Exchange with UMEÅ UNIVERSITY
Umea, Sweden • FALL OR SPRING
Spring 2027 Application Cycle is Now Open
What is an ArtCenter Exchange Program?
Spend a term at one of ArtCenter’s partner institutions around the world! Earn up to 15 transfer credits. You will pay ArtCenter tuition for the term and maintain your financial aid package as eligible. Housing and other expenses are additional.
Application Deadlines
March 1 — Fall term abroad
September 1 — Spring term abroad
How To Apply
Step 1 — Apply through Global Programs — no fee to apply
Submit your application through the Global Programs Application Portal.
Step 2 — Department Nomination & Partner University Application
If nominated by your department, you will then submit a second application directly to Umea University.
Academics
Majors: Fine Art • Interaction Design • Product Design • Spatial Experience Design • Transportation Design
Credit
Transfer up to 15 credits to ArtCenter.
Schedule
Fall term: late August/early September - mid/late January*
*The Fall term overlaps with the ArtCenter spring term. Students are not allowed to depart early from the Umea exchange program and must take a leave of absence for the spring term.
Spring term: early January – mid-June*
*The spring term overlaps with the ArtCenter summer term. Students are not allowed to depart early from the Umea exchange program and must take a leave of absence for the summer term.
Eligibility
• Have completed at least four undergraduate terms
• Have at least one term remaining at ArtCenter after returning
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of application
If you are not sure if you meet all the minimum eligibility requirements, you are still welcome to apply.
Cost
Administrative fee
After you are nominated by your department and accepted by the exchange university, you will pay a $250 fee to ArtCenter’s Global Program office to confirm your participation.
Tuition
Tuition for this exchange program is the same as full-time ArtCenter tuition for the term, including financial aid as eligible.
Additional estimated expenses to consider
• Housing (varies by location)
• Round-trip international airfare: up to $1,500
• Passport: $135
• Visa (if required) and student residence permit (if required)
• Supplemental health insurance policy if required by the location
• School project supplies (as needed)
• Daily living expenses (meals, transportation, etc.): $500–$600 per month, varies by location and personal budget
Financial aid and scholarships are not available from the exchange institution.
Additional scholarships may be available from outside sources: artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away
STUDENT HOUSING
The University offers student housing to exchange students, and tuition fee-paying students studying a full-degree program that are citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. For more information, check out this link.
The university can offer students furnished single-occupancy rooms in student “corridors.” Their housing stock consists of approximately 500 rooms in different student housing areas off-campus, but within walking distance of the campus. Both Swedish and international students live in the student “corridors.” Read more about the rooms and what is included.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Umeå University is known for its human-centered approach to design education, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and individual growth within a supportive learning environment.
ArtCenter's exchange agreement includes two schools within the university:
Umeå Academy of Fine Arts
The academy focuses on contemporary art and encourages interdisciplinary exploration through experimentation, critical thinking, and engagement with current artistic practices.
Umeå Institute of Design (UID)
The Umeå Institute of Design (UID) is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading design schools. The program is known for its focus on human-centered design, emerging technologies, sustainability, and innovative user experiences.
Learn More
Umeå University Website
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Umeå is a university city in northern Sweden known for its innovation, sustainability, and cultural life. Home to Umeå University, the city is a leading center for education, research, and creative practice.
Surrounded by forests, lakes, and northern landscapes, Umeå offers a balance of academic life, cultural activities, and access to nature. The city was named European Capital of Culture in 2014 and continues to be recognized for its arts, design, and innovation communities.
Students Enjoy:
Strong university and research culture
Contemporary arts and cultural events
Easy access to nature and outdoor activities
Walkable and student-friendly environment
Innovation and sustainability initiatives
Nearby Highlights:
Cultural festivals and events
Museums and galleries
Forests and lakes
Northern Sweden landscapes
Learn More
Still have questions?
Use our online calendar to schedule an appointment!
PREVIOUS COURSE OFFERINGS
The following courses are examples of previous exchange offerings and may vary by term. Students should refer to the exchange university website for the most current course information and availability.
Exchange students at the Academy of Fine Art take one assigned course package. Exchange students at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering have to choose fixed course packages in in the application process . They can select their first, second and third choice. During the admission process the package will be confirmed. After that no changes can be made.
UMEA ACADEMY OF FINE ART COURSE PACKAGE
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Artistic Practice (30 ECTS/15 Credits)
The exchange term provides the student with both theoretical perspectives and individual artistic practice. During the semester focus is on artistic development in an international and contemporary perspective. Students are encouraged to use the well-equipped workshops for wood, metal, plaster, bronze, graphics, photo, video or computer-based work. Apart from workshops, there are a number of project rooms that can be booked when working space outside of your studio.
