Master's Programme in Building Technology

Study Objectives 

The United Nations estimates that over two thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. As urbanisation will only accelerate, the way these urban spaces are built and designed is not something that should be taken lightly. The Master’s Programme in Building Technology educates future leaders who seamlessly merge science and human-centred design to help the transition towards a smarter built environment. Situated at the intersection of digitalisation and world-class research, building technology is an exciting field that responds to the global need of energy-efficient buildings, scaled circular economy systems and overall healthier built environment. Aalto University graduates – with their unique combination of theoretical understanding, professional skills and interdisciplinary perspective – are set for a vast variety of career opportunities, all contributing to reforming the industry.  

Upon graduating from the Master’s Programme in Building Technology, graduates will have: 
 

Strong skills in design, construction, use, and maintenance of complex civil engineering structures, such as buildings and bridges. Graduates are able to work towards a smarter and more liveable built environment.  

Extensive analytical skills to evaluate impacts and efficacy of different propositions. Based on profound analysis, graduates are able to determine the most efficient solutions regarding the functionality, lifecycle and sustainability of buildings and structures.  

A visionary and proactive mindset to lead and manage various engineering projects. Graduates possess great management and communication skills that play a crucial role in enhancing collaboration between experts from various fields working towards common goals.  

An in-built sustainable approach to their profession. Graduates see the wellbeing of environment, society and people as the starting point for successful civil and structural engineering. 

Content of the studies 

The programme includes six courses (totalling 30 credits) of common studies, which make up the autumn term of the first year. After the first term, students choose a specialisation within building technology or – by combining courses from different fields – gather a wider understanding of engineering applications related to building technology. 

Core technical knowledge is deepened through advanced studies (30 credits). Students can choose from a variety of courses that are offered under the following thematic topic groups:  

• Structural Engineering  

• Construction and Maintenance 

• Building Performance  

• Construction Management 

• Structures and Architecture 

The synthesis or specialisation of the studies can be further strengthened through 30 credits of elective studies, which may include courses offered by the study programme or other Aalto University courses.  

Topics 

The Master’s Programme in Building Technology deals with the design, construction, use, and maintenance of civil engineering structures such as buildings and bridges.  Sustainability is deeply embedded in the studies from reflecting upon what it means to build sustainable cities and communities to keeping the health and wellbeing of the individual as the focal point of all design. To give concrete examples of the topics covered, here are some courses picked from the programme’s extensive curriculum:

• Design Process Management (5 ECTS) 

• Indoor Air Quality (5 ECTS) 

• Production Technology of Concrete Structures (5 ECTS) 

• Timber Structures (5 ECTS) 

• Fire Dynamics and Simulation (5 ECTS) 

• Experimental methods in building materials (5 ECTS) 

• Structures and Architecture: Parametric Engineering (3-6 ECTS) 

Methods 

Studying in the programme takes many forms – from theory-driven and science-based research to hands-on activities. Students benefit from access to well-equipped laboratories which further strengthens their ability to apply methods from various disciplines to create cutting-edge innovations. 

The mix of theory and practice forms a dynamic learning environment, where students also get to engage with the industry, receiving briefs from real companies and creating viable solutions either individually or in a group setting. In addition, the School of Engineering organises excursions to companies on a regular basis, further strengthening the invaluable hands-on and real-life learning experiences.

Other methods include lectures by professors and visiting specialists, homework assignments, seminars and presentations as well as panel discussions. The professor network includes internationally acclaimed and published specialists and researchers who are highly dedicated to their craft, resulting in a motivating and encouraging learning environment. 

Structure 

Overall, the Master's Programme in Building Technology comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

• Common studies (30 ECTS) 

• Advanced studies (30 ECTS) 

• Elective studies (30 ECTS) 

• Master’s thesis (30 ECTS) 

Personal Study Plan (PSP) 

The Personal Study Plan (PSP) is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student's interests and programme requirements. PSP is also a useful tool for students to keep track of their studies. At best, it shows where students are with their studies and sets concrete milestones for them to follow. 

For more information on the courses included in the programme, please visit the programme's section on Into, Aalto University's student portal.

