Master's Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering

Study objectives

While the underlying scientific theories and fundamentals remain relatively stable over time, their applications for modern use cases might change rapidly. The programme equips students with an ability to apply scientific methods and theories to the most recent and needed use cases. The Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering graduates have:

• State-of-the-art knowledge in their field. Graduates have an extensive understanding of the fundamental scientific theories in their chosen specification area.

• A solution-based mindset. Graduates are experts in applying their knowledge to solve real-life problems and to shape industry standards, especially on the system level.

• An analytical toolbox. Graduates are data-driven and perform well in analytical problem-solving and advanced mathematics.

• Strong leadership skills. Graduates have great team-work skills, can handle even the most stressful situations and lead by example under pressure.

• International competence. Graduates possess professional language skills and the ability to work in a global and multidisciplinary setting.

Upon graduation from the Automation and Electrical Engineering Programme, graduates are well prepared for a broad variety of engineering and research careers as well as doctoral studies in the field.

Study contents

Studying in the programme is a combination of theoretical lectures and readings, and hands-on calculations, exercises, projects, workshops and laboratory sessions. Some of the projects come directly from companies in the industry, adding a strong challenge-based approach to the studies. The main themes discussed in the programme are:

• renewable energies and sustainability, e.g. energy efficiency and power conversion  systems

• distributed and networked power systems, e.g. smart grid, smart living environment, safety and security in distributed/networked systems

• sensing and perceiving the environment, e.g. microsensors, machine perception

• transition from automation to autonomy

• personal healthcare and medical instrumentation

Depending on their interest on these themes, students get to choose one of the three specification areas. This decision during the first semester of the programme largely defines the mandatory and recommended course selection. The available majors are:

The available course selection is extremely wide and strongly depends on the chosen specification area. Here are some examples of the multiple courses listed:

• Project Work (10 ECTS)

• AI in Health Technologies (5 ECTS)

• Biomaterials Science (5 ECTS)

• Fundamentals of New Energy Sources (5 ECTS)

• Intelligent Buildings (5 ECTS)

• Micro and Nano Robotics (5 ECTS)

• Sustainable Electronics (5 ECTS)

Structure of the studies

The Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering is organised by the School of Electrical Engineering and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

• Major studies (65 ECTS)

• Elective studies (25 ECTS)

• Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (PSP) together with an academic advisor. The primary purpose of PSP is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is primarily English, and the programme can be completed entirely in English. More information is available in the General information about studies page (aalto.fi).

Career opportunities

Programme graduates enjoy excellent career opportunities in the public and private sectors, especially in a future full of autonomous systems and technological advancement. Thanks to the tight-knit connections to the industry, the chances to land a job through course projects, internships, research or thesis work are high. Further, graduates have all the necessary entrepreneurial skills to found and build their own companies as well.

Aalto University has well-established career services through which you can get employed in Finland and abroad. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon their graduation. An active entrepreneurship community is also present at Aalto, which can help as a springboard for founding your company. Finally, if an academic career is of interest, the Master’s programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering at Aalto is a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.

Qualification

Graduates of the programme will graduate with a Master of Science (Technology) degree (diplomi-insinööri in Finnish).

Thesis

Master’s degree students write a Master’s Thesis as part of their studies. It is an independent project worth 30 credits, following from the major subject and testing the students’ maturity in this subject. Competence in the subject and its methods need to be demonstrated, as well as the ability to work independently and methodically with a minimum supervision. The master’s thesis should be a self-sufficient work that can be understood without reference to external sources.

The thesis topics may be sourced from the needs of either scientific or industrial sectors – for example, from a relevant planning, development or research projects. The university may also offer topics from its own research projects. The work for the thesis includes literature studies, planning of processes, machines, devices or software, or their parts, development of methods, or measuring and analyzing of results. Theses written for private companies normally include a description of the project, aims and limitations arising from the external or internal factors, forecast and choice of the possible resolutions of the project, and description of practical procedures and evaluations. The thesis can also be a more traditional research project or technological assessment where the aim is to illuminate some current state-of-the-art situation or development.

Post-graduate studies

The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).

Research focus

Research related to programme is conducted in several departments of the School of Electrical Engineering.  The research in the Electrical Engineering and Automation department is focused on four areas: Power Systems and Conversion; Industrial Electronics and Informatics; Control, Robotics and Autonomous Systems; and Well-being and Smart Living Environment. Research in smart grids is focused on integration of renewable generation in power systems, managing distribution network state, self-healing networks and operation of flexibility resources like storages and demand response for power system balance management. The department is also closely involved in the Aalto Energy Efficiency Research programme.

