Are you dreaming about industrial design, 3D printing, sustainable products and process optimisation?
Important information about international programmes at KEA
KEA no longer admits new full degree students to English-taught programmes (the so-called international lines). New intakes only take place at the Danish lines. Current students who are already part of an international line can of course complete their education at KEA.
We also welcome exchange students from partner universities, just as we are sending out students on studies abroad.
The Production Technology programme is technical and creative. It is for you who wants to work with industrial design – be it development of new physical products for the industry or optimisation of existing production processes.
It is an programme that combines theory and practice. We work with material selection, strength calculations, manufacturing methods and technical drawings. On the programme, we also work with concrete methods, such as lean, to optimise production.
We work closely with the business community, which gives you a good transition to jobs afterwards.
Programme content and structure
On the Production Technology programme you will work with various subject elements that are put into play in the interdisciplinary project work, which takes up a large part of the programme.
The AP in Production Technology programme is a two-year academy profession programme equating to 120 ECTS.
Case work
In the first semester, we focus on accumulating a theoretical toolbox within the various subject elements. These include, for example, material selection, strength calculations and manufacturing methods. You'll learn how to perform technical drawings in 2D and 3D in relevant computer programmes, and you'll learn how to manage projects. You’ll become well equipped in all disciplines and thus have the required basic skills once your work becomes more project-oriented.
If you want to know more about the specific content in the individual subject areas, you can click through the fold-out menu below or read in the programme curriculum.
Project work
In the teaching in the 2nd and 3rd semesters, we focus primarily on interdisciplinary project work, where the learning from the first semester is brought into play in a professional framework. We work on developing a concrete physical product that must meet the needs of the users. The project must result in a concrete proposal on how it can be put into production.
Already in the second semester you have the opportunity to collaborate with a company on a project, and in the third semester it is a requirement that your project takes place in collaboration with a company. In this way, you gain a very good understanding of practice in the industry, and you get well prepared for the working life that awaits you after graduation. And not least, you will build a network in the industry.
Core areas
The programme covers the following core areas:
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Product Development
When developing new products, you need to be able to talk about relevant design methods from user understanding to physical models. You will work with projects where you develop products based on the user's needs as well as the current market conditions.
With this starting point, you specify the product's functions as well as requirements and wishes, and you work systematically to develop concepts that you communicate through freehand drawing, renderings and concept models.
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Design
To construct products, you need to have a basic knowledge of statics and strength calculations. Statics is used to calculate the external and internal loads of a physical product. For example, it could be about finding the maximum load that a ladder can hold. As a central part of the methodological basis of statics, we work with equilibrium considerations – corresponding to a "lever principle".
For example, when you make strength calculations, you can calculate how much load a beam can withstand. In the strength calculations, you also need to work with and gain knowledge about how the shape and choice of a given material play into the strength of a product.
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Technical Documentation
In the programme element Technical documentation, you will gain insight into how you can make a 3D CAD model as documentation for your product.
You will be introduced to technical drawing, and gain knowledge about how you can design and assess tolerances, both the geometric tolerances that take into account how precise the shape itself (e.g. an angle) of the product should be and dimension tolerances, which are used to describe how accurate a measure of a product should be.
You will also learn about patents, standards and technical specifications.
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Materials and Manufacturing Processes
The choice of material is crucial in the product development process. In this programme element, you will learn how to make informed choices regarding materials for use in production. You will be introduced to the properties of different materials, so you can choose the material that provides the best product based on e.g. environmental considerations, durability and quality.
You will also learn about different manufacturing methods and how you can choose the most optimal method to make your product.
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Business Technology
In the Business technology subject, you will be introduced to the more administrative aspects of project management. You'll learn how to make budgets and manage the finances of a project. You will also learn about business plans and how to make quality management in the production process.
In addition, you will gain an insight into how you can help companies become more targeted to the international market and thus increase their competitiveness internationally.
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Production Technology
In this programme element, you will learn how to optimise the production itself, e.g. by using lean and 6 Sigma. You will also learn how to use Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to optimise production.
You will also be introduced to inventory construction and management, as well as cost prices. You also get an understanding of the production basis itself and the layout of a factory.
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Automation
In the Automation subject, you get a basic knowledge of electricity, PLC, pneumatics and hydraulics, and you will learn how to dimension components within pneumatics and hydraulics.
Electives
In your third semester, you must choose two electives.
The electives are organised based on the skills that the business community demands, so that your knowledge and competences are updated for your future working life. The range of electives therefore changes according to the development of the business community, so when you are about to choose electives, you will get an overview of the electives we offer for your particular year.
