Study options

Creative Sustainability, Master of Science (Technology)

Complex sustainability challenges, such as the climate crises, the loss of biodiversity, poverty, and inequality, call for new mindsets and skills. The Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of design, business, and materials and chemical engineering. Sustainability is important in all fields of engineering, and professionals are increasingly expected to not only develop solutions for managing, for example, critical material flows, production processes and infrastructures, but also to participate in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder innovation processes that enhance sustainability. For students of materials and chemical engineering, the Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme provides the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to promote sustainable development in engineering.
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Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Technology and Engineering

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Chemical Engineering

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €17000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

The Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of design, business, and materials and chemical engineering.  Sustainability is important in all fields of engineering, and professionals are increasingly expected to not only develop solutions for managing, for example, critical material flows, production processes and infrastructures, but also to participate in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder innovation processes that enhance sustainability. For students of materials and chemical engineering, the Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme provides the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to promote sustainable development in engineering.  

Complex sustainability challenges, such as the climate crises, the loss of biodiversity, poverty, and inequality, call for new mindsets and skills. These mindsets should incorporate a systems-based view of the planet and the ability to work with professionals and other actors from different fields and cultures. Sustainability challenges require critical insight and multi-level collaboration that involve a wide range of stakeholders often with competing interests and values. The CS programme prepares students to respond to these challenges through engagement in its international, inclusive, and diverse learning environment in the fields of business, design, and materials and chemical engineering. 

The Creative Sustainability programme brings together students who are devoted to developing systemic solutions, working in multidisciplinary teams, and challenging themselves with practical learning tasks. Creativity in the programme denotes a focus on fresh, holistic, and emerging innovations and far-reaching alternative and regenerative futures. The studies include state-of-the-art knowledge about the interlinked environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of sustainability coupled with learning in practical projects conducted together with partner organizations.

The Creative Sustainability programme is organised jointly by the School of Business, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, and the School of Chemical Engineering. Students who enter the programme via the School of Chemical Engineering graduate with a Master of Science (Technology) degree. 

Language of instruction

In the Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 17 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

Overall, the Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

  • Compulsory studies in Creative Sustainability (60 ECTS)
  • Minor studies (20 ECTS)
  • Elective studies (10 ECTS)
  • Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.

Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability

Specialisations

The studies are divided into four different categories:

  • Compulsory joint CS studies: the compulsory core studies that all CS master’s students of the three schools study together. These include courses around systems thinking, creative teamwork, as well as environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable development.
  • Compulsory school studies: the compulsory studies within the student’s own school. For example, at the School of Chemical Engineering, these include courses related to bio-based materials and circular economy.
  • Alternative CS studies: studies available to CS master’s students from any of the three schools.
  • Elective studies: minor studies or courses in other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, international student exchange programme, internship, or courses from alternative CS course list.

The compulsory joint courses as well as the compulsory courses for the CHEM branch of the programme are intended to be taken during the first year of the programme. In the second year, students have the flexibility to choose courses according to their interests and the kind of specialisation they wish to accumulate.

Topics

The two key topic areas specific to the students at the School of Chemical Engineering are circular economy and biomaterials. Metal recycling and minimising mining damage are given great emphasis and students can also choose to delve deeper into the topic of biomaterials, studying for example forest biomass and biobased polymers that can have a drastic impact on the waste problem, from packaging to textiles. To give a concrete example of some of the topics covered, below is a list of courses picked from the programme’s extensive curriculum:

  • Materials for a World in Transition (5 ECTS)
  • Fundamentals of Chemical Thermodynamics (5 ECTS)
  • Metal Recycling Technologies (5 ECTS)
  • Plant Biomass (5 ECTS)
  • Circular Economy for Materials Processing (5 ECTS)

Methods

The pedagogical approach is based on integrating teaching and research, challenge-based and blended learning, and a strong connection to practical outcomes. Teaching methods range from interactive classroom lessons and laboratory work to group assignments and practical projects carried out for partner organisations.

The programme is part of the European knowledge and innovation community EIT Climate-KIC, working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Students get to interact with university students from elsewhere in Europe and participate in trainings and activities organised by the community.

Personal Study Plan (PSP)

The Personal Study Plan (PSP) is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student's interests and programme requirements. PSP is also a useful tool for students to keep track of their studies. At best, it shows where students are with their studies and sets concrete milestones for them to follow.

Internationalisation

A response to the environmental, social and economic challenges requires cross-cultural understanding and cooperation on a global level. The Creative Sustainability programme is a learning environment that is genuinely international: to date it has been the programme of choice for students of 54 different countries from all over the world. Thanks to this, the CS learning experience takes place in a diverse, while like-minded and supportive group of highly-motivated students and faculty.

Concrete examples of possibilities for developing one’s global competence include:

  • choosing courses with intercultural approach, learning foreign languages and/or becoming a student tutor for international students
  • completing part of the degree abroad in an international partner university as an exchange student
  • conducting practical training or Master’s thesis abroad
  • taking a summer course abroad

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through their studies, but also through multiple free time events, celebrations and extracurricular activities around the campus. Active tutoring programs and support services work hard to help international students integrate to the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.

Further study opportunities

The Master’s programme in Creative Sustainability – MSc in Technology at Aalto is considered a great foundation for doctoral studies.

Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering

Career opportunities

Sustainability considerations arise in all business and industrial contexts and thus there are several possible career options for those with expertise in sustainability and material science. Graduates of Creative Sustainability from Chemical Engineering can find themselves, for example, pursuing one of the following career paths:

  • Working as sustainability and business development managers in industries facing and dealing with major ecological challenges (e.g. forestry, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture)
  • Working in the development of new material solutions for circular economy
  • Embarking on an entrepreneurial venture
  • Working in strategic and leadership positions in the public sector

Aalto University has well-established career services to support students’ and graduates’ employment in Finland and abroad. Thanks to the flexible curriculum, many Aalto students work already during their studies and guarantee themselves entry positions before graduation. There is also a very active entrepreneurship community at Aalto, working as a springboard for founding a company.

Co-operation with other parties

The programme’s international and multidisciplinary learning platform merges business, design, chemical engineering and material science in a way that prepares students to respond to the defining challenges of today’s society. Students study in multidisciplinary teams, increasing their understanding of different disciplines and enabling holistic approaches. This activates students to create new sustainable solutions for the human, urban, industrial and business environment.

Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the university bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinarity environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.

Applying to master’s programmes

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Evaluation criteria 2025

Evaluation process

The applicants are first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements found on https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.

The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria is described next. First, the applications are evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria:

  • Academic performance
  • Relevance of previous studies
  • Suitability

Only the applications that fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria.

After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all criteria.

  • Recognition and quality of institution

The programme does not have a minimum quota to be filled, and not all eligible applicants will necessarily be admitted.

Study option-specific documents

The documents required from all applicants are listed on https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. In addition, applicants to this programme are requested to provide the following study option-specific documents. In question concerning study option-specific documents, please contact the School of Chemical Engineering ([email protected]).

Contact information

School of Chemical Engineering

Questions concerning the Master's programme and the content of the studies as well as application-specific attachments can be sent to the Learning Services of the School of Chemical Engineering

[email protected]

+358 50 362 3017

https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/masters-programme-in-creative-sustainability

Aalto University Admission Services

If you have any questions regarding the application process, application documents or language tests, please contact Aalto University Admission Services

[email protected]

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