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Master’s programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture
Curriculum 2024–2026
About the Programme
The degree program includes majors in architecture, landscape architecture, and interior architecture. The scope of the Master's degree is 120 ECTS credits, and the target completion time is two years
The Master's Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture offers students the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills acquired in the bachelor's degree and to orient themselves in their chosen area. It encourages creative exploration, experimentation and multidisciplinary collaboration, and prepares students for doctoral studies.
Situated at the intersection of technology and art, the degree programme provides an opportunity to have a significant impact on society, the economy, culture, and the built environment.
Architecture and landscape architecture majors follow Europe-wide requirements that regulate the field.
The aim of the degrees of Master of Science in Architecture, Master of Science in Landscape architecture or Master of Arts in Interior architecture is to provide students with
- Good theoretical skills and advanced knowledge of artistic and practical expertise in their field.
- Knowledge and skills to understand the issues of sustainable environment from esthetical, technical, economic, and societal viewpoints.
- Ability and skills needed to apply research methods to develop artistic intentions.
- Ability to work on demanding design or planning projects independently and in multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Competence to perform in demanding expert tasks, development and management duties in the field.
- Good language and communication skills to cooperate also in international context.
- Knowledge and skills needed for education leading to a Doctoral degree and for lifelong learning.
The education shall be based on research, artistic and professional practices in the fields of majors. The programme enhances students’:
- ability to critical thinking, skills in academic writing and argumentation.
- skills in problem-setting and problem-solving, gathering and analyzing information and applying it to design and research.
- ability to create key concepts, theories and research approaches and familiarize with current academic discussion and literature in the field
Degree structure
*Major specific advanced studies in three majors
Majors
Code: ARTS3104
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Hossam Hewidy
Huvudämne på svenska: Arkitektur
Major description:
The program offers an opportunity for individual development of skills and knowledge in a range of specialization fields such as wood construction, building design and the reuse of buildings, human-centered design and wellbeing, computational design, preservation or urban design and planning. The program is accredited and in line with the professional regulations of the EU directives. All directions of specialization within the program prepare the students to pursue a career in architecture or related fields within Finland or abroad and enables them to work as an employee in the private or public sector, as independent entrepreneur or as post-graduate researcher.
Major's intended learning outcomes:
Architecture is a field at the intersection of technology and art with strong social, cultural, environmental, and economic implications. The Major in Architecture aims at
- deepening the students’ technical, scientific and artistic thinking as foundation for building a socially responsible and sustainable future.
- fostering creative exploration and experimentation as well as multi-disciplinary collaboration.
After completing the degree, the students will have:
- the ability to apply various design strategies in reaction to programmatic, technical, and aesthetic requirements.
- an understanding of the main lines of development in history and theory of architecture and their contextual relevance for critical design thinking.
- the ability of identifying systemic interactions and the transformation of these interactions into design operations for socially responsible and sustainable action.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Period |
---|---|---|---|
Programme compulsory joint studies |
9 | ||
ARK-E5520 | Thesis Seminar | 3 | I-II |
ARK-E3020 | Sustainable Design Principles | 6 | I-II |
Major compulsory studies |
42 | ||
Choose either of the following two courses ARK-E1520 or ARK-L5004; priority in course ARK-E1520. | |||
ARK-E1520 ARK-L5004 |
Introduction to Architectural Research OR Urban Studies |
6 6 |
I, III III |
ARK-E3520 | Construction Documents | 6 | I-II, IV-V |
ARK-E1020 |
Studio_Autumn
|
12 | I-II |
ARK-E1021 |
Studio_Spring
|
18 | III-V |
Major alternative studiesChoose at least 2 courses related to the studio selection so that the alternative studies of the main subject accumulate a total of 9 credits. |
9 | ||
ARK-E2020 | Building Design Studio Lectures | 3 | I |
ARK-E2021 | Interplay of Cultures, Research and Theory | 6 | III-V |
ARK-E2521 | Design of Structures_Advanced | 3 | II |
ARK-E3522 | Circular construction lectures | 6 | IV-V |
ARK-E4020 | Wood Architecture Lecture course: Wood in Architecture and Construction | 6 | I-II |
ARK-E4509 | Housing Design - Research and Practise D | 3 | III |
ARK-E5521 | Urban Design Studio Lectures | 3 | III |
ARK-E5523 | Computational Design Studio Lecture Course | 3 | I |
Master´s Thesis |
30 |
||
ARK.thes | Master´s Thesis | 30 | |
ARTSt.matr | Maturity test | 0 |
Code: ARTS3105
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Pentti Kareoja
Huvudämne på svenska: Inredningsarkitektur
Major description: The programme is based on an exploratory approach to design-based problem setting, elaboration and solving. It emphasises the skill to manage the entire design process from the beginning to the outcome. An essential part of the education is project-based hands-on learning. In the projects, the students are encouraged to utilise artistic and experimental approaches and find their personal expression and voice as a designer. This is supported by more analytical, research-driven methods and tools.