Internship
In the fourth semester, you must spend the first 10 weeks doing an internship in a relevant company. Here you will have the opportunity to try out what you have learned during your studies. You can choose to do your internship in a company that focuses on product development or in a production company, where the focal point can be optimisation of manufacturing processes and quality assurance. You are responsible for finding your internship company, but KEA's internship coordinator is ready to help you with practical questions.
If you dream of developing your own product and creating your own business around the product, you can also apply to do an entrepreneurial internship on KEA's Ignite programme. If you join KEA Ignite, you use your internship to get your business idea worked out and further developed. KEA organises Ignite workshops where you and the other Ignite students get unique sparring and advice.
Final project
The final part of the programme consists of a graduation project where you must demonstrate your ability to link theory and reality in the best way possible and in close cooperation with the business community. The project must focus on either product development or production optimisation.
More information
If you want to know more in details about the programme and the elements, you can read more in the curriculum.
Already a student at KEA?
Students at KEA can find more information about their programme at MyKEA (mit.kea.dk/en). MyKEA is our intranet for students, where you can find information about internship, the social life at KEA, contact information for study counsellors and the study administration and much more.
Study form
The content of the teaching is based on projects, and the teaching alternates between presentations from the teacher and individual guidance.
As a Production Technology student, you will be taught how to collaborate from day one. Group work plays a major part on the programme, because we believe that you learn well through sparring and sharing knowledge with each other. In addition, there is also traditional classroom teaching, where teachers go through theory, after which we work with the theory in practice.
Our students say that it is easy to ask the teachers for advice, which is a really nice thing about the programme.
What does it take to study at KEA?
Studying is not just about attending lectures and classes and taking part in the teaching activities. The active enrolment model shows you what is expected of you as a student at KEA.
The study programmes at KEA are full-time programmes, which means that you should expect to have to devote an average of about 42 hours a week to your studies. The hours are split between various activities such as teaching activities and preparation time.
Read more about the Active Enrolment Model
On this page you can also get tips for planning your time while studying at KEA.
Collaboration with businesses
On the Production Technology programme, we work closely with the business community in order to prepare you for the challenges you will face in practice after graduation.
In our projects, we have worked with e.g. OX Denmarq on the development of a new lamp for an existing lamp series, and we have collaborated with MATE to develop a bicycle basket for an electric bicycle. On the production side, we have worked with Toms on automation of heavy lifting and with Liqtech on quality in connection with the company's membrane production.
Workshops and the physical study environment
The project work in the 2nd and 3rd semesters involves workshops, where we mainly use the workshop MakerLab.
In general, we offer many different options at KEA at our different addresses. In addition to workshops, we have the largest material library in the Nordic region. We have cafes, bars, library, cosy nooks, a roof terrace and much more. At our address at Lygten 16, the Friday bar is called Moon Bar, where you can volunteer or just hang out. You are also welcome at KEA's other Friday bars.
Transfer to KEA
If you want to transfer to Production Technology at KEA, you must meet our entry requirements. You can read more about the requirements below.
Requirements for transfer to KEA
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Admission requirements
If you have an education equivalent to a Danish upper secondary education (English B and Math C must be included) you are eligible for the programme.
If you have a relevant vocational education within one of the areas listed below, you are eligible for the programme:
- Blacksmith programme
- CNC technician programme (level 2)
- Bicycle and motorcycle mechanic (with areas of specialisation)
- Construction and agricultural machinery programme (with areas of specialisation)
- Precision mechanic (with areas of specialisation)
- Aircraft mechanic
- Industrial technician programme (with areas of specialisation)
- Coachwork programme
- Refrigeration technician (level 2)
- Woodcutting machinist (level 2)
- Mechanic (level 2)
- Metal smith (with areas of specialisation)
- Plastics technician (level 2)
- Process operator (level 2)
- Ship mechanic (level 2)
- Ship fitter (level 2)
- Ship technician (level 2)
- Chimney sweeper (level 2)
- Smith programme (with areas of specialisation)
- Joiner (with areas of specialisation)
- Foundry technician (level 2)
- Technical designer
- Wind turbine technician (with areas of specialisation)
- Tool specialist programme (level 2)
Mathematics C-level is required in order to apply for the AP Degree in Production Technology. The Mathematics C-level is represented by 125 hours during the last three years of upper-secondary school (equivalent to the Danish C-level of a Danish upper-secondary examination)
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Language requirements
All applicants must have passed English at a level equivalent to a Danish Upper Secondary education B-level.
