Director of the Master's Programme: Anssi Joutsiniemi

Aims of the Master of Science degree (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies and Planning)

The aim of the degrees of Master of Science (Architecture) and Master of Science (Landscape Architecture) is to provide students with:

1. good knowledge of the advanced studies of the master's programme;
2. knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods and the skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work;
3. knowledge and skills to understand the problems of the field from the point of view of users and technical and social systems, as well as from that of the environment;
4. knowledge and skills to perform, both independently and collaboratively, demanding expert, development and management duties of the field of study;
5. good language and communication skills for work in the field and for international operations and cooperation;
6. the knowledge and skills needed for scientific postgraduate education and lifelong learning.

The education shall be based on scientific research and the professional practices of fields requiring expertise in science and technology, and on artistic activity. In addition, the degree of Master of Science (Architecture) shall meet at least the requirements set forth in the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7 September 2005) (see Appendix 3).

Learning outcomes of the Master's Degree in Urban Studies and Planning

General Knowledge and Skills

After completing a degree in the master’s programme in Urban Studies & Planning, the student can: 

• Identify theories, concepts and empirical research methods relevant to urban studies and planning from related fields of social sciences, humanities, ecology, engineering, architecture, design and art 
• Demonstrate a working understanding of the role of urban government, policy-making and planning in urban development 
• Critically and creatively pose and answer significant research questions relevant not only within but across multiple fields of theory and practice 
• Gather, process and develop relevant conclusions based on information from multiple sources 
• Produce, collect and analyse cases and data relevant to urban phenomena 
• Use digital and other tools to collect, analyse and share data 
• Develop responses to urban problems using relevant tools and techniques for representing, modeling, prototyping, testing and evaluating solutions 
• Understand and develop integrated approaches within and across urban research and applied planning 
• Communicate understanding of and responses to urban phenomena visually, graphically, verbally and in writing 
• Write academic, professional and popular texts on urban themes based on relevant literature 
• Apply and develop skills for co-production of knowledge and co-design 
• Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and international environments 

Knowledge and Skills Related to Specializations and Professions

After completing a degree in the master’s programme in Urban Studies & Planning, the student can: 

• Apply general knowledge and skills introduced, developed and demonstrated within courses and thesis work 
• Situate urban analyses and proposals in relation to his/her own specialization as well as contextualize in relation to others 
• Identify, differentiate and articulate relations among various theories and methods relevant to his/her own specialization   
• Develop and reflect on his/her competence in urban studies and planning in relation to his/her professional role 
• Carry out independent research on urban issues in his/her field using adequate research methods and respecting responsible scientific practice 
• Analyzing phenomena and developing solutions through the use of digital and other tools, such as GIS and CAD 
• Fulfill specific professional degrees in accordance with respective professional codes and directives (such as architect’s, landscape architect’s and urban planner’s), as relevant 
• Demonstrate competence to work as a professional and/or researcher in urban studies and planning 
• Communicate professionally and constructively with different experts, practitioners and stakeholders in the field of urban studies and planning 
• Artiulate his/her professional identification in terms of established and emerging roles relevant to urban studies and planning

Education content 

The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as professionals capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges. Students learn to address such challenges through a curriculum and pedagogical approach that includes interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skill and practice. The program balances theoretical, historical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a broad understanding of urban phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the programme and of elements in the curriculum. 

Taking full advantage of the joint university structure, the program joins leading expertise from the University of Helsinki and Aalto University into three major study lines. Signature elements in the program are studios crossing the study lines to address urban challenge themes. Themes relate to current and urgent contemporary issues articulated not only in Finland but on the European and global scale, including controversies intrinsic to urbanization. Urban challenge themes may be attached to focus areas, research projects or collaborations within our universities, municipalities and regions in order to provide a constructive and critical framework for study and practice. Urban challenge themes are transdisciplinary and trans-professional, uniting the core areas as joint effort towards a common challenge and emphasizing an outward and forward-looking perspective.

