Looking to study industrial design? Here are our top 5 European university picks
Choosing between industrial design universities is not easy, but here is our take on the top 5 schools in Europe that have consistently been working for a better design future.
While the start of the school year approaches, we wouldn’t be surprised if you were looking for industrial design universities to potentially apply to. As the appeal for industrial design grows, more and more aspiring designers are looking for an academic path to follow to break into the field. Industrial design universities are relatively new compared to most fields in higher education, and have derived from a mix of architecture, engineering, and visual arts courses. Because of this mix, institutions offer widely different approaches, from highly technical programs to conceptual designs, and it’s important to understand what each school prioritises.
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In this article, we spotlight five European industrial design universities that stand out for their education, bringing unique perspectives that reflect the evolving demands of the design profession.
Top 5 Industrial design universities in Europe
Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
The Politecnico di Milano’s School of Design is one of Italy’s most influential design institutions. Emerging from a university that has always been focused on architecture and engineering, its design courses are deeply technical, but still maintain a strong aesthetic sense from Italian design culture. The institution also offers specialised Master’s courses which are often updated, reflecting current trends and topics. One of the most recent additions is the Master in Design for Sustainability and Regeneration, covering the contemporary topics of biodesign, circularity, and ecological approaches.
The school’s strategic location in Europe’s design capital, Milan, provides unparalleled access to design studios, manufacturers, and the annual Salone del Mobile, creating a unique ecosystem where students can have the possibility of meeting real-life contexts while still studying. For a discipline where networking is key, being located in a design-centred city can really be the key to developing a professional profile and career.
ÉCAL, Lausanne, Switzerland
The design programmes at ÉCAL emphasise experimental approaches and conceptual thinking, often reflecting sociocultural and geopolitical contexts. Offering workshops with design stars such as Erwan Bouroullec and Philippe Malouin, the Swiss university has established itself as a powerhouse in contemporary design education.
The school is especially focused on luxury, through a Master’s degree focused specifically on luxury design and with collaborations with companies such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Audemars Piguet. Additionally, each year its students show an exhibition at Milan Design Week, offering visibility and interaction. In 2025, they hosted two showcases called “Designed in CH, made in JP” and “Folklore Fusion”, both focusing on Japanese culture after the students visited Tokyo and Osaka on a school trip.
TU Delft, Netherlands
TU Delft’s faculty of industrial design and engineering stands as a pillar of research-driven design education, combining technical rigour with creative exploration. The school is ranked 12th worldwide amongst industrial design universities. Its projects work on tackling high-level systems, like medical devices or micro-mobility robots, with complex design solutions that can have real-world impact.
The school hosts world-class facilities, including extensive prototyping workshops for 3D printing, CNC milling, metal working, and more. As the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands, with more than 25,000 students sharing ideas and resources, TU Delft still maintains its mission of creating impact for a better society.
Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design, and Architecture represents the pinnacle of Nordic design education, embodying the Scandinavian approach to functional and human-centred design. The university was formed as the merger of three different institutions, creating a unique environment where art, design, technology, and business intersect.
The industrial design programs at Aalto emphasise sustainability and social responsibility, reflecting Finland’s commitment to environmental consciousness and social welfare. The curriculum encourages deep research into user needs and cultural contexts, with the possibility of continued education into a doctoral degree, producing designers who understand the broader implications of their work.
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
This school brings a scientific approach to design education, leveraging Switzerland’s reputation for precision and innovation. Unlike ÉCAL, ETH is primarily known as a technical university, and integrates rigorous engineering principles in its design programs. Its approach to industrial design works on computational design, material innovation, and sustainable manufacturing processes on a large scale.
ETH’s innovative culture is demonstrated through the Spark Award, which recognises the most promising patents of the year, for example, about the harvesting of precious metals from electronic waste. The university’s strong connections to the Swiss industry provide students with great opportunities to work on high-precision, high-quality design projects.
These five industrial design universities represent different approaches to the discipline, yet all share a commitment to preparing designers for an increasingly complex and interconnected world. There is no perfect answer; a student’s choice should align with their personal goals and design philosophies. Regardless of the choice, graduates from any of these industrial design universities enter the working force with the skills necessary to shape their future, leading the design profession into its next chapter.
