Aalto University

Transition paths from bachelor's programmes to master's programmes in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

On this page, you can find information about the transition paths from bachelor's programmes to master's programmes in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture that require a separate application process.

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Graduates from the bachelor’s programmes in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture are entitled to study in one of the master's programmes of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The right to study is based on the fact that when admitted as a student for the first time, the student is also always granted the study right to a master's degree.

Based on the above, and due to the new programme structure coming into effect on 1 August 2022 in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, it is necessary to define transition paths to master's programmes for the Bachelor's Programme in Design, the Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Fashion (in Finnish) and the Bachelor’s Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture (in Finnish).

Students from the following bachelor's programmes do not need to separately apply for master's programmes: Bachelor's Programme in Art and Media, Bachelor's Programme in Film and Television, Bachelor's Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture: Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture majors.

Transition paths from bachelor's programmes to master's programmes

Bachelor's programmes with an application procedure:

The programme from which
the student is graduating
The master's programmes to which the student is transferring
Bachelor's Programme in Design

Master’s Programme in Design:  Collaborative and Industrial Design and Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design majors

Master’s Programme in Art and Media:  New Media and Visual Communication Design majors

Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability, 

Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management

Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Fashion:

Design major

Master’s Programme in Design:  Collaborative and Industrial Design major

Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design major

Contemporary Design major

Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability, 

Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management

Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Fashion:

Fashion major

Primary master's programme: Master’s Programme in Design:  Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design major (no separate application process)

Alternative master's programme: Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management

Bachelor’s Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture: Architecture major

Primary master's programme: Master’s Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture: Architecture major (no separate application process)

Alternative master's programme: Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning: Architecture in Urban Studies and Planning major

Quotas

The receiving master’s programmes are committed to taking in at least the number of transferring students defined in the quotas based on the dean’s decision. If the number of transitioning students exceeds the academic year’s intake quota, the quotas will be adjusted in relation to the overlap.

Bachelor's Programme in Design

Programme / major Quota 2025
Master's Programme in International Design Business Management 3
Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability 5
Master's Programme in Design: Collaborative and Industrial Design 10
Master's Programme in Design: Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design 2
Master’s Programme in Art and Media:  New Media 7
Master’s Programme in Art and Media:  Visual Communication Design 5

Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Fashion: Design major

Programme / major Quota 2025
Master's Programme in Design: Collaborative and Industrial Design 15
Master's Programme in Design: Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design 10
Master's Programme in Design: Contemporary Design 10
Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability 2
Master's Programme in International Design Business Management 2

Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Fashion: Fashion major

There is no quota for the primary master's programme (Master's Programme in Design, Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design).

Alternative master's programme:

Programme / major Quota 2025
Master's Programme in International Design Business Management 2

Bachelor’s Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture: Architecture major

There is no quota for the primary master's programmme (Master’s Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture: Architecture major).

Alternative master's programme:

Programme / major Quota 2025
Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning: Architecture in Urban Studies and Planning 6

Principles and application procedure

Schedule 2025

Application period: 2.-31.1.2025

Decisions are published latest: 28.2.2025

Please remember to mention the programme and major for which you are selected in your graduation form.

Information sessions

BA in Design and Fashion and Design: Monday 2.12.2024 10:00-12:45 via Zoom

The schedule and Zoom link will be emailed to the students. 

General principles

A student can transfer into a master’s programme only after they have completed their bachelor’s degree.

The student is required to complete 120 ECTS of studies leading to the bachelor’s degree by the end of the autumn term (31 December) in order to be able to apply to a master’s programme in the spring. The credits are taken from Virta, the national higher education achievement register, after the application period, so that all credits completed by the end of the previous year are in the register.

If the student does not complete the required credits, the application expires. The study right to the bachelor’s degree remains active until the student has graduated.

On certain grounds, students who’s studies have prolonged due to very justified reason are also guaranteed program of their priority. The reasons may be previous studies and other reasons, such as parental leave, long some other life situation that is effecting studying. Students applying for extension on the basis of their life situation other grounds shall present an account of it and the necessary related certificates (e.g. medical certificate).

If a student gets selected for another master’s programme in the following year, they can place the completed studies in the electives in their degree.

In addition to the procedures of transfer defined above, the student is also entitled to apply for a right to change the major or programme in accordance with the decision by the Academic Committee for Arts, Design and Architecture (25 January 2022).

Contact Information

[email protected]

You can also contact your Success Team in MyStudies.

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