A new Master's programme trains hydrogen experts to develop more sustainable energy systems
The Master's Programme in Hydrogen and Electric Systems meets the most pressing needs of working life, says head of the programme Matti Lehtonen.
Hydrogen and Electric Systems, Master of Science (Technology)
The rise of hydrogen and other renewable energy solutions is rapidly shaping our world’s energy systems. As countries around the globe move towards their carbon-neutrality goals, the need for engineers specialised in hydrogen systems grows fast. The Hydrogen and Electric Systems Master’s Programme gives you a comprehensive view of the hydrogen value chain and the opportunity to play an important role in combating climate change.
Degree:
Master of Science (Technology)
Application period:
30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024
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 Electrical Engineering
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies)
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Applying to master’s programmes
Webinar | Hydrogen and Electric Systems
In this webinar, the programme representatives introduce Aalto University, give a programme overview, explain the programme structure and content, discuss career opportunities, and answer questions from the audience.
Description
Energy systems around the world are going through a revolutionary change as societies continue to shift from fossil to renewable energy. In the midst of all this, the use of clean hydrogen in energy production and storage has been an increasingly hot topic.
As a forerunner in the green transition, Finland has one of the most ambitious climate goals in the world – our country aims to be carbon-neutral by 2035. The local industrial and energy companies are very committed to this target, and they are investing heavily in renewable energy. At the same time, their need for engineers specialised in hydrogen solutions and production is rapidly growing. To reach its climate target, Finland needs at least 200 new hydrogen economy experts every year, and the demand is only increasing.
The Hydrogen and Electric Systems Master’s Programme gives you a comprehensive view of the energy and hydrogen system and an excellent opportunity to build a career – in Finland or abroad – in a growing field in dire need of workforce. Aalto University has developed the programme in collaboration with the industry, and it deals with the topics companies in the field deem the most important and beneficial. Additionally, many other Aalto schools, such as Business and Chemical Engineering, offer courses that cover themes related to the hydrogen economy, giving students a multidisciplinary view of the hydrogen value chain.
On top of the skills acquired from their chosen major, our graduates have the same basic, essential knowledge of the hydrogen field. All our graduates can:
- Develop and analyse scenarios about hydrogen’s significance in the future electrified and sustainable society.
- Evaluate the role of hydrogen in connecting the energy industry fields (electricity, gas, heat, water, traffic) as well as the impact of the hydrogen economy on relevant stakeholders.
- Identify existing and emerging hydrogen-based technologies, analyse their bottlenecks and opportunities as well as apply them properly at the system level.
- Create and push forward new business models in the hydrogen value chain.
Language of instruction
In the Hydrogen and Electric Systems Master’s Programme, the language of instruction is English.
Tuition fees and scholarships
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 about tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available here.
Structure of studies
The two-year Master’s Programme in Hydrogen and Electric Systems comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits:
- Major studies (65 ECTS)
- Elective studies (25 ECTS)
- Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
All the programme's common courses and major courses are intended to be completed during the first year. The second year is dedicated to elective studies and the Master’s thesis. You can choose practically any combination of elective courses – from Aalto as well as other universities in Finland and abroad – that supports your studies and suits your interests.
In this programme, teaching methods vary from lectures to energy system simulations and project works carried out in collaboration with the industry and other Aalto schools, such as Business and Chemical Engineering.
Specialisations
Depending on your interests and aspirations, you can choose one of the following two majors:
1. Electric Energy and Hydrogen Systems
This major provides the student with a systemic view of the hydrogen economy and its value chain. Special focus is given to the role of hydrogen in the green transition and the synergy between the hydrogen economy and the power and energy sector.
After completing the major, our graduate can, e.g.:
- Design, develop, and optimise complex integrated energy systems and deliver global solutions for building a carbon-neutral society.
- Act in uncertain situations and when dealing with unpredicted challenges in the future energy system.
- Evaluate the role of possible future game-changer energy actions.
2. Electric Components of Hydrogen Technology
This major gives the student the ability to develop technological solutions for the hydrogen value chain – from production, transport, storage, conversion, and consumption to interaction with the power and energy sector. The focus is especially on supporting the power and energy sector.
