MSc in Strategic Product Design

Who can apply

To be considered for the programme, candidates are required to have:

• an undergraduate degree from a recognized University
• proof of English competence [a recognised certificate of proficiency, recently acquired IELTS (academic 6.5 and above), or TOEFL (IBT, 90 and above) or TOEIC (850 and above) score]

Course content

During the first term, students are required to follow five core courses. During the second term, students are required to follow four core courses tailoring their programme further by two elective courses or a consulting project. Finally, in the third semester (and fourth semester in the case of pursuing a research-based dissertation), work is dedicated exclusively to the Master’s dissertation. The dissertation provides an opportunity to apply theory and concepts gained during the year to a real-world problem.

The core courses

1^st Term Core Courses

• Introduction to Strategic Product Design
• New Product Development
• Marketing Analysis and Brand Research Strategy

Core Courses – Stream Product and Services Management

• Design and Production
• Strategies for Extroversion

Core Courses – Stream Product Creativity and Design

• 3D Computer Aided Design (Rhinoceros)
• Design Thinking

Core Courses – Stream Industrial Design and Innovation

• 3D Computer Aided Design (SolidWorks)
• Industrial Design Project

2^nd Term Core Courses

Core Courses – Stream Product and Services Management

• Consumer Behaviour
• Service Design
• Project Management
• Purchasing and Negotiations

Core Courses – Stream Product Creativity and Design

• Creative Digital Media
• Ergonomics – Human Factors
• Design Morphology and Aesthetics
• Advanced Modeling and Fabrication

Core Courses – Stream Industrial Design and Innovation

• Materials Technology
• Ergonomics – Human Factors
• Design Morphology and Aesthetics
• Advanced Manufacturing Systems

The elective courses During the second term students tailor their programme further by choosing elective courses. The choice of elective courses must sum up to 6 ECTS (2 courses or a consulting project). Some of the elective courses may not be offered in a particular year, depending entirely on student demand.

2^nd Term Elective Courses

Elective Courses – Stream Product and Services Management

• Consulting Project in Product Management
• Operations Management
• Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Design for Supply Chain and Logistics
• Technology Management and Business Engineering
• Cost Management and Financial Analysis
• Open Topics in Strategic Product Design (TBA)

Elective Courses – Stream Product Creativity and Design

• Consulting Project in Product Creativity Product and Design
• Advanced Materials and Processes
• Human Computer Interaction, Design and User Experience
• Design for the Environment
• Communication Design
• Product Photography
• Open Topics in Strategic Product Design (TBA)

Elective Courses – Stream Industrial Design and Innovation

• Consulting Project in Industrial Design and Innovation
• Computational Mechanics
• Reverse Engineering and 3D Printing
• Advanced Surface Modelling
• Biomimicry in Design
• Automation and Robotics
• Open Topics in Strategic Product Design (TBA)

The Dissertation

During the third semester, students work on their Master’s Dissertation project, the thematic area of which is relevant to their programme of studies and their interests. The dissertation is the opportunity to apply theory and concepts learned in different courses to a real-world problem or research question. Students are supervised throughout their projects by a member of the academic faculty and the academic associates of the School. After submission of the dissertation, students present their projects to classmates and faculty. Students have the option to pursue a research-based dissertation of two semesters which leads to MSc in Research in Strategic Product Design and they are awarded with 120 ECTS.

Duration of studies

• Duration of the programme:1 year (3 semesters) full-time (FT) or 2 years (6 semester) part-time (PT), with dissertation included (1 semester) awarded with 90 ECTS
• Option to pursue a research-based dissertationof 2 semesters and be awarded 120 ECTS
• Teaching generally takes place once (PT) or twice (FT)a month except for August and September
• The programme operates on the following schedule:

Saturday 9.30 – 16.30 Sunday 9.30 – 15:45

• Examinations take place on Friday afternoons generally before the teaching weekends

The Academic Faculty

Faculty Members

	Dr Christos Tjortjis Associate Professor Dean of the School +30 2310 807576 c.tjortjis@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Maria Drakaki Associate Professor Deputy Dean of the School +30 2310 807524 mdrakaki@ihu.gr
	Professor Panayiotis Bozanis +30 2310 807501 pbozanis@ihu.gr
	Professor Periklis Chatzimisios +30 2310 807501 pchatzimisios@ihu.gr
	Dr Eleni Heracleous Associate Professor e.heracleous@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Vassilios Peristeras Assistant Professor +30 2310 807539 v.peristeras@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Dimitrios Tzetzis Assistant Professor +30 2310 807548 d.tzetzis@ihu.edu.gr

