FAQs

The application process for the Interaction Design Programme 2014 is now open.

If you are interested in the programme, please sign up to our Pulse Mailing List. This is where we also announce up and coming events, including the OPEN Lecture series and exhibitions where you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and current students.

You will find information on the curriculum and student/faculty profiles on this website.

If you can’t find what you need, please email info@ciid.dk

Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to give individual feedback on portfolios and/or other documentation.

Please note: we will only review applications that are complete.

What is the review/interview schedule for entry in 2014?

Application Deadline
Initial deadline: Friday, April 19th
The application reviews will not start until after this date. We will continue to receive applications after this date but those submitted in accordance with the deadline will be given priority.

Interviews
We will contact qualified candidates on an individual basis to schedule phone interviews. The interviews will take place in May/June 2013.

Acceptance
We will notify individual students of their acceptance into the programme at the end of the interview process. Those wishing to accept an offer will be asked to do so before the end of July.

Waiting List
We may decide that there are more qualified applicants than places available. In that case, some applicants may be placed on a waiting list. If accepted applicants do not enroll, applicants from the waiting list will be offered a place.

What is the duration of the programme?
One calendar year. There may be the possibility for some students to continue in some capacity after this period. The programme will run from January to December 2014 (exact dates TBC).

Where will the programme take place?
The Interaction Design Programme will take place in a dedicated studio in Copenhagen. Students will have access to workshops and an electronics lab.

What type of certificate/degree will students receive?
The programme is Masters level (currently awaiting validation) and focuses on the content and the people involved, rather than formal accreditation. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a diploma acknowledging their accomplishments.

What is the language of instruction?
The official language of the institute is English. Many of the faculty and staff at the institute are fluent in other languages but all Interaction Design Programme communication and materials will be delivered in English. We do not require an English language proficiency certificate.

Will I have time to freelance work during the programme?
This is a full-time programme and we highly recommend that you not undertake outside work during the year. The course is intense and involves late nights and some weekends.

How much does the programme cost?
2014 students will be required to pay a highly subsidised tuition fee of 100,000DKK (approx. 13,500 Euro). CIID and our Founding Partners already cover more than 50% of the actual cost. As a policy we are seeking the highest quality applications and financial factors do not influence the admissions process. CIID is NOT able to offer scholarships. Financial aid (covering tuition and/or living expenses) may be available from the home country of the applicant. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to locate financial aid, if required. We encourage people to start researching these possibilities on an individual basis as opportunities vary greatly from country to country.

Can I participate remotely or on a part-time basis?
No. Students need to be in CPH for the full duration of the programme. The education at CIID is very much based on a studio culture.

Do I need my own laptop?
Yes. We also recommend that you invest in a good digital camera with HD video.

What software will I need?
We do not provide any software for students. Most of the software we teach (Arduino, Processing etc) is open-source and therefore, free.

What materials do I need to buy for the course?
Physical and electronic prototyping materials such as wood, plastic, paper, modeling foam, electronic components etc. are included in the tuition fee. Each course is assigned a budget and the students are asked to stay within that.

What books do I need to buy for the course?
You are not asked to buy any specific books before or during the course. We may recommend reading lists but it is not compulsory to buy the books. If you choose to, that is up to you.

Do you look for a specific student profile/background?
In short, no. We look for highly talented individuals to form a multi-disciplinary group of students. The important thing is that people are prepared to work in a team, to share their knowledge and have a positive attitude towards learning in a studio based environment. Our students come from all around the world, are different ages and are at various stages in their career.

Where do students work after they have completed the Interaction Design Programme?
Our fast growing network of alumni are scattered far across the globe. Some work in agencies such as IDEO, Frog Design, Method, Fjord and Smart Design. Some work in companies/organisations such as the BBC, Microsoft Research, The New York Times and Lego. Others choose to remain in academia and some have set up their own design studios. A number of IDP alumni are also now working in the CIID Consultancy.

I am not a designer and don’t have a portfolio, what should I submit?
If you don’t have a visual portfolio/website, you can submit other work samples such as papers, presentations or articles that you might have written (or have been written about you!).

Is it possible for you to review my portfolio or other application materials before I submit my application?
Due to the high volume of applications we do not have time to give individual feedback on portfolios and/or other documentation.

Will you notify me when my letters of recommendation or transcripts are delivered?
Due to the large number of individual documents coming in we are not able to do this. However, if you are concerned about a specific document, you are welcome to contact us to make sure your application is complete.

Do I need prior knowledge of specific software/hardware/electronics?
Some students are already experts in software, others have no programming experience at all. Some were born with a soldering iron in their hand and others have yet to learn how to make an LED flash. We ensure that there is a balanced team of students and enough faculty support for people to learn how to make prototypes work.

What is the average monthly budget of a student living in Copenhagen?
Most students manage on a budget of around 6-7000dkk (approx 8-900Euro). This includes food/rent/socialising/clothes – but of course this amount varies from student to student.

Where do students live?
CIID does not provide accommodation. Our students are a diverse group with very different requirements. Copenhagen is a small, easy-to-get-around, safe place – and people live in private apartments all over the city. Some choose to share apartments with others on the programme. The average rent seems to be between 3-5000dkk per month.

From experience, it’s not easy to look for a place to live unless you are actually here in person. Landlords are not keen to rent out properties before meeting you face-to-face. Therefore, we recommend that students arrive in Copenhagen to look for housing a few weeks before the start of the year. As per this year, we hope that some of our current students will be happy to hand over their apartments.

We will launch an online forum, well in advance of the start of the year. Future students will have the opportunity to ‘meet’ current students, alumni and staff, who will be able to advise on topics such as housing.

Is there an age restriction in applying for the course?
No.