Choosing a main subject or field of specialisation

Students select their major in the first semester of the programme. The programme has 5 courses (20 credits in total) common for all majors. In addition, each major has 4 obligatory courses (20 credits in total) and a number of optional courses and suggested study paths (25 credits has to be fulfilled) which can be selected from a given list. The students will receive guidance in the selection of courses from their academic mentor. For each major, a possibility to upgrade previous degree knowledge by selecting an optional set of bachelor level courses is offered.

Tuition fees

The tuition fee is €15 000 per year for non-EU/EEA students. More information on Scholarships and Tuition Fees page (aalto.fi).

Internationalisation

The study environment in the programme is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. The organising department of the Programme enjoys well-established links and co-operation agreements with a wide range of companies, research institutes and universities in the EU, China, Japan, and the USA. As a result, many students take the chance of studying abroad for a semester, in one of the top-tier partner universities of Aalto, and some apply for an internship abroad. Moreover, student guilds organise industry excursions not only in the Nordics but all around the world.

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies but also via multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Active tutoring programmes and support services work tirelessly to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.

Co-operation with other parties

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation enjoys well-established links and co-operation agreements with a wide range of companies, research institutes and universities in the EU, Japan, Finland and the USA. Many of our graduates are employed with our partners either through master’s thesis work or through research projects.

Programme-specific admission requirements

Required prior knowledge

Applicants to the programme must first meet the general eligibility criteria and language requirements common to all Master’s programmes in Science and Technology.

The following background knowledge is required. This knowledge is typically obtained by studying a Bachelor degree at a research university with Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science as a major subject.

 The required background subjects are:

• mathematics (linear algebra, calculus, probability theory and statistics)
• programming skills
• physics and/or chemistry
• project and team work
• technical writing

For applicants whose previous degree is in a subject other than Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science, it is critical to demonstrate the knowledge in the above areas and the specific major requirements (as described below) in the application.

Students chosen to the programme may be required to complement their earlier degree studies with complementary studies. The admission letter will provide information on any such requirements. The complementary studies cannot be included in the Master's degree but will be required for graduation.

In addition to the general background requirements, each major has specific requirements. The major is selected at the beginning of the studies, and at that point the background requirements listed below are considered. The applicants are asked to indicate in the motivation letter which major they wish to follow.

The majors offered have the following specific requirements:

Evaluation criteria

Applicants to the programme must meet the general eligibility criteria and language requirements common to all Master’s programmes in Science and Technology at Aalto University.

The application process is competitive. First, the applicant’s suitability for the programme is evaluated. The applicants are then ranked and the best applicants are granted admission to the programme.

The evaluation of the applicants is based on the following criteria

Content of the previous degree

The applicant should have a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 180 ECTS credits or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences or Mathematics will be considered. 

Applicants who already have a Master’s degree of comparable quality and content in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science or related field, or who intend to complete one, or who have a valid study right in this application target will not be accepted to the programme except for special reasons, which the applicant must explain in the application. The Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge and further the career of the applicant.

Recognition and quality of the home university

The applicant’s previous degree will be evaluated based on the international reputation and academic quality of the university and the programme.

Study success

The degree programme is looking for applicants with excellent success in their previous studies. This will be evaluated on the basis of the Grade Point Average (GPA) and results in key courses. The grades will be evaluated in relation to how demanding the studies have been. The time spent on the previous studies will also be taken into account.

All the applicant’s previous university studies, including incomplete degrees and non-degree studies, will be taken into consideration when evaluating study success. 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.

Motivation and commitment

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.

Other relevant achievements

The applicant’s other relevant achievements may be considered if documented in the application. These may include, for example:

• experience in demanding work where the Master’s degree would be necessary

• participation in scientific research leading to publications

• special achievements in one's previous career or as an entrepreneur, prizes in competitions, or published writings

Recommendations

At least one recommendation letter should be attached to the application. It 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 Master’s programme and major.

Language proficiency

The applicant must meet the mandatory language requirements. In addition to this, it is critically important to be able to use English as a working language. The studies are conducted fully in English.

Required application documents

In addition to the mandatory application documents, applicants to the AEE programme are requested to provide the following additional documents:

• curriculum vitae*
• motivation letter*

* the lack of these two application documents will adversely affect the evaluation of your application

• at least one original recommendation letter (preferably academic)
• work certificates and certificates of other relevant achievements
• copies of any publications
• the official transcript of records for other university studies which are not included in the mandatory part of the application

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, he or she should also provide the respective official transcripts and other possible (degree) certificates. If the applicant has work experience or other activities or achievements to support their application, certificates or other proof should be included in the application. If the applicant has publications, copies or permanent web links to the publications should be provided. The CV and the motivation letter should be used to provide a summary of one's personal history, achievements, objectives and other points that one considers important for the application.

Contact information

Please read carefully the applying instructions (aalto.fi). For enquiries regarding the application process, application documents and language tests, please contact [email protected].

For enquiries regarding the content of programme and studies at the School of Electrical Engineering please contact [email protected].