Service Systems Design

Description:
The Master of Science in Service Systems Design at Aalborg University is a comprehensive program focused on developing innovative solutions for complex service systems in various industries. The program is designed to equip students with a profound understanding of how to design, analyze, and improve service systems that are increasingly interconnected and digitally driven. Students will engage in interdisciplinary learning, combining principles from engineering, business, and social sciences to create sustainable and user-centered service innovations. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on project work, collaborative learning, and real-world problem solving, preparing graduates to meet the dynamic challenges of modern service sectors. Throughout the program, students will study foundational topics such as service management, system design methodologies, digital transformation, and user experience. They will also delve into advanced subjects like data analytics, IoT integration, and service innovation strategies. The program encourages a problem-based learning approach, often involving partnerships with industry stakeholders to ensure that students gain practical insight and industry-relevant skills. Graduates of the Service Systems Design master's program are well-positioned for careers as service system designers, process improvement specialists, and innovation consultants across various sectors, including healthcare, public services, ICT, and transportation. The program emphasizes sustainability, digitalization, and user-centricity, aligning with global trends and societal needs. Upon completion, students will possess the analytical skills, technical knowledge, and creative mindset necessary to design and implement innovative service solutions that enhance efficiency, user satisfaction, and societal value. The program is suitable for students with backgrounds in engineering, business, or social sciences who are interested in shaping the future of service delivery and experience in a digital age.

The master's programme in Service Systems Design consists of four semesters, a total of two years (120 ECTS). The following pages describe the programme content in order for you to gain an overview. Each semester consists of a project and courses, except for the 4th semester which is dedicated to working on your master’s thesis. Some courses are mandatory, others are elective.

In the following, you may read descriptions of each semester.

1st semester; the system around the product

In your 1st semester project, you and your fellow students will conduct an analysis of a product or service, focusing on the interaction aspects between users and the service, human and technology as well as machine to machine. The project work will introduce you to time and interaction related issues in service cases, and you will learn how to apply appropriate methods and tools to organise sequences of events and interactions in service solutions that take into consideration people’s cultural and behavioural backgrounds.

User experience design for multi-modal interaction

This course trains you to research, analyse, prototype and conceptualise design considering all system aspects including the social and cultural contexts of use. You will gain comprehensive knowledge about user involvement in the design process, going beyond traditional methods such as usability lab testing. The course introduces you to the application of multi-modal methods and interaction design within contemporary fields such as surface computing, pervasive computing, social and mobile computing, and/or mundane computing.

Designing product service systems

You will be introduced to service design and gain knowledge and methodological tools to analyse existing services and to develop new services. The course will provide you with an overview of analytical methods to understand and integrate users’ needs, design methods to control and organise time and interaction-based elements of a services and representation techniques that can be used to communicate with the various actors involved in a service system.

Electives

There are two elective courses on the 1st semester, and you may choose one of them so that you have three courses in total.

Procedural programming

The objective of this course is to integrate existing knowledge about programming to an advanced level required to understand programming languages and, to a certain extent, to work with the most used applications in interaction design and digital devices used for service platforms.

Designing the value

The aim of this elective course is to give students an overview of design theories, tools and methods required in the pre-product development phase. This is indeed the phase in which products / services are defined at the conceptual level in relation to technical, esthetical, strategic and philosophical considerations.

2nd semester; design of a distributed product service system

On the 2nd semester, we take your learning a step further by adding hands-on experience on the design of a complex service on basis of a modular platform in which actors and competences are clearly identified, organisational and interaction aspects are planned and user participation is planned and supported. Through this project module, you will learn about the nature and structure of a distributed system, and you will become familiar with techniques that support the participation of actors with different backgrounds, skills and culture while integrating technical and human components on a service platform.

Distributed systems

This course supports the project work by introducing you to the concept of distributed systems. This concept will be illustrated according to two main perspectives, referring to studies in Industrial Production and IT-systems development. The objective of the course is for you to develop an understanding of all the technical and non-technical elements needed to provide successful services and operate a service architecture.

User participation and social innovation

This course provides you with advanced knowledge and methods to interact with users and involve them in a process of co-design and participation. You will learn to use methods and techniques from different disciplinary contexts and adapt them in order to stimulate and support users’ participation and the interpretation of their needs, behaviour and attitudes in relation to their social and cultural context.

Designing the experience

Through this course module, you will learn how to use narrative, visual and multimodal techniques to communicate the nature and characteristics of a service and to support the users’ participation with knowledge about the most complex aspects of the service.

3rd semester; internship or theoretical project

As indicated by the semester title, you may choose to take an internship as part of your ECTS credits on the 3rd semester. You can go abroad or stay in Denmark – it is entirely up to you, and we will assist you in finding a company or an institution where you may take your internship.

Regarding internship, you may choose between two options. If you wish to attend the courses offered on the 3rd semester, you may do an internship of 20 ECTS. On the other hand, if you wish for your internship to take up the entire semester, you may choose to do an internship of 30 ECTS.

If you stay at AAU for your project work on the 3rd semester, you will also have to choose among two of the following electives:

System organisation and industrialisation of services

The purpose of this course is to provide you with strategic insights for the organisation of complex service systems based on modularisation, distribution of work and competences as well as economy of scale and scope.

