Study options

Cinematography, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

For applicants

In Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Cinematography, the student deepens his/her vocational competence to achieve a greater mastery of the overall artistic, production and technical entity of his/her professional area in various film, TV and advertising productions. A student of cinematography has a wide-ranging mastery of artistic means of expression, cinematography methods and challenging technical concepts, equipment and work methods. In addition, the student becomes familiar with both the cinematographer’s changing role and also the use of new artistic and technical working methods and technologies along with innovative research connected with them.

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

Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

1 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Art and Design

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

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HOW TO APPLY

Description

The goal of education is to reinforce the student’s personal strengths and development in line with personal artistic vision, deepen cooperation skills with others responsible for artistic film work, and provide the skills needed for independent research work. The studies emphasize the importance of personal time management and stress tolerance.

Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option at the Programme page.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Cinematography is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

During the education, the student’s personal vision is strengthened with a focus on artistic-technical cinematography competence and cooperation skills.

The job description of a cinematographer is reinforced and deepened in extensive master’s study modules and workshop exercises, both in Finland and internationally and by means of courses on vocational technology and artistic expression. The education is mainly based on practical learning by doing, work in small groups, personal guidance and dialogue-based interaction. During the studies, the student is introduced to all phases of preliminary planning in cinematography and artistic and production cooperation in film and television productions.

Studies in the master's programme include departments joint courses (30 ECTS) which are obligatory. These courses deal with entrepreneurial and working life skills, analytical skills, and provide research skills.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.

Courses and curriculum

Specialisations

Cinematography is one of the majors in the Master’s Programme of Film and Television.

Each student creates their Personal Study Plan (PSP), which is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student's interests and programme requirements. PSP is also a useful tool for students to keep track of their studies. At best, it shows where students are with their studies and sets concrete milestones for them to follow.

Internationalisation

Students are encouraged to complete part of their studies in international exchange programmes or internships. International visiting teachers and students enrich the teaching and help students network.

Students’ internationalisation and networking are supported by participation in domestic and international festivals, where students gain a deeper understanding of and learn more about the profession of cinematographer. The major in Cinematography also focuses on cooperation between different film schools and student exchange at the workshop, course and student meeting level.

Further study opportunities

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers doctoral studies in the fields of architecture, art, design, media, film and scenography. For more information about our research groups visit the following link.

Career opportunities

A cinematographer with an MA is able to work as the person with artistic responsibility in demanding drama, documentary and advertising films. A graduate of the major in Cinematography is able to work as a cinematographer in a feature-length drama film, documentary film, television or advertising film. Cinematographers also work as instructors in the field at universities of applied science and media institutions.

Although the goal of education is to primarily produce professionals with strong personalities for the film industry, it also encourages students to apply for further studies and lifelong learning.

Cinematographers are mainly employed as freelancers in film, television and audiovisual productions. Cinematographers are also suited to work in various phases of digital post-production and effects work and in designing and realising virtual scenography.

Recommended minor subjects for students of cinematography include directing, film editing, graphic design, digital and virtual scenography and digital modelling.

Research focus

Research at the Department of Film and Television creates understanding about the means of expression and the production process. The research orientation (practice based research) is based on the fruitful dialogue of theory and practice. You can find more information about the Department’s research and research groups from here.

Co-operation with other parties

The Department cooperates actively with different parties in the field of film and television. Students have the possibility to take courses from other Aalto schools. We also collaborate with other universities, for example UniArts.

HOW TO APPLY

Evaluation criteria 2026

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 Film and Television – Cinematography will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

What is evaluated

Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments.

Previous experience in professional field of filmmaking, TV-drama or documentaries or previous education to be able to understand and use film- and digital camera equipment, lit scenes, take care of cinematic continuity and to work with camera- and film crews.

What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements

We are intensively looking for applicants who can handle basic technical work, group work, cinematographer's basics of artistic planning and technical management - and all these in different stages of filmmaking process. Yet, it is possible to start in our MA programme even without actual previous BA studies in any film school. But in that case, we are looking for a clear presentation of professional career, portfolio with work examples that need to fulfill also artistic expectations.

Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account.

Portfolio is required from all applicants to evaluate applicant’s experience and artistic insight to the cinematographer’s studies or work.

Method of demonstrating competence

Portfolio

What is evaluated

Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option specific requirements

What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements

Ability to understand and use film- and digital camera equipment, lit scenes, take care of cinematic continuity and to work with camera- and film crews.

Basic understanding of different phases of pre-production, filming and post-production. In order to cope in MA level, chosen applicants should have at least basic education or experience of all those fields, since in MA level we are focusing to deepen the skills that applicants have learned already during their BA studies.

