School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Studies and programmes

The Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture is a Nordic leader in higher education for design, fashion, games, media, architecture, film, art education and art. We produce world-class research in art education, design and design thinking, digital media and visual culture, urban planning and architecture.
Woman sewing fabric at the School of Arts, Design & Architecture

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Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers 23 MA programmes and two MSc programmes, most of which can be completed in English. In addition, the school participates in two cross-disciplinary MA programmes with other Aalto schools (Creative Sustainability and International Design Business Management), as well as the Urban Studies Programme in combination with the University of Helsinki, which offers an MSc degree in Architecture and one in Landscape Architecture.

We educate students to be global citizens, contributing to their communities with imaginative, collaborative, compassionate and unconventional approaches to some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today.

Read more about our programmes below and take a look at our student and alumni stories!

Bachelor's programmes in English

The Bachelor’s Programme in Design prepares students for designing future products, services and systems in a creative and critical manner. Design as a concept is no longer linked to purely physical objects but digital experiences and abstract concepts as well, enhancing its power to shape the world. 

Design thinking female

Design and Media, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Art and Design)

The Bachelor's Programme in Design and Media fosters a multidisciplinary approach, encouraging students to explore intersections of art, media, and technology while building their identity as upcoming creative professionals and providing a comprehensive foundation.

Study options

Master's programmes in the Department of Architecture

The Department of Architecture educates critical thinkers who accept their responsibility to research and design a socially, culturally and ecologically sustainable built environment.

Aalto Learning Centre Interior

Interior Architecture, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Urban Studies and Planning

Urban Studies and Planning, Master of Science in Architecture

Masters degree in Architecture

Architecture, Master of Science in Architecture

Master's programmes in the Department of Art and Media

The Department of Art and Media conducts research and artistic activities across a broad range of subjects and themes. These include art education, contemporary art, curating, game design, new media, photography, visual communication design and visual culture. 

Visual Communication Design

Visual Communication Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

A person looking at a project work on a round table

New Media, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

The ViCCA prograne

Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

NoVA study options

Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education (NoVA), Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Climbing wall

Game Design and Development, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Petteri Mäkiniemi and Ilpo Jauhiainen Musica Nova 2019 - Sound in New Media

Sound in New Media, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Lada Suomenrinne: Iđitguovssu, 2021 (yksityiskohta teoksesta)

Photography, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Master's programmes in the Department of Design

The Department of Design educates front-line design professionals and visionaries for established, changing and emerging fields of design.

Aino Ojala, I Feel You 2023, MA Thesis

Fashion and Textile Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

IDBM students at IDBM Impact showcasing a digital solution

International Design Business Management, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Creative sustainability students studying

Creative Sustainability, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Iittala Experimental Design Process

Contemporary Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Aalto-yliopisto A Grid / Photo: Unto Rautio

Collaborative and Industrial Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Master's programmes in the Department of Film

Education in the Department of Film draws on artistic and pedagogical traditions, passing it on creatively and developing new forms of expression. During the education, students are familiarized with artistic processes, teamwork, historical and critical thinking, observations and interpretations of reality.

Costume Design

Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Image of a film set which resembles a café.

Production Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

A student in a hat filming in front of a red curtain.

Cinematography, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

ohjaus2

Film Directing, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

ääni2

Film Sound Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Two students are laughing at the computer.

Film Editing, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Two students with a camera in front of a red curtain.

Film and Television Producing, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Two students sorting post-it notes on the wall.

Screenwriting, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

dok

Documentary Film, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Doctoral programme

The Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture doctoral programme enables you to study at a leading research university in several disciplines, under the supervision of our distinguished faculty.

Aalto ARTS

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture

An international doctoral programme for those seeking careers in art, design, film, media or architecture.

Study options

Stories from the School of Arts, Design & Architecture

How it is to study at the School of Art, Design and Architecture? What kind of projects are done during the studies? Who is working at our school? Where did our alumni end up? Check our stories and read more!

Janne Pärssinen seisoo Mitsubishi Electronicin rakennuksen edessä Japanissa.

Internship in Japan: Working as an Industrial Designer at Mitsubishi Electric

Pinta 1 -työssä veneen sisätilaratkaisut ovat avarat ja vaaleat.

Students designed spatial solutions for the new electric boat for Skand

Kuva: Mikko Raskinen

Architecture students designed a wooden pavilion in front of the Design Museum

Urs Dieker working with wood, kuva Eren Öztekin

Hollywood costume design goes sustainable

Aallon alumni Ksenia Avetisova katsoo peiliin järven rannalla, kuva: Aleksi Poutanen

Alum Ksenia Avetisova is a human at the heart of technology

vaatemallit seisovat metsän keskellä ja katsovat kameraan

Young Designer of the Year 2020 Ervin Latimer wants to highlight minorities

kaksi naista istuu vaalealla karvataljalla violeteista putkista koostuvan taustan edustalla ja katsoo kameraan

Finnish TV’s Big Brother house facilities are designed for residents, as well as viewers

Marium Durrani ompelemassa käsin vaatekappaletta, jossa on kukkakuosi.

Theses: Threading the needle – together!

three models wearing candle headpieces and capes

Fashion Design graduates among finalists in the Designers' Nest competition

Kuvassa taideinstallaatio SOONI vaaleassa aulatilassa. Teoksen värikkäät tekstiilit liikkuvat teoksesta kantautuvan äänivirran mukana.

Collaboration with Club For Five gave birth to a sonic installation

See also

Photo: Unto Rautio

School of Arts, Design and Architecture graduates in working life

School of Arts, Design and Architecture Master's graduates are successful in finding jobs relating to their education. On this page you can find information on job titles, job sectors and career development of our graduates.

School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Creativity Unfolded_blogi_visu_Milja Komulainen

Creativity Unfolded (external link)

Aalto University’s blog series Creativity Unfolded focuses on insights linked to creativity in a multitude of ways. Topics include design, technology, media, architecture, film, games, art theory and more. Read and join the conversation.

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