The key content in master's programme education is to develop and deepen the skills obtained during the bachelor's phase. Studio-based courses in spatial design and furniture design form the core of education. Other topics include history, theory and methodology of interior architecture and teaching of practical design skills and tools. The student can choose selective courses and a minor according to her interests and professional profile. In the final year, the student completes a master’s thesis on chosen topic.
Examples of themes learned during the studies:
- The human experience, body, and senses as basis of interior architecture.
- Experimental, critical, and artistic design practice engaging with the society and instigating change.
- Human-centred, collaborative and conceptual design in interior architecture.
- Strategies for adaptive reuse, sustainability, and flexibility in interior architecture.
Major's intended learning outcomes:
Content outcomes:
In the students deepen the skills learned in bachelor's studies and broaden their knowledge in spatial design and furniture design. Students gain knowledge on
- different design approaches and methods,
- skills to practice interior architecture in the broader operational environment of building and construction, product development, business and culture.
- managing design processes,
- the regulations in construction, and material knowledge
- skills in 3D composition,
- understanding the spatiality of people and products
Skill outcomes:
Students learn to
- interpret and transform living environment and culture through their insight, personal design expression, and professional skills.
- develop an artistic and designerly insight,
- master their creative design process,
- understand the discipline’s tradition and presence as a base for curiosity and experimentation.
- develop their practical skills in spatial and furniture design further.
- deepen their expertise in materials, knowledge of design tradition, and cultural discussion.
- develop technical, aesthetic and research skills to support the design process.
- become competent in exploring technologies and visualising, creating and demonstrating innovative concepts and experiences using the latest technology.
- become professionals versed in multidisciplinary teamwork.
Academic skills:
- Students learn presentation skills in writing and visualisation.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Period |
---|---|---|---|
Programme compulsory joint studies |
9 |
||
ARK-E5520 | Thesis Seminar | 3 | I-II |
ARK-E3020 | Sustainable Design Principles | 6 | I-II |
Major compulsory studies |
3 |
||
ARK-E1520 | Introduction to Architectural Research | 3 | I, III |
Major alternative studiesChoose four (4) courses from the competence area offerings (Furniture Design, Spatial Design and Sustainable Materials). |
48 |
||
Furniture Design | |||
SARK-E5040 | Furniture I | 9 | I |
SARK-E5041 | Furniture II | 9 | II |
SARK-E5042 | Furniture III | 9 | IV |
Spatial Design | |||
SARK-E5043 | Conceptual Space | 9 | I |
SARK-E5034 | Space in Practice | 9 | II |
SARK-E5035 | Researching Space | 9 | V |
Sustainable Materials | |||
SARK-E5036 | Woodstudio: Design Project | 9 | III, V |
Thematic Courses Select two (2) courses from the Thematic Courses. |
|||
SARK-E5037 | Exhibition Design | 6 | III |
SARK-E5044 | Lighting Design | 6 | IV |
SARK-E5045 | Service Design for Interior Architecture | 6 | I |
Master´s Thesis |
30 |
||
SARK.thes | Master´s Thesis | 30 | |
ARTSa.matr | Maturity test | 0 |
Huvudämne på svenska: Landskapsarkitektur
This major is offered only in Finnish. Major structure and more information is available on the Finnish site.
Elective studies
The Master's degree includes 30 credits of elective studies. As elective studies, you can for example:
- Take extra courses from your own major or courses from another major of the Master's programme
- Take elective courses offered by your own programme
- For list of courses, see title "Elective studies offered by Master's Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture" on this page
- ARTS elective art and theory studies
- For list of courses, see title "Elective art and theory studies" on this page
- Elective language studies
- Complete a minor or take individual courses from a minor
Minors offered by Aalto university - Take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University
- Take individual courses from other Finnish universities
- Participate in an international student exchange programme
- Do an internship in Finland or abroad.
NOTE! This concerns major in Architecture. 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). Students must ensure that the Architectural degree (Ba+Ma, 5 years) has at least 4 years worth of architecture studies to meet the criteria.
You can place these courses under elective studies of the degree. For further description of elective studies, please see title "Instructions for choosing elective studies" on this page.
