The Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland and the Art Academy of Latvia have been implementing the joint Service Design Strategies and Innovations (SDSI) master's degree programme in since 2021. Next academic year, the programme will expand to Estonia, as the Estonian Academy of Arts will join the cooperation. In addition, the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga is in charge of some of the programme's courses.

The European Union has granted the SDSI programme nearly 4.9 million euros in funding for implementation over a period of six years, as well as the status of an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree Programme. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are high-level, international degree programmes organised by several higher education institutions. The programmes always include studies in at least two countries. The purpose of these programmes is to strengthen the attractiveness and prominence of European higher education. Students also have an opportunity for substantial study grants: 2.7 million euros of the total funding of the SDSI programme is directed to study grants. Student admissions will be organised four times in 2023–2026.

"This joint master's programme is an important opening for us to international joint degrees. The programme meets the demand for service designers and trains experts with special knowledge of the Nordic countries and the Baltics. The planning and implementation of studies as a collaboration between three countries is a unique opportunity for us to test and develop a degree structure consisting of modules. This addresses the challenges of future study planning," says Professor Satu Miettinen, Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland.

Focus on service design and management

The Service Design Strategies and Innovations (SDSI) master's degree programme focuses on service design management and leadership. The studies delve into service design methods and provide tools for research, entrepreneurial thinking, and strategic and innovation management. The students' knowledge of service design is also deepened in advanced courses, which are implemented in cooperation with companies. A graduate of the programme can work, for example, as a service designer, interaction designer, innovation manager, or researcher.

The SDSI programme is 120 ECTS, and it can be completed in two years by studying full time. The first year is studied in Kuldīga, Latvia, and the second year in Tallinn, Estonia, and Rovaniemi, Finland. The student is awarded a degree from all three partner universities.

Apply by February 28, 2023

The application period for the SDSI programme is open until February 28, 2023 and the programme welcomes students from various backgrounds. The applicant must have sufficient knowledge of the English language and at least a bachelor's degree for example in business, communication, design, art, humanities, or social sciences.

Around 30 students are selected for the programme each year. The annual fee for the programme is 8,000 euros. Roughly 20 of the best applicants are exempted from fees and receive a monthly grant of 1,400 euros for their studies. The EU funding also enables a 50-percent reduction in annual tuition fees for European students who are not exempted from annual tuition fees and do not receive a grant.

Instructions for applying and an electronic application form are available at apply.sdsi.ma. More information about the programme is available at www.sdsi.ma.