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Admission with special permission
If you do not meet the formal admission requirements, you can apply for admission with special permission based on an individual competency assessment (IKV), (in Danish: "Individuel KompetenceVurdering - IKV).
In an IKV, KEA assesses whether your competencies correspond to fulfillment of the formal admission requirements for the programme in question. You must document competencies corresponding to fulfillment of the formal admission requirements, and you must document that you meet the specific admission requirements including the language requirements.
If you wish to apply for admission with special permission, you must meet the following application deadlines:
- Summer intake: 15 March at 12.00 CET
Below you can read more about the application process and find the application form:
If you want to know more
Read more about transfer to KEA, re-admission and re-enrollment on the page APPLICATION AND ADMISSION.
Exhange at KEA
It is still possible to go on exchange at KEA. You can read more about exchange below.
Information about exchange at KEA
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Exchange
As an international student it is still possible to go to KEA for exchange.
We welcome exchange students with appropriate educational backgrounds who wish to attend one of our international programmes for one or more semesters.
You must be a regular student at one of our international partner institutions. YOU CAN SEE ALL OUR PARTNER INSTITUTIONS HERE
At KEA the international element is of great importance and we pride ourselves of an intercultural environment.
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Contact
If you are interested in exchange at KEA you kan contact our international office, KEA Global.
Semester start
The fall semester begins in the end of August and the spring semester begins in the end of January. You can see study start dates in our Academic Calendar.
Please note, that from August 2022 the programme will no longer be available in English for full degree students at KEA. It is still possible to go on exchange at KEA, see more at global.kea.dk
Contact
If you have questions about the content of the programme, you can contact our study advisors. If your questions are of a more practical nature regarding, for example, application and admission, then KEA Applicant is ready to help you.
Questions about transfer, re-admission and admission requirements
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +45 46 46 07 00.
You can call us Monday to Friday, between 10.00-12.00. All times are CET.
Questions about exchange programmes
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find contact information for our international coordinators at global.kea.dk.
General information
Below you can find information about study place, curriculum and other practical information regarding Production Technology.
Practical information about the programme
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Language
The programme is offered in English.
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Address
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Finance
The programme is entitled to the state education support (SU) for Danish citizens. Read more at www.su.dk
Tuition fee terms:
- Nordic/EU/EEA students are free of charge
- Non-EU citizens must pay a tuition fee of € 6,200 per semester
There is no fee for following students:
- Students from the European Union (EU)
- Students from EEA countries (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland)
- Students from Switzerland
- Students who are granted permanent residency or time-limited permit with the possibility of permanent residence in Denmark
- Students exchanged with Danish students as part of a bilateral agreement with an educational institution abroad
- Students who are granted residence permit under §9c, paragraph 1 of the Aliens Act as the accompanying child of a foreigner with a residency permit issued under pursuant to section 9a of the Aliens Act
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Expenses
During the study, you should expect some costs related to buying textbooks. However, most of the books can be borrowed from KEA's library. A book list will be uploaded on a website that you will get access to before the start of your studies.
In addition, you will need a computer that must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Processor: 1.8GHz i7 processor - or better
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics card 4GB RAM - or more
- Operating system: Windows 10 64 bit
- Network card: 5GHz wireless (connecting to KEA’s wireless network)
- Connections: Displayport / HDMI (for KEA projectors)
On the programme, we use the software SolidWorks. If you need to buy a new computer, you can see the latest updated system requirements for SolidWorks on their website. However, if you already have a computer that meets the other requirements, but not the SolidWorks requirements, you should not rush out and buy a new computer for that reason alone. We'll guide you on how to run SolidWorks.
If you choose to buy a Mac, make sure that a Windows operating system can be installed on it. On the programme, we will be using applications that are not designed for Mac.
As a student, you will have access to most of Microsoft’s products, including Office 365, at no cost to you. KEA has entered into free licensing agreements with Microsoft that apply as long as you are a student.
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Scholarship
Unfortunately, the Danish Government has discontinued allocating funds towards scholarships for non-EU/EEA students.
Due to this decision, KEA is unable to offer any scholarships at this point.
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Curriculum
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Code of conduct
KEA has a set of general codes of conduct, which apply to everyone. Locally, there might be more detailed codes.
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Diploma Supplement
KEA issues a Diploma Supplement in English automatically at the end of your studies, as a supplement to your diploma.
The Diploma Supplement is designed to provide a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the qualification.
The Diploma Supplement contains a description of KEA Copenhagen School of Design and Technology and the Danish educational system.