NOTE! This concerns major in Architecture. 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). Students must ensure that the Architectural degree (Ba+Ma, 5 years) has at least 4 years worth of architecture studies to meet the criteria.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | |
---|---|---|---|
ARK-E1023 | Parametric Design | 3 | II |
ARK-E1024 | Algorithmic Design | 6 | III |
ARK-E1022 | Sustainability Tools for the Built Environment | 6 | III-V |
ARK-E1025 | Urban Narratives | 6 | III-V |
ARK-E5517 | Urban Design Thinking | 3 | II |
ARK-L5003* | Planning Theory | 6 | II |
ARK-L5004* | Urban Studies | 6 | III |
ARK-E1026 | Inclusive Space Design | 3 | III |
ARK-E1028 | Wood Architecture Research Course: Industrial Wood Construction | 6 | III |
ARK-E1029 | Theory of Architecture 2 | 6 | IV-V |
ARK-E1016 | Principles of Building Conservation | 6 | IV-V (24-25) |
ARK-E1017 | Traditional Structures | 6 | V-summer |
ARK-E1019 | Building History Survey | 6 | V-summer (25-26) |
ARK-E1030 | History of Architecture in Northern Europe | 6 | I-II |
MAR-E1044 | Maisemarakennushanke | 3-6 | I-II (25-26) |
MAR-E1043 | Metsänhoidon perusteet | 3 | Summer (25-26) |
MAR-E1070 | Landscape Architecture Literature | 3 | I-II, III-V |
SARK-E5037 | Exhibition Design | 6 | III |
SARK-E5044 | Lighting Design | 6 | IV |
SARK-E5045 | Service Design for Interior Architecture | 6 | I |
ARK-E0013 | Course with varying contents in Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Interior Architecture | 1-12 | I-summer |
SARK-C5042 | Digital tools 1 | 3 | I |
SARK-C5043 | Digital tools 2 | 3 | II |
ARK-C2504 | Digital Storytelling 2 | 3 | IV |
*Completing both courses, ARK-L5003 and ARK-L5004, will be accepted as a studio.
Independent studies**
Code | Course name | ECTS credits |
---|---|---|
ARK-E0010 | Special Project of Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Interior Architecture | 1-12 |
ARK-E0011 | Suunnittelukilpailu | 1-12 |
ARK.trai | Harjoittelu | 1-15 |
**If you have already completed ARK-E0010, ARK-E0011 or ARK.trai, you can't complete the course 2nd time with the same code. New credits would would “overdrive” the previous credits received under the same course code. In this situation, you must apply for the so-called "custom course credit" in SISU.
Drawing and painting
Drawing and painting courses consist of two-dimensional expression carried out by various methods. The work involved emphasises the importance of practice, or ‘learning by doing’, but without losing sight of the connections to theory. The studies include working with drawing, painting and mixed-media. The student will gain increased awareness of the workings of visual perception and of different ways of describing the surrounding world and our relationship to it. The course also examines the role of ideas and concepts in art as well as art’s relation to design, its role in society and its significance.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARTS-A0201 | Freehand Drawing | 6 | English | I-II, III-IV |
ARTS-A0208 | Life Drawing | 6 | English | I-II, III-IV |
ARTS-A0223 | Watercolour Workshop | 3 | English | summer |
ARTS-A0226 | Painting Workshop | 6 | English | III-IV |
ARTS-A0224 | Drawing in Space | 3 | English | V-summer |
ARTS-A0225 | Contemporary Drawing | 6 | English | I-II |
ARTS-A0217 | Landscape - Then and Now | 3 | English | IV |
ARTS-A0227 | Basics of Comics | 6 | English | I-II |
ARTS-A0219 | Forms of Comics Expression and Storytelling | 6 | English | II |
ARTS-A0228 | Introduction to Comics Project | 3 | English | II |
ARTS-A0229 | Comics Project | 6 | English | III-V |
ARTS-A0630 | Piirustus ja kuvitus | 3 | Finnish | I (2024-2025 only) |
Colour and perception
Colour and perception studies focus on visual perception and the theories about it. The English-language version of the course contains both theory and practical assignments. The course covers basic concepts about colour and the principles of colour perception. The course covers basic colour concepts and principles of colour perception. Colour composition and contrasts and their effects – mainly in two-dimensional expression – are studied by experimental means.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARTS-A0304 | Colour and Perception | 3 | English | I |
ARTS-A0305 | Colour and Painting | 3 | English | II |
Sculpture
Sculpture studies provide students with the skills needed to work with contemporary sculpture and design. Skills that students can apply in their own fields are emphasised, such as how to research new materials, working methods and methodologies. The ‘Ways of Making’ courses offer practical experience working in a sculptor’s studio, and ‘Metal Casting’ introduces foundry techniques. ‘Digital Sculpture’ introduces new and developing technologies in 3D art, and ways to combine these with traditional sculptural techniques. Conceptual and theory-intensive sculpture studies are also included within the contemporary art courses programme.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARTS-A0416 | Ways of Making 1 - Mold making & casting techniques | 6 | English | summer |
ARTS-A0417 | Ways of Making 2 - Constructing sculpture with wood and metal | 6 | English | IV |
ARTS-A0412 | Digital Sculpture 1 - 3D Modelling for Sculpture | 3 | English | I |
ARTS-A0418 | Digital Sculpture 2 - Programming for sculptors | 3 | English | III |
ARTS-A0413 | Metal Casting 101 | 3 | English | I, IV |
ARTS-E0402 | Advanced Sculpture Project | 6 | English | II-V |
ARTS-E0711 | Sculpture Now! | 6 | English | III |
Printmaking
