Study options

Production Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

For applicants

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Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

1 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Art and Design

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

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HOW TO APPLY

Description

The primary focus of the Production Design major in the master's program in Film and Television is to educate artistic designers responsible for the visual, functional, and production aspects of production design in film and TV productions. The aim of the Production Design major is to develop students into experts in visual storytelling, expanding their personal artistic vision, professional competence, specialization, and leadership skills. In addition to the teamwork skills essential to the job description, studies emphasize the importance of personal time management and stress tolerance. Additionally, our program equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge for doctoral studies.

The major emphasizes students' personal development in artistic design and its implementation through creative research, collaboration, theoretical, and critical thinking, aimed at strengthening students’ professional competence as production designers within the film and television industry, particularly in large-scale professional productions. In addition to acquiring professional expertise, the curriculum aims to enable students to creatively and independently develop the field after their studies.

One key objective of the master's studies in Production Design is to support students' personal goals and enhance their competence in the field. Additionally, the program aims to encourage and support students in boldly and constructively expressing their perspectives in artistic collaboration.

Master's degree students are expected to work independently and actively participate in planning their studies. The curriculum is continuously enriched and updated by incorporating new design practices, technologies, and relevant and impactful research in the field.

Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option at the Programme page

Language of instruction

The language of instruction in Master's Programme in Film and Television, Production Design major is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

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

Structure of studies

Master’s degree studies include delving into the special areas of production design, research related studies to develop conceptual thinking relating to design for theatre, film and television, and productions that realise artistic expression.

The students can take research-oriented and theoretical studies that are an introduction to doctoral studies.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.

Courses and curriculum

Specialisations

Each student creates their Personal Study Plan (PSP), which 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.

Internationalisation

Students are encouraged to complete part of their studies in international exchange programmes or internships and participate in international teaching events. International visiting teachers and students enrich the reaching and help students network.

A significant amount of master’s studies are completed in English.

Further study opportunities

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers doctoral studies in the fields of architecture, art, design, media, film and scenography.

For more information about our research groups visit the following link.

Career opportunities

Production Designers play a central role in the film, television, and related industries, acting as the artistic and operational heads of their departments.

They work on feature films, short films, documentaries, and other cinematic projects, including TV series, miniseries, TV movies, and various commercial productions such as advertisements. Career opportunities also include digital production design, leveraging the skills acquired and applied during the program. Digital production design offers new opportunities for professionals to utilize their expertise in creating immersive visual experiences for films, television, and various digital media platforms, contributing holistically to the visual narrative of productions. Production designers have a wide range of career opportunities across various industries, and they also have the opportunity to specialize in event design, working on live events, exhibitions, theme parks, and developing augmented or virtual reality experiences for users at various events.

The degree program includes 30 credits of elective studies, allowing students to complement their degree according to their personal interests or deepen their expertise in a desired area. Graduates of the program are qualified to work in various positions within the Art Department of film and television productions.

Research focus

Research at the Department of Film and Television creates understanding about the means of expression and the production process. The research orientation (practice based research) is based on the fruitful dialogue of theory and practice.

You can find more information about the Department’s research and research groups from here.

Co-operation with other parties

The Department cooperates actively with different parties in the field of film and television. Students have the possibility to take courses from other Aalto schools. We also collaborate with other universities (for example UniArts).

Evaluation criteria 2027

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s programme in Film and Television - Production design will be evaluated based on the following criteria

What is evaluated

Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments.

What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements

The major in Production Design seeks applicants with a solid foundation in technical skills, collaborative work, artistic planning, and technical management relevant to the profession. While a bachelor’s degree in film is not mandatory, applicants should demonstrate relevant educational backgrounds, professional experience, and a keen interest in production design.

A portfolio is required, showcasing previous professional experiences, including roles or projects in production design or related fields.

Applicants should exhibit a strong artistic insight and understanding of the production designer's role in filmmaking. Their application materials should reflect their creative vision, aesthetic sensibility, and ability to translate concepts into visual forms. The portfolio should include diverse work samples demonstrating artistic creativity, technical proficiency and potential contribution to production design.

Each sample should be accompanied by clear documentation and descriptions providing context and explaining the applicant's role or contribution. Samples may include sketches, design concepts, project documentation, or other relevant materials.

Method of demonstrating competence

Portfolio

What is evaluated

Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements

What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements

The content provided by the applicant should directly relate to the study option they are applying for. This includes academic background, professional experience, and any additional qualifications or achievements relevant to Production Design for film and television. The quantity of information should be sufficient to provide a comprehensive overview of the applicant's qualifications and suitability for the program.

