School of Business
At the School of Business we strive for better business and better society. We excel in education and research with a multidisciplinary approach and in collaboration with our partners.
Creative Sustainability, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
The Creative Sustainability (CS) programme provides students with the skills and knowledge to address pressing global sustainability challenges through business. Students with different backgrounds are united by the creative solutions, hands-on methodologies and shared values that characterise the programme. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership positions that require harnessing business understanding to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Degree:
Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
Application period:
1.12.2022 – 2.1.2023
Language of instruction:
English
Duration:
2 years,
full-time
Eligibility:
Relevant Bachelor's degree
Field of study:
Business and Economics
Credits:
120 ECTS
Organising school:
School of Business
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies)
Applying to master’s programmes
Description
Sustainability is a systemic challenge that requires collaboration across disciplines. The Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) was founded in 2010 to address the lack of a truly multidisciplinary learning environment – one that calls students to bring their differing perspectives and best ideas to the challenges at hand. The programme provides an international and collaborative platform in the fields of business, design, and materials and chemical engineering.
The major development challenges of sustainability include the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, as well as global poverty and social and economic inequality. The global and local challenges, and the complexity of future scenarios, increasingly require multidisciplinary competencies. That calls for education that can address the systemic linkages between the environmental, the economic, and the socio-cultural aspects of sustainability. With regard to business and management, the linkages between business and sustainability are highly important in contemporary organisations, whether one wishes to be a sustainability specialist in business, or a management professional operating in some other field.
The MSc will equip current and future change-makers with the rigorous academic knowledge and applied skills to foster sustainable development through business. The learning goals of the programme are:
● Systems thinking: Students are able to use systems thinking to create new holistic and critical understandings of complex sustainability challenges and socio-ecological relations.
● Multidisciplinary competences: Students are able to work in teams with different experts and stakeholders, combine knowledge and skills from different disciplines, and co-create innovative solutions for real-life challenges.
● Change-making: Students develop a change-maker mindset, and are able to generate action-oriented strategies, make effective interventions and promote transformations towards ecologically, economically and socially sustainable futures.
● Sustainability in materials use: Students understand the constraints on the use of natural resources, the principles of resource-efficiency, circular economy and innovation for new sustainable materials, and are able to use analytical tools for sustainable materials use.
● Design thinking: Students are able to use tools and methods to support creativity and imagination and to facilitate dialogue, empathy and collaboration in creative processes.
● Sustainability management: Students are able to develop, speak for and manage sustainability initiatives in businesses and other organizations. In addition to that, they’re also able to proactively promote sustainable development through responsible business in their work, and recognise the capacities of public policy in promoting sustainability innovation.
Minna Halme, ProfessorBusiness can be harnessed for sustainability - students learn to build profitable businesses that drive environmental and social improvement
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 two-year CS programme at the School of Business comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits, divided between compulsory joint Creative Sustainability studies, Management studies, elective studies which may include a freely chosen minor subject, and a Master’s thesis.
The pedagogical approach is based on integrating teaching and research, challenge-based learning, and a strong connection to practical outcomes. Teaching methods range from interactive classroom lessons to group assignments and practical projects carried out for partner organisations.
Specialisations
Creative Sustainability contains three tracks that are organised through the separate intake processes in the School of Business, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, and School of Chemical Engineering.
Within their track, students can tailor the degree in directions that are most interesting to them. They have the freedom to choose courses from elsewhere at Aalto University or at other universities in Finland or abroad. More information about the course offerings is available on the programme website.
Examples of the wide course selection:
● Materials for a World in Transition (5 ECTS)
● How to Change the World: Innovating toward Sustainability (6 ECTS)
● Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Markets, and Systems Change (6 ECTS)
● Business Ethics (6 ECTS)
● Sustainable Supply Chains (6 ECTS)
Internationalisation
The Creative Sustainability (CS) programme is genuinely international with the CS learning experience taking place in a diverse group of like-minded, supportive and highly motivated students and faculty.
