Ellen Heikkilä, student of architecture
“Design and planning are human-centric, which inspires me."
Architecture - Architecture, Landscape architecture and Interior Architecture, Architect, Master of Science
Architecture is a field at the intersection of technology and art with strong social, cultural, environmental, and economic implications. The Major in Architecture aims at:deepening the students’ technical, scientific and artistic thinking as foundation for building a socially responsible and sustainable future.fostering creative exploration and experimentation as well as multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Degree:
Master of Science (Architecture)
Application period:
1 Dec 2022 – 2 Jan 2023
Language of instruction:
English
Duration:
2 years,
full-time
Eligibility:
Relevant Bachelor's degree
Field of study:
Technology and Engineering
Credits:
120 ECTS
Organising school:
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies)
Applying to master’s programmes
Description
Architecture is a field at the intersection of technology and art with strong social, cultural, environmental, and economic implications. The Major in Architecture aims at:
- deepening the students’ technical, scientific and artistic thinking as foundation for building a socially responsible and sustainable future.
- fostering creative exploration and experimentation as well as multi-disciplinary collaboration.
After completing the degree, the students will have:
- the ability to apply various design strategies in reaction to programmatic, technical, and aesthetic requirements.
- an understanding of the main lines of development in history and theory of architecture and their contextual relevance for critical design thinking.
- the ability of identifying systemic interactions and the transformation of these interactions into design operations for socially responsible and sustainable action.
The program offers an opportunity for individual development of skills and knowledge in a range of specialization fields such as wood construction, building design and the reuse of buildings, human-centered design and wellbeing, computational design, preservation or urban design and planning.
The program is accredited and in line with the professional regulations of the EU directives.
All directions of specialization within the program prepare the students to pursue a career in architecture or related fields within Finland or abroad and enables them to work as an employee in the private or public sector, as independent entrepreneur or as post-graduate researcher.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction in Architecture major is English. However, part of the courses in the field of Architectural History and Renovation are taught in Finnish. The degree can be completed in Finnish, Swedish or English.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
Structure of studies
The key focus in master's programme education is on developing and deepening of skills and knowledge obtained during the bachelor's phase. The topics include the history and theory of architecture, building design and Finnish building art as well as urban planning and design. Course and design studio teaching is enhanced by means of multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced teaching methods. A number of courses are based on a learning-by-doing approach and the working on real design assignments often in collaboration with the local community. In addition, experimental and design research-oriented courses are offered that allow the in depth exploration of specialized topics and the development of an individual expression and voice as a designer.
For further details on the education content, see the study guide for academic years 2022-2024
Chat with Aalto students
Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto University? Or what student life is like at Aalto’s vibrant Otaniemi Campus or at the Mikkeli Unit? Come chat with our students about all things Aalto!
Specialisations
The program offers an opportunity for individual development of skills and knowledge in a range of specialization fields such as wood construction, building design and the reuse of buildings, human-centered design and wellbeing, computational design, preservation or urban design and planning. The program is accredited and in line with the professional regulations of the EU directives.
Internationalisation
Studies provide the opportunity for internationalization through, for example, exchange studies and international student competitions and study trips. The internship that is an optional part of the degree can be completed abroad and students can also do field work outside Finland. Some of the department staff are international and lecturers and guests from international schools of architecture visit the department. The department has international research and teaching projects with different universities.
Department of Architecture has international students, both degree students and exchange students. Teaching is provided partly in English and all students study in the same courses.
Further study opportunities
Doctoral programme in Arts, Design and Architecture Arts, Design and Architecture or other universities in Finland and abroad Arts, Design and Architecture - Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture - Into (aalto.fi)
Career opportunities
All directions of specialization within the program prepare the students to pursue a career in architecture or related fields within Finland or abroad and enables them to work as an employee in the private or public sector, as independent entrepreneur or as post-graduate researcher.
The majority of architects work as project architects in a company or as entrepreneurs in their own architectural agency, working with new or renovation projects. The public sector is another important employer, with job titles including zoning architect, permit architect, cultural environment manager, museum director and municipal architect. Architects work as academic researchers or teachers, such as professors or lecturers. Architects can also be construction managers, project designers or experts in the property field; senior inspectors or specialists in the environmental field or exhibition architects and curators in the field of art. The duties of an architect are steadily expanding from traditional design tasks to other fields that require comprehensive vision and creative problem-solving ability.
