provide the basic academic merits required to apply for PhD positions worldwide.
Prospective Student FAQ
How well should I be able to communicate in English?
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
Are there any grants or scholarships for design students?
Accepted students that come from non-EU countries are offered the possibility to apply for a reduction of the tuition fees.
What should my portfolio contain?
The Master's programme in Advanced Product Design has special requirements for the portfolio. You can find more information on the admissions page.
Do I need a degree in industrial design to be eligible?
Holding a degree in industrial design is considered a positive but is not a requirement.
The basic entry qualifications are a Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognized university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS in the field of design + Portfolio. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
Am I eligible without 60 ECTS credits in the subject of design?
You are unfortunately not eligible if your degree does not include at least 60 ECTS credits in the subject of design. To be eligible you need to do additional studies where you can get the required credits in the subject of design.
Can you look at my diploma/transcripts to see if I am eligible?
It is the Umeå University Admissions that looks at and approves academic documents. Umeå Institute of Design only looks at the portfolio. Umeå University Admissions only assess academic documents if/when you have completed an application and uploaded the requested documents.
Can you look at my portfolio before I apply?
We are not allowed to give any pre-assessments. We start to look at portfolios after the application deadline.
Can I apply to the programme if I´m in my last year of bachelor studies?
Yes you can. You need to submit an official document from your current university stating that you are likely to be awarded your bachelor's degree by the start of the programme. Please see the information provided by Umeå University Admissions for specific information on how to do this: final year of bachelor's studies.
Do I have to be able to speak Swedish to study at UID?
No, our MFA programmes are taught completely in English. The only educations in Swedish are the three-year BFA programme and most of the short single-subject courses. The daily language of communication and information at UID is English.
Can I start the programme, or be a guest student, during the spring term?
Due to the nature of the programme and its sequence of activities, a number of obligatory basic skills are taught in the fall semester. If the student has not passed these courses they cannot participate in several of the courses that follow. Thus, in principle we do not accept applications for the spring term.
Contact form
Application and eligibility
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