Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Human-Computer Interaction - Student testimonials
See what our students think about studying Human-Computer Interaction.
Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Human-Computer Interaction
How will artificial intelligence change the way we use computers? What will come after the mouse and keyboard as input devices? What makes a computing system trustworthy or interesting for people? How to design interactions that thrill and motivate users? Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) educates future leaders who study, innovate, and improve information technology for the benefit of people. Aalto’s HCI major distinguishes itself internationally by a focus on computational and engineering methods with a strong contribution from psychology and design. The rigorous curriculum offers a unique opportunity for students of computer science and engineering to learn how to apply technical approaches in human-computer interaction. The study option is based on outstanding HCI research at Aalto University. The university was recently ranked #13 worldwide in research impact in the area of HCI.
Degree:
Master of Science (Technology)
Application period:
1.12.2021 – 3.1.2022
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 Science
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies)
The application period has closed
Applying to master’s programmes
Webinar | Human-Computer Interaction
Learn more about Master's programme in Human-Computer Interaction. Watch the Webinar recording where programme representatives and students tell more about the studies, career possibilities and answer some other questions you might have.
The Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) prepares students for professional and academic careers in human-computer interaction. The HCI study option is unique with its focus on methods from engineering and computer science with applications in interaction design, user interface technology, and user research. HCI graduates have:
- A modern approach to HCI. Graduates learn a wide repertoire of powerful computational and engineering methods, including state-of-the-art methods in AI, and how to apply them to practical problems in HCI.
- A strong interdisciplinary approach to human-centric technology. Graduates gain an interdisciplinary experience with elective contributions from psychology, social science, business, or design. The HCI study option emphasises the systematic understanding of humans as the basis of our decisions.
- A globally recognised skillset. Graduates understand modern design problems from a computational perspective, including challenges in concept creation, interface technologies, algorithms, data and modelling. They are ready to work in teams with a focus on AI, machine learning, robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, usable security and privacy, data science etc.
- Meta-cognitive skills for life-long learning. Graduates understand scientific literacy, have a mindset for critical thinking and possess strong teamwork and leadership skills.
Upon graduation from the Human-Computer Interaction study option, graduates can pursue internationally competitive careers where they take the lead in design, research or management.
Structure of studies
The Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Human-Computer Interaction is organised by the Schools of Science and Electrical Engineering and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
- Major subject studies (40-65 ECTS)
- Minor subject studies (20-25 ECTS)
- Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
- Elective studies (25-35 ECTS)
Students can select their minor either from the other study options in the Master's Programme in Computer, Communications and Information Sciences or from other Master’s programmes offered by Aalto University. The elective studies consist of additional major courses, additional minor, multidisciplinary courses, or studies abroad.
Specialisations
Students learn scientific and computational approaches to HCI via modeling, theories, and methods, as well as relevant design and empirical methods. As the curriculum progresses, they learn to apply their skills to increasingly more realistic problems.
The first year of studies consists of learning the core methodologies and techniques in the design and analysis of interaction. During the second year, students specialise in a chosen technical topic. The core courses provide a strong foundation in design, empirical methods, and HCI theories on topics such as interactive AI, input devices, interactive media, interaction techniques, interface technologies, interactive applications, and multimodal interactive systems.
Here are some examples of the wide course selection:
- Computational User Interface Design (5 ECTS)
- Designing Interactive Systems (6 ECTS)
- Emergent User Interfaces (5 ECTS)
- Human-Computer Interaction (5 ECTS)
- Intelligent Computational Media (5 ECTS)
- Usability Evaluation (5 ECTS)
- User Research (5 ECTS)
- User Interface Construction (5 ECTS)
- Security Engineering (5 ECTS)
In addition, there are several elective courses offered in machine learning, AI, and robotics.
>> To learn more about HCI studies, see the programme curriculum.
Doctoral track
Human-Computer Interaction major offers also a competitive doctoral track where a limited number of top students can be admitted. Students selected to the doctoral track can have their studies tailored towards pursuing PhD studies and can start working towards a PhD in one of the department’s research groups already during their Master studies. The best doctoral track candidates will be interviewed. Read more >>
Internationalisation
The programme’s reputation is recognised globally and it provides students a solid foundation for an international career. The two organising schools offer diverse possibilities for exchange studies all over the world. Other possibilities for developing one’s global competence are, for instance, conducting a practical training period, summer courses abroad or acting as a tutor for first-year students.
Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad each year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies, but also multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.
Further study opportunities
The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).
Career opportunities
HCI professionals are well-employed and pursue careers related to interactive AI, interactive systems, user experience, usability, interaction design, human factors, user interface design, human-computer interaction research and beyond. Our curriculum includes contact possibilities with the industry in Finland and abroad, in particular in the capstone project. About half of our students write their Master's thesis for a company.
The programme is well suited for students who want to become engaged in start-up companies on interactive products and services, because it includes essential knowledge to make products and services successful. The graduates will have strong engineering and design skills, as well as other technical and professional skills that enable them to take key roles in an industrial research and development environment. They are well prepared for industrial R&D jobs, user interface engineering and consulting, various expert roles related to interactive technology and user research, and doctoral studies at Aalto University and abroad. Typical job titles include:
- User Interface Engineer
- User Experience Designer
- Behavioral Analyst
- Interaction Designer
- User Interface Developer
- User Researcher
- Information Visualisation Specialist
Several of our students have also pursued academic careers at top universities including ETH Zürich, University of Copenhagen, and University of Lausanne. Our studies put emphasis on basic theories and methodologies, offering a solid basis for PhD studies in HCI.
