Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria
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 Creative Sustainability (CS) Master of Arts will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
Academic performance
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What is evaluated
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Grades of the previous degree(s)
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Good academic performance in previous studies
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
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Artistic and/or design practice
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What is evaluated
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Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Relevant design practice relates to promoting sustainability and social change.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Portfolio
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Relevance of previous studies
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What is evaluated
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Relevant previous studies can relate to a many fields. However, studies in sustainability, environmental studies, as well as studies relating to social change are regarded as an advantage.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
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Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies and communication skills
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Suitable applicants have demonstrated some engagement in sustainability either in their previous study, work or through other commitments. Suitable applicants also have emerging ideas on how they might be professionally engaged in sustainability in the future.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Motivation letter
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Other areas of competence
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What is evaluated
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Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Sustainability requires skills of communication and analytical skills as well as creative problem-solving. Not all these competence areas are captured in design outputs but can also include e.g. publications.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Curriculum vitae
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Phase II
Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies and communication skills
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Suitable applicants have demonstrated some engagement in sustainability either in their previous study, work or through other commitments. Suitable applicants also have emerging ideas on how they might be professionally engaged in sustainability in the future.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Interview
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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 those who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Academic performance
- Artistic and/or design practice
- 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.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
Part of the applicants are invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest seven days in advance.
Interviews will be conducted online. The interview is used to further assess the merits and suitability of the applicant.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
Study-option-specific documents requested
The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
A portfolio consisting of the applicant’s own works is mandatory.
In the portfolio, applicants display work that shows their artistic expression and design skills. The portfolio must contain diverse samples of the applicant’s previous scientific, professional and/or artistic activity. Artwork/project work can be provided as technical drawings, slides or photographs. If you present a work that has been undertaken as a team, please clarify your particular role in, and contribution to, the project. The work contained in the portfolio must be catalogued, listing at least the title and/or theme, materials used, size, purpose and year of completion of each piece. The catalogue must also detail where and when the work has been exhibited, displayed or published.
The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 100 MB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf.The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF-file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process.
CV / Professional experience
The applicant’s professional experience will be looked at broadly, and especially with regard to work experience relevant to the Creative Sustainability programme. Professional experience will be evaluated based on the CV.
Motivation letter
The applicant must convey his/her motivation for studying in the Creative Sustainability programme by writing a letter of motivation. The letter should include responses to the following questions:
- What is your most significant achievement or success in the area of sustainability and design?
- Why do you want to become a student in the Creative Sustainability programme at Aalto University?
- What types of projects would you like to do during your studies and as your masters’ thesis?
- What do you want to do after the master programme?
(Max. 3000 characters.)
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in English.