Study options

Communications and Data Science, Master of Science (Technology)

The Communications and Data Science Double Degree Programme covers a range of timely, industry topics relevant to modern fields of engineering. Communications and Data Science is a two-year master’s programme, with student mobility between Aalto University, Grenoble INP Graduate schools of Engineering and Management at Université Grenoble Alpes, or Técnico Lisboa at Universidade de Lisboa.
Students studying together

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

1 Feb 2023 – 21 Feb 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 Electrical Engineering

Description

The expertise gained through the Communications and Data Science Programme features diverse programming skills, good mathematical background, goal-oriented problem solving, as well as efficient project planning and management. Students will advance their knowledge in the broad field of computer networks and cybersecurity, and gain professional experience through tailored industry-relevant projects and entrepreneurship training.

The Programme will empower students to solve industry-relevant problems employing cutting-edge tools of artificial intelligence, automation and control theory, data analytics, wireless systems, and signal processing. Students will acquire competences in a range of techniques covering the broad areas of electronics, data science, distributed systems, modelling and analysis of signals and systems, machine learning models, and communication systems.

During their studies, students will further acquire expertise in other areas, such as teamwork and coordination, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and sustainability.

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 Communications and Data Science Programme is a double degree programme offered by the Unite! university network. This means that you will study at two European universities and in two different countries. The programme is a four-semester Master's Programme, 120 ECTS. An integral part of the second year is a Master’s thesis (30 ECTS).

The Programme will be structured into 2 years:

Year 1: basic studies common to all Partners

  • General studies (languages, soft skills, etc.)
  • Mathematics, Programming, Security
  • Communications
  • Data Science

Year 2: specialization studies, studies specific to all Partners, Project, and Thesis

  • Grenoble INP: Communications, Data Science, and Security
  • Técnico Lisboa: Communications and Data Science
  • Aalto University: Communications, Automation, and Machine Learning

At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (PSP) together with an academic advisor. The primary purpose of the PSP is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order.

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

Master's Programme in Communications and Data Science

Read student experiences

Flavie Ailhaud on a boat.

Student Flavie Ailhaud enjoys Aalto's flexible course selection and Finnish nature

Communications and Data Science student spent her first year at Grenoble and now she is studying the second year at Aalto University

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Student Miro-Markus Nikula

International cooperation and surfing in Portugal - Miro-Markus Nikula is studying his master's in a double degree programme

Miro-Markus is studying Communications and Data Science, and he is looking forward to a year in Lisbon and has already started studying Portuguese.

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Specialisations

The second year (together with the Master's thesis project) takes place at one of the Partner Universities. This Unite! programme is implemented jointly by leading European universities. The students will begin their first year in one university (entry) and continue their second year in another university (exit). Each university has a unique specialisation area, which allows students to select concentrate on their area of interest. By starting their studies at Aalto University, the student will spend their first year of Communications and Data Science in Aalto and then continue to their second year studies in either in Grenoble INP Graduate schools of Engineering and Management at Université Grenoble Alpes or Técnico Lisboa at Universidade de Lisboa.

Internationalisation

The Communications and Data Science Programme is a double degree programme offered by the Unite! university network. This means that you will study at two European universities and in two different countries. The study environment in the programme is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups.

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies but also via multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Active tutoring programmes and support services work tirelessly to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.

Further study opportunities

The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).

Career opportunities

The employability of graduates in these areas is very high at the European level since there is a lack of human resources in the target domains in all European countries and even worldwide.
Besides the companies in the telecommunications sector, such as telecom operators, consultancies, service providers, and encompassing manufacturers, one can envisage other companies and organizations hiring these graduates, in need of technical human resources dealing with networks, Internet of Things, security, data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Research focus

Department of Information and Communications Engineering carries out research in the areas of information and communications theory, communications and networking technology, and communications ecosystem. Department combines the research traditions from electrical and communications engineering with computer science and economics. With 11 tenure track professors and 5 other professors, department is well positioned to approach research in communication and networking in a comprehensive fashion covering all the OSI layers from physical to applications.