General Knowledge and Skills 

After completing a degree in the master’s programme in Urban Studies & Planning, the student can: 

• Identify theories, concepts and empirical research methods relevant to urban studies and planning from related fields of social sciences, humanities, ecology, engineering, architecture, design and art 
• Demonstrate a working understanding of the role of urban government, policy-making and planning in urban development 
• Critically and creatively pose and answer significant research questions relevant not only within but across multiple fields of theory and practice 
• Gather, process and develop relevant conclusions based on information from multiple sources 
• Produce, collect and analyse cases and data relevant to urban phenomena 
• Use digital and other tools to collect, analyse and share data 
• Develop responses to urban problems using relevant tools and techniques for representing, modeling, prototyping, testing and evaluating solutions 
• Understand and develop integrated approaches within and across urban research and applied planning 
• Communicate understanding of and responses to urban phenomena visually, graphically, verbally and in writing 
• Write academic, professional and popular texts on urban themes based on relevant literature 
• Apply and develop skills for co-production of knowledge and co-design 
• Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and international environments 

Knowledge and Skills Related to Specializations and Professions

After completing a degree in the master’s programme in Urban Studies & Planning, the student can: 

• Apply general knowledge and skills introduced, developed and demonstrated within courses and thesis work 
• Situate urban analyses and proposals in relation to his/her own specialization as well as contextualize in relation to others 
• Identify, differentiate and articulate relations among various theories and methods relevant to his/her own specialization   
• Develop and reflect on his/her competence in urban studies and planning in relation to his/her professional role 
• Carry out independent research on urban issues in his/her field using adequate research methods and respecting responsible scientific practice 
• Analyzing phenomena and developing solutions through the use of digital and other tools, such as GIS and CAD 
• Fulfill specific professional degrees in accordance with respective professional codes and directives (such as architect’s, landscape architect’s and urban planner’s), as relevant 
• Demonstrate competence to work as a professional and/or researcher in urban studies and planning 
• Communicate professionally and constructively with different experts, practitioners and stakeholders in the field of urban studies and planning 
• Artiulate his/her professional identification in terms of established and emerging roles relevant to urban studies and planning 

Educational content

The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as professionals capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges. Students learn to address such challenges through a curriculum and pedagogical approach that includes interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skill and practice. The program balances theoretical, historical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a broad understanding of urban phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the programme and of elements in the curriculum. 

Taking full advantage of the joint university structure, the program joins leading expertise from the University of Helsinki and Aalto University into three major study lines. Signature elements in the program are studios crossing the study lines to address urban challenge themes. Themes relate to current and urgent contemporary issues articulated not only in Finland but on the European and global scale, including controversies intrinsic to urbanization. Urban challenge themes may be attached to focus areas, research projects or collaborations within our universities, municipalities and regions in order to provide a constructive and critical framework for study and practice. Urban challenge themes are transdisciplinary and trans-professional, uniting the core areas as joint effort towards a common challenge and emphasizing an outward and forward-looking perspective. 

For architecture specialization, the degree given is Master of Science (Architecture). The learning outcomes are based on the regulations of the EU directive that applies to pursuing the professional activities of an architect (Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications). According to the directive, an architectural degree meets the expectations of the construction industry and also enables a career outside Finland. In order to meet the requirements of the EU directive, the applicant ought to have a bachelor's degree with orientation to architectural design. The assessment of full five year curriculum is done individually in admission process.

Code: ARTS3092
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible Professor: Anssi Joutsiniemi

In addition, students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take additional alternative studies (above) or elective courses offered by Urban Studies and Planning. The programme’s own elective course offering is presented in the following table. 

Elective studies have to include Building site monitoring (ARK-E3500) and a Building design studio.

