Below are some of the most common questions we receive about our education. You will also find useful practical information about studying in Sweden and Umeå in the Umeå University Student Handbook and Study in Sweden web site.
How do I apply to the IDI course?
Application is done in two steps. Step 1 is through universityadmissions.se and step 2 is through UID website. You are requested to send in specified home assignments. We do not assess portfolios in the application process to this course. More information is found here, and as you see there, the home assignments will be posted on-line in December.
Can I apply to more than one UID education?
Yes, you can apply to several educations (programmes and courses) that you are interested in at the same time. Should you be accepted to more than one education, you have the opportunity to choose which one to accept your study place on.
Do I need to send in a portfolio?
No, we do not review portfolios.
Where do I send my application?
Your application is done on-line. Your home assignment has to be sent by regular post. Last day to apply is February 15.
Can I apply after February 15?
Yes, but all applications must reach UID on February 15 at the latest in order to be considered in the first round of reviews. You may send in an application later, but late applications will only be considered in the second round of reviews, and only if there still are study places available after admission of shortlisted and eventual reserve list applicants. Exchange students can, in some cases, apply later. Results from TOEFL test centres should be sent directly to Umeå University and must have reached Umeå University by February 28 at the latest.
Can you review my portfolio?
No, we do not review portfolios.
Am I qualified for IDI studies?
Entry requirements are a minimum of 1 year of full-time university studies, in any subject area (not necessarily design related). You must also prove that you have necessary skills in English, and you must fulfil the basic requirements for admission to higher studies. Please see the information on our home page.
Do I need to take a language test?
If you can prove through transcripts of records that you have conducted a certain amount of previous education in English, you do not need to provide a language test. For specifics, please see check the Umeå University website information about this. English proficiency equivalent to English B from Swedish upper secondary education is required for studies at UID, which equals:
IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5.
TOEFL (Paper-based with a minimum score of 575 and minimum TWE 4.5).
TOEFL (Internet-based with a minimum score 90 and a minimum score Written 20).
How can I prepare for industrial design studies?
Preparing for the application by taking additional skills courses is a good plan. We would suggest that you take basic courses in sketching, and that you also prepare by looking into (and practicing) the areas of visual communication and ideation/creative techniques.
What study backgrounds do most IDI students have?
The applicants to the IDI course have very varied backgrounds. Some have previous industrial design studies behind them, and several come from various engineering backgrounds. The majority of students have no industrial design background at all, but come from totally different areas: business administration, political science, business economics, architecture, fashion design, interior design, literature studies, language studies, psychology, human factors and ergonomics and so on.
Are there any tuition fees?
Students from European countries within the EU/EES do not pay tuition fees at all, since they are covered by Swedish government grants. Overseas students (non EU/EES) are required to pay a tuition fee of SEK 270 000 (≈ €28 700 or $ 38 800) per study year. Read more about it here.
Do you have any scholarships that I can apply for?
Umeå Institute of Design can offer full or substantial fee reduction for non-EU/EES students. Upon acceptance, all non-EU/EES students are offered this possibility of fee reduction, or - if applicable - a scholarship. UID does not take financial status into consideration during the review and admission process, but bases acceptance of students on talent only.
Do you accept exchange students?
Yes, we accept students on exchange programmes but exchange students must apply in the same manner as all other students. Students interested in exchange should contact the respective programme director or director of single subject courses. More information here.
Do I receive a diploma in industrial design after IDI studies?
No, but you will receive a course certificate. IDI is a one-year intensive introductory course (not a programme), and does not give a degree in industrial design. The course prepares the student for either working and collaborating with industrial designers, or within the area of industrial design, or for pursuing an MA or BA education in the field of industrial design.
Can I apply to MA educations in industrial design after IDI studies?
Yes, you can apply to both BA and MA educations in the design field. The IDI education provides the students with an insight into methods and skills central to the industrial design field, and you can definitely apply to design educations after completing the course. However, in order for the MA studies to lead to an MA degree in design, it is necessary that the student already holds a BA degree (in any previous subject). If your goal is an MA degree after IDI studies, please inform yourself on exam and degree details at the university where you plan to study after IDI.
Will I be accepted to MA programmes at UID after IDI studies?
You will not be guaranteed a study place on any other programme or course at UID. All students apply for study places in competition with all other applicants.
To which educations have graduated IDI students been accepted?
Former IDI students have been accepted to the BA Industrial Design Programme, the MA programmes in Interaction Design, Transportation Design and Advanced Product Design, and Design Connections at Umeå Institute of Design. Other IDI students have been accepted to the MA programme Formgiving Intelligence at Konstfack (Sweden), The Interaction Design programme at CIID (Denmark), MA programmes at Borås School of Textiles (Sweden), MA Strategic Design at the Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Master programme in design at the HDK School of Design and Crafts (Sweden), Design Academy Eindhoven (the Netherlands), and MA in Integrated Design at Köln International School of Design (Germany), to name a few.