Co-operation with other parties

Aalto University is among the top-ranked universities in the world related to industry collaboration. As a graduate, you can leverage on our connections. Aalto Industrial Internet Campus offers you the possibility to network with students from other engineering disciplines and prestigious industrial partners.

The logos of Grenoble INP and Técnico Lisboa
Professori Stephan Sigg, image: Evelin Kask

Professor Stephan Sigg: Communications and Data Science offers a good mix of relevant topics

In this master's programme, students study in two different European universities. Professor Sigg reminds that studying in different environments and countries opens many new doors.

News
University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering Unite! logo

Unite! network

Unite! is a network of top technical universities in seven European countries. Unite! connects engineering, science, and technology with the grand challenges of society in co-creation by students, faculty, and staff. Unite! education provides skills for a new generation of European and global citizens who actively contribute to the advancement of knowledge, European competitiveness, and the development of solutions for societal challenges. Unite! programmes focus on multidisciplinary, multicultural, and multilingual education.

More information about Unite! network on the network's page.

Further details on the Universities organizing programme is available in the programme web page (directs out of Aalto.fi pages)

Admission

The admission for the Communications and Data Science Programme at Aalto University is organised once a year. The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2023 runs from 1 February to 21 February 2023 (3 pm, GMT +2).

The accepted students study their first year of studies at Aalto University and second year in one of the partner universities.

Admission Timeline

1 February 2023 at 9.00 (9 am, GMT +2) Application period starts and online application form opens
21 February 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +2) Application period ends and online application form closes
28 February 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +2) Deadline for application documents to be uploaded to application form
14 April 2023 Admissions results are published
28 April 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3) Deadline for accepting the offer of admission (study place)
9 June 2023 Admission from the waiting list ends
31 July 2023 Deadline to graduate for applicants who applied with an incomplete degree
18 August 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3)

Deadline for a certified copy of the degree certificate to arrive at School of Electrical Engineering Learning Services (for applicants conditionally admitted with an incomplete degree)

Deadline for officially certified study certificates

August-September 2023 Studies begin with the orientation week

 

Who can apply

How to apply

The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2023 runs from 1 February to 21 February 2023 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

The application consists of an electronic application form and a set of required application documents. Read the instructions for required application documents carefully.

Fill in the online application form in the Studyinfo.fi system during the application period. You can edit your application form within the application period. Application period ends 21 February 2023 at 15.00 (GMT +2). Late applications are not considered.

All application documents must be uploaded to your application form before 28 February 2023 at 15.00 (GMT +2). The deadline cannot be extended. Documents submitted after the deadline will not be considered in any circumstances; the final deadline is the same for all applicants.

Admission Services reviews your application and the required documents for the general eligibility requirements. Only eligible applications proceed for the academic evaluation. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Instructions for application documents

Language requirements

No other methods of demonstrating English language skills than those listed below are accepted. Applications without the required proof of language proficiency will be rejected.

Evaluation Criteria

Only the applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria for master's studies (see General eligibility) and who have submitted all the obligatory application documents are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria listed here.

The best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all the criteria below. The programme does not have a minimum quota to be fulfilled, and not all eligible applicants will necessarily be admitted.

Admission results

The admissions results will be published on 14 April 2023 at the earliest. The applicants will receive an email notification once the results are published. Admitted applicants will receive an official electronic acceptance letter by email.

The admitted applicant must accept the admission offer at the latest by the given deadline. Instructions are sent by email. The admission offer will be cancelled if the applicant does not accept the admission offer by the deadline.

Applicants who do not accept the offer of admission by the deadline are replaced by the applicant highest on the study option’s waiting list. The deadline for admitting applicants off the waiting list is 9 June 2023. Applicants admitted from the waiting list have 7 days to accept the study place.

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Contact information

School of Electrical Engineering

For enquiries regarding the content of programme, admission and the studies at the School of Electrical Engineering please contact [email protected]

[email protected]

 

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