Overview

The Design programme at Illinois Institute of Technology offers a transformative educational experience for individuals aiming to become strategic designers in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. This STEM-designated Master of Design degree focuses on the intersection of creative doing and strategic thinking, preparing graduates to lead sustainable change through rigorous prototyping and collaborative projects.

Why Design at Illinois Institute of Technology?

Founded as The New Bauhaus in 1937, the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology is a global pioneer in human-centred and systems design. Students benefit from a curriculum where 80 per cent of the path is customisable through electives, allowing for a highly personalised educational journey. The programme is specifically structured to accommodate those without prior formal design training, fostering a diverse cohort of international students. Furthermore, the university provides dedicated career support through "careerID" programming and "recruitID" events, where major employers visit the campus to interview students for internships and permanent roles.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 33318 per year
National fee: USD 33318 per year
Local fee: USD 33318 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to be flexible, with the majority of the programme consisting of elective modules chosen by the student in consultation with faculty advisors. Modules may include:

Strategic Thinking
Human-Centred Design
Systems Design
Prototyping
Service Systems
Collaborative Projects
Data-Driven Design
Research Methods

Careers with Design

Graduates from this programme demonstrate exceptional professional success, with a placement rate exceeding 90 per cent within six months of completing their studies. Alumni often secure leadership positions at the director and executive levels across various industries. Common career paths and roles for graduates include:

UX Designer
Innovation Consultant
Design Strategist
Design Researcher
Interaction Designer
Product Designer
Service Designer
Entrepreneur
Educator

The university's strong links with the City of Chicago and various non-profit organisations provide students with real-world opportunities to apply their skills to civic and social reform projects before graduation.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Strategic Communication

Modes of Human Experience

Analysis + Synthesis

Building and Understanding Context

Communication Systems

Embodied Design

Digital Media

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-17 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-12 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-01-07 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-08-17 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-15 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

54 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chicago, United States

Disciplines

Design View 447 other Masters in Design in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete the application for admission

Submit official or certified copies of the marks or grades of courses completed prior to university or college entrance, as well as all board examination scores

English Language proficiency

Official SAT and ACT Test Scores (Optional)

Provide a copy of your passport, which is needed to fulfill the visa requirements

Submit letter of recommendations (Optional)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

33318 USD / year

≈ 33318 USD / year
Out-of-State

33318 USD / year

≈ 33318 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

33318 USD / year

≈ 33318 USD / year

Living costs

Chicago

United States

1297 - 2491 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Chicago

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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