Other Research and Teaching Personnel

	Dr Christos Berberidis Research and Teaching Staff +30 2310 807534 c.berberidis@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Dimitrios Baltatzis Research and Teaching Staff d.baltatzis@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Stavros Stavrinides Research and Teaching Staff s.stavrinides@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Georgios Martinopoulos Academic Associate +30 2310 807533 g.martinopoulos@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Leonidas Akritidis Academic Associate
	Dr Dimitrios Karapiperis Academic Associate
	Dr Katerina Tzafilkou Academic Associate

Visiting Faculty

Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory (DMMC Lab)

Please click here for further information

Student’s work

Activities

Videos and interviews

Fees & Financing

Fees

The programme fees for the MSc in Strategic Product Design is 4000€. The amount is payable in two instalments for the full time mode or in four instalments for the part time mode at the beginning of each semester. The fees are also eligible for financing through LAEK 0,45% – OAED programme.

Deposits

If you have been accepted to a postgraduate programme, you will need to make a payment of the deposit of 500 Euros to secure your place. This amount will count towards the first instalment of your tuition fees. The deposit is non-refundable once you have commenced your studies at the IHU. Prior to that, a refund can be made but a 20% administrative fee will be retained. The deposit can be paid by bank transfer or bank draft. Credit card payments can be made through electronic banking (contact your Bank as handling fees may apply).

Scholarships

The School of Science & Technology offers a number of scholarships for the programmes it offers, covering a significant proportion of the fees. These scholarships are competitive. Award criteria include the quality of the first degree, the undergraduate grades of the candidate, his/her command of the English language and overall profile. Candidates for scholarships should include a separate letter with their application documents in which they request to be considered for a scholarship, stating the reasons why they think they qualify.

Programme announcement – Admissions

Next MSc in Strategic Product Design class starts in October 2021. Interested parties are invited to submit their application by 1 October 2021 or until places are filled, by following instructions at the application page.

• Programme announcement (English)
• Programme announcement (Greek)

Ideal Career path

Given the dynamic role of the manufacturing and innovation sector in industrial and technological enterprises and the need for the provision of specialized scientific knowledge it is quite evident that there is a need for a postgraduate programme in “Strategic Product Design” which will provide the necessary interdisciplinary technical knowledge and cover the corresponding market needs and which will be aimed at a number of professionals (engineers, fine arts graduates, economists, computer programmers, business management graduates, science graduates etc.). Graduates of the MSc in Strategic Product Design can indicatively follow the career paths listed below:

• Positions in companies requiring design and management leadership
• Positions in design studios – engaging in various stages of the product development process, from concept to detail design and analysis
• Positions in companies producing industrial products such as electrical and electronic devices, clothing, food (packaging design), mechanical components, plastics etc.
• Positions in consulting companies dealing with product design, product development, entrepreneurship and innovation
• Research positions – conducting research and pursuing Doctoral studies in the field of design
• Teaching positions in Higher Educational Institutions, secondary education, technical and vocational training, public and private education at a theoretical, technical and applied level
• Positions in innovative knowledge-intensive start-up companies (or creation of their own start-up companies) where skilled knowledge is needed in order to understand the opportunities and challenges provided by new digital design and manufacturing technologies (e.g. 3D printing) as well as the management of disruptive technologies in terms of financial figures, costing and management

In addition to technical skills gained through study, our students benefit from the University’s excellent Careers Office in order to attain essential soft skills (e.g. communication skills, interview preparation, CV writing etc.) to better prepare for the job market.

Location

The MSc in Strategic Product Design takes place in the facilities of the School of Science & Technology of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies of the International Hellenic University in Thermi-Thessaloniki.

Contact

Postal address: School of Science & Technology Department of School of Science & Technology University Center of International Programmes of Studies 14th km Thessaloniki – Nea Moudania 570 01 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece Tel: +30 2310 807 526/529 Email: : infotech@ihu.edu.gr