Creative Sustainability, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
The Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of design, business, and materials and chemical engineering.
How to apply to Creative Sustainability Master's Programme
How to apply to Creative Sustainability Master's Programme
How to Apply
Basic information
Application period: The Application period for CS Master’s programme opens once a year. The next application period begins in early December and ends in early January. New students commence their studies at the end of August (or in the beginning of September) of the academic year to which they have applied.
CS discipline and application route: The CS Master’s programme is organised by the following schools within Aalto University: School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Business and School of Chemical Engineering. The eligibility criteria, application requirements and the route taken for submitting your application depends on your background and the CS discipline to which you are applying.
Please pay attention. The application is possible via three routes:
- via Department of Design/School of Arts, Design and Architecture
- via School of Business
- via School of Chemical Engineering
| Applicant’s background / Field of study | CS discipline / Application route | Organising department | Admissions information to all applicants | Discipline-specific requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Creative Sustainability DESIGN | Department of Design | Applying to Master’s programmes | Portfolio; see CS Design -specific requirements. |
| Business administration / Economics / Social Sciences / Law | Creative Sustainability BUSINESS | Department of Management Studies | Applying to Master’s programmes | See CS Business -specific requirements. Please directly contact Admissions Office of School of Business in case of questions on GMAT or GRE tests. |
| Chemical engineering | Creative Sustainability CHEM | Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems | Applying to Master’s programmes | See CS CHEM -specific requirements. |
Eligibility and application requirements: In general, an applicant should have a suitable bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in one of the fields focused by the organising schools. Application requirements and process vary between CS disciplines. Please pay special attention to “Who can apply,” “Required application documents,” and “Language requirements”.
Selection process: CS Business and CS Design have a two-stage selection process. During the first stage, the applicants are selected based on their application (i.e. required documents and portfolios for those who apply for CS Design). The second stage involves an interview. Applicants can be interviewed online.
Why did current students choose Creative Sustainability?
resonated with my values • contemporary field • good career options • really interested in the themes • a new direction for my career • more meaningful • positive impact • unique opportunity • excellent reputation • “cool” vibe • broad learning of sustainability • multidisciplinary education • freedom to choose • spoke with an alumni who was happy with it • experimental but still one foot on the ground • systemic take on sustainability • international • creative approach • flexible choice of courses • lots of opportunities • the atmosphere of the school and its popularity • engaging students in real projects • didn’t sound commercial or unreliable • a friend’s good experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I have to prepare a portfolio for my application? – Only if you are applying for CS Design.
Q. Is there any interview in the selection process? – Only in CS Business and CS Design. Only some of the applicants from the first stage are invited to be interviewed. Applicants can be interviewed online.
Q. What is the selection schedule? – Please check from here: applying to master’s programmes
Q. Is it possible to apply to CS master’s degree programme through more than one route? – An applicant can apply through more than one route. In such a case an applicant should deliver an appropriate application package fulfilling the entry requirement for each route he/she is applying through. Such an applicant, however, can be selected only through one of the routes, and an accepted student completes the master’s degree of the School which he/she is accepted to.
Q. Is it necessary to have work experience when applying? – It can be an advantage if an applicant has worked or volunteered in the sustainability-related fields, however, it is not a requirement.
Q. If an applicant does not have a degree in the field of design, business, chemical engineering, is it still possible to apply to CS master’s degree programme? – An applicant’s study background should be somehow related to one of these fields. If you are not sure if your study background is suitable or not, please contact the CS coordinator of the School you are applying for. You can find the contact information here. If an applicant does not have background in these fields, he/she can possibly apply to an appropriate master’s degree programme within Aalto University. If accepted to Aalto University, the student can later apply to CS minor study.
Q. If an applicant’s bachelor’s degree is not ready during the application time, is it still possible to apply? – Please check the details from here: applying to master’s programmes
Q. Is there any tuition fee for CS master’s degree programme? – Non-EU students need to pay the tuition fee. Please check this page.
Q. Is there any scholarship for CS master’s degree programme? – There is a scholarship system only for those students who need to pay the tuition fee. Please check this page.
Q. What are living costs like in Helsinki? – If you are accepted as our degree student, you have to pay for study materials (100-200 eur/term depending on courses) and the fee for student union (about 120 eur/year). You will need about 800 eur/month (including rent: student housing starts from 350 eur/month) for living. Please visit Aalto University’s monthly living expenses page for more information.
Q. Is it possible to find part-time jobs within Aalto University, or is it easy to find part-time jobs in general? – The University does not offer any regular part-time jobs to the students, and it is not so easy to find a part-time job in the city if you do not speak Finnish. Nonetheless, the first year’s study is intensive and full-time, and you are expected to concentrate on studying.
Q. Are there many international students in the CS master’s degree programme? – It depends on the year and the field (design, business, chemical engineering). Generally, about half of the students are from outside of Finland. Currently we have students from about 40 countries.
Further Questions
Please contact our study coordinator, Naoko Nakagawa, if you have questions regarding application to CS master’s degree programme.
Discipline-specific information and admission requirements
Creative Sustainability, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
The Creative Sustainability (CS) programme provides students with the skills and knowledge to address pressing global sustainability challenges through business. Students with different backgrounds are united by the creative solutions, hands-on methodologies and shared values that characterise the programme. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership positions that require harnessing business understanding to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Creative Sustainability, Master of Science (Technology)
Complex sustainability challenges, such as the climate crises, the loss of biodiversity, poverty, and inequality, call for new mindsets and skills. The Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of design, business, and materials and chemical engineering.
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