^{* Not organized academic year 2018-2019
** Not organized academic yeaar 2019-2020} 

Aims of the master's thesis

To graduate, students must meet the aims set for the thesis. The aim of the master's thesis is that:

• Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;
• Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;
• Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

The thesis may be a piece of theoretical, artistic or applied research, a work of art or a combination of these; it may also include a production component. The production component may be, depending on the field, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or project. Theses always include a written component. If the thesis consists of a design or other production component and a written component, the student must specify the emphasis to be given to the different components in the evaluation. However, the thesis is always evaluated as a whole, with all the components of the thesis included in the evaluation.

The recommended extent of the written component of the thesis is 25–70 pages (approx. 50 000–140 000 characters) depending on the extent of the possible production component.

For more information on completing your thesis see: Completing your master's thesis 

General Knowledge and Skills

After completing a degree in the master’s programme in Urban Studies & Planning in landscape architecture, the student can:

• Identify theories, concepts and research methods relevant to urban studies and planning and to landscape architecture as well as to other related fields such as social sciences, humanities, ecology, engineering, architecture, design and art.
• Understand and develop integrated approaches within and across urban and landscape research, design, planning and management
• Demonstrate a working understanding of the role of urban and landscape government, policy-making and planning in urban development and urban landscapes.
• Critically and creatively formulate and answer relevant research and planning questions not only within but across multiple fields of theory and practice
• Develop responses to urban and landscape challenges using relevant tools and techniques for analyzing, elaborating, representing, modeling, prototyping, testing and evaluating solutions.
• Gather, process, integrate and develop relevant conclusions based on information and data from multiple sources.
• Use computational and other tools to collect, process, analyze and share data as part of the research and planning process.
• Communicate understanding of and responses to urban and landscape related phenomena visually, graphically, verbally and in writing
• Write academic, professional and popular texts on urban and urban-landscape themes based on relevant literature.
• Apply and develop skills for co-production of knowledge, co-planning and co-design.
• Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and international environments.

Knowledge and Skills Related to Specializations and Professions

After completing a degree in the master’s programme in Urban Studies & Planning in landscape architecture, the student can:

• Apply general knowledge and skills introduced, developed and demonstrated within courses and thesis work according to the general learning outcomes, requirements and competences with a specific focus on landscape architecture.
• Produce functional, sustainable and aesthetic solutions for the interaction between humans and nature with a particular focus on urban environments.
• Know and analyze current challenges and tasks in landscape architecture, especially in urban contexts.
  • Carry out independent research on urban and landscape issues in his/her field using adequate research methods and respecting responsible scientific practice.
  • Assess the quality and environmental impacts of urban and landscape design, planning and management in urban areas.
  • Analyze urban and landscape phenomena and develop solutions through the use of digital and other tools, such as GIS and CAD
  • Fulfill specific professional degrees in accordance with professional codes and directives (landscape architect´s and urban planner’s)
  • Communicate professionally and constructively with different experts, practitioners and stakeholders in the fields of urban studies and planning and landscape architecture.
  • Define his/her professional identity and competence in relation to other established and emerging professions relevant to urban studies and planning and landscape architecture. 

Educational content

The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as professionals capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development and urban landscape challenges. Students learn to address such challenges through a curriculum and pedagogical approach that includes interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skill and practice. The program balances theoretical, historical, conceptual and empirical knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a broad understanding of urban and landscape phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the programme and of the elements in the curriculum.

Taking full advantage of the joint university structure, the program combines leading expertise from the University of Helsinki and Aalto University. Signature elements in the program are the transdisciplinary orientation studies in first semester and the subsequent urban studies and planning courses to address transversal themes. These themes relate to current and urgent urban issues affecting Finland, Europe and the global scale and include controversies intrinsic to urbanization. The urban themes may be attached to focus areas, research projects or topical collaborations between the organizing universities, municipalities, regions, other universities or other institutions in order to provide a constructive and critical framework for study and practice. Themes chosen are transdisciplinary and cross-professional, unifying the different study lines of the programme in order to co-create visions and solutions for complex and multidimensional challenges and emphasize outward and forward-looking perspectives.

