Admission procedure and evaluation criteria
Study-option-specific evaluation criteria
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 Architecture will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
Artistic and/or design practice
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Assessed area
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Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments
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Admission requirements
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Applicants should demonstrate
- their communication skills that is the ability to use visual means of representation of the discipline in order to communicate your design idea and its architectural expression.
- their technical skills that is the ability to translate your concept into an adequate material system and coherent construction logic.
- their understanding of context that is the ability to relate the architectural project to its physical, social, cultural and political environment.
- their understanding of space-making that is the ability to translate the architectural concept into an adequate spatial experience and spatial dynamics.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Portfolio (max 20 pages, pdf-format)
Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB.
Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf
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Relevance of previous studies
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Assessed area
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
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Admission requirements
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Bachelor in Architecture
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Degree certificate(s)
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Phase II
Suitability
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Assessed area
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Motivation for studies
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Admission requirements
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The applicant should clarify the reasons for applying at Aalto University and the expectations and goals for studying in the programme.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Motivation letter (max 500 words, pdf-format)
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Relevance of previous studies
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Assessed area
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
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Admission requirements
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Applicant should demonstrate a thorough knowledge comparable to the Bachelor education in architecture at Aalto University
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records
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Other areas of competence
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Assessed area
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Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions
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Admission requirements
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The applicant should reflect on their education so far and how it has shaped their understanding of the relevance of architecture.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Letter of self-reflection (max 800 words, pdf-format) with curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, publications or other relevant material attached as appendix.
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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:
Master’s Programme in Architecture does not include an interview.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of previous studies/Degree
The applicant´s portfolio is reviewed independently by at least three selection committee members and graded according to communication skills, technical skills, understanding of context and understanding of space-making. The final grade for phase I is achieved by averaging out the grades of the various reviews by the selection committee members. Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements in the preliminary evaluation will be evaluated in phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
- Suitability
- Relevance of previous studies/Transcript(s) of Records
- Other areas of competence
The selection committee members will review the motivation letter, transcripts and letter of self-reflection and evaluate it according to the given criteria.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
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:
Portfolio
The portfolio should demonstrate the academic excellence of the applicant with respect to the criteria listed in the table above. A coherent layout and consistent quality of drawings and images is expected. The size of the portfolio should not exceed 20 pages (max A3) and in case of team work the contribution of the applicant should be clearly stated. The portfolio should include a CV of the applicant and the motivation letter.
Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf. If your portfolio contains password protected video links, include the password(s) in your portfolio. If a portfolio is not uploaded to the online application form by the deadline, the application will be rejected.
CV
The CV should be maximum 1 page and include at least information on previous studies, work experience, software skills and prizes. The CV should be included in the portfolio.
Motivation letter
The motivation letter should state clearly the reason for studying architecture and the relevance of studying at Aalto University for development of applicant’s career plan. The motivation letter should be a maximum of two pages and included in the portfolio.
Letter of self-reflection
In the letter of self-reflection the applicant should reflect on his/her education and extra-curricular activities up to this point and discuss how it has shaped the own understanding of architecture. The letter should be of a maximum of 800 words and use the curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, publications or other relevant material as support material.
Language of application documents
Application documents should be submitted preferably in English but applications in Finnish or Swedish are accepted too.
Complementary studies
The student may be required to take complementary studies (max. 20 ECTS). These studies will be determined individually at the latest in the beginning of the studies while making the personal study plan.