As part of their studies, CS students have the chance to complete an exchange semester at one of Aalto University’s many top-tier partner universities worldwide. Course-specific real-life cases often involve field project opportunities, e.g. in Africa and Asia for students interested in sustainability solutions in developing countries.
Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad each year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies, but also through multiple free time events, celebrations, and extracurricular activities around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.
Capstone in Creative Sustainability course studentThis course confirmed that I can put my business knowledge at the service of a better world.
Further study opportunities
The degree grants eligibility for doctoral studies.
Career opportunities
Sustainability represents a great environmental and humanitarian challenge, while also holding enormous potential for businesses and organisations. You get to work in a fast-growing job sector, while making a difference in social and environmental issues. Depending on your personal interests, you may orient yourself towards different professional profiles. Do you want to change the corporate world toward sustainability? Then starting a career as a sustainability specialist in a company is the right next step for you. Do you want to initiate change and connect people around sustainability? Then you might find your calling as an entrepreneur in a startup, or as part of a grass-root movement or a social enterprise. Do you want to provide advice for sustainability and create sustainable solutions? Then working in a management consultancy or launching your own sustainability consultancy business is the perfect option for you. Do you want to influence sustainability-related policies and their implementation? Then you could find yourself working in public administration in a city or at the national level. Or, if communication is your strong suit, you could help sustainability issues gain momentum in media and publishing – the choices are plenty.
Generally speaking, graduates from the Creative Sustainability programme at the School of Business can work in multinational companies and other large organisations, as consultants, in start-ups and as entrepreneurs, or they may deal with sustainability issues in business from positions in NGOs or the public sector. They are also prepared for academic careers.
Aalto University has well-established career services to support students’ and graduates’ employment in Finland and abroad. Thanks to the flexible curriculum, many Aalto students work already during their studies and guarantee themselves entry positions before graduation. There is also a very active entrepreneurship community at Aalto, working as a springboard for founding a company.
Research focus
Creative Sustainability studies draw from research in the fields of design for sustainability, sustainable consumption, sustainability innovation and management, as well as on research on new materials and circular economy.
Co-operation with other parties
The Creative Sustainability programme is organised jointly by the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the School of Business, and the School of Chemical Engineering.
The programme brings together students who are devoted to developing systemic solutions, working in multidisciplinary teams and challenging themselves with practical learning tasks. Active CS students from different backgrounds form a tight-knit community and network, and relations with the faculty are friendly and informal.
Creativity in the programme denotes a focus on fresh, holistic and emerging innovations and far-reaching alternative solutions. The studies include state-of-the-art knowledge about the interlinked environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of sustainability coupled with learning in practical projects conducted together with partner organisations.
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Admission dates
The admissions to Master's programmes at Aalto University in the field of Business and Economics are organised once a year. The application period for studies starting in autumn 2023 is from 1 December 2022 to 2 January 2023.
Here are the most important dates to remember:
- 1 December 2022 – Application period begins and online application system opens
- 2 January 2023 – Application period ends and the online application system closes
- 29 March 2023 – Admission results are published at the earliest
- 20 April 2023 – Deadline for accepting the offered study place
Programme-specific Admission Requirements
In addition to these programme-specific admission requirements, applicants must also fulfill the general admission requirements.
Admission group 1
Bachelor’s degree from a university in Finland
Phase 1
|
What is evaluated? |
Previous studies |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
Required previous studies To be considered for admission the applicant must have completed at least 18 ECTS of courses covering the domains of business, sustainability, or subjects that support those domains (for example sociology, educational sciences, environmental policy, consumer economics or communications). Internships cannot be included in the credits. The previous studies are assessed by a representative of the programme. Applicants who fulfill the above requirement of previous studies are ranked according to the following criteria. |
|
Evaluated documents |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
If your previous studies were evaluated in other scale than the ECTS then you need to attach an informal description regarding the evaluation scale to the application.