The three specialization topics in Landscape architecture are (1) Landscape Design and Construction, (2) Landscape Planning and Management and (3) Urban Design and Planning. The detailed competence areas in these are – accordingly – to design outdoor spaces and their structures, to plan and manage the sustainable transformations and preservation of the landscape in different scales and contexts, and to master the human and natural processes in urban development and urbanism.

The learning outcomes in the master degree of landscape architecture are based on international accreditation criteria for landscape architecture education. The master degree has a status that complies with the criteria and has to be renewed every five years in order to ensure that it meets the requirements of the professional and educational field.

For the degree in landscape architecture student selects at least four studio courses (min. 40 cr), one from each of the three above-mentioned specialization topics in landscape architecture.

Code: ARTS3093
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible Teacher: Lecturer Emilia Weckman

^{*course offered only in Finnish. In case of non-Finnish speakers, contact your academic advisor.} 

In addition, students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take additional alternative studies or elective courses offered by Urban Studies and Planning. The programme’s own elective course offering is presented here. 

Aims of the master's thesis

To graduate, students must meet the aims set for the thesis. The aim of the master's thesis is that:

• Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;
• Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;
• Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

The thesis may be a piece of theoretical, artistic or applied research, a work of art or a combination of these; it may also include a production component. The production component may be, depending on the field, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or project. Theses always include a written component. If the thesis consists of a design or other production component and a written component, the student must specify the emphasis to be given to the different components in the evaluation. However, the thesis is always evaluated as a whole, with all the components of the thesis included in the evaluation.

The recommended extent of the written component of the thesis is 25–70 pages (approx. 50 000–140 000 characters) depending on the extent of the possible production component.

For more information on completing your thesis see: Completing your master's thesis 

• Major studies (60 cr)
• Master's thesis (30 cr)
• Elective studies (30 cr)

The Master’s  Programme  in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as professionals capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges. Students learn to address such challenges through a curriculum and pedagogical approach that includes interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skill and practice. The program balances theoretical, historical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experiences. Thus, students gain a broad understanding of urban phenomena as well as practical experiences in collaborative and concrete situations. This is the basis both of the structure of the  programme  and of elements in the curriculum.  

In the real estate  spezialisation , the program provides students with skills for analyzing the real estate markets and understanding the dynamic processes determining supply, demand and prices. Student learn the basic methods used in the valuation of real estate and gain understanding in the business logics of various actors. The specialization provides professional capabilities relevant in real estate related position in both private and public sector.

Code: ENG3078
Credits: 64 cr
Responsible professor: Heidi Falkenbach

Elective studies (26 cr) 

For free elective studies you can study courses offered by Aalto University or by other universities as it is possible by Aalto internal and inter institutional agreements and procedures and course specific prerequisites. Kindly note that your elective studies do not have to form a minor, but can include different types of courses totaling 30 credits.

The choice for elective studies is thus entirely yours: the most important thing is that your elective studies complement your major studies, and provide you with expertise that you personally feel important and inspiring for your career.

Please note language requirements:

Foreign language studies (minimum 3 cr in the same language) are required for the completion of the MSc (Tech) degree in some cases. Please see more information about language requirements for the master's degree students:

Language requirements

According to Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004), student shall demonstrate proficiency in Finnish and Swedish language that is required of central government staff in bilingual public organisations under subsection 1 of section 6 of the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003) andt hat is necessary for their own field; and proficiency in at least one foreign language that enablesstudents to monitor progress in their own field and operate in an international setting.

Students with Finnish Bachelor's degree

Compulsory language studies are included as part of the Finnish Bachelor’s degree for students who have studied in Finland and whose language of education is Finnish or Swedish. If the language studies have not been completed in the student’s Bachelor’s degree, the student must take 2 ECTS in the second national language and 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency.

