Creative Sustainability, Master of Science (Technology)
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Description
The Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of design, business, and materials and chemical engineering. Sustainability is important in all fields of engineering, and professionals are increasingly expected to not only develop solutions for managing, for example, critical material flows, production processes and infrastructures, but also to participate in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder innovation processes that enhance sustainability. For students of materials and chemical engineering, the Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme provides the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to promote sustainable development in engineering.
Complex sustainability challenges, such as the climate crises, the loss of biodiversity, poverty, and inequality, call for new mindsets and skills. These mindsets should incorporate a systems-based view of the planet and the ability to work with professionals and other actors from different fields and cultures. Sustainability challenges require critical insight and multi-level collaboration that involve a wide range of stakeholders often with competing interests and values. The CS programme prepares students to respond to these challenges through engagement in its international, inclusive, and diverse learning environment in the fields of business, design, and materials and chemical engineering.
The Creative Sustainability programme brings together students who are devoted to developing systemic solutions, working in multidisciplinary teams, and challenging themselves with practical learning tasks. Creativity in the programme denotes a focus on fresh, holistic, and emerging innovations and far-reaching alternative and regenerative futures. 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 organizations.
The Creative Sustainability programme is organised jointly by the School of Business, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, and the School of Chemical Engineering. Students who enter the programme via the School of Chemical Engineering graduate with a Master of Science (Technology) degree.
Language of instruction
In the Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability the language of instruction is English.
Tuition fees and scholarships
The tuition fee for this programme is 17 000 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
Overall, the Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
- Compulsory studies in Creative Sustainability (60 ECTS)
- Minor studies (20 ECTS)
- Elective studies (10 ECTS)
- Master's thesis (30 ECTS)
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Specialisations
The studies are divided into four different categories:
- Compulsory joint CS studies: the compulsory core studies that all CS master’s students of the three schools study together. These include courses around systems thinking, creative teamwork, as well as environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable development.
- Compulsory school studies: the compulsory studies within the student’s own school. For example, at the School of Chemical Engineering, these include courses related to bio-based materials and circular economy.
- Alternative CS studies: studies available to CS master’s students from any of the three schools.
- Elective studies: minor studies or courses in other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, international student exchange programme, internship, or courses from alternative CS course list.
The compulsory joint courses as well as the compulsory courses for the CHEM branch of the programme are intended to be taken during the first year of the programme. In the second year, students have the flexibility to choose courses according to their interests and the kind of specialisation they wish to accumulate.
Topics
The two key topic areas specific to the students at the School of Chemical Engineering are circular economy and biomaterials. Metal recycling and minimising mining damage are given great emphasis and students can also choose to delve deeper into the topic of biomaterials, studying for example forest biomass and biobased polymers that can have a drastic impact on the waste problem, from packaging to textiles. To give a concrete example of some of the topics covered, below is a list of courses picked from the programme’s extensive curriculum:
- Materials for a World in Transition (5 ECTS)
- Fundamentals of Chemical Thermodynamics (5 ECTS)
- Metal Recycling Technologies (5 ECTS)
- Plant Biomass (5 ECTS)
- Circular Economy for Materials Processing (5 ECTS)
Methods
The pedagogical approach is based on integrating teaching and research, challenge-based and blended learning, and a strong connection to practical outcomes. Teaching methods range from interactive classroom lessons and laboratory work to group assignments and practical projects carried out for partner organisations.
The programme is part of the European knowledge and innovation community EIT Climate-KIC, working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Students get to interact with university students from elsewhere in Europe and participate in trainings and activities organised by the community.
Personal Study Plan (PSP)
The Personal Study Plan (PSP) 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
A response to the environmental, social and economic challenges requires cross-cultural understanding and cooperation on a global level. The Creative Sustainability programme is a learning environment that is genuinely international: to date it has been the programme of choice for students of 54 different countries from all over the world. Thanks to this, the CS learning experience takes place in a diverse, while like-minded and supportive group of highly-motivated students and faculty.
Concrete examples of possibilities for developing one’s global competence include:
- choosing courses with intercultural approach, learning foreign languages and/or becoming a student tutor for international students
- completing part of the degree abroad in an international partner university as an exchange student
- conducting practical training or Master’s thesis abroad
- taking a summer course abroad
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 their studies, but also through multiple free time events, celebrations and extracurricular activities around the campus. Active tutoring programs and support services work hard to help international students integrate to the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.
Further study opportunities
The Master’s programme in Creative Sustainability – MSc in Technology at Aalto is considered a great foundation for doctoral studies.