Method of demonstrating competence

Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)

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

CV that explains applicant's accurate status in presented works.

To evaluate the role and experience in the field or during previous studies.

Method of demonstrating competence

The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

What is evaluated	Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements	During the interview phase we are checking the general understanding of group work, filmmaking process and ability to analyse visual arts in general.
Method of demonstrating competence	Interview

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 are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.

We are looking for applicants who have previous experience in professional field of filmmaking, TV-drama or documentaries or are educated and able to understand and use film- and digital camera equipment, lit scenes, take care of cinematic continuity and to work with camera- and film crews.

Students are taught to work during different phases of pre-production, filming and post-production. Our aim is not only to give technical education but also an artistic insight to the cinematographer’s work. In order to cope in MA level, chosen applicants should have at least basic education or experience of all those fields, since in MA level we are focusing to deepen the skills that applicants have learned already during their BA studies.

We are intensively looking for students who can handle basic technical work, group work, cinematographer's basics of artistic planning and technical management - and all these in different stages of filmmaking process. Yet, it is possible to start in our MA programme even without actual previous BA studies in any film school. But in that case, we are looking for a clear presentation of professional career, portfolio with work examples that needs to fulfill also artistic expectations and a CV that explains applicant's accurate status in presented works.

The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises two phases:

In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria

Artistic and/or design practice
Relevance of previous studies
Other areas of competence

Only the applications who are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.

In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria:

Suitability/Interview.

The applicants who have gone further in the application process, are called to personal interviews conducted by the selection committee.

The final selection decisions will be made based on the evaluation conducted in Phase II.
The final selection and ranking of applicants will be made based on the scores received in Phase II. The highest scoring applicants will be admitted. If two or more applicants receive the same score, their mutual ranking will be determined by the ranking in Phase I of Artistic Practice.

During the interview phase we are checking the general understanding of group work, filmmaking process and ability to analyse visual arts in general.

Part of the applicants are invited to the second stage. The invitation to the second stage is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.

Documents required by the study option

This study option (master’s programme) requires two sets of documents from their applicants:

Obligatory application documents detailed on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage
Documents required by the study option listed below

Electronic portfolio that includes three (3) work samples – maximum 10 minutes long each (can be shortened examples from longer works) - of drama or documentary films that applicant has worked as a cinematographer. These examples must include whole scenes / sequences of chosen films to show applicant’s ability for visual storytelling and sense of dramaturgy. Portfolio must be accessible online via hyperlinks and include a short-written description about your croup working methods and work as a cinematographer within your work examples. Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.

The applicant uploads the electronic portfolio to the application form as one PDF file. The portfolio should contain work related to your artistic expression, and showcase your prior scientific, professional and/or artistic activity on a broad scale. The list of works must include at least the name and/or theme, method of production, format, size, purpose and year of production, while also specifying where and when the works have been exhibited performed or published.

Document language: English

Applications must include the applicant’s CV indicating personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.

Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are also considered if they fulfil the requirements of study-option-specific evaluation criteria. The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

Document language: English

Checklist of all application documents

Obligatory application documents required from all applicants:

Bachelor’s degree certificate
Transcript of records
Authorised translations (if applicable)
Degree certificate and transcript of records of another higher education degree (if applicable)
Copy of a valid passport or an official identification card (does not apply to Finnish citizens)
Proof of language proficiency
Copy of your residence permit card in Finland (if applicable)

Documents required by the study option:

Portfolio
Motivation letter
CV

Remember to check the detailed instructions for the obligatory application documents, including the language requirements, on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage.

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Contact information

Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.

arts-admissions@aalto.fi

Admissions Services

Questions concerning the required application documents, the application process and the required English proficiency level may be sent to Aalto’s Admission Services.

admissions@aalto.fi

Updated: 27.8.2026
Published: 9.9.2018

Cinematography, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Checklist of all application documents

A new boom in Finnish cinema (external link)

A deep dive into radical creativity

Cinematography, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Table of contents

Description

Language of instruction

Tuition fees and scholarships

Structure of studies

Specialisations

Internationalisation

Further study opportunities

Career opportunities

Research focus

Co-operation with other parties

Evaluation criteria 2026

Artistic and/or design practice

Relevance of previous studies

Other areas of competence

Suitability

Evaluation process

Phase I

Phase II

Documents required by the study option

Portfolio

CV

Checklist of all application documents

Read more about filmmaking

A new boom in Finnish cinema (external link)

A deep dive into radical creativity

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Contact information