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:
In the Hydrogen and Electric Systems Master’s Programme, the language of instruction is English.
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.
The two-year Master’s Programme in Hydrogen and Electric Systems comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits:
Most of the major courses are intended to be completed during the first year. The second year is dedicated mainly 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. More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
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.
Master’s students Teemu Rauha and Elias Viitanen designed new filters for an accessible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, aiming to reduce interference and improve image quality. The technology, developed within a research project, could one day accelerate diagnoses of conditions such as stroke.
Video showing off devices made by master's students: lightboxes, energy optimisation systems and more.
Depending on your interests and aspirations, you can choose one of the following two majors:
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.:
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.:
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:
The degree programme provides eligibility for scientific postgraduate studies in Finland. The skills learned in the programme create an excellent basis for doctoral studies at Aalto University, another Finnish university or top international universities. Doctoral graduates from Aalto University continue to researcher or other academic career or high-level business positions, among other things. Read more about applying for doctoral studies at Aalto University: https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-studies.
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.
The Master's Programme in Hydrogen and Electric Systems meets the most pressing needs of working life, says head of the programme Matti Lehtonen.
Graduates from the School of Electrical Engineering at Aalto University have very good employment prospects in positions corresponding to their education. On this page, you can find information about employment and career development five years after graduation.
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.
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.
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...
| 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 questionnaire 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:
|
| 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 questionnaire 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:
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| Evaluated documents / Method of demonstrating competence | CV, proof of employment, publication(s) |
The applicants are first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements found on https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. 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.
Only the applications that fulfil the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of the evaluation criteria.
After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all criteria.
The programme does not have a minimum quota to be filled, and not all eligible applicants will necessarily be admitted.
This study option (master’s programme) requires two sets of documents from their applicants:
Applicants may also provide additional documents, which can add value to their application, specified below.
Applicants need to fill in the Hydrogen and Electric Systems Programme’s motivation questionnaire (.doc file) according to the questionnaire instructions. No other document can be used to showcase the applicant’s motivation for the programme. Using another type of a form (e.g. traditional motivation letter) will lead to the application to be rejected.
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.
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation is an ecosystem where scientists and engineers from different fields of microsystems, electrical engineering and automation work together to solve the most challenging scientific problems.
The Hydrogen Innovation Centre works to enable a sustainable hydrogen society by facilitating world-leading research at Aalto, and collaboration between our research community, companies, policymakers and external research organizations.
The ePowerHub enables research and education of electric machine and power-electronic converter technologies that are essential for wind turbines, solar photovoltaic plants, hydrogen systems, electric vehicles, electrified working machines, and many other applications.
Curious about life at Aalto University? Chat with Aalto students on Unibuddy and join them for virtual Coffee sessions on Fridays!
Aalto's main campus is an ideal environment for living, studying and leisure. Find out what our beautiful Otaniemi campus has to offer to its student community.
Aalto University Admission Services
If you have any questions regarding the application process, application documents or language tests, please contact Aalto University Admission Services.
admissions@aalto.fi
School of Electrical Engineering
For enquiries regarding the content of programme, the studies at the School of Electrical Engineering and the study-option-specific application documents please contact.
masters-elec@aalto.fi
