Study-option-specific 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 Urban Studies and Planning - M.Sc. In Architecture will be evaluated based on the following criteria
Phase I
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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Applicants should demonstrate
- their communication skills that is the ability to use visual means of representation of the discipline in order to communicate your design/planning idea and its architectural expression, with special focus on the topic of urban planning and urban design.
- their technical skills that is the ability to translate your concept into an adequate material system and coherent construction logic.
- their understanding of context that is the ability to relate the architectural project to its physical, social, cultural and political environment.
- their understanding of space-making that is the ability to translate the architectural concept into an adequate spatial experience and spatial dynamics, with special focus on the urban and regional scale.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Portfolio (max 20 pages, pdf-format)
Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf
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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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Bachelor in Architecture
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Method of demonstrating competence
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degree certificate(s)
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Phase II
Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Motivation for studies
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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The applicant should clarify the reasons for applying to Aalto University and the expectations and goals for studying in the programme. What are his/her particular areas of interests, and objectives and hopes regarding the studies in the study option of Architecture in the Master’s programme in Urban Studies and Planning at Aalto University. Applicants must specify their visions of architecture and urban design, and demonstrate their special interest in multidisciplinary urban development.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Motivation letter
(max 500 words, pdf-format)
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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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Applicant should demonstrate a thorough knowledge comparable to the Bachelor education in architecture at Aalto University
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records
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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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The applicant should reflect on their education so far and how it has shaped their understanding of the relevance of architecture and urban studies.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Letter of self-reflection (max 500 words, pdf-format) with curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, publications, study visits or other relevant material attached as appendix.
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Suitability
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What is evaluated
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The interview is tied together with the required application material and will test applicants’ further motivation and suitability to the field of study.
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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The applicants should demonstrate:
- critical reflection on your academic and professional achievements in relation to the objectives of the field of study
- an elaborated introduction into 1-2 projects showcased in the portfolio
- an articulated understanding of the content of the field of study
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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 applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases and is described next.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of previous studies/degree
The applicant´s portfolio is reviewed independently by at least three selection committee members and graded according to communication skills, technical skills, understanding of context and understanding of space-making with special focus on the urban planning and urban design. The final grade for phase I is achieved by averaging out the grades of the various reviews by the selection committee members. Only the applications who fulfill the requirements 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
- Suitability/Motivation letter
- Relevance of previous studies/Transcript(s) of records
- Other areas of competence
- Suitability/Interview
The selection committee members will review the motivation letter, transcripts and letter of self-reflection and evaluate it according to the given criteria.
On the basis of the application documents and the results of the phase I, some of the applicants will be selected to an interview.
The interviews are conducted online. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.
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 composed of the applicant's own work samples (exercises, possible other work, etc.) must be enclosed in the application with integrated CV and motivation letter. The portfolio must illustrate the applicant's design skills and artistic nature in a broad-based and versatile manner. The main focus of the evaluation is placed on design sketches and other image material. The portfolio and other application documents must demonstrate the applicant’s competence related to building design and the scope of their studies in building design, required in the Bachelor level studies towards a degree in Architecture.
Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf
CV
The application should include a CV which states the applicant's personal data, information on their education, work experience and other professional/artistic activities and achievements (exhibitions, publications, prizes and grants, study visits and positions of trust, etc.). CV should be integrated to the portfolio.
Motivation letter
In the motivation letter (max. 4,000 characters), the applicant must explain why he/she is applying to study architecture, what are his/her particular areas of interests, and objectives and hopes regarding the studies in the study option of Architecture in the Master’s programme in Urban Studies and Planning at Aalto University. Applicants must specify their visions of architecture and urban design, and demonstrate their special interest in multidisciplinary urban development. Motivation letter is integrated to the portfolio.
Letter of self-reflection
(max 500 words, pdf-format) with curriculum vitae, letter of references, proof of employment, publications, study visits or other relevant material attached as appendix.
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in English
Complementary studies
The student may be required to take complementary studies (max. 20 ECTS cr). These studies will be determined individually at the latest in the beginning of the studies while making the personal study plan.