Program Overview

Study Overview of Industrial Design Engineering

The Bachelor's program in Industrial Design Engineering focuses on inventing and making new or improved products, services, and systems that are useful for people and society. Students learn to translate end-users' wishes into products, systems, or services that work well and look good by combining advanced technologies and a purposeful, systematic approach to engineering with firm knowledge and skills in design.

Program Structure

The three-year Bachelor's program consists of twelve modules, with four modules per year. Each module covers a theme and brings together all the main aspects of the study: theory and practice, research and solution design, self-study, and teamwork.

Overview of Modules

• Year 1:
  • Module 1: Ideation (15 EC)
    • Introduces students to all aspects of the discipline, including the design process and the two 'languages' of industrial design engineers: design and engineering languages.
  • Module 2: Prototyping (15 EC)
    • Focuses on building a mechanical and functional prototype based on a given analysis and a program of requirements.
  • Module 3: Human Perspective (15 EC)
    • Emphasizes taking the human perspective on the design process by working with an end-user, specifically someone with a physical disability.
  • Module 4: Mass Production (15 EC)
    • Delves into the world of modern manufacturing, enhancing production efficiency with simulations and technical modeling.
• Year 2:
  • Module 5: Data-Driven Design (15 EC)
    • Understands and evaluates the value of data in the design process, addressing the data-driven design approach from multiple lenses.
  • Module 6: Design for Value (15 EC)
    • Works on a multidisciplinary project, designing a consumer product for a realistic context by applying Integrated Product Development.
  • Module 7: Sustainable Futures (15 EC)
    • Empowers students to discover sustainable futures, understanding their position in this process, and designing potential futures in packaging design.
  • Module 8: Product Service Systems (15 EC)
    • Provides an overview of the principles, methods, and tools associated with the design and implementation of a Product Service System (PSS).
• Year 3:
  • Modules 9&10: Minor (30 EC)
    • Offers various options, including deepening knowledge of Industrial Design Engineering, broadening knowledge with subjects from other programs, studying abroad, joining student teams, completing a pre-master's, or choosing the minor Learn to Teach.
  • Module 11: Design for Transitions (10 EC)
    • Explores socio-technical transitions, equipping students with knowledge and skills to navigate complex, uncertain system dynamics.
  • Module 12: Bachelor's Assignment (20 EC)
    • Concludes the Bachelor's program, demonstrating capabilities and skills as an independent Industrial Design Engineer at the bachelor level.

Study Points and Progression

• Student workload is expressed in EC (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), with each credit representing 28 hours of work.
• Students need to acquire 60 credits each year, with credits awarded for every passed assignment.
• To continue to the second year, students must achieve at least 45 EC and fulfill additional requirements set by the educational program.
• The principle of a binding recommendation is applied, with all first-year students receiving advice at the end of the year based on their performance.

Conclusion

The Industrial Design Engineering program at the University of Twente is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to design smart, working solutions that make life more enjoyable, easier, better, and sometimes even completely different, contributing to an ever-changing world.