Career opportunities
Sustainability considerations arise in all business and industrial contexts and thus there are several possible career options for those with expertise in sustainability and material science. Graduates of Creative Sustainability from Chemical Engineering can find themselves, for example, pursuing one of the following career paths:
- Working as sustainability and business development managers in industries facing and dealing with major ecological challenges (e.g. forestry, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture)
- Working in the development of new material solutions for circular economy
- Embarking on an entrepreneurial venture
- Working in strategic and leadership positions in the public sector
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
More information about the research:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-bioproducts-and-biosystems
https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-chemical-and-metallurgical-engineering
Co-operation with other parties
The programme’s international and multidisciplinary learning platform merges business, design, chemical engineering and material science in a way that prepares students to respond to the defining challenges of today’s society. Students study in multidisciplinary teams, increasing their understanding of different disciplines and enabling holistic approaches. This activates students to create new sustainable solutions for the human, urban, industrial and business environment.
Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the university bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinarity environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
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Evaluation criteria 2025
| What is evaluated | GPA of the bachelor’s degree |
| What we look for in an applicant? | The applicant's success in his/her previous studies (those that give basis for applying to the programme) will be evaluated based on the grade point average (GPA). Applicants are required to have a GPA equivalent to a minimum of 3.0 (on a scale 1.0 - 5.0, 1.0 being the minimum passing grade). |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript of records, degree certificate, grading system. |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity of previous studies in relation to the applied study option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
BSc or equivalent degree in a relevant field in the natural sciences or engineering. Relevant degrees (fields): Materials science/engineering, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, paper science, wood science, textile engineering Examples of key subjects: Mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials science, process engineering, chemical engineering, metallurgy, composites science/engineering Knowledge and skills: Adequate knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry is mandatory. Knowledge of the materials science and engineering of metals and non-metals as well as biological origin materials is highly desirable. In addition to the studies giving basis to apply to the programme, other possible studies may also be evaluated. However, the study option should provide genuinely new knowledge and enhance the career prospects of the applicant. Thus, applicants who already have a master’s degree in a closely related field will only be admitted with well-justified reasons which should be explained in the motivation letter. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s), grading system. |
| What is evaluated | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look for in an applicant? | The applicant's previous institution (where the degree giving basis to apply was completed) will be evaluated based on the recognition and quality of the institution. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation and commitment for the studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
The applicant must clearly demonstrate genuine motivation to study the chosen field. The applicant must also explain how his/her previous studies support studying in the chosen study option and why he/she would be a good candidate for the study option. Please see further instructions for the motivation letter below. The studies should provide genuinely new knowledge. If the applicant already has a master's degree, he/she should clearly indicate why he/she is applying to complete another master's degree. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter and CV |
Evaluation process
The applicants are first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements found on https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. 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.
The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria is described next. First, the applications are evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria:
- Academic performance
- Relevance of previous studies
- Suitability
Only the applications that fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria.
After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all criteria.
- Recognition and quality of institution
The programme does not have a minimum quota to be filled, and not all eligible applicants will necessarily be admitted.
Study option-specific documents
The documents required from all applicants are listed on https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. In addition, applicants to this programme are requested to provide the following study option-specific documents. In question concerning study option-specific documents, please contact the School of Chemical Engineering ([email protected]).
Lack of this motivation letter will result in your application being rejected.
The letter should be maximum 4000 characters (with spaces) and fit in a single A4 page. The letter must be written in English. This character limit does not apply to the CV.
You should write a separate motivation letter for each study option you apply to.
In your motivation letter, please comment specifically:
1 Your reason(s) for applying to this programme: Why are you applying to this Master’s programme? What do you expect to gain from your studies in this Master’s programme?
2 Your future plans: In which sector would you like to work in the future? How do you think this Master’s programme would support your goals?
3 Areas of interest: Describe your interest in sustainable development issues. Supporting documents may be requested later.
4 You as a candidate: Why do you think you are a good candidate for this Master’s programme? How will your previous education, work experience, knowledge and skills support your studies?
Attach your CV (max. 2 pages) to the motivation letter. The CV must be written in English. The character limit of the motivation letter does not apply to the CV.
If you have already completed another Master’s degree in a closely related field or have a study right to another Master’s or doctoral programme, you must explain why you are applying to complete another Master's degree.
The applicant must provide a document of the official grading system used in their Bachelor´s degree studies. The document may be an attachment to the degree certificate, a link to the grading system on the institution’s webpage or handbook, a diploma supplement or other reliable source. Applicants from Finnish Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences do not need to submit the document.
Contact information
School of Chemical Engineering
Questions concerning the Master's programme and the content of the studies as well as application-specific attachments can be sent to the Learning Services of the School of Chemical Engineering
https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/masters-programme-in-creative-sustainability
Aalto University Admission Services
If you have any questions regarding the application process, application documents or language tests, please contact Aalto University Admission Services
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