Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Programme in Service Systems Design

The Master's programme in Service Systems Design is a two-year, research-based, full-time study programme offered by Aalborg University. The programme is designed to provide students with practical, conceptual, and professional knowledge that qualifies them for the role and value of service design in real-life contexts.

Programme Structure and Contents

The programme is structured in modules and organized as a problem-based study. Each semester has an overall theme, which is reflected in the scope of the mandatory course modules and semester projects. The programme includes a combination of academic, problem-oriented, and interdisciplinary approaches, with work and evaluation methods that combine skills and reflection, including:

• Lectures
• Classroom instruction
• Project work
• Workshops
• Exercises (individually and in groups)
• Teacher feedback
• Reflection
• Portfolio work

Modules and Examinations

The programme consists of several modules, each assessed through individual grading according to the 7-point scale or Pass/Fail. The modules include:

1. Services as Interaction (Project, 15 ECTS)
2. User Experience Design for Service Interaction (Course, 5 ECTS)
3. Designing Product Service Systems (Course, 5 ECTS)
4. Visualizing and Prototyping for Service Design (Course, 5 ECTS)
5. Services as Systems (Project, 15 ECTS)
6. Perspectives in Service Design (Course, 5 ECTS)
7. User Participation and Social Innovation (Course, 5 ECTS)
8. Design Futures (Course, 5 ECTS)
9. Strategy and Business in Services (Course, 5 ECTS)
10. Master's Thesis (Project, 30 ECTS)

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master's programme in Service System Design requires a relevant qualifying bachelor's or professional bachelor's degree programme. The degree programme must provide competencies to a minimum of 20 ECTS within specific subject areas, including:

• Disciplines connected to STEAMD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design)
• Disciplines connected to Marketing/Business/Management Studies
• Disciplines connected to Healthcare-related services and processes

All applicants without a legal claim must prove that their English language qualifications are equivalent to level B (Danish level) in English.

Competence Profile

The programme aims to provide students with the following competencies:

• Knowledge: Practical, conceptual, and professional knowledge of service design in real-life contexts.
• Skills: Ability to analyse design briefs, evaluate and address major organisational and business issues, represent and prototype innovative solutions, and manage complex stakeholders' ecosystems.
• Competencies: Ability to analyse complex socio-technical systems, conceive, design, and evaluate different forms of prototypes, and facilitate co-design activities with a wide range of stakeholders.

Additional Information

For further description of the chosen exam format, please refer to the semester descriptions for the relevant semester and module. All students who have not participated in Aalborg University's course 'Problem-Based Learning' or PBL introductory course during their Bachelor's degree must attend and have approved the PBL introductory course before they can participate in the project exam.