The Master’s Programme in Information Networks is a trans-disciplinary study programme in engineering building on computer science and business management. It combines the fields of social sciences, advanced digital technologies, and business. The Master's students combine in their studies computer science, industrial management and business with a human-centred approach. Thus, our programme should not be considered as a master’s programme in telecommunication technologies. Our programme aims to learning outcomes that enable a holistic understanding about the interplay between information technology, business, and humans.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Information Networks are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Relevance of previous studies
What is evaluated? |
Content and quantity of previous studies |
What we look for in an applicant |
An acceptable applicant’s Bachelor’s degree will allow the applicant to complete the Master’s degree in two years. Thus, engineering degrees in computer science, media technology, industrial engineering and management, or in some combination of these subject areas are examples of suitable degrees. However, we encourage applicants from other backgrounds than engineering also to apply, if they have academic evidence on skills corresponding to the subject areas listed below.
The official study transcript of acceptable applicants fulfills the following criteria:
- About 20 ECTS of elementary university-level mathematics including
- calculus and linear algebra (e.g., sequences, series, derivatives and integrals, basic types of differential equations, vector computations, matrices and systems of linear equations, eigenvalues)
- probability and statistics
- About 20 ECTS of programming and computer science (e.g., fundamentals of programming, web programming, software engineering, machine learning, data science)
In addition, courses in digital media, human-computer interaction, user experience, service design, operations and service management, organizational behavior and leadership, communications, social sciences, and philosophy are merits for the applicant.
The contents of the applicant’s previous degree(s) are evaluated based on the courses available on the official transcript of study records. Relevant work experience, professional certificates and/or online courses are judged case-by-case, but they do not, in general, compensate for the university level studies that include also the theoretical foundations of the required subjects.
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Evaluated documents |
Degree certificate(s), transcript(s) of study records, maximum 10 course descriptions of those courses in mathematics, programming or computer science and other subject areas that the applicants consider to be most relevant for their application. |
Academic performance
What is evaluated? |
Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies |
What we look for in an applicant |
The acceptable applicants have achieved consistently very good grades at their home university. With the grading scale used in the Finnish universities from 1 to 5 (5=excellent), the weighted GPA should be about 4. When evaluating each applicant’s academic performance, we especially emphasize the grades achieved in the degree that gives the eligibility for applying. |
Evaluated documents |
Transcript(s) of study records, degree certificate(s) |
Suitability
What is evaluated? |
Applicant’s suitability to the programme, motivation, commitment to studies, and written communication skills. |
What we look for in an applicant |
We are looking for applicants who 1) show a clear interest in people as individuals, groups, communities, or organisations and society as users of information and communication technology, 2) can clearly express the reasons for applying to the study option, 3) describe why they would be good candidates for thestudy option, and 4) are committed to study 30 ECTS per semester.
Studies in the Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge for the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master’s degree in any field, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another Master’s degree is necessary.
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Evaluated document |
Motivation letter |
Recognition and quality of institution
What is evaluated? |
Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
What we look for in an applicant |
We expect acceptable applicants to have completed their previous degree in a high-quality higher education institution and programme. The recognition of the applicant’s home university affects also the final interpretation of the academic performance. |
Method of demonstrating competence |
International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
Other areas of competence
What is evaluated? |
Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
What we look for in an applicant |
We are looking for applicants who show a clear interest in people as individuals, groups, or communities, or organisations and society as users of information and communication technology. Applicants will benefit of the following:
- CV and/or portfolio describing
- work experience in above mentioned areas, e.g. in user research, design, business management, software development, or entrepreneurship
- non-work related activities (voluntary) in above mentioned areas, e.g. voluntary work with individuals, groups, organizations or communities
- A recommendation letter stating applicant’s suitability in the field(s) of the study option
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Evaluated documents |
CV and/or portfolio, proof of relevant employment, recommendation letter |
Applicants to Information Networks meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the process described below.
First, the applications are evaluated based on the following, critically important criteria:
- Relevance of previous studies
- Academic performance
- Suitability
Only those applications that include the required documents/fulfill the requirements of the above-mentioned critical criteria will be evaluated further and ranked.
Secondly, the following non-critical criteria are added to the final evaluation:
- Recognition and quality of institution
- Other areas of competence
The applicants are advised to include all the suggested documents to support their application (see Requested documents).
The best applicants will be selected based on the comprehensive evaluation of all the above-mentioned five criteria. The programme does not have a minimum quota to be filled, and not all eligible applicants will necessarily be admitted.
In addition to the obligatory application documents, applicants to the Information Networks programme are requested to provide the following programme-specific documents:
- Motivation letter (see Suitability criterion)
- The motivation letter should be written in English. The maximum length of the motivation letter is about 4000 characters. The motivation letter should indicate the applicant’s interest, suitability, and motivation specifically for the Information Networks programme.
- Course descriptions of those courses (max 10) the applicants consider the most relevant for their application (incl. description of the courses that will be completed after the application period but by 31 July 2024 (relevant for unfinished degrees)). These courses should indicate how the applicant fulfills the Relevance of previous studies criterion.
- Official transcript of records for other university studies which are not included in the mandatory part of the application (e.g. incomplete degrees, exchange studies, non‐degree studies), if available
- CV and/or portfolio
- Proofs of relevant employment if available
- Recommendation letters
The lack of any of these documents will adversely affect the evaluation of your application.