- Programme in brief
- Content of the programme
- Admission requirements
- Fontys way of studying
Programme in brief
Within this study programme, you will learn about the process of designing new products from concept development and prototyping, to production and bringing a product to markets. Industrial Design Engineering is different to most industrial design courses because from the first day of the study, students work in a design studio on projects for real clients. By working 4 days per week on projects and regularly presenting and communicating with clients, students quickly learn to understand what it is to be an Industrial Designer. Students work on a number of different projects through which they will learn how to apply the different methods and develop the skills needed to research, design and present creative solutions to real problems. When specific skills development is needed; sketching, computer modelling or creative thinking or to acquire knowledge of aesthetics, ergonomics or engineering for example, experts and coaches are available to support their learning.
What to expect
On campus, we have well‐equipped wood, metal and plastics workshops for developing, prototyping and testing designproposals. State‐of‐the‐art technologies such as 3D printing and laser cuttingare also an integral part of the IDE studies. Potential employers or clients don’t just want designers to create conceptual ideas, they also want to know if those ideas are going to actually work. This enables students to demonstrate that their ideas will actually work from a practical as well as theoretical perspective.
- Students will be studying in an international, project based environment with English as the main language
- Students will be following a study programme that consists of a unique combination of design and engineering: approximately 60% design and 40% engingeering
- The project-based structure allows students to develop a collaborative attitude and the creative design skills needed to function as an Industrial Designer in an international market.
The IDE at Fontys Venlo is characterized by a strong international orientation, which prepares its students for an international career. The IDE programme is about having design students from all over the world working together. The IDE programme currently has students from over 15 nations. This means that a student might on one day be working with a team of 5 or 6 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds on a project for a German company with 30,000 employees worldwide and thenext day with a different group for a Dutch start‐up.
Through these experiences IDE students have the opportunity to get to know new countries and cultures, but also to make friendswith students from all over the world and to further developtheir language skills. In addition, self‐reliance and self‐confidence are promoted.
Exchange students can choose to participate in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th semester of the study programme. The semesters are differentiated by the expected level evidenced in the portfolio. Projects are open to students from all semesters so students work in groups combining both first year and second years.
2nd semester: start February
3rd semester: start September
4th semester: start February
The total workload for one semester is 30 European Credits. The IDE students development towards becoming an Industrial Design Engineer is evaluated, not through examinations, but through a competence portfolio which is worked on constantly and which is assessed at the end of each Semester. The competences on which the students are assessed are based on a nationally agreed competence profile.
| Professional Practice | 5 ECTS |
| Orientation & Research | 5 ECTS |
| Analysis | 5 ECTS |
| Idea Generation | 5 ECTS |
| Concept Development | 5 ECTS |
| Realisation | 5 ECTS |
Please read the following admission requirements:
- English level: equivalent to IELTS 6.0
- Knowledge of working on design projects would be useful as would an ability to sketch and basic knowledge of a CAD and DTP programme
In addition to the abbove, for semester 3 and 4:
- Foundation year rounded off (from a BA or BSc Product Design programme would be desirable; other creative disciplines would also be welcome e.g. architecture, furniture)
- Experience of working on group projects, experience of design process and creative thinking, knowledge of physical science and mathematics and basic sketching ability would also be desirable.
Recognition
How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?
Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.
Scholarschips
Fontys does not provide scholarships for its exchange students
Studycoach
If you encounter problems regarding a certain subject, you can either speak to your lecturer or contact your exchange coordinator