Duties of an architect
• Project planning
• Building design in all scales
• Construction, property development
• Urban design, urban planning/zoning of regional entities
• Museum work
• Building history inventories and surveys
• Administrative, teaching, management and research duties, expert tasks
• Furniture design, interior decorating, design, exhibition design
• Architectural graphics, IT, multimedia
Research focus
The research done at the Department of Architecture produces knowledge about architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies and planning, design practice, the role of architecture in society and the future of construction. We also study architectural history and conservation. Furthermore, our focus areas include construction in the social and health sector, construction for a sustainable future, computer-assisted design methods, and humanitarian architecture. Our research profile covers both basic research in architecture and applied research answering the needs of the industry and public sector.
The research relates to multidisciplinary research areas at Aalto University, especially the human-centred living environments, supported by the Living+ Platform.
SOTERA is the research group for Health and Wellbeing Architecture
Sotera – Research group for Health & Wellbeing architecture (aalto.fi)
Aalto WiT (World in Transition) LAB WiT LAB – World in transition
Group X Group X | Aalto University (groupxaalto.fi)
Co-operation with other parties
-
Read more about studying architecture
Builders of Finland (external link)
The work and influence of Finnish architects has been essential throughout the ages in addressing social and cultural issues.
Building with wood is a climate-friendly option (external link)
Wood stores carbon and is a versatile, renewable and recyclable building material.
Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for Master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master´s Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture - Architecture will be evaluated based on the following criteria
Phase I
|
Artistic and/or design practice |
|
|
What is evaluated |
Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments |
|
What we look for in an applicant/admission requirements
|
Applicants should demonstrate
|
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Portfolio (max 20 pages, pdf-format) |
|
Relevance of previous studies |
|
|
What is evaluated |
Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
|
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Bachelor in Architecture or equivalent degree |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
degree certificate(s)
|
Phase II
|
Suitability |
|
|
What is evaluated |
Motivation for studies at Aalto University |
|
What we look for in an applicant/admission requirements |
The applicant should clarify the reasons for applying to Aalto University and the expectations and goals for studying in the programme. |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Motivation letter (max 400 words, pdf-format) |
|
Relevance of previous studies |
|
|
What is evaluated |
Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
|
What we look for in an applicant/admission requirements |
Applicant should demonstrate a thorough knowledge comparable to the Bachelor education in architecture at Aalto University |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Transcript(s) of records
|
|
Other areas of competence |
|
|
What is evaluated |
Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
|
What we look for in an applicant/admission requirements |
The applicant should reflect on their understanding of architecture and its relevance for the future of society. |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Letter of self-reflection (max 600 words, pdf-format) with curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, publications or other relevant material attached as appendix. |
Evaluation process
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for Master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases:
Master’s Programme in Architecture does not include an interview.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of previous studies/degree
The applicant´s portfolio is reviewed independently by at least three selection committee members and graded according to communication skills, technical skills, understanding of context and understanding of space-making. The final grade for phase I is achieved by averaging out the grades of the various reviews by the selection committee members. Only the applications who fulfill the requirements in the preliminary evaluation will be evaluated in phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
- Suitability
- Relevance of previous studies/transcripts
- Other areas of competence
The selection committee members will review the motivation letter, transcripts and letter of self-reflection and evaluate it according to the given criteria.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
Study-option-specific documents requested
The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
The portfolio should demonstrate the academic excellence of the applicant with respect to the criteria listed above of the evaluation criteria. A coherent layout and consistent quality of drawings and images is expected. The size of the portfolio should not exceed 20 pages (max A3) and in case of team work the contribution of the applicant should be clearly stated. The portfolio should include a CV of the applicant and the motivation letter.
Maximum size for the portfolio is 100 Mb. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf
CV
The CV should be maximum 1 page and include at least information on previous studies, work experience, software skills and prizes. The CV should be included in the portfolio.
Motivation letter
The motivation letter max 400 words should state clearly the reason for studying architecture and the relevance of studying at Aalto University for development of applicant’s career plan. The motivation letter should be a maximum of two pages and included in the portfolio.
Letter of self-reflection
In the letter of self-reflection the applicant should reflect on his/her understanding of architecture and of the relevance of architecture for the future development of societies and the world we are living in. The letter should be of a maximum of 600 words and can use the curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, publications or other relevant material as support material.
Language of application documents
Application documents should be submitted preferably in English but applications in Finnish or Swedish are accepted too.
Complementary studies
The student may be required to take complementary studies (max. 20 ECTS). These studies will be determined individually at the latest in the beginning of the studies while making the personal study plan.
Contact information
Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents orstudies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.