All other students

Students who have received their pre-university education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish, or received their education abroad, are required to complete only 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency. Relevant courses (marked with ‘o’ and ‘w’) are offered by the Aalto University Language Center. There students who have received their education abroad and  who already have excellent command of English (e.g. English as their first language) may choose 3 credits of Finnish or Swedish courses instead, hence not covering the requirement of oral/written proficiency but meeting the language requirement of the degree. If this applies to you, please contact your school’s Learning Services for further advice, as different schools have different procedures for validating this exemption.

Language studies are included in students’ elective studies and are agreed in the personal study plan (HOPS).

Please find more information about language courses and information about learning languages from the Language Centre of Aalto University.

Please find language courses and other information about learning languages from here: Language and communication studies

Master´s thesis in REC - starting and topic:

Start defining your topic. When doing it is suggested to consider the following aspects

• What am I interested in? What would I like to learn about more?
• What kind of research methods would I like to use (qualitative, quantitative etc)? What kind of limitations does this set for the topic (e.g. in terms of availability of data).
• Am I doing the thesis independently or am I doing it for a company? If you are doing your thesis for a company, discuss the topic and timetable with your employer.

After these contemplations, you should already have some broad idea of your prospective thesis topic.
After this, read a bit of academic literature (journal articles) to find and confirm that there is a research gap.
Also check that the exact same topic has not been addresses in a Master’s thesis recently. If it has, check the thesis and confirm that your planned contribution is different from the earlier work.

Contact your supervising professor to discuss your thesis and topic. The professors at the department will help you find the right supervisor. Here you find also information about research fields of the Department of Built Environment.

You have to apply for the topic of your thesis.

If needed, check if there is any additional support offered by Language Center for writing your thesis:

• Thesis Incubatorfor Master’s students who need help getting their thesis back on track.
• Kirjallinen viestintä ja tieteellinen kirjoittaminen
• Academic and scientific writing
• Writing Clinic

More information and Instruction on starting and applying for topic in the Master's Programme in REC.

Master's thesis

General information about the thesis

The master’s thesis is a 30-credit entity that also includes the maturity essay and presentation of the thesis. The master's thesis is a piece of applied research and is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the degree programme. The key goal of the master’s thesis is solving a problem relevant to the field of study based on existing scientific knowledge in compliance with the principles of responsible conduct of research.

Applying for a master’s thesis topic

1. Familiarise yourself with the School of Engineering Thesis Guidelines

See School of Engineering thesis guidelines in English (pdf) and Finnish (pdf).

If your thesis includes personal data, see instructions on how to handle personal data in research.

 2. Search for a thesis topic

Take advantage of the Aalto University thesis agreement templates and contract instructions if your thesis is done for a company.

 3. Discuss thesis topic with the supervisor and obtain a written approval

The supervisor's written approval for thesis topic can be either a screenshot of a email conversation (containing full topic of thesis) or a topic agreement form completed by the supervisor.

 4. Submit your application for the thesis topic in eAge

Once you have the supervisor's written approval for thesis topic, submit the thesis application in eAge. Attach the supervisor's written approval to the application.

Your Sisu study plan must be completed and approved when you apply for the thesis topic.

You can find the thesis topic deadlines and the processing dates in the in the table below. The thesis topic, thesis language and the thesis supervisor and advisor(s) are approved by the degree programme committee. The thesis topic and the completed thesis cannot be approved at the same degree committee meeting.

You will be notified via eAge once the thesis topic has been approved by the degree committee meeting. The approved topic is always valid for one (1) whole year.

Writing the master's thesis

1. Attend a possible Master’s thesis seminar

Attend the master’s thesis seminar, if one is organised by your programme or the Language Centre. Participation is usually voluntary, but recommended.

2. Get to know the thesis evaluation criteria

Familiarise yourself with the School of Engineering criteria and guidelines for master's thesis evaluation (in English and Finnish).

