Study options

Master's Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management

The Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) programme provides students with the essential skills and entrepreneurial mindset to create and transform technology-based businesses. Our programme is a unique combination of engineering, business and leadership studies that will empower you to create value and sustained competitive advantage for organisations as a top-tier future leader. Graduating engineers from the programme are prepared for challenging positions to solve the most complex business problems including crafting strategies, developing daily operations and designing future organisations.

Aalto University / students doing group work / photography Unto Rautio

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

1.12.2020 – 4.1.2021

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)

HOW TO APPLY

Businesses are increasingly shaped by technology. Our programme prepares graduates to lead and develop technology-based businesses by combining engineering, economic, and human perspectives. Industrial Engineering and Management programme graduates have:

An integrative understanding of technology and business. You will understand engineering processes, technical systems and underlying technologies and how they are connected to the value creation process of businesses.
Strong leadership and people skills. You will be are equipped to lead and develop organisations and motivate people to realise their inherent potential.
Practical problem-solving skills. You will possess applicable practical skills to solve complex business problems, for example by leveraging sophisticated data analytics.
A can-do attitude. You will be confident and willing to face challenges and tackle new tasks with determination.
An entrepreneurial mindset. You will be able to identify innovative opportunities for adding value for technology-based businesses.
Broad knowledge of various organisations. You will be able to apply their learnings to a wide scale of technology-based businesses from early-stage startups to large multinational corporations.
Hands-on experience. You will have practical experience in putting the theories into action within the context of technology-based businesses.

Upon graduation from the IEM programme, graduates have solid competence in engineering and business as well as widely applicable practical leadership and problem-solving skills.

Structure of studies

Industrial Engineering and Management is organised by the School of Science and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

Major (45 ECTS)
Minor (20 ECTS)
Electives (25 ECTS)
Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

The minor is chosen from a technical field and based on the in-depth knowledge acquired during the bachelor studies.

At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (HOPS) with the help of the programme staff. The primary purpose of HOPS is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order.

Specialisations

Studying Industrial Engineering and Management is a combination of state-of-the-art theoretical research-based insights and practical learning through cases and group assignments. The programme runs in close collaboration with several industry leading companies and the students can carry out research for the companies as part of the course.

Our programme is very multidisciplinary and flexible. There are plenty of topics and courses from which you can pick your perfect study path. Students get insights from each of the three major options to form an overview of industrial engineering and management. The major options are:

The major in Operations Management covers issues from operations strategy to efficient execution of operations that are at the core of successful technology-based businesses. These range from configuring appropriate resources and processes into a production system that best contributes to the organisation’s goals and competitive advantage to managing the production system in order to provide the best match with demand and supply. The Operations Management major builds on the generic principles of operations management but emphasizes novel ways of encountering the challenges and utilising the opportunities related to creating and transforming technology-based business.

The major in Organisation Design and Leadership focuses on issues of organisational design, motivation, and leadership that are critical to the creation and transformation of technology-based businesses. The central question addressed is how companies can grow and prosper while preserving their adaptability, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset. The success of any organisation depends on the potential of its people and its capabilities to maintain a purpose-driven organisation. Therefore, to be able to renew themselves, companies need to unleash and develop their human potential by enabling teams and individuals to self-organise (as opposed to just executing decisions made by top managers) and pursue collective action to seize entrepreneurial opportunities.

The major in Strategy focuses on topics related to the identification, formulation and implementation of courses of action that improve or sustain business performance and thus support the creation and transformation of technology-based businesses. Identifying proper courses of action requires the ability to analyse and synthesize a wide range of different pieces of information and to exercise judgment. Often such analysis is carried out by teams. To achieve their objectives the courses of action also need to be implemented and put into practice.

Minor studies

The technical minor guarantees the student acquires the appropriate level of knowledge in a technical discipline. The minor can be chosen from an appropriate field of engineering, where appropriateness depends on the student’s educational background.

The variety of courses provided is extensive, covering topics like entrepreneurship, innovation and finance. Here are a few examples of the wide course selection:

Designing Adaptive and Creative Organisations (5 ECTS)
Service Operations Management (5 ECTS)
Startup Finance (5 ECTS)
Strategies for Growth and Renewal (5 ECTS)

>> To learn more about the IEM studies, see the programme curriculum (into.aalto.fi).

Studies in Industrial Engineering and Management are the best field for high-growth entrepreneurship.

Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman of Nokia, Founder of F-Secure, Alumnus of Aalto IEM

Internationalisation

The programme’s study environment is highly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. Students can participate in the international exchange programme at one of Aalto University’s many top-tier partner universities worldwide. Other options to gain international experience are to include a summer course or practical training abroad in the degree.

Apart from the studies, student life among IEM students is very welcoming and active. New students can join the IEM student organisation called Prodeko, which provides different activities, events and other opportunities to balance studies with free-time fun. In addition to the invaluable support by Prodeko, the programme’s alumni act as mentors for international students, smoothing their integration into the IEM and Aalto communities.

