Study options

European Mining Course, Master of Science (Technology)

The need of mineral-based materials is growing globally, partly related to the new green technology. Applications such as windmills and electric vehicles need traditional metals, but also many high-tech metals that support the environmentally sustainable future. Re-use of metals is important part in the materials cycle, but it will not satisfy the increasing demand of metals. Minerals need to be extracted from the earth’s crust far into the future. The European Mining Course (EMC) aims to train experts who possess wide-ranging skills and abilities to respond to this demand.
People wearing helmets and examining a tunnel wall

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

16 Jan 2023 – 1 Mar 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 Engineering

Description

The safe, environmentally sustainable, and cost-efficient supply of raw materials is essential for a prosperous global society. This industrial sector must meet the challenges today and in the future with the help of research and development.

As the minerals industry grows, the need also grows for new personnel with expertise in mining and the processing and recycling of minerals. The requirements of future specialists and leaders in the mining and mineral industry call for robust knowledge and skills in many fields of engineering – for example, engineers must be able to account for the environmental impacts of mine projects in the planning and production stages. The European Mining Course (EMC) aims to train experts who possess these skills as well as the abilities required for working in an international and multidisciplinary environment.

The purpose of the programme is to generate future decisionmakers and game-changers in the field of mineral resources and associated engineering trade. The programme is based on the expertise of the participating universities within Resource Engineering. The focus is to provide state-of-the-art education by means of economically and environmentally sustainable systems and technologies.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction of the programme is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

See further information of the tuition fees on the programme website.

Structure of studies

European Mining Course (EMC) is a master's degree programme organised in international cooperation between three of Europe's leading universities in mining and resource engineering: Aalto University (Finland), Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL, Austria) and RWTH Aachen University (Germany). The programme is built on the strengths and the complementary areas of expertise of these universities in earth science studies and research.

During the two-year EMC master's programme, students study together at all the three universities, one semester (30 ECTS) at each. The final semester is reserved for Master’s thesis which can be completed at any of the three universities or in the industry, but under supervision of all the three universities.

EMC courses are designed to give students a broad education. The programme offers a unique curriculum that includes courses in mining technology, mineral processing, recycling, business and economics, management, and safety matters. Excursions and visits are arranged in association with industry partners to accompany lectures. Assignments and case studies are based on real data and worked on in teams.

The preliminary curriculum of the programme for academic year 2023-2024 is the following:

1st semester (autumn 2023) - Aalto University

  • CHEM-E6140 Fundamentals of Minerals Engineering and Recycling, 5 ECTS
  • GEO-E2030 Rock Mechanics, 5 ECTS
  • GEO-E3010 Economic Geology and Mineral Economics, 5 ECTS
  • CHEM-E6130 Metal Recycling Technologies, 5 ECTS
  • GEO-E3020 Field Experience and Project in Hard Rock Mining, 5 ECTS
  • Elective studies, 5 ECTS

2nd semester (spring / summer 2024) - RWTH Aachen University

  • Mine Waste, 5 ECTS
  • Feasibility Studies of Mining Projects, 5 ECTS
  • Mine Design and Simulation, 5 ECTS
  • Mine Ventilation, 5 ECTS
  • Reserve Modelling and Estimation, 5 ECTS
  • Case Study: Mining Project, 3 ECTS

3rd semester (autumn / winter 2024) - Montanuniversität Leoben

  • Continuous Mining, 3 ECTS
  • Open Pit Mining, 4 ECTS
  • Deposit Modelling, 2 ECTS
  • Sustainable development, 6 ECTS
  • Lab in Mine Ventilation, 1 ECTS
  • Underground Mining, 4 ECTS
  • Mine Ventilation, Water Control, Infrastructure, 3 ECTS
  • Occupational and Process Safety, 3 ECTS
  • Elective studies, 4 ECTS

Specialisations

This Master’s programme is a study package which all the students complete together. The Master’s thesis (and the possible industrial placement) is the opportunity to specialize and, depending on the topic, to graduate either from Aalto University School of Engineering of from School of Chemical Engineering.

Internationalisation

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 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 the Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.

The European Mining Courses targets students both from the three member universities and from all over the world. It is an international joint degree programme with integrated, mandatory geographical mobility. This means that all students will study at three European universities and in three different countries. Upon fulfilment of all degree requirements, students receive three degree certificates, one from each university.

Further study opportunities

Graduates of the programme are awarded Master of Science (Technology) degree by Aalto University which grants them a great foundation for doctoral level studies at Aalto University or internationally. In addition, similar degrees are awarded by Montanuniversität Leoben and RWTH Aachen University, widening the further study and career opportunities internationally.

Career opportunities

Given the worldwide demand for professionals in mining and minerals engineering and management, graduates of EMC have promising career opportunities. Mineral resources represent a significant part of the Finnish national wealth. Graduates are employed in industry, government organisations and research institutions. They hold key positions ranging from research, teaching and consultancy to management, design, project engineering and control. Their experience from working in an international group and environment make them attractive candidates for international companies around the world. The programme has a strong support from industry and wide and active alumni network.

Research focus

The EMC students get to work among the leading experts of the field, such as:

  • Aalto University: prof. Mikael Rinne (School of Engineering) and prof. Rodrigo Serna (School of Chemical Engineering)
  • RWTH Aachen: prof. Bernd Lottermoser
  • Montauniversität Leoben: prof. Nikolaus Sifferlinger

Co-operation with other parties

The European Mining Course has a long history that dates back to 1996 and evolving over the years. Throughout the years, the programme has remained a tight collaboration of the partner universities with a strong support from industry. The EMC alumni network has grown over the years to over 800 members. To support the education of Master’s level students in the field of mineral engineering, The Federation of European Mineral Programs (FEMP) (FEMP) was established in 1999 with a network of 35 companies and institutions in 12 countries on 3 continents. Even today, FEMP keeps supporting the EMC students by granting scholarships and offering connections to the industrial partners.

Admission 2023

The admission to European Mining Course is organised once a year. The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2023 runs from 16 January to 1 March 2023 (3 pm, GMT +2).

Admission Timeline

16 January 2023 at 9.00 (9 am, GMT +2)

Application period starts and online application form opens

1 March 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +2)

Application period ends and online application form closes

8 March 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +2)

Deadline for application documents to be uploaded to application form

By end of April

Admissions results are published

May (within 14 days of releasing admission results)

Deadline for accepting the offer of admission (study place)

26 May 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +2) Attested physical copies of degree documents (for those who have graduated) must be received at Aalto University School of Engineering Learning Services

31 July 2023

Deadline to graduate for applicants who applied with an incomplete degree

17 August 2023 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3)

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

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 16 January to 1 March 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 1 March 2023 at 15.00 (GMT +2). Late applications are not considered.

All application documents must be uploaded to your application form before 8 March 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

Carefully scan the original documents in colour and save the files in PDF format.

Scan the documents in the correct orientation so that a horizontal document is displayed horizontally, and a vertical document is displayed vertically. Make sure that the scanned document is readable. If you use the camera of your mobile phone, we recommend taking the photo close to a window with sufficient daylight.

Name the files as instructed (e.g. Transcript-lastname-firstname).

Upload the documents separately to the correct sections provided for each document on your application form.

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.

Scholarships and fees

European Mining Course students follow the local tuition fee and possible scholarship policy of each university where they physically study.

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 by end of April 2023. 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.

Contact information

Aalto University School of Engineering

Learning Services

[email protected]

Mikael Rinne

Professor, programme director

[email protected]

Aalto University, Admission Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services at

[email protected]

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