Applicants with professional experience but without a previous degree in the field are encouraged to apply. Their practical knowledge and expertise in filmmaking processes, alongside any relevant skills in production design, will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process. The program values both academic qualifications and professional achievements, aiming to admit candidates who can demonstrate a strong alignment with the program's focus areas and contribute meaningfully to the field of production design. In summary, the evaluation of applicants' submitted content and quantity is designed to assess their suitability and readiness for master's level study in production design.

The content of the application should align with the goals and objectives of the study option and demonstrate how the applicant's background and interests correspond to the program's focus areas. Our aim is to ensure that each student admitted to our program can fully engage with the curriculum, benefit from the learning experience, offer sufficient new learning opportunities to meet the needs and career aspirations of admitted students, and make meaningful contributions to their field of study.

Method of demonstrating competence

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

Phase I

What is evaluated

Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills

What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements

Your motivation letter should address the following points:

Your motivation for applying to the program and your academic and career goals.
Why you believe this program is a good fit for you and how it aligns with your interests and aspirations.
Any relevant academic or professional experiences that have influenced your decision to pursue graduate study.
How you hope to contribute to the master's program in Production Design for Film and Television and what you hope to achieve during your time as a student.

Method of demonstrating competence

Motivation letter

Phase II

What is evaluated	Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements	During the interview phase we are checking the general understanding of the group work, film making processes and ability to analyse visual arts in general.
Method of demonstrating competence	Interview

What is evaluated

Work experience and other required knowledge/achievements

What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements

Applicants are expected to provide a clear overview of their previous professional experience, including any relevant roles or projects in the field of production design or related areas, and to provide context and explain their role or contribution to each project.

The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

Method of demonstrating competence

Evaluation process

The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.

The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises two phases:

In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria

Artistic and/or design practice
Relevance of previous studies
Suitability/Motivation letter
Other areas of competence

Only the applicants who are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.

In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria:

Suitability/Interview

In master's studies interviews for production design, candidates are evaluated on their understanding of filmmaking processes, ability to analyze their own artistic portfolio, collaborative skills, as well as their genuine motivation and readiness to participate in and commit to the curriculum at Aalto University

After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.

Documents required by the study option

This study option (master’s programme) requires two sets of documents from their applicants:

Obligatory application documents detailed on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage
Documents required by the study option listed below

The portfolio (single PDF file) is a showcase for the applicant’s artistic production. The portfolio should be a well-rounded and comprehensive display of your previous professional and/or artistic activity. You may present your work as drafts, technical drawings and/or photos.

The digital portfolio should be uploaded to the application system as a single PDF file before sending the application. The portfolio may consist in part of links to password protected or open video files (on Vimeo, YouTube, etc.). If protected, the password must be included in the portfolio. The works in the portfolio must be in the form of a list containing the work titles and/or themes, the production methods and materials as well as the size, format, year, and purpose of the productions and any working group members. The list must also specify when and where the works have been exhibited, performed or published.

Maximum size of the file is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.

Document language: English

Write a letter of motivation of at most 4000 characters (approx. one A4 sheet) explaining your reasons for applying to this area of specialisation and telling of your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your strengths and interests, creative goals and other points relating to your work.

The motivation letter should contain a section in which you briefly describe what kind of work you anticipate doing in future.

Document language: English

Include with the application materials a CV containing your personal details, educational background, work experience and any exhibitions, publications, articles, awards, grants, study trips or positions of trust.

Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account.

The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

Document language: English

Checklist of all application documents

Obligatory application documents required from all applicants:

Bachelor’s degree certificate
Transcript of records
Authorised translations (if applicable)
Degree certificate and transcript of records of another higher education degree (if applicable)
Copy of a valid passport or an official identification card (does not apply to Finnish citizens)
Proof of language proficiency
Copy of your fee-exempting residence permit card in Finland (if applicable)

Documents required by this study option:

Portfolio
Motivation letter
CV

Remember to check the detailed instructions for the obligatory application documents, including the language requirements, on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage.

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Contact information

Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.

arts-admissions@aalto.fi

Admissions Services

Questions concerning the required application documents, the application process and the required English proficiency level may be sent to Aalto’s Admission Services.

admissions@aalto.fi

Updated: 8.9.2026
Published: 14.9.2018

Production Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Checklist of all application documents

A deep dive into radical creativity

A new boom in Finnish cinema (external link)

Production Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Table of contents

Description

Language of instruction

Tuition fees and scholarships

Structure of studies

Specialisations

Internationalisation

Further study opportunities

Career opportunities

Research focus

Co-operation with other parties

Evaluation criteria 2027

Artistic and/or design practice

Relevance of previous studies

Suitability

Other areas of competence

Evaluation process

Phase I

Phase II

Documents required by the study option

Portfolio

Motivation letter

CV

Checklist of all application documents

Read more about filmmaking

A deep dive into radical creativity

A new boom in Finnish cinema (external link)

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