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, tutorials in the workshops and studio visits. Every semester there are several guest teachers visiting the school contributing to the education. They also offer a number of open workshops where all students are welcome to participate.Courses in course package
Art history and theory from DADA to now, B, 7.5 ECTS credits
Artistic practice, B, 22.5 ECTS credits
UMEA INSTITUTE OF DESIGN COURSES
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Industrial Design, Transportation
The exchange semester at Transportation Design Program gives the student basic competence to work with design and development of different types of vehicles.
Students entering must have a basic understanding of designer tools together with a competent level of sketching skill. They will develop their creative thinking process with tutoring support focused on trying to solve future transportation problems. Students will explore how to design and develop vehicles with a growing awareness of the environmental issues.
The students are encouraged to build realistic vehicle concepts around future lifestyles. Equally, these designs must be attractive and desirable. The essence of the student work will be about form and function in balance with the human needs at the center of their design development process.
5ID233 Form in Transportation design 7,5 ECTS credits The course provides a platform for advanced studies in the field of form theory in connection to transportation design.
Module 1: Experimentations with form (4,5 ECTS credits)
Module 2: Creative project work (3 ECTS credits)5ID212 Vehicle Design Analysis ECTS 7,5 credits The course provides theoretical and practical knowledge about the aspects that influence form in vehicle design. The content is covered in two modules:
Module 1: Vehicle Design Theory (1,5 ECTS credits).
Module 2: Clay Modelling (6 ECTS credits)5ID228 Project 2: Strategic Design 15 ECTS credits The course is structured in 2 modules, providing knowledge and practice on brand identity and strategic design.
Module 1: Research, Brand and Strategy 4,5 ECTS credits
Module 2: Creative Project Work 10,5 ECTS creditsIn response to the students own design brief, ideation phase begins and creative tools are used to generate a number of possible design proposals that will fulfill the aspired attributes of the vechicle concept. These alternatives are discussed and one is selected for further refinement in the process. Regular tutoring sessions and seminars support the students learning during this section.
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Industrial Design, Interaction (30ECTS/15 Credits)
The exchange semester at Interaction Design Programme deals with the relation between people and Information Technology with particular focus on the interaction between product and user. We see the discipline of Interaction Design as the ability to design both the cognitive and physical interface and integrate them into a successful whole. Our aim is to enable designers to create sustainable, comprehensible and pleasurable information based products, services and environments.
5ID226 Form Workshop (7,5 ECTS Credits) The course contains specialized studies within the field of form theory, sound and product interaction.
1. Experiment with sound, imagery and interaction 3 ECTS credits
2. Product Analysis and project work 4,5 ECTS credits5ID193 Communication Design for co-creation (7,5 ECTS Credits) The purpose with this course is to explore alternative ways, through traditional and new media, to visualize and communicate information with focus on Service Design and to provide training in running co-creative design processes together with users and stakeholders.
5ID079 Project 2: General Product (15 ECTS credit)
The overall aim is to provide students with practical experience in designing a product or a system that caters to a broad user group. The project provides a platform to explore techniques and methods in the context of design ethnography and participatory design. The project allows students to discover and think critically about design ethnography and participatory design through a combination of practical experience and the experience of others.1. Design Ethnographic Methods, 5 ECTS credits
2. Participation design and concept study, 5 ECTS credits
3. Design development and presentation, 5 ECTS credits -
Industrial Design, Advanced Product (30ECTS/15 credits)
The exchange semester provides the students with professional tools, methods and a creative mindset to work with the development and design of the best possible solution for a given problem or identified design opportunity. The aim is at identifying and defining the problem before the conceptualization phase, with emphasis on problem identification and definition as the basic starting point in the design process
Studies are project-based and often carried out in collaboration with industrial partners, research units or local authorities. Most projects concern problems that the students identify themselves, problems that have not already been solved countless times by others. This implies less emphasis on trendy, fashionable consumer products and more on professional products for qualified users. This includes product areas such as the medico-technical industry, design for the disabled, professional tools and equipment, public services and equipment and a variety of product applications for emerging technologies.5ID208 Sound in Industrial Design (7,5 ECTS credits)
The course contains specialised studies within the field of creating and designing sound in combination with form studies and product interaction and consists of the following sections:MODULE 1: Experiment with sound, imagery and interaction 3 ECTS credits
MODULE 2: Project work 4.5 ECTS credits5ID209 Product Analysis and Construction (7,5 ECTS credits) This course introduces to the complexities of product development with a focus on construction, material selections and production techniques. The course also includes a course in parametric modelling and Rapid Prototyping. The course consists of the three following sections:
MODULE 1: Parametric modelling 1.5 ECTS credits
MODULE 2: Design assignment 1.5 ECTS credits
MODULE 3: Product analysis 4.5 ECTS credits5ID210 Project 2: Strategic Product Design (15 ECTS credits) The course includes advanced studies in the field of strategic design, brand identity and strategic product development. The course is often carried out in collaboration with predetermined company or brand and consists of the following phases:
MODULE 1: Strategic design seminar 4.5 ECTS credits MODULE 2: Strategic design project 10.5 ECTS credits