Printmaking involves the handcrafting of printing plates as well as the prints produced by various methods (copperplate, woodblock, limestone, mesh screen). Prints are regarded as original artworks. Basic courses in printmaking offer the rudiments in a variety of printing techniques and develop the student’s command of the tools used. The intermediate courses deepen the knowledge and skill levels of students in their chosen method and enlarge their range of artistic expression. As printmaking is a specialisation study, beginners are recommended to take it during their second year of Bachelor’s studies.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARTS-A0509 | Introduction to Silkscreen | 6 | English | I-II, III-IV |
ARTS-A0510 | Advanced Course in Screenprinting | 6 | English | IV-V (2024-2025 only) |
ARTS-A0511 | Japanese Watercolour Woodcut | 6 | English | III-IV |
ARTS-A0512 | Basic Course in Woodcut | 6 | English | I-II, IV-V |
Art history and theory
Art history and theory courses aim to provide a general overview of the history and key theoretical questions and conceptions of art, design and architecture.
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARTS-A0621 | History of Contemporary Art | 3 | Finnish | I-II |
ARTS-A0624 | History of Comics | 3 | Finnish | I |
ARTS-A0623 | Global Perspectives: Re-mapping the History of Art | 3 | English | III-IV |
ARTS-A0622 | Environmental Thinking | 6 | English | I |
ARTS-A0633 | Technology, Tools and the Human Agency | 6 | English | II |
ARTS-A0637 | The Colourful Past: A Historical Exploration of Colours, Natural Dyes and Dyeing | 3 | English | III |
Other courses
Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARTS-A0639 | Programming for Visual Artists | 3 | English | IV |
ARTS-A0626 | Becoming a Creative Professional | 3 | English | IV |
ARTS-A0631 | Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 1 | 3 | English | II |
ARTS-A0632 | Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 2 | 3 | English | V |
ARTS-A0634 | Reading the Room - Course on Artistic Collaboration | 3 | English | I (2024-2025) / II (2025-2026) |
ARTS-A0635 | The Environment in Me – Practices and Spaces | 6 | English | I-II |
ARTS-A0636 | Site-Specific Online Exhibition | 6 | English | III-IV |
ARTS-A0638 | Exhibition Pass | 3 | Finnish | I-II, III-V |
ARTS-A0625 | Lecture Pass | 3 | Finnish | I-II, III-V |
Language study requirements
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 Arts (Art and Design) 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 Arts (Art and Design):
-
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.
Students whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish
Students who have received their primary and secondary education abroad or whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish must demonstrate their foreign language proficiency either by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies corresponding to the degree requirements in one foreign language, or by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies in Finnish or Swedish.
Note: The language studies accepted for the degree vary based on the year the studies have started. See below the detailed language study requirements for your own degree.
Students who have a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish and who have begun their master’s degree studies before 1 August 2022 may complete the required 3-credit language studies in accordance with the previous degree regulations of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture until 31 July 2026.
- students pursuing a Master of Arts (Art and Design) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language;
- students pursuing a Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language.
The language studies can be completed in any language of the student's choice and there is no CEFR level requirement for course completion (elementary courses and basic courses are also accepted).
After the transitional period (31 July 2026), the language studies earned for the degree must comply with the requirements set for those who have started their studies on or after 1 August 2022.
Students with a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish who started their studies on or after 1 August 2022 shall complete their required language studies in compliance with the provisions of the Aalto University Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees.
The 3-credit foreign language requirement of the degree may be fulfilled by taking a course in one of the following languages: English (CEFR B2-CEFR C1), Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Russian (CEFR B1). From the course offerings of Aalto University's Language Center, you can recognize the courses accepted for the degree by (w, o), (w) or (o).
The study attainment may consist of oral or written communication studies or both. In addition, the foreign language requirement may be fulfilled by earning 3 credits in Finnish or Swedish at the proficiency level appropriate for the student’s skills.
In the case of language studies completed between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2024, the proficiency level requirement may, however, be disregarded in the case of students who completed a language course at a CEFR level lower than the required level due to insufficient communication about the changed degree requirements.
The language studies for master’s degrees completed on or after 1 August 2026 must comply with the Aalto University Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (CEFR-level) and the specifications set forth in this decision.