The first two years provide you with basic knowledge in science and design. The third year focuses on future-oriented design and professional practice, while the fourth year focuses on design challenges in the public and private sectors. In the fifth year, you work on your own projects and master's thesis.

The description below applies to students admitted to the program from 2024 onwards.

Years 1 and 2

The first two years introduce students to basic technical subjects such as IT and mathematics, and to design methodology – including composition, form, prototyping, universal design, sustainable design, and human-centered design and innovation.

3rd year

The third year is about future-oriented design and how to be a good practitioner of the design profession. Students receive a combination of courses within product design (design and development of physical products), interaction design (design and development of user interfaces), systems design and service design.

4th year

In the fourth year, students work on societal and public sector-based design challenges in the first semester, and design challenges within enabling technologies in collaboration with the private sector in the second semester.

5th year

In the fifth year, students work on their own specialization project and master's thesis.

Teaching in the 4th and 5th years is mainly in English.

Master's thesis

The study concludes with the master's thesis, which is a specialized work with an accompanying written report of 30 credits. The master's thesis can be taken when you have passed all the courses in the education plan and fulfilled the requirement of 12 weeks of work experience. The master's thesis normally lasts 20 weeks.

See the master's theses 2024 (pdf)

Study trip

It may be organized a study trip abroad. Study trips must be financed with up to NOK 4,000 by the student per excursion. For study trips that are linked to a course, there will be academic alternatives for students who do not wish to participate. The maximum amount paid by the student for voluntary study trips during the entire course of study is set at NOK 12,000.

Student exchange

Over half of industrial design students go on student exchange abroad. Most go in their fourth year.

Tip:

• Start planning well in advance.
• Consider what language is spoken in the place you want to go.
• Contact your study advisor for help and information.
• You must have made sufficient progress in your studies to be able to travel.

Recommended Universities

The Department of Design recommends these institutions with which they have regular student exchanges:

Nordics 

• DTU, Technical University of Denmark, Design and Innovation

Western Europe

• Delft University of Technology, Industrial Design Engineering, Netherlands
• Ensci Les Ateliers, Paris, France
• Politecnico di Milano, Dipertimento di Design, Italy
• Loughborough University, Design School, England
• Elisava, Barcelona School of Design, Engineering, Spain
• Universität für Angewandte Kunst, Austria
• Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain

Asia and Oceania

• National University of Singapore, School of Design & Environment, Singapore
• Seoul National University, South Korea
• University of New South Wales, Australia
• RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

America

• Ponteficia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile

Guidance and help

The student advisor can advise you on

• prior approval and course selection
• previously approved student exchanges for your education

Read more about application procedures, deadlines, scholarships, etc.