Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability, Master of Science (Technology)
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Description
This major will make you a specialist in emerging energy production technologies. But new energy production technologies can only succeed if their technical, environmental and economic performance delivers a clear improvement over older technologies.
In this major, you will learn how to analyse the technical, economic and environmental performance of different energy production technologies based on their real-world applications, and how to design them to perform well in all three dimensions. This will put you in touch with urgent engineering, economic, and geopolitical challenges – and there’s a quickly growing need globally for the experts that can solve them.
The skills you’ll learn are in demand globally and apply to all energy production technologies. But you’ll also gain a unique perspective on Finland’s energy system, climate and the Nordic energy market in general.
In this major, you will:
● Develop a detailed technical understanding of the key energy production and storage technologies.
● Build the practical skills you need to analyse the economic and sustainability dimensions of specific technologies and investments.
● Get a big-picture understanding of how energy technologies affect each other and the environment across the energy production system.
● Learn to analyse the technological, economic and environmental challenges in the field of energy, and design solutions to address them.
After graduation you will be able to work meaningfully towards solutions to some of the major energy and related climate challenges of our time and become a key player in the ongoing global transition to sustainable energy systems. You will be prepared to bring your skills to bear in multinational or national energy companies, energy startups, consultancies, in the public sector, or in academia and research.
Language of instruction
In the Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability major, the language of instruction is English.
More information and guidelines on the languages of the degree and instruction at Aalto University available here.
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
The course load is challenging, so thriving in this major requires full-time study. Your coursework will include lectures, exercises, individual reading and assignments, calculations, essays and group work. The rhythm of the major is built around six weeks of study and teaching followed by an assessment week.
In year one, it’s recommended that you complete all your compulsory courses related to the Advanced Energy Solutions Master’s Programme and the Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability major.
Year two is more self-directed and based on your interests and career goals. You will spend your time completing a set of optional courses and your master’s thesis. You’ll also have the option to complete minor and elective courses to complement your other studies. This block of freely selected courses is meant to provide you with expertise you feel is important – and inspiring – for your future career.
Programme structure:
Programme-specific and major-specific compulsory courses (36 ECTS)
Major-specific optional studies (25-26 ECTS)
Elective and minor studies (28-29 ECTS)
Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
Specialisations
Specialisation courses in this major are split into two groups: Energy Technology and Economics & Environment. You’re required to take at least one course from each specialisation. Otherwise, you can choose freely from these to tailor your study path towards your interests and career aspirations. You can further customise your study path with an optional minor.
Internationalisation
There are many opportunities to develop your global competence while studying in the Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability major. You can complete a semester or year abroad at an Aalto partner university, of which there are several excellent choices for energy production studies. During your exchange you can complete, as an example, your 30 minor credits, your practical training, or master’s thesis research.
Aalto University is also international by nature. Our international and exchange students join the diverse Aalto community – not just through studies, but also multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.
Further study opportunities
The Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability major builds a strong foundation for advancement into a doctoral programme at Aalto or elsewhere. At Aalto, you would be joining the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering in energy technology.
You can either pursue your doctoral studies full-time as a researcher at Aalto University, or part time if you’ve already kicked off your career in energy production.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this major will have prepared you for many different roles in the energy sector, both in public institutions and private companies. Your potential career path may lead you to energy firms large or small, consultancies, investment firms, public authorities or research organisations. And because energy systems in Finland and globally are transforming, new opportunities are emerging all the time.
This major is closely connected to the industry – some courses include guest lectures from industry professionals, projects based on real company cases, and active student initiatives like company visits organised by Lämpövoimakerho (Energy Engineering Club LVK). Many students take their first step into working life during their studies by collaborating with a company or public organisation for their master’s thesis.
These close ties to working life will help you build a strong network, gain practical experience and transition smoothly from your studies into a rewarding career after graduation.
Research focus
Our energy technology professors’ research is tightly connected to what you’ll be learning in the classroom, with a strong emphasis on the crossroads of technology, economics, and sustainability.
Feel free to read more about our energy solutions research.
Co-operation with other parties
The master's programme that sits above the Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability Major – Advanced Energy Solutions – is a multi-school programme, with shared courses between the Schools of Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Business. You can also supplement your studies with courses from other Aalto schools, programmes, and majors, or courses offered by other universities.
The spontaneous multidisciplinary environment at Aalto sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
Evaluation criteria 2027
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 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 Production, Economics and Sustainability Energy engineering, Environmental engineering, Electrical engineering In addition to studies giving the necessary basis to apply to the programme, other studies are also considered in the evaluation. Do note that students with a master’s degree in a closely related field are generally not accepted, unless well-justified reasons are provided (see evaluation criterion “Suitability”). |
| Method of demonstrating competence | 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 |
| 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 if documented in the application |
Evaluation process
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.
- Academic performance
- Relevance of previous studies
- Suitability
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.
- Recognition and quality of institution
- Other areas of competence
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.
- Motivation letter (the lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application)
- Max 1 page
-
Should be written in English
Examples of questions to consider when writing the motivation letter:
- Why are you applying for the master’s programme in question?
- What do you expect to gain from studies in the master’s programme?
- Why do you think you are the right person for this master’s programme?
- How will your previous education, work experience, knowledge and skills support your success in your master’s degree studies
- Describe your professional goals. How do you think the master’s programme you are applying for would support the development of your professional profile?
- In which sector would you like to work in the future? What kind of career are you planning
- Why do you want to study at Aalto University and in Finland?
- In case the applicant already has completed another master’s degree in a closely related field or if he/she has a study right to another master’s or doctoral programme, he/she is asked to explain why he/she is applying to complete another master's degree.
- Curriculum vitae (the lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application)
- Max 2 pages
- Should be written in English
-
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.
- Use of AI Tools in the Application
To ensure transparency and fair evaluation, all applicants must clearly declare any use of AI tools, if at all, across all parts of the application specifying in which parts of the application AI tools were used (e.g., text, design, development, proofreading, translation, spelling, grammar) and for what purpose. If excessive use of AI is suspected and applicant has not referred to any use of AI tools, this may affect the evaluation of the application negatively.
Programme director
Sanna Syri
Contact information
Sanni Hallén
Planning officer (content and studies of the master's 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