Strategies and business in services

This course will give you advanced knowledge on theories and methodological tools to analyse and suggest appropriate and innovative business models for service companies. Focus is on theories of entrepreneurship with emphasis on innovative business models for product-service systems. In the course, theories and methodological tools will be applied to specific cases.

Other electives

You also have the opportunity to choose a course from another programme which may add to the profile you wish to obtain. At en.cpu.aau.dk, you can take a browse through the programmes offered. If you choose this option of having an elective course from another programme, it must be approved by the Study Board of Media Technology.

4th semester; master's thesis

There are no courses offered on the 4th semester; this is entirely devoted to working on your master’s thesis. The work is carried out alone or in small groups.

Once you have finished your master’s thesis, you are Master of Science (MSc) in Service Systems Design.

The Service Systems Design program at Aalborg University is designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for innovating and managing complex service systems. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating principles from engineering, business, design, and social sciences to prepare graduates for the dynamic landscape of modern service industries. Students will engage in project-based learning, collaborating with industry partners to solve real-world challenges, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and practical problem-solving abilities. The curriculum includes core courses in service innovation, system thinking, human-centered design, and digital technologies, alongside electives allowing specialization in areas such as healthcare services, public sector, and financial services. Emphasis is placed on developing competencies in service development processes, customer insights, and sustainable solutions, ensuring graduates are capable of designing user-centric and efficient service systems. The program promotes teamwork, communication skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration, reflecting the cooperative nature of contemporary service design projects. The educational approach integrates theoretical knowledge with empirical research and practical application, providing students with a robust foundation to contribute to the evolution of service systems in various sectors. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in service innovation management, consulting, research, and development roles within both private and public organizations. The program length is typically two years for a full-time Master’s degree, comprising coursework, project work, and a thesis. Entry requirements include a relevant bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, design, or related fields, along with proficiency in English. The program is delivered primarily in English and encourages international collaboration and cultural exchange. Overall, the Service Systems Design program at Aalborg University aims to develop innovative problem solvers capable of transforming service concepts into sustainable, customer-centric solutions that meet societal needs and enhance user experiences.

The Service Systems Design master's program at Aalborg University primarily offers funding opportunities through Danish government and European Union schemes aimed at supporting international students. Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students are typically around 75,000 DKK per academic year, with scholarship options available to reduce these costs for qualified applicants. The Danish government offers various scholarship programs, such as the Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements, which are aimed at talented students from specific countries, providing full or partial tuition fee waivers. Additionally, the Erasmus+ program facilitates exchange and mobility grants for students participating in joint study modules or internships within European partner universities, including Aalborg University. European Union funding can sometimes be accessed through research grants or project-based financing, especially for students involved in collaborative research projects during their studies. For Danish or EU students, the standard tuition fees do not apply, and they may be eligible for student grants and loans from the Danish State Educational Support Agency, known as SU (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte), which covers living expenses and educational costs. International students are also encouraged to seek private scholarships, grants, or sponsorship programs specific to their home countries or industries. Part-time employment remains a viable option during studies, with university policies permitting work up to a defined number of hours per week, enabling students to finance part of their living expenses. Many students also benefit from student housing grants or subsidies provided by the Danish authorities. It is advisable for prospective students to consult the university’s official scholarship and finance pages for the most current information, as funding options can vary year by year and depending on the student's nationality. Overall, the Financing Studies aspect of the Service Systems Design program offers multiple avenues for financial support, including government scholarships, EU grants, student loans, private funding, and part-time work, ensuring that students can focus on their academic pursuits without undue financial burden.

Service Systems Design at Aalborg University is an innovative master’s program that focuses on the development and management of complex service systems. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in designing, analyzing, and optimizing service-oriented solutions across various industries, including healthcare, transportation, public services, and digital services. The curriculum emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from engineering, business, and social sciences to foster comprehensive problem-solving skills.

Students in the program will learn to apply design thinking, system analysis, and user-centered methodologies to create sustainable and efficient service systems. The program covers topics such as service innovation, process optimization, digital transformation, user experience design, business modeling, and system integration. Through project-based coursework and collaboration with industry partners, students gain practical experience and develop a portfolio of solutions tailored to real-world challenges.

The program also focuses on the development of entrepreneurial skills and provides insight into the latest technological advancements shaping the service sector. It offers specializations in areas such as digital services, health technology, and transport systems, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their interests and career aspirations. The program's structure includes lectures, workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects that foster teamwork and innovation.

Graduates of the Service Systems Design program are equipped to work as service designers, system analysts, project managers, and innovation consultants. They are prepared to address complex societal issues by designing holistic, user-centered service solutions that leverage emerging technologies and promote sustainable development. The international environment and collaborative learning culture at Aalborg University further enhance students’ professional and interpersonal skills, preparing them for the global job market.

Overall, the Service Systems Design master’s program at Aalborg University offers a comprehensive pathway into the rapidly evolving field of service system development, emphasizing practical skills, innovative thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration to meet contemporary societal and industry needs.