Urban Studies and Planning

Basic information of the minor

Code: ARTS3087 
Extent: 15-25 ECTS 
Language: English 
Department in charge: Department of Architecture in cooperation with University of Helsinki. At Aalto University, other departments and schools including the School of ARTS Department of Design and the School of Engineering Department of Built Environment are in charge of specific courses found in course listing. 
Professor in charge: Professor Pia Fricker 
Administrative contact: Planning officer Tuula Jääskeläinen 
Target group: Master level students

Urban Studies and Planning minor is organized in cooperation with the Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning of the University of Helsinki. Students selected to the minor will study together with the students of the Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning reaching 15 - 25 credits. 
The minor studies in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to understand and address complex urban development challenges. The program balances theoretical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a general understanding of urban phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the programme and of elements in the curriculum.

Application procedure

Application in Spring and Autumn.

Application instructions for Aalto University students

Application procedure: Based on motivation letter that meets the demands of Urban Studies and Planning programme admission guidelines. Application may be supported by portfolio. All documents should be in English. 

Include in your application: 

1. Certificate of bachelor's degree 
2. Motivation letter containing at least following information 
3. What are your motives to apply for the Urban Studies and Planning minor studies? (1000 characters) 
4. How do your previous studies enable you to succeed in the studies? (500) 
5. How studying this minor relates to your career objectives and what you wish to achieve? (500) 
6. Portfolio (not needed for students from non-design oriented fields). 

Please attach all the required application documents when you fill in the eAge application form.  

Selection criteria: The acceptance for minor studies is based on the academic assessment. The evaluation process is competitive and the number of available study places is limited. The used criteria is as follows: 

1. The applicability of the previous degree, i.e. bachelor’s degree 
2. The amount of relevant studies 
3. The academic performance of the applicant 
4. The quality of the application as a whole, including the portfolio 
5. The motivation and commitment of the applicant on the basis of a motivation letter. 

The evaluation and selection is done by Urban Studies and Planning Programme Committee. 

Quotas and restrictions: In case of equal candidates priority will be given to students from Department of Architecture, Department of Design and Department of Built Environment. 

Content and structure of the minor 

Learning outcomes 

Upon completing the minor in Urban Studies and Planning, the students will be able to 

• Understand theories and identify concepts and empirical research methods relevant to urban studies and planning from the related fields of social sciences, humanities, ecology, engineering, architecture, design and art 
• Gather, process and develop relevant conclusions based on information from multiple sources 
• Produce, collect and analyse cases and data relevant to urban phenomena 
• Use basic digital and visual tools to collect, analyse and share data 
• Develop creative responses to urban problems using relevant tools and techniques for representing, modelling, prototyping, testing and evaluating solutions 
• Communicate their understanding of and responses to urban phenomena visually, graphically, orally and in writing 
• Apply and develop skills for co-production of knowledge and co-design 
• Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and international environments 

The degree requirements have been updated by Academic Committee for Arts, Design and Architecture on 25.3.2020.

Structure of the Urban Studies and Planning minor

^{* Not organized academic year 2020-2021} 

(Check the minimum scope of the minor studies in your own program.)

Basic information of the minor

Code: ARTS3087 
Extent: 15-25 ECTS 
Language: English 
Department in charge: Department of Architecture in cooperation with University of Helsinki. At Aalto, other departments and schools including the School of ARTS Department of Design and the School of Engineering Department of Built Environment are in charge of specific courses found in course listing. 
Professor in charge: Adjunct professor Pia Fricker 
Administrative contact: Planning officer Tuula Jääskeläinen 
Target group: Master level students

Urban Studies & Planning minor is organized in cooperation with the Master of Urban Studies & Planning Programme of the University of Helsinki. Students selected to the minor will study together with the students of the USP Master`s Programme  during autumn semester, reaching 15 - 25 credits. 

The minor studies in Urban Studies & Planning prepares students to understand and address complex urban development challenges. The program balances theoretical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a general understanding of urban phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the programme and of elements in the curriculum. 

Application procedure: Based on motivation letter that meets the demands of Urban Studies & Planning programme admission guidelines. Application may be supported by portfolio. All documents should be in English. 

The application time for the next academic year will be in spring. 

Include in your application: 

1. Certificate of bachelor's degree 
2. Motivation letter containing at least following information 
3. What are your motives to apply for the USP Minor Studies? (1000 characters) 
4. How do your previous studies enable you to succeed in the studies? (500) 
5. How studying this minor relates to your career objectives and what you wish to achieve? (500) 
6. Portfolio (not needed for students from non-design oriented fields). 

Please attach all the required application documents when you fill in the eAge application form.  

Selection criteria: The acceptance for minor studies is based on the academic assessment. The evaluation process is competitive and the number of available study places is limited. The used criteria is as follows: 

1. The applicability of the previous degree, i.e. bachelor’s degree 
2. The amount of relevant studies 
3. The academic performance of the applicant 
4. The quality of the application as a whole, including the portfolio 
5. The motivation and commitment of the applicant on the basis of a motivation letter. 

