Study options

Information Networks, Master of Science (Technology)

The Master’s Programme in Information Networks educates cross-disciplinary thinkers and innovators with human-centric technological skills. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between people and digital technologies and business on an individual, group, organisational and societal level.
Aalto University / students doing teamwork /  photo by Unto Rautio

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024

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) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

The great challenges of our time, from climate crisis to information manipulation, all have something in common: they are complex societal phenomena and solving them requires cross-disciplinary approaches. These so-called wicked problems call for holistic solutions that recognise larger connections between things. Tailored to the needs of the future digital economy and information society, the programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how individual technologies and business models can shape societies and values through organisations, networks, and whole industries. 

Upon graduating from the Master’s Programme in Information Networks, graduates will have: 

  • Societal perspective to technologies. Graduates understand the broader impacts of digital technologies and how they can pave the way for sustainable, human and ethical visions of technology in society. 
  • Understanding of how technology and information systems reshape businesses. Graduates know how information technologies, such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing, enable new business models and organisations to develop. 
  • Ability for critical thinking. Graduates are skilled in evaluating and creating information, technology and business models from ethical, philosophical and societal perspectives. 
  • Socially conscious engineering mindset. Graduates are skilled with tools and knowledge on how to create societally sustainable and ethically sound technologies, organisations, and businesses. 
  • Strong personal and interpersonal skills. Graduates have strong group work skills and are able to work with a range of different personalities and professionals. The graduates also understand their own role, identity and goals in the context of technology, business, and societal impact. 

Tuition fees and scholarships

Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. 

Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee. 

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage. 

Structure of studies

Master’s Programme in Information Networks comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of: 

  • Long or compact major (40-65 ECTS) 
  • Master’s thesis (30 ECTS) 
  • Elective studies (25-35 ECTS) 
  • Possible minor (20-25 ECTS) 

If the student chooses to take a compact major, a minor (20–25 ECTS) is mandatory. 

Master's Programme in Information Networks

Specialisations

The programme offers four majors. The major includes compulsory Information Networks courses and studies from the selected major. Thus, the specific content of the major depends on the student’s own interest. The students may build their competence profile in one of the following majors: 

  • Software Engineering and Architectures focuses on how software and data is designed and engineered as large architectures, especially in an enterprise environment. 
  • Business and Organisational Design focuses on how organisations and businesses are shaped to create the desired values, impacts, and societal outcomes. 
  • Digital Ethics, Society and Policy focuses on understanding the societal impact of technologies and digital businesses as a component of broader systems that include values, regulations, politics, environment and other non-technological factors. 
  • User, Data and Design focuses on how design processes and data are used to create digital products and services that are usable, valuable and functional. 

The common courses for all majors are about technology and society, philosophy, aesthetics and digital ethics. Depending on the major the student chooses, the topics include organisational design, service design, user experience, social media, business design, and software design. To give concrete examples of the topics covered, here are some courses picked from the programme’s extensive curriculum: 

  • Societal Design Project (9 ECTS) 
  • Politics of Human-Computer Interaction (5 ECTS) 
  • Digital Ethics (3 ECTS) 
  • Creating Value with Analytics (5 ECTS) 
  • Technology and Society (5 ECTS) 
  • Information manipulation (5 ECTS) 

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide. There may be some changes to the courses for the academic years 2024–2026 — the new curricula will be published in April 2024, when they will also be visible in the Student guide.

Internationalisation

The study environment in the Information Networks programme is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. The School of Science offers diverse possibilities for student exchange all over the world. Exchange studies can be included in the degree as, for example, an international minor. Other possibilities for developing one’s global competence include conducting practical training abroad or taking a summer course abroad. 

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. 

Further study opportunities

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

Career opportunities

Societally conscious engineers, able to see the bigger picture, are increasingly sought after in the job market. Multidisciplinary problem identification, problem solving, continuous learning and innovation are qualities that open doors to an exceptionally wide range of careers. Graduates can best be defined as active co-creators, facilitators and integrators of human-centred innovation in the networked world. 

A survey conducted in spring 2021 examined the career paths of Information Networks alumni. 97 % of the respondents said that they are employed. Examples of job titles for recent graduates include: 

  • Product Manager 
  • UX Designer 
  • Service Designer 
  • CEO 
  • Analyst 
  • Researcher 
  • Software Developer 
  • Social Media Producer 
  • Journalist 

The most common workplaces for recent graduates were Aalto University, Futurice, Capgemini, Reaktor, Mandatum Life, Elisa, Nokia, Columbia Road, Gofore, Suunto, Kaiku Helsinki, Bain & Company, Sievo, Solita, Telia Company, Terveystalo, Veikkaus and Nitor. 

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. 

Unto Rautio

School of Science graduates in working life

School of Science Master's graduates are highly successful in finding jobs corresponding to their education. On this page you can find information on job titles, job sectors and career development of our graduates.

School of Science

Research focus

Relevant research in conducted at the Department of Computer Science and Department of Industrial Engineering and Management

Co-operation with other parties

The programme follows a transdisciplinary approach, bridging the gap between society, technology, business and human factors. Courses are tailored so that students develop a wide palette of skills and creativity to tackle problems of significant importance. Also, the programme brings together individuals from a variety of backgrounds. 

The study methods embrace active peer learning and problem-based learning. Various group work assignments enhance students’ communication and teamwork skills and prepare them for real-life work environments where collaboration is crucial. Information Networks has close ties with the practical world – through various project courses, students receive briefs from companies, organisations and charities. Students learn to solve problems creatively and ethically, and discuss the end results in close collaboration with professors and stakeholders. Teaching methods don’t only mimic real-life scenarios but actually introduce students to projects with real problems and viable solutions. 

The Master’s Programme in Information Networks gathers together a relatively small number of students, and there are a number of ways in which students can have a say in their learning. The professors are highly dedicated to their field and encourage close cooperation and open communication between faculty and students. The close community is one of the strengths of the programme – Information Networks’ guild Athene actively organises various events and company collaborations. 

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. 

Programme-specific admission requirements

Information Networks 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.

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Athene

Athene Guild (external link)

Informaatioverkostojen kilta - Information networks guild

Contact information

Learning Services at Aalto University School of Science

For enquiries regarding the programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services of Aalto University School of Science

[email protected]

Admission Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services

[email protected]

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