As Prodeko members, students also join the international student organisation ESTIEM that organises events and activities around Europe for IEM students. It comprises over 60 student organisations across the continent and offers not only great networking opportunities but also possibilities to take on responsibility in different leadership positions – already as a student.

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

Studying Industrial Engineering and Management opens up many diverse career paths in organisations ranging from startups to multinational corporations, consultancies and NGOs. Our alumni have also founded numerous companies. Typically, graduates work in expert, analyst or project management roles in their first job after graduation.

Our department’s close collaboration with the industry and an active alumni network helps students build relationships with companies throughout the studies. Furthermore, the student association of Industrial Engineering and Management organises networking events such as an annual seminar for students and alumni. Several companies also offer master’s thesis positions that can lead to employment after graduation.

Aalto University has well-established career services that will support you in finding employment in Finland and abroad. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon 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 Industrial Engineering is a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.

Research focus

Studies in the programme are linked to the ongoing research focus areas in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management.

Co-operation with other parties

The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management co-operates closely with the national and international companies - ranging from start-ups to multinational enterprises - and research institutes of the field. In addition, the department has academic co-operation with high quality international universities and organisations research.

The IEM programme itself is multidisciplinary. It is not entirely focused on the technical capabilities but also on the leadership and people skills. Students can choose electives from other schools of Aalto University or from other Finnish universities. Also the technical minor can be selected from other departments schools.

Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus brings 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.

Programme-specific admission requirements

Industrial Engineering and Management 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 Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) are evaluated based on the following criteria:

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.

Method of demonstrating competence

Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)

Relevance of previous studies

What is evaluated?

Contents and scope of previous studies compared to demands/ contents of study option applied to (see below)

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.

Method of demonstrating competence

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.

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 institution and the programme.
Method of demonstrating competence	International and national rankings of higher education institutions

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 programme, 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 programme. To improve knowledge in management does not require degree studies because the Finnish educational system 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.

Method of demonstrating competence

Motivation letter and curriculum vitae

Other areas 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.

Method of demonstrating competence

Letter of reference, proof of employment, results of language test in English, and GRE or GMAT test results

During the evaluation of eligible applications, Industrial Engineering and Management applications are first evaluated based on the following criteria:

Academic performance
Relevance of previous studies

Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria. 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 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.

Our requirements for the academic performance are very high. Since all the qualified candidates have outstanding academic performance, suitability as well as recognition and quality of institution are also significant. The evaluation process is highly competitive, and the admission quota limits the intake. Eventually, any difference between even applicants may become crucial considering the final ranking order in a tight competition.

In addition to obligatory application documents, the applicants to Industrial Engineering and Management are requested to provide the following programme-specific documents. The lack of the following application documents will adversely affect the evaluation of your application:

Motivation letter
- The motivation letter should be written in English. The maximum length of the motivation letter is about 4000 characters. You should write a separate motivation letter for each study option you apply to.
Official certificates and study records concerning other university-level degree or non-degree studies in addition to the Bachelor’s degree providing eligibility.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) in order to structure an application with numerous documents

An applicant can also include the following optional documents in order to support his/her application. These documents provide evidence that support the profile created by the required documents. Quality counts more than quantity.

Course descriptions of courses taken in relevant subject areas. These descriptions are highly important if you do not have a B.Sc. in engineering or you have only few business studies. In such cases, the lack of course descriptions may adversely affect the evaluation of your application.
Letter of recommendation (at least one).
- The recommendation should be written by a person who has supervised you in either academic or employment capacity. It should be specifically addressed for the Master's Programme in IEM.
Results of GRE- or GMAT-test.
Relevant letters of reference (work certificates) and other certificates of relevant activities. In case you have work experience or other activities that could support your application, include copies of these documents to your application.

Additional information for applicants with a degree from a university of applied sciences (especially in the field of IEM)

A degree from a university of applied sciences (UAS) 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. It is the applicant’s duty to attach additional documentation on course contents to his/her application.

Please note also the requirements on the minimum GPA under Academic performance criterion.

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 the programme-specific admission requirements or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services at Aalto University School of Science at [email protected].

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Industrial Engineering and Management master's student Leonidas Karavanas Papadimos tells us about his experiences studying at Aalto

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Published: 31.8.2018
Updated: 13.9.2021

Master's Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Structure of studies

Minor studies

Internationalisation

Further study opportunities

Career opportunities

Research focus

Co-operation with other parties

Academic performance

Relevance of previous studies

Recognition and quality of institution

Suitability

Other areas of competence

Contact information

Chat with Aalto students

Student testimonial: Leonidas Karavanas Papadimos

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management

Study at Aalto

This is Finland

Master's Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

The application period has closed

Structure of studies

Specialisations

Operations Management

Organisation Design and Leadership

Strategy

Minor studies

Internationalisation

Further study opportunities

Career opportunities

Research focus

Co-operation with other parties

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Programme-specific admission requirements

Evaluation criteria

Academic performance

Relevance of previous studies

Recognition and quality of institution

Suitability

Other areas of competence

Applicant evaluation process

Requested documents

Additional information for UAS applicants

Contact information

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Student testimonial: Leonidas Karavanas Papadimos

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management

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