Please note! No intake in 2023. Next planned intake in 2024.
The aim of the master’s studies is to increase the depth of the student’s knowledge and preparedness to work in sound design. Through course modules and increasingly demanding exercises, students will acquire an ever deeper understanding and firmer grasp their own artistic, production and technical area of the profession.
A sound designer and sound engineer gains a comprehensive knowledge of the practices, means of artistic expression, technical equipment and theoretical concepts in his/her own field. A key goal of the education is to further develop the student’s talents and personality, impart additional technical and artistic skills and basic knowledge of the field and its history, and develop management skills and a research work skills.
Essential skills to be learned are audiovisual dramaturgical and content thinking in cinematic expression, the ability to understand sound and space, management skills, communication and cooperation skills, sound design and managing the dramaturgical concept and technical realisation process for a feature-length film, a deeper knowledge of the traditions and modern trends in his/her field, and the ability to think critically and analytically.
After graduating from the master’s programme, a sound designer has a mastery of the overall artistic and technical process of sound design – from preliminary planning to the finished film. During the studies, the student becomes familiar with all phases of recording, sound work and sound design in a feature-length film and artistic and with production cooperation in film and television productions.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Film Sound Design is Finnish. However, part of the courses are taught in English. The degree can be completed in English.
Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
Master’s studies in the major in Film Sound Design emphasise the student’s independent effort in forming his/her study path. The focus is on seminars and workshops investigating special features of film sound. The student learns to different theories of film and its sound design and participates in investigative workshops that often form larger course modules.
Students learn about sound designer and sound engineer work by means of increasingly demanding exercises. The education is mainly based on practical learning by doing, work in small groups, personal guidance and dialogue-based interaction. The aim of teaching is to support the student in developing his/her personal strengths and artistic vision.
Studies in the master's programme include departments joint courses (30 ECTS) which are obligatory. These courses deal with entrepreneurial and working life skills, analytical skills, and provide research skills.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
The education may contain studies with students from other fields of art. Practice productions provide the opportunity to study sound design and recording practices and practice group work and management skills. Students are encouraged to take minor studies, particularly from teaching offered in the Film Editing and Documentary Film majors and from the courses offered by Sibelius Academy.
Visiting teachers and students from abroad enrich both the education and student networking opportunities. Students majoring in sound design periodically get the chance to attend Masterclass events, whose visitors have included some top names in the field, like veteran sound designers Nicolas Becker and Martín Hernández. Students may also complete some of their studies abroad in foreign exchange programmes.
Through international symposia, students gain a fuller overview and deeper understanding of the profession as well as new opportunities for multinational networking.
The goal of the education is to impart a capacity to pursue further studies.
A graduate from Film Sound Design is able to work in positions of artistic responsibility in feature-length and documentary films.
The goal of the education is to provide the preconditions needed for further studies in the field and lifelong learning.
Sound engineers and sound designers are mainly employed as freelancers and entrepreneurs in film, television, game, advertising film and other television productions.
Sound designers and/or specialisation within the film industry as desired
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Mundane sounds support the characters' personality and Iivo Korhonen is the one recording them. He encourages everyone to dream big, because sometimes that may become your reality.
Our art-house short film festival presents seven tailor-made films on @aaltoarts Instagram.
Finland’s film industry is thriving and attracting new audiences at home and overseas. Where does the success come from?
In the autumn of 2019, we celebrate the Finnish film education reaching the mature age of 60 years. We can proudly take a look at our history and say that film education in Finland began among the first in Europe, several years before the other Nordic countries. Where did it all begin, where are we now and what will the future look like?
We expect the applicant to have a good competence, corresponding to the level of a Bachelor’s degree, in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. We also expect life experience, education, curiosity, boldness, an open mind and the ability to constantly observe and analyse the surrounding reality.
Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account.
Study-option-specific evaluation criteria in 2022 Master’s admissions
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master's Programme in Film and Television - Film Sound Designwill be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Phase I
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Academic performance |
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What is evaluated |
Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies |
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Studies that are equivalent to BA degree studies of Film Sound Design at the Department of Film, Television and Scenography, Aalto University |
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Method of demonstrating competence |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
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Artistic and/or design practice |
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What is evaluated |
Demonstrations of artistic work |
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Skills in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. In addition, the admission criteria include creativity, boldness, originality, imagination, motivation, communication skills, the ability to work in a group, the ability to understand and organise the relationship between sound and image, and the ability for sound thinking in storytelling. |
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Method of demonstrating competence |
Work examples |
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Relevance of previous studies |
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What is evaluated |
Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Studies that are equivalent to BA degree studies of Film Sound Design at the Department of Film, Television and Scenography, Aalto University Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account. |
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Method of demonstrating competence |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
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Suitability |
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What is evaluated |
Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills. |
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Skills in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. In addition, the admission criteria include creativity, boldness, originality, imagination, motivation, communication skills, the ability to work in a group, the ability to understand and organise the relationship between sound and image, and the ability for sound thinking in storytelling. |
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Method of demonstrating competence |
Motivation letter |
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Other areas of competence |
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What is evaluated |
Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions. |
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Experience in film sound design (recording, sound work, sound design) |
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Method of demonstrating competence |
Curriculum vitae, filmography The study option does not consider recommendation letters. |
Phase II
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Suitability/interview |
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What is evaluated |
Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Skills in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. In addition, the admission criteria include creativity, boldness, originality, imagination, motivation, communication skills, the ability to work in a group, the ability to understand and organise the relationship between sound and image, and the ability for sound thinking in storytelling. |
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Method of demonstrating competence |
Interview |
We expect the applicant to have a good competence, corresponding to the level of a Bachelor’s degree, in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. We also expect life experience, education, curiosity, boldness, an open mind and the ability to constantly observe and analyse the surrounding reality.
Evaluation process
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
Some of applicants are invited to the second phase. Those selected for the interview may be given 1-2 assignments to be submitted electronically a couple of days before the interview. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest seven days in advance.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, applicant’s scores from Phases I and II are added together. Applicants will be ranked according to this joint score, and the highest-scoring applicants will be admitted.
Study-option-specific documents requested
The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
The application materials must include a CV that contains your personal details, education, work experience, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account. The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
Work examples
Include in your CV downloadable links to a maximum of three samples of your work (on Vimeo, YouTube or the equivalent) with a combined viewing time of 30 minutes or less.
If your work examples include password protected video links, include the password(s) in your CV.
Write a study plan or letter of motivation of maximum 4000 characters in length explaining your reasons for applying to this area of specialisation and telling of your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your specific strengths and areas of interest, goals, artistic vision and other aspects of your work.
Additionally, the applicant should write a report on technical, artistic and collaborative process behind one of the films linked to the CV. The report should not exceed 2000 characters.
The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.
Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.