| What is evaluated? |
Grades of the previous degree(s) |
|---|---|
| Admission requirements | Weighted GPA of previous degree and overall evaluation of study success. Applicants with a weighted GPA of previous degree lower than 3.50 are not eligible for admission |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
| What is evaluated? |
Motivational letter and CV |
|---|---|
| Admission requirements |
The applicant must show his/her motivation for studying in the CS programme by writing a letter of motivation. The letter is written in English and the maximum length of the letter is 4000 characters (including space characters). The letter should answer at least the following questions: Why am I applying for the CS programme? What are the content and findings of my most recent thesis* work? *If your prior studies do not include a thesis you may write about an equivalent final project, assignment or paper. If you have been in employment for more than three years, you may write about a work project or equivalent work-related situation. CV: Professional activities relating to sustainability considered from a wide perspective, work experience, research activity, artistic activity, and other areas of interest. |
| Evaluated documents | Motivation letter and CV |
| Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
PHASE 2
|
What is evaluated? |
Applicant’s further suitability. |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
Based on the evaluation of phase I, the best applicants are invited for an interview. Interviews will be carried out online. The interview panel will assess the applicant’s suitability to the study option, motivation, commitment for studies and communication skills. |
|
Evaluated documents |
Interview |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Admission group 2
Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied science in Finland or from a higher education institution abroad
Phase 1
|
What is evaluated? |
Previous studies |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
Required previous studies To be considered for admission the applicant must have completed at least 18 ECTS of courses covering the domains of business, sustainability, or subjects that support those domains (for example sociology, educational sciences, environmental policy, consumer economics or communications). Internships cannot be included in the credits. The previous studies are assessed by a representative of the programme. Applicants who fulfill the above requirement of previous studies are ranked according to the following criteria. |
|
Evaluated documents |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
If your previous studies were evaluated in other scale than the ECTS then you need to attach an informal description regarding the evaluation scale to the application.
|
What is evaluated? |
Weighted GPA of previous degree |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
Applicants must demonstrate good academic performance. |
|
Evaluated documents |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
|
What is evaluated? |
Analytical and quantitative skills |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
GMAT or GRE is obligatory in admission group 2 (minimum score 550 in GMAT or equivalent GRE score). |
|
Evaluated documents |
GMAT/ GRE test results |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
|
What is evaluated? |
Motivational letter and CV |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
The applicant must show his/her motivation for studying in the CS programme by writing a letter of motivation. The letter is written in English and the maximum length of the letter is 4000 characters (including space characters). The letter should answer at least the following questions: Why am I applying for the CS programme? What are the content and findings of my most recent thesis* work? *If your prior studies do not include a thesis you may write about an equivalent final project, assignment or paper. If you have been in employment for more than three years, you may write about a work project or equivalent work-related situation. CV: Professional activities relating to sustainability considered from a wide perspective, work experience, research activity, artistic activity, and other areas of interest. |
|
Evaluated documents |
Motivation letter and CV |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Phase 2
|
What is evaluated? |
Applicant’s further suitability. |
|---|---|
|
Admission requirements |
Based on the evaluation of phase I, the best applicants are invited for an interview. Interviews will be carried out online. The interview panel will assess the applicant’s suitability to the study option, motivation, commitment for studies and communication skills. |
|
Evaluated documents |
Interview |
|
Criticality |
Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Get to know us
Otaniemi, a crown jewel of Finnish architecture
A parkland-style campus established in the 1950s forms the core of Otaniemi. The overall vision of the campus was that of Alvar Aalto, and its individual buildings were designed by Aalto and other celebrated Finnish architects such as Reima and Raili Pietilä and Heikki and Kaija Sirén.
Get to know us at Creative Sustainability
Why Study Sustainability?
Get to know Finland and Aalto
Finland’s excellent reputation in education, combined with a wide range of courses offered in English, makes Finland and Aalto University an attractive study destination for international students.