The applicants are first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. 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.
The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management is responsible for the academic evaluation. The Departmental Selection Board consists of academic faculty members of the department and it executes the evaluation. The Board reserves the right to decide on the exact interpretation of the previously described criteria. The evaluation process is highly competitive, and the admission quota limits the intake.
First, The Board considers
- Academic performance
- Relevance of previous studies
Only the applicants who fulfill the minimum requirements for these criteria will be evaluated and ranked against the full set of evaluation criteria, including also
- Recognition and quality of institution
- Suitability
- Other areas of competence
The academic performance is the primary criterion. Since all the qualified candidates have outstanding academic performance, the relevance of previous studies and suitability are also significant. In a tight competition, any difference between even applicants may become crucial considering the final rank order, however.
Additional information for the applicants with a degree from a university of applied sciences (especially for the field of IEM)
A degree from a university of applied sciences belongs to the “other Bachelor’s degrees” stated in the academic evaluation criterion “Relevance of previous studies”. Therefore, read carefully the description of the criterion and pay attention to the following advice when preparing your application.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management or in other domains than engineering must show a minor or equivalent orientation in a field of engineering that clearly differs from industrial engineering and management. For example, logistics, knowledge management, business intelligence or ERP systems are not appropriate subjects in this context.
Concerning studies in mathematics, the most desired topics include discrete mathematics, matrix algebra, and probability and statistics.
Notice that the course names in transcripts do not always clarify the content unambiguously. The applicant’s duty is to attach additional documentation in his/her application.
Academic performance
| What is evaluated? |
Grades of the previous degree(s) and previous time-to-graduation |
| What we look for in an applicant |
We only admit applicants with outstanding academic performance. The degree certificate and/or the official transcript of university records should clearly indicate that the applicant has been among the best students (top 10-15%) in his or her home university. For example, an applicant has achieved consistently the best grades throughout the degree studies (very high weighted average grade or GPA), which typically leads to graduation with distinction. For example, applicants from Finnish universities should have a GPA of at least 4.0 on the grading scale of 1-5. For universities of applied sciences, the expected GPA is generally at least 4.5, however. We emphasize the grades achieved in the degree that first gives the eligibility for applying.
We seek students who will complete the programme successfully in due time. Therefore, the applicant’s previous time-to-graduation matters besides the GPA. If the applicant has several relevant degrees, all attached information will affect the assessment but we value consistent performance throughout the academic record. However, the level of the highest degree achieved is not a proof of academic performance in this context.
|
| Evaluated documents |
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Criticality |
Critical |
Relevance of previous studies
| What is evaluated? |
Content and quantity of the previous degree studies in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant |
We prefer applicants who have a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in some field of engineering and at least 25 ECTS of business studies included in the degree.
Concerning business studies, the application should clearly demonstrate basic knowledge of management science, covering at least the basic concepts of markets and competition, operations management, organizational behavior and financial management.
Other Bachelor’s degrees may be suitable if the content of these studies, together with relevant university-level non-degree studies, is comparable to the preferred degrees. The application documents should unambiguously show sufficient amount of studies similar to typical Bachelor’s level engineering studies:
- University-level engineering mathematics at least 25 ECTS
- University-level computer science and programming at least 10 ECTS
- University-level physics or chemistry at least 10 ECTS or additional 10 ECTS in computer science or data analytics
- Minor or equivalent orientation in a field of engineering that differs from industrial engineering and management 25 ECTS
Even though the studies in the relevant subject areas would reach the minimum level, they may be inferior as compared to other applicants.
The degree in the Master’s Programme in IEM should also give the applicant genuinely new knowledge. We may not consider for further evaluation applicants that already have a master’s degree in the field of industrial engineering and management or an equivalent degree, or that have completed an equivalent combination of engineering and business studies.
In sum, the content of the previous degrees can affect the evaluation both positively and negatively. Deficiencies concerning business studies or typical engineering studies weaken the application. The number of degrees or amount of studies is not an advantage as such, and overlapping degrees create a clear disadvantage.
|
| Evaluated documents |
Transcript(s) of records and degree certificate(s).
Course descriptions of courses taken in the previously mentioned relevant subject areas in cases where the amount of business studies do not exceed 25 ECTS or the applicant does not have a B.Sc. in some field of engineering. |
| Criticality |
Critical |
Recognition and quality of institution
| What is evaluated? |
Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| 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 |
International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| Criticality |
Not critical |
Suitability
| What is evaluated? |
Applicant’s motivation and commitment for the degree studies |
| What we look for in an applicant |
Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest and willingness to pursue the degree. They should reflect on their willingness to study at Aalto University and on their capabilities and goals with respect to the objectives of our programme. Hereby applicants should keep in mind that once accepted into the program they will be part of a very active community of students and alumni with ample opportunities for involvement. They are thus encouraged to familiarize themselves with the activities and values of the Prodeko community.
If an applicant already has a M.Sc. or higher academic degree, he/she should describe thoroughly his/her motivation to join and graduate from the program. To improve knowledge in management does not require degree studies because the Finnish educational systems offers other possibilities for this. For example, non-degree or open-university studies are recommended to complement the earlier degree or to improve one’s professional skills.
|
| Evaluated documents |
Motivation letter |
| Criticality |
Not critical |
Other ares of competence
| What is evaluated? |
Other relevant skills, knowledge or achievements |
| What we look for in an applicant |
We look for evidence that support the applicant’s profile created by the evaluation of the previous criteria. Quality counts more than quantity. We appreciate excellent results in standardized tests as well as relevant work experience. Diplomas or certificates in non-formal or commercial programmes have little value.
We also highly value extracurricular activities and achievements that demonstrate a willingness and ability to contribute to the community and society.
|
| Evaluated documents |
Curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, results of language test in English, and GRE or GMAT test result |
| Criticality |
Not critical |