3. Submit the completed thesis to the Turnitin system and to your supervisor

Turnitin is an online platform that reviews the thesis text for originality. Ask your supervisor about his / her Turnitin practices. Once your supervisor has checked the Turninit report, you are granted permission to publish. Turnitin instructions for students can be found here.

4. Agree with the supervisor on the presentation of the thesis

The thesis process also includes a final thesis presentation which is agreed with the supervisor. The presentation must be held at the latest when applying for the approval and evaluation of thesis in eAge.

5. Make sure that the supervisor approves the thesis abstact as a maturity test

The thesis process involves demonstrating conversance with the field and the student's knowledge about the topic, which is done by completing a "maturity test".

The completion of the maturity essay / abstract must be agreed with the supervisor before applying for the approval of the thesis. The supervisor checks and acknowledges whether the thesis abstract is accepted as a completed maturity test. The maturity test is graded either pass or fail.

Those students with Finnish schooling who have already demonstrated language proficiency in a maturity essay for a bachelor’s degree are not required to demonstrate it again by writing a maturity essay for the master's degree.

Applying for evaluation and approval of master's thesis

1. Submit your application for the approval of completed thesis in eAge

Once you have permission to publish from the supervisor, submit the thesis approval and evaluation application in eAge. 

Attach the completed, corrected and final thesis to the application and make sure it is the correct PDF/A format. See Aalto University instructions for converting and checking the file format. The thesis file cannot be corrected or changed after the approved thesis has arrived in Aaltodoc publication archive.

You can find the thesis deadlines and the processing dates in the in the table below. These deadlines are absolute and no late applications will be processed. You will be notified via eAge once the thesis has been approved and evaluated by the degree committee meeting.

 2. Submit a graduation request in Sisu

If you have compleated all your studies, you can submit an electronic request for the degree certificate at Sisu in same time with your application for the approval of your master's thesis. You can find more information under 'Graduation'.

Thesis deadlines

Timetable

Please note that deadlines are not flexible. Graduation will be automatically postponed to the next possible date if you do not submit degree application within the deadline or all credits are not registered. 

Please note that the degree programme committee approves the master's thesis topic and master's thesis. The deadlines for applications also concern to these applications. The topic of the master's thesis cannot be approved at the same meeting of the degree programme committee as the master's thesis will be approved.

*) Graduation dates between meetings are intended for bachelor's degree students and those master's degree students whose thesis has already been approved by the degree programme committee.

2022

Thesis document template

See official Aalto University thesis templates (Finnish, Swedish and English).

Master’s thesis as a part of the Aalto Thesis programme

Aalto Thesis programme is a optional, multidisciplinary and working life oriented opportunity to enhance your professional competences during the thesis process. In the programme 2 to 4 students from different fields form a team to take on a six month project that involves solving a complex challenge faced by a working life partner.

All Aalto Master's students can apply to the programme. Each project has its own application and selected students receive a grant to support their thesis work.

Follow Aalto Thesis website for uncoming applications and more information about past projects.

Electronic archiving of the master's thesis and thesis publicity

All approved Aalto University master’s theses and their metadata (incl. author, thesis topic, thesis language, keywords and thesis supervisor/advisors) are stored in the Aaltodoc publication archive. When applying for the approval of the completed thesis, a student can define whether they want only the metadata or the whole thesis to be public in Aaltodoc. The thesis metadata and the PDF/A file are found also in the INSSI database.

Publication of a thesis can be postponed up to one year from the date of approval, i.e., the thesis does not have to be published immediately if delaying publication is necessary for reasons such as patent applications or trade secrets. However, it is worth noting that theses as public documents can be freely viewed in electronic format by visiting the Aalto University Harald Herlin Learning Centre.

Questions?

With any questions or ambiguities please contact administrative staff:

• AAE, EEN: Sanni Valkeapää ([email protected])
• ISEE, SELECT, EIT-ES, EIT-MANU, EIT-UM: Nelli Markula ([email protected])
• MEC, NMME, Cold Climate: Helena Suonsilta ([email protected])
• GIS, REC, SPT, CS, USP in REE: Suvi Jämsä ([email protected])
• GEO, CIV, WAT, EMMEP: Harri Långstedt ([email protected])

Thesis document template

See official Aalto University thesis templates (Finnish, Swedish and English).