The evaluation and selection is done by Urban Studies & Planning Programme Board. 

Quotas and restrictions:  In case of equal candidates priority will be given to students from Department of Architecture, Department of Design and Department of Built Environment.  

Content and structure of the minor 

Learning outcomes 

Upon completing the minor in Urban Studies & Planning, the students will be able to 

• Understand theories and identify concepts and empirical research methods relevant to urban studies and planning from the related fields of social sciences, humanities, ecology, engineering, architecture, design and art 
• Gather, process and develop relevant conclusions based on information from multiple sources 
• Produce, collect and analyse cases and data relevant to urban phenomena 
• Use basic digital and visual tools to collect, analyse and share data 
• Develop creative responses to urban problems using relevant tools and techniques for representing, modelling, prototyping, testing and evaluating solutions 
• Communicate their understanding of and responses to urban phenomena visually, graphically, orally and in writing 
• Apply and develop skills for co-production of knowledge and co-design 
• Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and international environments 

Structure of the minor

^{*Not organized academic year 2018-2019}

Basic information of the minor

Code: ARTS3087
Extent: 25 ECTS
Language: English
Department in charge: Department of Architecture in cooperation with University of Helsinki. At Aalto, other departments and schools including the School of ARTS Department of Design and the School of Engineering Department of Built Environment are in charge of specific courses found in course listing.
Professor in charge: Adjunct professor Anssi Joutsiniemi
Target group: only masters level students

Urban Studies & Planning as a specific minor will be opened for applications for the academic year 2017-2018. The minor will be organized in cooperation with the Urban Studies & Planning Programme of the University of Helsinki. Students selected to the minor will study together with the students in the programme during the autumn semester, reaching 25 credits.

The minor studies in Urban Studies & Planning prepare students to understand and address complex urban development challenges. The program balances theoretical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a general understanding of urban phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the programme and of elements in the curriculum.

Application procedure: Based on motivation letter that meets the demands of Urban Studies & Planning programme admission guidelines. Application may be supported by portfolio. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/studying/masters-programme-in-urban-studies-and-planning-application-form-questions

Include in your application:

1. certificate of bachelor's degree
2. motivation letter containing at least following information
   1. What are your motives to apply for these Minor studies? (1000 characters)
   2. How do your previous studies enable you to succeed in the studies? (500)
   3. How do the studies complement and broaden your previous knowledge? (500)
   4. How studying this minor relates to your career objectives and what you wish to achieve? (500)
   5. Outline your academic interests in the chosen field (1000)
   6. Other relevant issues (1000)
3. portfolio (optional)

Selection criteria: The acceptance for minor studies is based on the academic assessment. The evaluation process is competitive and the number of available study places is limited. The used criteria is as follows:

1. The applicability of the previous degree, i.e. bachelor’s degree
2. The amount of relevant studies
3. The academic performance of the applicant
4. The quality of the application as a whole, including the portfolio
5. The motivation and commitment of the applicant on the basis of a motivation letter.

The evaluation and selection is done by Urban Studies & Planning programme board.

Application procedure: Based on motivation letter that meets the demands of Urban Studies & Planning programme admission guidelines. Application may be supported by portfolio. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/studying/masters-programme-in-urban-studies-and-planning-application-form-questions

Include in your application:

1. certificate of bachelor's degree
2. motivation letter containing at least following information
   1. What are your motives to apply for these Minor studies? (1000 characters)
   2. How do your previous studies enable you to succeed in the studies? (500)
   3. How do the studies complement and broaden your previous knowledge? (500)
   4. How studying this minor relates to your career objectives and what you wish to achieve? (500)
   5. Outline your academic interests in the chosen field (1000)
   6. Other relevant issues (1000)
3. portfolio (optional)

Selection criteria: The acceptance for minor studies is based on the academic assessment. The evaluation process is competitive and the number of available study places is limited. The used criteria is as follows:

1. The applicability of the previous degree, i.e. bachelor’s degree
2. The amount of relevant studies
3. The academic performance of the applicant
4. The quality of the application as a whole, including the portfolio
5. The motivation and commitment of the applicant on the basis of a motivation letter.

The evaluation and selection is done by Urban Studies & Planning programme board.

Quotas and restrictions: max 20 available places.
Prerequisites: Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions.

Content and structure of the minor

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the minor in Urban Studies & Planning, the students will be able to:

• Understand theories and identify concepts and empirical research methods relevant to urban studies and planning from the related fields of social sciences, humanities, ecology, engineering, architecture, design and art
• Gather, process and develop relevant conclusions based on information from multiple sources
• Produce, collect and analyse cases and data relevant to urban phenomena
• Use basic digital and visual tools to collect, analyse and share data
• Develop creative responses to urban problems using relevant tools and techniques for representing, modelling, prototyping, testing and evaluating solutions
• Communicate their understanding of and responses to urban phenomena visually, graphically, orally and in writing
• Apply and develop skills for co-production of knowledge and co-design
• Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and international environments

Structure of the minor