Career opportunities

Company collaboration within the Master’s Programme in Building Technology is highly active during studies. Many of the lectures and project works see industry experts taking part in the teaching and guidance of students. The alumni is active as in meeting and supporting the students.  

As there is an increasing demand for experts mastering the design, building and maintenance of structures, as well as visionary engineers working towards greener and smarter cities, the students can use their expertise in a number of ways after graduation. Examples of career paths our graduates have taken include:

• Working with design, construction, project, and research tasks in the architecture, engineering and construction industry 

• In later phases, advancing to management, administrative and advisory positions in the architecture, engineering and construction industry 

• Becoming self-employed in the field of building technology 

• Following an academic path and becoming a researcher in the field 

Aalto University has well-established career services to support students’ employment in Finland and abroad. Thanks to the flexible curriculum, many Aalto students work already during their studies and guarantee themselves entry positions before graduation. There is also a very active entrepreneurship community at Aalto, working as a springboard for founding a company. 

Internationalisation 

The Master's Programme in Building Technology deals with topics and themes that are universal and global and thus, graduates have many international opportunities in front of them. Understanding different cultures and local systems is essential for an international career in the field, and students are highly encouraged to study a semester abroad. The programme also offers a double-degree opportunity in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark – DTU, a leading university in the field of building technology and civil engineering. In addition, the Department of Civil Engineering co-operates closely with other high-quality international universities, research institutes, and  companies in the field. 

Overall, 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 their studies, but also through multiple free time events, celebrations and extracurricular activities around the campus. Active tutoring programs and support services work hard to help international students integrate to the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland. 

Multidisciplinary 

The Master’s Programme in Building Technology brings together various different disciplines, including mathematics, physics, design and social sciences. This multifaceted approach draws students and professors from different backgrounds together, creating a highly multidisciplinary community around the shared topic. Students are also encouraged to take on very unique and personalised study paths, enabled by the large variety of advanced and elective courses available. For example, under the title Structures and architecture, students have the possibility to integrate engineering and design studies. 

Overall, Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the university bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups. 

Post graduate study options 

The Master’s Programme in Building Technology at Aalto is considered as a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions. 

Research focus

At the Department of Civil Engineering, research is directed at e.g. to the following themes: mineral-based materials, mechanics, structural design, concrete technology, timber structures, steel structures, bridge construction, building physics, construction management, fire safety, indoor air quality, energy efficient buildings.

Admission requirements

Aalto University's student selection process is competitive and paper-based. Applications that pass the eligibility check (administrative evaluation) conducted by Aalto University Admissions Services proceed to the school's programme-specific academic evaluation.

The following are used as criteria for academic evaluation 2022:

Academic performance
What is evaluated: Grades of the previous degree/CGPA
Admission requirements: Grades need to mainly very good or excellent
Evaluated documents: Transcript of records
Criticality: Critical

Relevance of previous studies
What is evaluated: Contents and scope of previous studies compared to demands/contents of study option applied to
What we look for in an applicant: Contents suit very well or excellent to the study option. We look especially the field of the previous degree, and quantity and degrees of studies in math, mechanics and dynamics.
Evaluated documents: Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
Criticality: Critical

Recognition and quality of institution
What is evaluated: Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution
Admission requirements: Recognized for high quality of education and research
Method of demonstrating competence: International and national rankings of higher education institutions
Criticality: Not critical

Suitability
What is evaluated: Suitability of programme for applicant
What we look for in an applicant? Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies
Evaluated documents: Motivation letter and Curriculum vitae
Criticality: Not Critical

Study-option-specific documents requested

The documents requested from all applicants are listed here (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to the Building technology programme are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
●    Motivation letter*
The motivation letter should be written in English. The maximum length of the motivation letter
is about 4000 characters.

●    Curriculum Vitae (CV)*

*The lack of this document will adversely affect the evaluation of the application.

Contact details 

In case of programme-specific questions and inquiries, please contact Assistant Professor Antti Peltokorpi, [email protected].  

If there are open questions about the admissions and applying instructions, you can reach out to [email protected].