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Design Lead Program

Want to elevate your skills in Design?
Download the program syllabus and find out how!

FORMAT

Full-time - In person

LOCATION

Stockholm

DURATION

45 Weeks

TUITION FEE

Government-funded or 160,000 SEK
Accelerate your career

The Design Lead program is for experienced designers seeking to enhance their competence. The program takes a holistic approach to the industry, which incorporates both design and business, and provides students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for future leadership roles. 

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

This program aims to develop conceptual thinkers who can visualise, communicate, and present ideas effectively, collaborate cross-functionally and prioritise people and processes. 

A minimum of one year of full-time work experience in a design related field is required as a prerequisite for the program.

PERIOD

August 4, 2025 – June 12, 2026
45 weeks (30 weeks on-site + 15 weeks on Industrial Placement)

Language

English

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Swedish Government-Funded Seats: Applications will open in January 2025

International Seats: The first round deadline is November 29, 2024

Got questions?

Book a call with our Admission Team.
We are here to help you find the best solution for you.

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CSN YH Page

Swedish Government Funded Seats Available.

Early Bird offer for our international applicants!

Join our VIP list by November 29th, 2024, to secure an exclusive discount of 20,000 SEK on all programs.

The Application Process

  • SWEDISH GOVERNMENT FUNDED SEATS
  • INTERNATIONAL SEATS
All our YH Swedish government funded applications will be open in January 2025. We'd love for you to stay connected with us.
Check if you are eligible for the government funded seats expand_more expand_less

To be eligible for a YH Swedish government-funded education, certain criteria must be met. For complete details, please refer to the information provided on this page: Eligibility requirements

Check information about CSN expand_more expand_less

Swedish residents may also qualify for financial aid through CSN during their studies. For complete details, please refer to the information provided on this page: Eligibility requirements

For those applying from Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and the Faroe Islands, you should contact your local education support provider.

Check the entry requirements expand_more expand_less

Successful applicants need to have at least a high school diploma (“Gymnasieexamen”) or a foreign equivalent. Previous practical experience is required - a minimum of one year (full-time) work experience in a design related field.

Studying your last year at high school?

If you have not graduated from high school yet but are on track to graduate in Spring 2024, you can still apply to Hyper Island.

Please ask your school to provide a certificate with your predicted grades and submit that document as your education backup. You will need to send your final grades to us as soon as you receive them.

Send in your application task and documents expand_more expand_less

We do not accept any applications past the deadline.

List of documents you need to attach:

  • Submit your Application Task.

  • One-page CV in English.

  • Proof of education: show that you have completed at least high school, whether that's in Sweden or another country. Click here to see which document you need to upload. We do not require your education documents to be translated.

  • Please note that some of our programs have additional requirements, so you may need to provide extra supporting materials.

  • Proof of basic knowledge of the Swedish language, or any of the other Scandinavian languages (Danish, Faroese, Icelandic, or Norwegian). Please refer to the information provided on this page: Eligibility requirements
Attend the Admissions Days expand_more expand_less

You'll be notified and invited to join the second step of our admissions process in May 2024.

Get the final result expand_more expand_less

You'll be notified with the final decision starting late June. Seats are offered from the reserve list until the end of the third week of school.

All our international applications are now open! Apply and connect with us.

Residence permit requirements expand_more expand_less

Hyper Island will provide the necessary documentation for applications to the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) for students requiring a student residence permit. In order to receive this backup documentation from Hyper Island you must be a fee-paying international student who has gone through the international admissions process with us. If you are unsure about whether you are an international student, please contact us.

Check the entry requirements expand_more expand_less

Successful applicants need to have at least a high school diploma. Previous practical experience is required - a minimum of one year (full-time) work experience in a design related field.

Studying your last year at high school?

If you have not graduated from high school yet but are on track to graduate in Spring 2024, you can still apply to Hyper Island.

Please ask your school to provide a certificate with your predicted grades and submit that document as your education backup. You will need to send your final grades to us as soon as you receive them.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following English language proficiency criteria:
  • IELTS: A minimum overall score of 5.5, with no section scoring below 5.0.
  • At least a passing grade in a foreign equivalent of English 6 (Swedish high school course).
  • Proof of previous education in English: Successful completion of studies at an English-speaking institution (high school, vocational school, college, or university).
  • If you are from an English-speaking country, you are exempt from submitting an English test. However, you must still demonstrate English proficiency through a school transcript or other document. 