Research focus
The topics of the major are linked to ongoing research focus areas in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Communications and Networking at Aalto University.
Co-operation with other parties
The research groups involved in the programme co-operate closely with international companies and research groups of the field of HCI. They have demonstrated academic co-operation with high quality international universities and organisations.
Research in Human-Computer Interaction at Aalto University is internationally recognized for contributions to computational design and interaction. CSRankings.com ranks Aalto University as #2 in Europe in the field of HCI. The groups are also part of FCAI, the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence.
Programme-specific admission requirements
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated according to the below Evaluation criteria. The evaluation process is described under Applicant evaluation process. In addition to the obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences (CCIS) - Human-Computer Interaction are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Academic performance
|
What is evaluated? |
Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies |
|
What we look for in an applicant? |
The CCIS programme is looking for applicants with excellent study success in their previous studies. In study options where the number and quality of applications is high, this means that the applicant has achieved consistently excellent grades throughout the degree studies (very high weighted average grade or GPA). The applicant’s study success will be evaluated based on the grade point average (GPA) and grades in key courses. 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. The minimum GPA for applicants from Finnish universities of applied sciences is 4.0. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission to the programme. Applicants with GPA below the limit cannot be admitted unless they have other exceptional qualifications. Programme’s courses or equivalent courses completed in the open university or as non-degree studies with excellent grades may support the application. |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Relevance of previous studies
|
What is evaluated? |
Content and scope of previous studies compared to demands/contents of study option applied to |
|
What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants are expected to have a high-quality Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, communications engineering, or electrical engineering. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields including but not limited to information systems, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics or physics will be considered if they have sufficient studies in the required areas. The required university-level studies, as well as subjects that are considered an advantage, for Human-Computer Interaction are defined below. Required university-level studies:
Studies in at least some of the following subjects are considered an advantage:
The contents of the applicant’s previous degree(s) are evaluated based on the courses on the official transcript of records. Relevant work experience, professional certificates and online courses can also be taken into account in the evaluation, but they do not in general compensate for the absence of university-level studies covering the theoretical foundations of the knowledge areas. |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Transcript(s) of records, course descriptions |
Recognition and quality of institution
|
What is evaluated? |
Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
|
What we look for in an applicant? |
We expect applicants to have completed their previous degree in a high-quality university and programme. The recognition of the applicant’s home university affects also the interpretation of the grades when evaluating the academic performance. |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
Suitability
|
What is evaluated? |
Applicant’s suitability to the study option, motivation, commitment to the studies, and written communication skills |
|
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 study option and describe why they would be excellent candidates for the study option. Studies in the Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge for the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master’s degree, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another one is necessary. In most cases, non-degree studies are recommended instead. |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Application as a whole including motivation letter |
Other areas of competence
|
What is evaluated? |
Work experience, other qualifications and achievements |
|
What we look for in an applicant? |
Beyond their academic record, applicants may have other experience, knowledge and qualifications that prepare them for the Master’s studies and distinguish them among their peers. We particularly value demanding work experience in the area of the planned studies, participation in scientific research leading to publications, entrepreneurship, and special achievements such as success in competitions (e.g. Junction Hackathon). |
|
Method of demonstrating competence |
Curriculum vitae (CV), recommendation letters, proofs of employment, publications, other certificates, GRE or GMAT results (if available). |
During the evaluation of eligible applications, Human-Computer Interaction applications are first evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria:
- Academic performance
- Relevance of previous studies
Only the applications who fulfil the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria. It is not possible to compensate for these criteria with other criteria. This means, for example, that motivation for Master level studies in this subject does not compensate for low grades or that relevant work experience does not compensate for higher education studies in the required subjects.
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
- Suitability
- Other areas of competence
The programme does not have a minimum quota to be fulfilled, and not all acceptable applicants will necessarily be admitted.
In addition to obligatory application documents, the applicants to Human-Computer Interaction are requested to provide the following programme-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)*
- At least one original recommendation letter
- The recommendation letter should preferably be from a university professor, lecturer or a thesis instructor who has supervised the applicant’s studies. There are no specific instructions for the contents of the recommendation letter. The letter should comment on the applicant’s suitability and aptitude for the programme. Recommendation letters written by work supervisors are accepted as well in case some time has passed since graduation.
*) The lack of this document will adversely affect the evaluation of the application.
In addition, these additional documents add value to your application:
- Short course descriptions of courses taken in the relevant subject areas
- Work certificates and certificates of other relevant achievements
- Copies of any publications
- Official transcript of records for other university studies which are not included in the mandatory part of the application (e.g. incomplete degrees, exchange studies, non‐degree studies)
- GRE or GMAT test results, if available
Contact information
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services at [email protected].
For enquiries regarding programme-specific admission requirements, doctoral track or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services at Aalto University School of Science at [email protected].
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