After completing the major, our graduate can, e.g.:
- Classify and evaluate the technologies in the hydrogen value chain that aim to decarbonize the power and energy sector as well as industrial processes.
- Conduct analyses on the functionality and societal impacts of the existing and emerging hydrogen technologies.
- Analyse the role of hydrogen at different stages of the value chain and evaluate their behaviour, connection, control, and synergies with the power and energy sector.
- Recognise ways to store and use the products and byproducts of hydrogen.
A few examples of the programme courses:
Internationalisation
Aalto University is known for its international study and research environment. Every year, Aalto welcomes thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad. Additionally, many of our professors and researchers have international backgrounds and experience, bringing their global networks close to students.
At Aalto, students can improve their global competence by, for example:
- Completing part of the degree, e.g., a minor, abroad in one of the international partner universities as an exchange student.
- Choosing courses with an intercultural approach, learning foreign languages, and/or becoming a student tutor for international students.
- Conducting practical training or the Master’s thesis outside Finland.
- Taking summer courses abroad.
Further study opportunities
The Hydrogen and Electric Systems Master’s Programme is considered a great foundation for doctoral studies.
Career opportunities
Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly important part of the future energy systems, and the demand for hydrogen experts keeps growing fast on a global level. Finland alone needs a large number of graduates from hydrogen programmes every year to achieve its carbon-neutrality goal by 2035.
This programme gives students the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the different parts of the hydrogen value chain – from production, storage, and transmission to utilisation. They may work as, for instance, technical developers or business analysts as well as managers later in their careers. Employers include a wide variety of stakeholders in the value chain, such as engineering offices, consulting firms, and service providers.
School of Electrical Engineering graduates in working life
School of Electrical Engineering Master's graduates are successful in finding jobs corresponding to their education. On this page you can find information on job titles, job sectors and career development of our graduates.
Research focus
For many years now, the Electrical Engineering and Automation department’s research efforts have been guided by the green transition and the global need for carbon-neutral solutions. The research topics vary from power system development to integrating more renewable energy sources into the energy system. Our investments in first-class facilities and research equipment ensure that our hard work will help the society evolve.
You can read more about the research at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation here.
Co-operation with other parties
At Aalto University, bridging different disciplines is made easy – students may choose their elective studies so that their degree is a combination of science, technology, business, and arts. Students are encouraged to supplement their studies with courses from other Aalto schools and programmes as well as with courses offered by other universities, including international.
Themes related to the hydrogen economy are covered in multiple courses across Aalto schools, giving students the possibility to get a broad view of the hydrogen value chain. These different schools also take part in the Hydrogen and Electric Systems programme’s courses and projects. This multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
The Hydrogen and Electric Systems Master's Programme cooperates also with the industry in the form of, e.g., course projects. Additionally, the Master’s theses are oftentimes written for a company at the School of Electrical Engineering.
Study-option-specific application instructions
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 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 applications to the Master’s Programme in Hydrogen and Electric Systems are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Evaluation criteria
| What is evaluated? | Content and scope of previous studies |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant |
Applicants are expected to have a high‐quality Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Physics. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields including but not limited to Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Economics and Industrial Management will be considered if the applicant has sufficient studies and proven skills and knowledge in Electrical Engineering, Energy engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Physics. Studies in the Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge and further the career of the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master’s degree or is studying towards one, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another one is necessary. In most cases, non-degree studies are recommended instead. The following background knowledge is required for the Master’s Programme:
The following knowledge is considered as advantage:
|
| Evaluated documents / Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant |
The programme is looking for applicants with excellent academic performance in their previous studies. This will be evaluated on the basis of the Grade Point Average (GPA) and results in key courses. The time spent on the previous studies will also be taken into account. Academic performance in the previous Bachelor’s degree is emphasized. Other previous studies are considered as well but evaluation is primarily based on the bachelor level studies. Applicants who have previously studied at Aalto University, e.g. as exchange students, are also evaluated according to the grades, the number of credits obtained, as well as on the time spent on these studies. Applicants from Finnish universities of applied sciences (AMK): |
| Evaluated documents / Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant | The applicant’s previous degree will be evaluated based on the international reputation and academic quality of the university and the programme. |
| Evaluated documents / Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions. ARWU, THE and QS rankings (both global and area-specific rankings) are used. |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s suitability to the study option, motivation, commitment to the studies and written communication skills |
| Admission requirements / 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 Hydrogen and Electric Systems Programme and a specific major within the programme and describe why they would be good candidates. |
| Evaluated documents / Method of demonstrating competence | Application as a whole including motivation letter and CV |
| What is evaluated? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant |
Applicant’s other relevant achievements may be considered if documented in the application. These may include, for example:
At least one recommendation letter should be attached to the application. |
| Evaluated documents / Method of demonstrating competence | CV, recommendation letter(s), proof of employment, publication(s) |
Evaluation process and requested documents
The evaluation process is described under Applicant evaluation process. In addition to obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applicants are first evaluated based on the General eligibility requirements of Aalto University. 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.
