ADMISSIONS

We welcome applications from all around the world and from all backgrounds. You should be curious and creative, a team-player, enthusiastic about design, and have the desire to work in a cross-disciplinary environment. Most importantly you should be motivated to use design for positive impact.
DURATION
September 2024 - August 2025
LOCATION
Bergamo, Italy
DEADLINE
April 30th, 2024
Start your application

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

We focus on the broad potential of design and technology so we ensure that the Interaction Design Programme has a diverse cohort of 18-24 participants.
We’re looking for people who are prepared to jump into an experiential learning environment, willing to share their existing knowledge and to push the boundaries of current thinking.
Previous participants come from a range of backgrounds including: design, art, architecture, humanities, natural and applied sciences, social sciences, business and economics.

REQUIREMENTS

The application form requests basic personal information plus your personal essay, portfolio, CV and transcripts. You may find it easier to create/compile all of the documents before starting the application form. Instructions on how to upload documents will be presented in the application form.
Make sure that all documents are clearly identified with your name. Please do not include files that require the use of any specific software packages.
Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to give individual feedback on portfolios and/or other documentation ahead of the review process.

IDP ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST:
Completed online application form
Essay: Approximately 750–1,000 words about your interest in the programme. Please save this as a PDF ready to upload in the application form. Use the naming convention of: first_lastname_essay
CV: Submit this using the relevant file upload field in the online application form. Ensure that this is in PDF format (Word and other formats not accepted). All attachments should use the naming convention of: first_lastname_cv
Two letters of recommendation: These headed/branded PDF letters should be emailed directly from the author to: admissions@ciid.dk
Official transcripts: Documentation from all college or university work. This PDF should use the naming convention of: first_lastname_transcripts
Online portfolio: You will be asked to submit the URL in the relevant field of the online application form. If you do not have an online portfolio, to submit a digital portfolio: create a single PDF and upload it via the link provided in the online application form.  Your PDF should be saved using the naming convention of : first_lastname_portfolio.pdf

DEGREE
Applicants are expected to have a college degree (typically a Bachelors) or three years work experience. The subject/experience does not need to be design related as we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Your degree should be noted on your transcript, or you should include a description of your comparable experience.

PERSONAL ESSAY
This essay (approximately 750–1,000 words) should convey your interest in the programme. Think of this as an opportunity to discuss your previous experience and future plans.What do you hope to get out of your time in the programme? What can you contribute – in terms of both skills and personality? Why are you interested in this particular programme? What new opportunities do you foresee beyond graduation?

PORTFOLIO
All applications should include an online portfolio of work. This doesn’t necessarily need to consist of design projects, but should demonstrate experience in your field and provide evidence of your previous work whatever form it takes (e.g. programming projects or written work). Be sure to indicate your specific role in the works described. If you do not already have an online portfolio, we strongly advise you to create one. There are numerous platforms that provide software/templates you can use to create a beautiful website (e.g. Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, Webflow). If your website contains confidential material and requires a password please include this in the notes section of the online application.We only accept online portfolios. We will not review or return any physical items.If for some reason you are not able to provide a website URL, we ask that you upload your portfolio in the form of a single PDF. If you do not come from a design background and don’t have a portfolio, we ask that you submit a single PDF with evidence of your background (e.g. articles/presentations/papers/code) so we get a glimpse into the kind of work you have done.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Your CV should provide an overview of your educational and work experience, highlighting specific projects, accomplishments, interests and experience of relevance to the IDP.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Please ask two people familiar with your academic/professional work to email recommendation letters in the form of a headed/branded PDF. These should be sent to  admissions@ciid.dk directly from the company/organisation email address of the person writing the recommendation. We will not accept letters that have been forwarded by applicants. The letters should discuss the applicant’s work, strengths, weaknesses and overall ability,  providing a candid assessment of character, creativity, motivation, capabilities and suitability for the programme. This information will be kept confidential.

TRANSCRIPTS
You will be able to request a copy of your transcripts from your previous institution(s). If these are not in English, you must send certified translations in addition to the originals. Transcripts should include documentation of any degrees awarded. If they do not, please provide a scan of your diploma. If your studies are still in progress, any offer of admission may be contingent on their successful completion.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
Candidates should be proficient in written and spoken English. To this end, all application materials must be personally completed by the candidate. Some candidates may be requested to submit additional writing samples as evidence of their English proficiency. Your ability to communicate well will be carefully assessed if you are invited for a phone interview. We do not ask for English proficiency certificates.

APPLICATION FEE

There is a 150 Euro application fee.

TUITION FEES AND FINANCIAL AID

Individual participants will be required to pay a tuition fee of 36,500 Euro. A non-refundable deposit of 1500 Euro will secure a place on the programme (this will be deducted from the total).
There are no scholarships available.  
As a policy we are seeking the highest quality applications and financial factors do not influence the admissions process. CIID is a private institution and therefore local, European and International participants/companies all pay the same fees.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU APPLY

INTERVIEWS
Qualified applicants will be invited for a zoom interview, after which we will make our final selections. Because the IDP is small and in large measure shaped by the participants, we feel it is important to get a more personal sense of the applicants than can be gleaned from just seeing a portfolio and CV.

ACCEPTANCE
Offers of admission will be made after we have interviewed a large percentage of potential candidates. This is because we spend time curating the best group, not just selecting the best individuals.

WAITING LIST
If there are more qualified applicants than places available, some people may be invited to join a waiting list. There is no numerical order to the waiting list. Any spaces that become available after the initial offers have been sent out, will be filled with the profile that best compliments the cohort.

VISA

Depending on your citizenship, participants may require a visa. If this applies to you, you will need a valid passport. The processing time varies from country to country. More information will be provided if you are offered a place on the IDP.