Overview
The most important factor for the development of innovative industrial and technological products is the existence of high-level human resources with the appropriate knowledge and skills. In this context, it is of particular importance to increase the opportunities for education and training by enhancing knowledge, skills and qualifications in order to increase employment opportunities for the people involved in the innovation and manufacturing industry and in the management and supply of high quality products.
The International Hellenic University MSc in Strategic Product Design programme offers to postgraduate students a thorough understanding of theory and practice in the areas of product design. The programme provides to graduates, from various disciplines, with a key set of skills, hands-on experience on advanced software along with state-of-the-art 3D equipment and management of operations knowledge for real world projects , which are crucial to achieve success in their chosen career. In particular, the MSc invests in innovation and trains students in various technical, economic, managerial and business aspects of 3D printing, a disruptive technology which is expected to replace in the future certain traditional production methods, reform the whole industrial process chain and also create a new innovative industry.
Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of the programme are summarized as follows:
- Understanding of the current status and future trends in product design
- Hands-on experience on advanced software and state-of-the-art equipment
- Collaborations and consultation with design and engineering companies
- Marketing and branding of new products
- Interdisciplinary approach to design thinking
- Management of operations knowledge for real world projects
- Innovation driven design and entrepreneurship
- An insight into production techniques and modern applications
- Design and management leadership
The MSc in Strategic Product Design is designed for university graduates with the following academic backgrounds: Engineering, Geotechnical, Natural Sciences, Business/Economics. Leading academics from prestigious academic institutions from Greece and abroad, together with key players from industry and product design related organizations, teach in the programme.
The courses of the programme are taught exclusively in English. The academic staff comes from Universities in Greece and abroad.
Official Government Gazette:
Start date: October 2024
Application deadline: 11 October 2024
Campus: Thermi, Thessaloniki
Duration/Mode: • 18 months (full-time) or 27 months (part-time) • Blended Learning Mode (Face-to-face training and/or Distance learning) / available also in distance learning mode
Lectures: Saturday 9.30 – 16.30 and Sunday 9.30 – 15.45
Examinations: Friday afternoons generally before the teaching weekends
Taught language: English
Entry requirements: An undergraduate degree from an accredited University
Language requirements:English language knowledge documented with a relevant certificate, corresponding at least to the State Certificate of Language Learning Level B2 or other certificate proving good knowledge of English. Holders of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a Foreign University in English are exempt from this obligation.
Fees: 4000€ (total). *For the 2024-25 academic year, a tuition fee reduction of 700€ will be provided to all accepted Greek students, resulting in a final fee of 3300€.
How to apply: Applications system
Who can apply
To be considered for the programme, candidates are required to have:
- an undergraduate degree from a recognized University
- English language knowledge documented with a relevant certificate, corresponding at least to the State Certificate of Language Learning Level B2 or other certificate proving good knowledge of English. Holders of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a Foreign University in English are exempt from this obligation.
Courses
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
- Introduction to Strategic Product Design
- New Product Development
- Marketing Analysis and Brand Research
Stream 1 – Product and Services Management
- Design and Production
- Strategies for Extroversion
- Consumer Behaviour
- Service Design
- Project Management
- Purchasing and Negotiations
Stream 2 – Product Creativity and Design
- 3D Computer Aided Design (Rhino)
- Design Thinking
- Creative Digital Media
- Ergonomics – Human Factors
- Design Morphology and Aesthetics
- Advanced Modeling and Fabrication
Stream 3 – Industrial Design Project
- 3D Computer Aided Design (SolidWorks)
- Industrial Design Project
- 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.
The Elective Courses
Stream 1 – Product and Services Management
- Operations Management
- Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Design for Supply Chain and Logistics
- Technology Management and Business Engineering
- Cost Management and Financial Analysis
- Consulting Project in Product Management
- Open Topics in Strategic Product Design (TBA)
Stream 2 – Product Creativity and Design
- Advanced Materials and Processes
- Human Computer Interaction, Design and User Experience
- Design for the Environment
- Communication Design
- Product Photography
- Consulting Project in Product Creativity Product and Design
- Open Topics in Strategic Product Design (TBA)
Stream 3 – Industrial Design and Innovation
- Computational Mechanics
- Reverse Engineering and 3D Printing
- Advanced Surface Modelling
- Biomimicry in Design
- Automation and Robotics
- Consulting Project in Industrial Design and Innovation
- 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
- Blended Learning Mode (Face-to-face training and/or Distance learning)
- Option to pursue a research-based dissertation of 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 and Sunday 9.30 – 15.45
- Examinations take place on Friday afternoons generally before the teaching weekends
Quality Policy
Study Guide
Programme Regulation
Handling Objections and Complaints
Students’ Complaints Procedure
Students who wish to make a complaint concerning the quality of an academic programme, any related service or member of the academic or administrative staff should first do so at the local level, by raising the issue with the individual, department or service provider directly involved. Issues of concern may often be resolved more quickly and effectively at this stage.
If a student decides to make a complaint, this will be taken seriously, and confidentiality will be respected. Investigations will be carried out thoroughly and the issue determined fairly by someone who is not directly involved in the complaint. It should be noted, however, that complaint resolution may not be possible without revealing the identity of the complainant to the subject of the complaint and anonymous complaints will not be investigated. Allegations which are found to be unsubstantiated or malicious will be dismissed.