- Relevance of previous studies
- Academic performance
- Suitability (if motivation letter or CV is missing, application is rejected)
Only the applications that fulfill 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
The documents requested from all applicants are listed here (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes).
The documents requested from all applicants are:
- official Bachelor's degree certificate or certificate of equivalent studies (the studies need not be complete at the time of applying, but must be completed by the 31st of July of the application year)
- official transcript of records listing completed university studies
- copy of passport or identity card
- language test scores
In addition, applicants to this study option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents. Applicants are requested to pay attention to the below instructions and add all attachments. All documents and their content and quality affect the evaluation. Neglecting the document requirements or their instructions will adversely affect the evaluation of the application. Applicants should not attach/submit any extra documents. Extra documents are not taken into account in the evaluation.
- motivation letter (applicants who have not attached a motivation letter in their application will be rejected)
- curriculum vitae (applicants who have not attached a CV in their application will be rejected)
- at least one original recommendation letter (preferably academic)
- work certificates and certificates of other relevant achievements
- copies or permanent weblinks of any publications
- the official transcript of records for other university studies which are not included in the mandatory part of the application
Applicants are requested to not attach the following:
- certificates of online courses or commercial trainings etc.
- External links to sources containing information on the applicant (portfolio etc.) – all information must be provided as additional attachments to the applications.
The application should fully explain the educational history of the applicant. If the applicant has started or completed other studies in addition to the Bachelor's degree mentioned above, they should also provide the respective official transcripts and other possible (degree) certificates.
Instructions for the motivation letter
The motivation letter should describe why the applicant is applying to the study option and why they would be a good candidate for the study option. Applicants need to indicate which major they will choose in the Hydrogen and Electric Systems programme.
The motivation letter should be written in English. The maximum length of the motivation letter is one page. Exceeding the recommended length of the motivation letter will affect the evaluation of the application negatively. Applicants should write a separate motivation letter for each study option they apply to.
Instructions for the curriculum vitae
The CV should be used to provide a summary of one's personal working history, achievements, objectives and other points that one considers important for the application.
For the work and research experience, the activity and time period need to be indicated. For the international working and study experience, the working place/university, activity and time period need to be indicated. Copies or permanent weblinks of any publications and information on possible patents need to be listed.
The CV should be maximum 2 pages and follow preferably the Europass format. CVs exceeding the recommended length of the CV will affect the evaluation of application negatively.
Instructions for the recommendation letters
The recommendation letter should preferably be from a university professor, lecturer or a thesis instructor who has supervised the applicant’s studies at the university. The recommendation should comment on the applicant’s suitability to the specific study option and major.
General instructions on study-option-specific documents
All additional application documents described above should preferably be submitted in English. If some other language than English, Finnish or Swedish is used in them, the applicant must provide precise, word-for-word translations of them.
Upload the documents to your online application form in pdf-format. Name the file(s) according to format: Name of the document-Lastname-Firstname (e.g. CV-Lastname-Firstname.pdf). Maximum file size is 1.0 GB.
The study-option-specific documents must be uploaded for each study option separately, even if you use the same document (e.g. CV). Please check carefully the study-option-specific document requirements for each study option you apply to.
The deadline for the study-option-specific application documents to be uploaded to your application form is the same as for the general application documents.
Contact information
For enquiries regarding the application process, application documents, and language tests, please contact
If you want more information about the content of the programme and studies at the School of Electrical Engineering, you can reach out to our Learning Services
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