In the Energy Conversion and Computational Engineering major, you will learn how to design and optimise energy conversion processes across many types of energy systems.
This major is designed for analytical students with an interest in energy systems – and making them more sustainable. It builds on the engineering skills you gained while completing your bachelor’s degree in energy and mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry or related field.
You’ll build the solid foundation you need to deeply understand energy systems and their physical phenomena – heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid flows – from a birds-eye view. Alongside your academic work, you’ll put theory to practice by learning to use modern simulation tools and industry software, working on projects with your fellow students and leading energy companies, or even contributing to research at Aalto.
In this major, you will:
The share of sustainable energy sources is continuously increasing, and recent global challenges are making the transition towards sustainable alternative fuels even more pressing.
You’ll graduate at a critical time in the energy field, ready to contribute at the leading edge of R&D for clean energy system design in industry or research – and become a leader in reaching carbon neutral sustainability goals.
Language of instruction is English. The language of instruction is English. More information and guidelines on the languages of the degree and instruction at Aalto University available here.
The tuition fee for this study option 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.
This major is designed to give you a high-level understanding of modern and future energy systems. Alongside lectures and coursework, expect to spend your time on real-world projects, cases and teamwork. Practical simulation, modelling and project courses are at the heart of the major.
A Master of Science (Technology) degree is 120 ECTS credits in total. This degree consists of major studies, a master’s thesis and electives.
Your first year will be spent completing the required courses for the Advanced Energy Solution’s Master’s programme as well as this Energy Conversion and Computational Engineering major. You’ll get a solid introduction to energy solutions and engineering, learn how energy markets work, and start rolling up your sleeves in courses on sustainable fuels, fluid and gas dynamics, energy conversion, simulation and modelling.
Year two is more self-directed. You’ll choose your own set of courses based on your interests and career ambitions. These courses are divided based on their theme – either conversion and storage, methods, or systems and technologies. You can dive deeply into fluid dynamics, computation or machine learning – or specialize in a specific energy system.
Your electives also fall into year two. You can choose courses freely from Aalto or other universities. Alternatively, you can deepen your expertise by taking more courses from the advanced major studies. You also have the option of completing a minor or practical training.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Specialisations within the Energy Conversion and Computational Engineering major are self-directed through your course selections in year two. Broadly, they fall into these categories:
Conversion and Storage
Focus in on how energy is transformed, stored and moved across systems – then applying those concepts to design and optimise the systems in the real world.
Computational Methods
If you’re particularly interested in computation, you can choose courses to further develop your technical skillset in modelling, simulation, and analysis of energy systems.
Power and Heat Production Technologies
Develop your understanding of how electricity and heat are produced, ranging from small-scale systems like heat exchangers to power plants.
See the full list of available courses in the Student Guide.
The study environment in the Energy Conversion and Computational Engineering major is strongly international, and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. Students are actively encouraged to spend a semester abroad, studying at one of the top-tier international partner universities of Aalto University.
The Energy Conversion and Computationgives you a strong foundation to pursue doctoral studies.
Read more about applying for doctoral studies at Aalto University:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-studies
You’ll graduate ready to develop into a leading energy expert, with strong career prospects in the energy and engineering industries or research. Depending on your course selections and interests, you might find a career path in:
R&D engineering. Design, text and improve energy conversion, storage and power systems to build the next generation of energy solutions.
Energy engineering or consulting. Apply your expertise to analysing and solving real-world energy challenges and supporting strategic and technical development.
Computational engineering or computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Design systems and study complex physical phenomena through your skills in modelling, simulation and analysis.
Energy systems or market analysis. Analyse large-scale energy systems to support planning, policy and investment decisions as the energy industry develops.
Energy research. Contribute to cutting-edge research in growing energy industries and new systems as part of an industrial R&D unit, research institute or university.
Our graduates are highly employable and have earned positions at leading firms like Wärtsilä, Andritz, and McLaren, as well as research organisations and startups.
As a student in the major, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research being conducted by our internationally recognized Energy Conversion and Systems research group. Its primary research areas include hydrogen production, computational fluid dynamics, energy storage, synthetic fuels, biofuels, and carbon capture technologies.
Aalto University and the departments involved in the programme collaborate with many high-quality universities world-wide, which you’ll have the chance to study at while completing your elective studies.
This major also has strong ties to the energy industry. You’ll be collaborating with key industry players before you graduate, and many students work with companies when writing their master’s thesis.
This programme also includes an Advanced Energy Project Course (AAE-E3000), where you’ll practice your real-world consulting skills by working with a company to solve an industry-related problem.
Drawn by Aalto University's academic excellence and the flexibility of the Advanced Energy Solutions programme, Yahya Bahadori found the perfect place to expand his expertise in energy technologies. His studies not only shaped his professional path but also introduced him to Finnish student life, lifelong friendships, and the spirit of sisu.
Alumnus Johannes Tervo is heading partnerships at The Upright Project. He studied his master’s in Advanced Energy Solutions Energy Conversion Processes, which helped him to understand how the world works and solve problems by applying first principle thinking with the help of math and physics.
Curious about life at Aalto University? Chat with Aalto students on Unibuddy and join them for virtual Coffee sessions on Fridays!
Applicants to the programme must meet the general eligibility and language requirements that are common to all Master's programmes in Aalto University. Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Advanced Energy Solutions (all study options) are evaluated based on the following criteria:
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) |
| What we look in for an applicant? | Grades need to be mainly very good or excellent. The applicant's success in his/her previous studies (those that give basis for applying to the programme) will be evaluated based on the cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Applicants are required to have a CGPA 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(s) of records, degree of certificate(s), grading scale |
| What is evaluated? | Contents and scope of previous studies compared to demands/ contents of study option applied to |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in a relevant field. This study option specific contents suit very well or excellent to the study option: Energy Conversion and Computational Engineering Energy engineering, Mechanical engineering, Physics, Chemical engineering, Process systems engineering, Environmental engineering In addition to the studies giving basis to apply to the programme, other possible studies are also 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. |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look in for 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 studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
The applicant should be motivated to study the chosen subject and committed to full-time studies with a plan to complete the Master’s degree in two years. We are looking for applicants who are able to express clearly the reasons for applying to the study option and describe why they would be good candidates 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 (mandatory) |
| What is evaluated? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant? | -work experience in a field related to the study option -publications with DOI or posters -competitions in a field related to the study option -non-formal education |
| Method of demonstrating competence | The applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV) is evaluated |
Applicants' evaluation process is described under Evaluation process.
The applicants are 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.
The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria is described next. Firstly, the applications are evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria.
Only the applications who fulfil 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.
This study option (master's programme) requires two sets of documents from their applicants:
1. Obligatory application documents detailed on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage
2. Documents required by the study option listed below.
Should be written in English
Examples of questions to consider when writing the motivation letter:
Grading scale
The applicant must provide information on the official grading scale used in their Bachelor’s degree studies, including the lowest passing mark on the scale. The grading scale may be included in the transcript of records/degree certificate, or it may be provided as a separate document, such as a link to the grading scale on the institution’s webpage or handbook, a diploma supplement, or another reliable source. Applicants from Finnish Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences do not need to submit this document.
Sanni Hallén
Planning officer (content and studies of the programme)
masterstudies-eng@aalto.fi
Aalto University Admission Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services.
admissions@aalto.fi
