International Design Business Management, Master of Science (Technology) (School of Science)
Espoo, Finland
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
* international fee only; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not pay
Key Summary
About: The International Design Business Management MSc at Aalto University trains multidisciplinary professionals in design thinking, engineering and business. Taught in English, it awards MSc (Technology) / Diplomi-insinööri and totals 120 ECTS. The programme uses team-based projects featuring a 15 ECTS Industry Project capstone, minor, electives and a 30 ECTS master’s thesis. You’ll study product and service design and technology-driven innovation.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work where design, business and technology meet, in roles such as product manager, service designer, design strategist, innovation manager, startup founder and consultant; degree also enables doctoral studies. Aalto career services support job search in Finland.
The IDBM Master's programme trains creative, multidisciplinary professionals by combining design thinking, engineering, and business studies. The curriculum emphasizes team‑based learning and real company projects: students learn product, service, and business design, technology-driven innovation, and leadership. The programme is offered across Aalto’s schools and leads to a Master of Science (Technology) / Diplomi‑insinööri degree (120 ECTS). Typical curriculum elements include 50 ECTS of IDBM major courses (including team challenges and a 15 ECTS Industry Project capstone), 20 ECTS of engineering specialization/minor courses, 20 ECTS of free electives, and a 30 ECTS master’s thesis. The instruction language is English, and the programme prepares graduates for roles at the intersection of design, business, and technology, as well as for doctoral studies.
The programme is 120 ECTS in total and structured as follows:
- 50 ECTS IDBM major courses (examples include JOIN-E7009 IDBM Challenge 6 ECTS, ELEC-E9900 Networked Partnering and Product Innovation 5 ECTS, 26E04350 Business Model Design 6 ECTS, JOIN-E7007 IDBM Capstone: Industry Project 15 ECTS).
- 20 ECTS engineering specialisation or minor courses.
- 20 ECTS free electives.
- 30 ECTS master’s thesis (diplomity).
One of the main elements is the Industry Project (a six‑month company project), where multidisciplinary teams solve real business challenges.
Aalto University offers a limited number of tuition‑waiver scholarships for fee‑paying (non‑EU/EEA) students. Scholarships are awarded to the best applicants based on the programme’s selection ranking.
The programme prepares graduates for roles at the intersection of design, business and technology. Typical career paths include product and service design, design-led strategy, innovation and product management, roles in multinational companies and startups, and entrepreneurship. The degree also provides eligibility for doctoral studies. Aalto University’s career services support job search in Finland and internationally.