These requirements ensure students are prepared to succeed in our English-taught programs. Please note that all applicants’ English proficiency will be assessed during the Digital Admissions Day, regardless of your country of origin or documents submitted.

Send in your application task and documents expand_more expand_less

List of documents you need to attach:

  • Submit your Application Task.

  • One-page CV in English.

  • Proof of education: You must have at least a high school diploma and previous practical experience is also required.

Ready for a new journey? Start today and apply here.

 

Attend the Digital Admissions Day (DAD) expand_more expand_less

Upon submitting your application, you'll be notified if you have made it to the next round, which is the admissions day. You will be invited to an admissions preparatory meeting to get all your remaining questions answered and we will prepare you for the next step, Digital Admissions Day. This day consists of a personal but informal interview and an interactive group task with other international applicants. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need more information. 

Get the final decision expand_more expand_less

If you have successfully gone through the whole admissions process, you will be notified on your admissions decision a week after joining a full Digital Admissions Day.

Swedish Government
Funded Seats
STATUS:
Applications will open in January 2025.

We use the Classter platform for these seats.
If you already have an account, click Continue your application, otherwise Start your Application.

International
Student Seats
STATUS:

Applications are open.

If you are an international student, your application starts here.
Click above and follow the instructions.

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Have the skills and be prepared to work as:

  • check Lead Designer
  • check Art Director
  • check Strategist or UX Designer

Program Overview

7 Areas of Study expand_more expand_less

During the Design Lead program, you will explore 7 courses:

  • Foundation Weeks
  • Designing For Brand And Business Value
  • Process Design And Leadership In Action
  • Designing Products And Services For All
  • Individual Project
  • Designing A Business For Impact
  • Industrial Placement
Industrial Placement expand_more expand_less

Experiential learning is at the core of the Hyper Island methodology, therefore, the Industrial Placement course is an essential part of each program.

The Industrial Placement provides you with opportunities to develop a deeper understanding in your field of specialisation by being in a professional environment with the guidance of industry professionals in Sweden or anywhere else in the world.

EXPERIENCE

The Hyper Island Way™

Real world ready

Through experience-based learning you will have the opportunity to learn while working with real clients on their challenges.

Google x Hyper Island Learning Partnership

160 students collaborated with Google employees to create game-changing solutions during a three-day Design Sprint.

Read More
Volvo x Hyper Island Learning Partnership

Business Development program students took part in the annual Volvo Hack Sprint to focus on driving change.

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Bolt x Hyper Island Learning Partnership

Together with Bolt, Content Developer students created a memorable campaign to address parking anger.

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Seize your potential

Upon graduation you will equipped to get hired or to start your own business. 

61

Alumni work at

YH Page - Google logo
36

Alumni work at

YH Page - Spotify logo
57

Alumni work at

YH Page - IKEA logo

Study in our Stockholm campus

You will study in our Global Head Office, located in Hammarby Sjöstad, close to the water in a new building where we welcome over 500 people from all over the world.

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Loved by Lifelong learners

Felipe-Câmara Hyper Island Design Lead Alumni

''The openness and honesty of the people I met throughout Hyper Island broadened my worldview and made me aware of how simple it is to build your dream career.''

Felipe Câmara

Design and Innovation Lead @ Philips
Danny Mallas Hyper Island Alumni working at Spotify

“Hyper Island values experimentation and failure as a learning method and brings students close to the industry, which is priceless.

I had an amazing time in this program. It was challenging, however, that was exactly what I was looking for deep learning experiences and non-conventional learning methods, as well as great connections and opportunities.”

 

Read More

Danny Mallas

Product Manager @ Spotify

Testimonial YH 3

"Hyper Island gave me the foundation to approach creative challenges effectively. I gained an understanding of team dynamics and how to manage processes and culture. Focusing on how to work to optimize creativity and feedback within each team."

Linus Hultkrantz

UX Designer @ Valtech

Testimonial YH

"As a practical person who prefers learning by doing, I found a perfect match in Hyper Island. I had the chance to explore new ways of thinking and creating that challenged my status quo."

Marius Pedersen

Head of Content @ Red Bull
Testimonial YH 2

"Hyper Island was my most eye-opening year to that date. At times terrifyingly challenging – and for the same reasons incredibly rewarding!"

Hanna Reuterwall

Marketing Manager @ Netflix Nordics

Got questions?

Our Admissions Team is available to provide guidance. Contact us and let us help you move towards reaching your goals.

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CNN x Hyper Island
Forbes x Hyper Island
Financial Times featured Hyper Island

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