Student Guide

Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning

For Aalto students
This site contains the student study guide for the Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning. Here you will find the programme curriculum as well as detailed guidelines for planning your studies. All the materials and instructions are for all the majors of the programme. If you are interested in applying to the programme, follow the links at the bottom of the site to the application page.
Are you an applicant? View programme pages for applicants

The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning is jointly organized by the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the School of Engineering. The programme is coordinated by the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as professionals capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges. Students learn to address such challenges through a curriculum and pedagogical approach that includes interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skill and practice. The programme started in autumn 2017 as a joint programme of the University of Helsinki and Aalto University. There are two schools participating from Aalto: School of Arts, Design and Architecture and School of Engineering.

News

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University web services outage mostly resolved

Some of Aalto’s web services were temporarily closed on Wednesday
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Earn points through exercise – Join UniSport’s Mount Everest challenge

UniSport's HeiaHeia wellbeing app inspires everyday wellbeing actions.
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If you work from home, use VPN to access services - some services closed (Wed 21 Oct, 2026)

Some of Aalto’s web services have been temporarily closed or restricted to Aalto’s internal network.
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Unite! Language and Culture Tandems: Learn, Practise, Connect

Learn language and culture with another Unite! student from one of the nine Unite! alliance universities.
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Events

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For Aalto community Pedagogical training, Students –

Teaching Assistant as a Learning Instructor (2 ECTS), pedagogical training, autumn 2026

Teaching period: 26.10.-30.11.2026, in English, register by 4.10.2026
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Thesis Takeoff group

Do you feel stuck with your thesis? Is it hard to stay motivated or focused when working alone? Do you need peer support and guidance to make progress? Join the Thesis Takeoff group!
Suurennuslasi violetilla pohjalla.
Campus, Information sessions, Networking, Students –

Aalto Thesis Day events 2026

Information for students: Master’s thesis in partnership with a company.
Maapallo
For Aalto community Information sessions, Students –

Info Session on ARTS Study and Internship Opportunities Abroad

Come and here more about ARTS' internationalization opportunities abroad!
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How to apply

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Urban Studies and Planning, Master of Science in Architecture

Students meeting at Aalto University

Urban Studies and Planning in Real Estate Economics, Master of Science (Technology)

Tuition fees 

Tuition fee for tuition-fee students in this programme:

  • Study right started on or before 1 August 2024: 15,000 EUR / academic year
  • Study right started on or after 1 August 2025: 17,000 EUR / academic year

For more information, please see the Tuition fees and scholarships webpage in the Student Guide.

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