Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria
(Updated 28.10.2021)
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 Contemporary Design (CoDe) will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
Artistic and/or design practice
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Assessed area
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Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments
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Admission requirements
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Skills in relevant area of design; Quality of the creative work including conceptual strength, visualization and communication of the concepts; Courage to explore relevant topics and engagement with materiality.
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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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Assessed area
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
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Admission requirements
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Completion of adequate undergraduate courses and degree
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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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Assessed area
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
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Admission requirements
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Motivation letter:
Appropriate mindset for the studies: willingness to collaborate and take risks when exploring new procedures, techniques and materialities for the future; Ability, fluency and clarity in written English
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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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Assessed area
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Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions
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Admission requirements
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Basic skills in some design field; Working experience; Art, craft and design related activities
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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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Assessed area
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
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Admission requirements
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Passion to both deepen and broaden the already existing knowledge; Willingness to engage in critical thinking and to find one’s own path to contribute to the field of design; Interest in the social and ecological context of design; Ability to communicate fluently in spoken English.
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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 decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of previous studies
- Other areas of competence
- Suitability/Motivation letter
Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/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 Phase II. The invitation to Phase II will be send to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance. The second phase consist of a face-to-face interview, which can be conducted over Skype or telephone if necessary.
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. The document should not exceed 25 pages and can be at maximum 1.0 GB. The lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application.
- Motivation letter. The letter should not exceed the limit of one page (Times New Roman, 12 point). The lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application.
- CV
Portfolio
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 artistic, professional and/or scientific activity.
The portfolio can include illustrations, drawings, photographs and technical drawings. The works that are displayed 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 and whether the work is based on individual or group work. The contribution of the applicant in the work should be stated in case the work has been completed in a group. The applicant’s name, address and phone number and the degree programme applied for must be indicated clearly in the portfolio.
The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf.If your portfolio contains password protected video links, include the password(s) in your portfolio. If a portfolio is not uploaded to the online application form by the deadline, the application will be rejected.
The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF-file. Links to external material, such as website, or videos will not be considered during the intake process.
Motivation letter
In the motivation letter the applicant should explain the reasons for applying to Contemporary Design Programme. The letter should also indicate what are the main and particular areas of interests in the field as well as goals and expectations for the studies to be completed in the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The applicant can describe his/her strengths and interests, as well as vision of art and design, aspects related to work and creative goals.
CV
The application must include the applicant’s CV with personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in English.