Master’s thesis as a part of the Aalto Thesis programme

Aalto Thesis programme is a optional, multidisciplinary and working life oriented opportunity to enhance your professional competences during the thesis process. In the programme 2 to 4 students from different fields form a team to take on a six month project that involves solving a complex challenge faced by a working life partner.

All Aalto Master's students can apply to the programme. Each project has its own application and selected students receive a grant to support their thesis work.

Follow Aalto Thesis website for uncoming applications and more information about past projects.

Electronic archiving of the master's thesis and thesis publicity

All approved Aalto University master’s theses and their metadata (incl. author, thesis topic, thesis language, keywords and thesis supervisor/advisors) are stored in the Aaltodoc publication archive. When applying for the approval of the completed thesis, a student can define whether they want only the metadata or the whole thesis to be public in Aaltodoc. The thesis metadata and the PDF/A file are found also in the INSSI database.

Publication of a thesis can be postponed up to one year from the date of approval, i.e., the thesis does not have to be published immediately if delaying publication is necessary for reasons such as patent applications or trade secrets. However, it is worth noting that theses as public documents can be freely viewed in electronic format by visiting the Aalto University Harald Herlin Learning Centre.

Questions?

With any questions or ambiguities please contact administrative staff:

• AAE, EEN: Sanni Valkeapää ([email protected])
• ISEE, SELECT, EIT-ES, EIT-MANU, EIT-UM: Nelli Markula ([email protected])
• MEC, NMME, Cold Climate: Helena Suonsilta ([email protected])
• GIS, REC, SPT, CS, USP in REE: Suvi Jämsä ([email protected])
• GEO, CIV, WAT, EMMEP: Harri Långstedt ([email protected])

Presenting your master’s thesis (Real Estate Economics - REC)

 Presenting master's thesis

The presentation of a master’s thesis should shortly include:

• What was researched (the research question)
• How the research was made (the data and methods of the study)
• What was found (the results of the research as a summary)
• What did you learn

Please seetimetable for approval and evaluation of the master's thesis.

Two alternative ways to present master’s thesis:

A.  Video presentation (Youtube, Vimeo or other)

• Video presentation of 5-10 minutes
• Including approximately 5-7 powerpoint slides
• Aalto University, the advisor and supervisor must be shown in the video (spoken or in the powerpoint slides)
• Send the link of the video to the supervisor of your Master’s Thesis and to Virpi Ojala ([email protected]) at latest by the deadline for the applications.

The video must be on public display at least until the approval of the Master Thesis

B. Presentation event

• Presentation about 10 minutes including discussion
• Including approximately 5-7 powerpoint slides
• Please contact to your supervisor in good time before leaving your thesis for evaluation
  More information from here: https://wiki.aalto.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=117694737

Presentation dates and times, room 331 (Otakaari 4, 3rd floor):

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Science (Technology) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture)

• 9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland and 3 cr in one foreign language.

Courses fulfilling language requirements for Master of Arts (Art and Design), Master of Science (Architecture) and Master of Science (Landscape Architecture)

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad, the language requirements are:

• Master of Science (Architecture/Landscape Architecture):  3 cr

Students in this category may fulfil the language requirement for their Master of Science (Architecture) or Master of Science (Landscape Architecture) degree by completing courses that support their studies or their stay in Finland. Students who have been educated abroad are recommended to take Finnish courses as well as English courses that focus on the field-specific language of technology and fulfil the language requirement of the degree.  Students may also choose to fulfil the language requirement by completing courses in another foreign language of their choice; all courses counted towards the requirement must be taken in the same language. Language studies may either be counted towards the electives of the degree or completed in addition to the studies required for the degree.