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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. Besides recycling, the extraction of minerals from the Earth's crust will remain a necessity well into the future. The European Mining Course (EMC) aims to train experts with a wide range of skills and abilities to meet the ongoing demand for metals and minerals.
People wearing helmets and examining a tunnel wall

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

16 Dec 2024 – 28 Feb 2025

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

European Mining Course Webinar for applicants

In the webinar, you will get to hear and ask questions about the European Minig Course - a triple degree Master's programme.

Read more
Students at a mine in Lapland

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 detailed information on the programme web page.

Structure of studies

European Mining Course (EMC) is a two-year full-time Master's  programme leading into triple degree. The programme is organised in international cooperation between three of Europe's leading universities in mining and resource engineering: Aalto University (School of Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering 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. You may find the specific curriculum information here.

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.

European Mining, Minerals and Environmental Programme

Specialisations

This Master’s programme is a study package which all the students complete together. The Master’s thesis includes a possibility of industrial placement and offers a great opportunity to specialize in a chosen topic within the field.

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 Course 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 the 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. 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 2025

The admission to European Mining Course is organised once a year. The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2025 runs from 16 December 2024 to 28 February 2025 (3 pm, GMT +2).

Admission Timeline

16 December 2024 at 9.00 (9 am, UTC +2) Application period starts and online application form opens
28 February 2025 at 15.00 (3 pm, UTC +2) Application period ends and online application form closes
7 March 2025 at 15.00 (3 pm, UTC +2) Deadline for application documents to be uploaded to application form
15 April 2025 Admissions results are published
29 April 2025 (within 14 days of releasing admission results) Deadline for accepting the offer of admission (study place)
31 July 2025 Deadline to graduate for applicants who applied with an incomplete degree
15 August 2025 at 15.00 (3 pm, UTC +3) Deadline for a certified, physical copies of application documents to arrive at School of Engineering Learning Services for conditionally admitted applicants
25 August 2025 Studies begin with the orientation week at Aalto University

Who can apply?

Applications must be complete and fulfil general eligibility criteria to pass to EMC selection committee for academic evaluation.

To fulfil the general eligibility criteria the application must include:
- documents of a degree granting eligibility to master level education;
- an accepted proof of language proficiency; and
- all the required application documents by the deadline.

The application to EMC is independent from other applications to Master's programmes at Aalto University. This means that the application form is for EMC only and does not limit your possibilities to apply to other programmes.

How to apply

The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2025 runs from 16 December 2024 to 28 February 2025 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

The application consists of:
- an application form,
- a set of required application documents; and
- additional, EMC-specific application documents.

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 28 February 2025 at 15.00 (UTC +2). Late applications are not considered.

All application documents must be uploaded to your application form before 7 March 2025 at 15.00 (UTC +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

The language of instruction in EMC is English. You must demonstrate your proficiency in English with an accepted proof of language proficiency. See the accepted methods to demonstrate your language proficiency in English below.

No methods other than those listed below are accepted to demonstrate English language skills.

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. Aalto Excellence scholarships and FEMP scholarships can be applied with the EMC application form and they are awarded at the admission. Erasmus+ mobility scholarships are available for all students for the semesters at RWTH Aachen and Montanuniversität Leoben. They can be applied after the first semester at Aalto.

Erasmus+ and FEMP scholarships are intended to cover some of your living expenses but not all of them. You must be prepared to support your living in all the EMC contries for the programme duration.

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 on 15 April 2025. 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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