Appeal Committee
Students are entitled to submit an appeal to an Appeal Committee, appointed by the Governing Board, with respect to any decision concerning their status at the University. A student submitting an appeal is invited to exercise his/her right to be heard, according to Article 6 of the Greek Administrative Procedure Code.
Appeal Committee examines any appeals against decisions of the Governing Board and/or the General Assembly of the School according to Article 24 of the Greek Administrative Code of Procedure.
Student Ombudsman
Students also have the right to appeal to the Student Ombudsman. There are three independent offices under the name “Student Ombudsman” at I.H.U: a) at the University Campus of Thessaloniki, b) at the University Campus of Serres, and c) at the University Campus of Kavala.
The Academic Faculty
Faculty Members
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Professor Maria Drakaki
Dean of the School +30 2310 807524 mdrakaki@ihu.gr |
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Professor Panayiotis Bozanis
Deputy Dean of the School +30 2310 807501 pbozanis@ihu.gr |
 |
Professor Eleni Heracleous
e.heracleous@ihu.edu.gr |
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Professor Christos Tjortjis
+30 2310 807576 c.tjortjis@ihu.edu.gr |
 |
Dr Vassilios Peristeras Associate Professor
+30 2310 807539 v.peristeras@ihu.edu.gr |
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Dr Dimitrios Tzetzis Associate Professor
+30 2310 807548 d.tzetzis@ihu.edu.gr |
 |
Dr Spiros Papakostas Assistant Professor
spapakostas@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 Georgios Martinopoulos Academic Associate +30 2310 807533 g.martinopoulos@ihu.edu.gr |
 | Dr Leonidas Akritidis Academic Associate |
| Dr Dimitrios Karapiperis Academic Associate |
| Dr Paraskevas Koukaras Academic Associate |
| Dr Nikolaos Serketzis Academic Associate |
| Dr Katerina Tzafilkou Academic Associate |
Collaborating Instructors
| Athanasios Babalis |
Product designer
|
| Dr. Nikolaos Bilalis |
Professor in CAD/CAM, Director of CAD Laboratory Department of Production Engineering and Management Technical University of Crete
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| Dr. Agelos Delis |
Lecturer in Economics Department of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship Aston Business School, Birmingham
|
| Dr. Fotis Filippopoulos |
Corporate Innovation Specialist
|
| Sergios Fotiadis |
Industrial Designer
|
| Alexis Georgakopoulos |
Director, Industrial Designer ECAL Lausanne University of Art and Design
|
| Dr. Manto Gotsi |
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor), Marketing at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University
|
| Dr. Kostis Indounas |
Associate Professor of Marketing Athens University of Economics and Business
|
| Dr. Apostolos Kalfopoulos |
Lecturer, School of Architecture Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
|
| Dr. Veronika Kapsali |
Associate Professor in Material Technology and Design London College of Fashion, UK
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| Dr. Dimitris Karalekas |
Professor in Product Development and Design Engineering Department of Industrial Management and Technology, University of Piraeus
|
| Orestis Kourakis |
Computational Photographer
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| Dr. Flora Kokkinaki |
Associate Professor Department of Marketing and Communication Athens University of Economics and Business
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| Dr. Panagiotis Kyratsis |
Associate Professor, Head of the Centre of Product and Packaging Design Department of Industrial Design Engineering, Technological Educational Institution of West Macedonia
|
| Dr. Georgios Liamadis |
Associate Professor, Head of the lab of Industrial Design in the School of Visual and Applied Arts Faculty of Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
|
| Dr. Paul Maropoulos |
Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Aston University, UK
|
| Thomas Meiren |
Deputy Director, Business Unit “Service Management“ Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering
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| Dr. Nikolaos Michailidis |
Associate Professor of Production Engineering and Materials Technology Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
|
| Dr. Dimitris Nathanael |
Lecturer School of Mechanical Engineering (NTUA)
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| Dr. Kostas Selviaridis |
Assistant Professor Lancaster University Management School
|
| Ioanna Symeonidou |
Designer, researcher and educator
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| Gary Telaak |
Head designer @ AUDI
|
| Athansios Tsampoukas |
Creative Director, Designer, Founder of Dolphins Communication Design Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
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| Dr. Nikos Tsinikas |
Professor of Architectural Design & Architectural Technology
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| Dr. Dimitrios Tsivrikos |
Teaching Fellow University College London (UCL)
|
| Grigoris Zarotiadis |
Associate Professor, Faculty of Economic and Political Sciences Aristotle University of Thessaloniki(UCL)
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Student’s work
Activities
Videos and interviews
Fees & Financing
Fees
The programme fees for the MSc in Strategic Product Design are 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.
*For the 2024-25 academic year, a tuition fee reduction of 700€ will be provided to all accepted Greek students, resulting in a final fee of 3,300€
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 2024. Interested parties are invited to submit their application by 11 October 2024by following instructions at the application page.
How to apply: Applications system
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 807 529 Email: : infotech@ihu.edu.gr