Health Technology Engineering, Master of Science (Technology)
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Description
Do you want to gain the knowledge to build more robust and sustainable medical systems?
The medical field is rapidly evolving technologically, with a growing demand for engineers skilled in health technologies and medical device design. This program will equip you to address critical engineering challenges specifically in healthcare, giving you a competitive advantage in the field. In the ongoing pursuit of a more robust, fair, and sustainable society, the need for proficient health technology engineers will only increase as the population ages, emerging diseases threaten, and personalised healthcare advances.
In this program, you will learn to:
- Design, develop, and evaluate devices and solutions for health, medical, and wellbeing applications
- Process and analyse sensor data generated by health devices
- Create models and simulations of and for health devices
- Apply engineering principles to the field of healthcare
- Identify relevant regulations and standards for particular health devices and healthcare systems
- Assess the ethical and social issues related to the evaluation of technologies on living subjects, and consider the implications of handling health data
- Discuss engineering constraints and opportunities with relevant stakeholders in the context of clinical need
- Plan and manage projects related to health and wellbeing devices and systems
Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop innovative, sustainable, and robust medical solutions that will play a major role in fostering healthier societies. You will have the opportunity to apply your specialised knowledge and skills to design advanced medical devices, pioneer telemedicine solutions, and optimise healthcare technology within clinical environments. Your role may even extend into research, regulation, and consultancy, shaping the landscape of global health tech. Given the changing dynamics of this vast field, you will have the opportunities and skills to drive your career anywhere from the research corridors of academia to the entrepreneurial forefront of health tech startups worldwide.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction in the Health Technology Engineering programme is English.
More information and Aalto University guidelines on the languages of degree and instruction available here.
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
The Health Technology Engineering, Master of Science (Technology) degree consists of 120 ECTS credits and it includes:
- 65 credits of major
- 25 credits of elective studies
- 30 credits of master’s thesis
This program is fundamentally rooted in engineering. Your coursework will blend foundational electrical engineering lectures, collaborative projects, and specialised health tech engineering topics. You will also benefit from interactions with professionals beyond the engineering field, such as staff from the New Children's Hospital in Helsinki, who will offer valuable insights to enhance your engineering education. Additionally, you will have opportunities to engage with industry experts, enriching your learning experience and preparing you for real-world challenges.
Specialisations
Specialisations
You will choose from two different majors in this program. This decision should be made at the beginning of your studies.
1.The health instrumentation and wearables major will prepare you to design reliable and robust devices and wearable embedded systems for health monitoring and therapy.
2.The healthrobotics and signal processing major will equip you with the skills and knowledge to engineer machine learning solutions, apply signal processing methods on biosensors, and design human-machine interfaces for health and bionic applications.
Additionally, you will have 25 elective credits to customise your degree based on your interests. You can choose to broaden your expertise or delve deeper into specific areas of electrical engineering, thus shaping your own particular profile within the heath technology engineering discipline.
Internationalisation
The Health Technology Engineering major offers an international perspective through a wide range of faculty backgrounds. We welcome applicants who bring a variety of cultural perspectives to the table.
Throughout your master’s, you will have many opportunities to further develop your global competence, such as spending a semester or taking a summer course at one of Aalto University’s partner universities around the globe. Some students carry out their practical training or even master’s thesis research abroad.
Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad each year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies, but also multiple social events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.
Further study opportunities
If you’re interested in a career in academic research or even more advanced engineering topics, this programme will prepare you for a doctoral research programme in a related field.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Health Technology Engineering programme, you will be well-prepared for a variety of dynamic and impactful careers in the health tech industry. With your expertise in designing, developing, and evaluating innovative medical devices and health solutions, you will be ready to pursue roles in medical institutions and policy providers, healthcare technology companies, or startups. Your skills in embedded systems, signal processing, and human-robot interfaces will make you a valuable asset in addressing contemporary healthcare challenges. Whichever path you choose, you will be making a significant impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
Relevant job roles include medical device engineer, health technology consultant, biomedical signal processing specialist, clinical research scientist, and health tech startup founder.
Research focus
There is a long tradition of health technology research at Aalto University, covering a wide variety of established and emerging topics in the field. For instance, the School of Electrical Engineering offers a plethora of research opportunities for students and graduates of the Health Technology Engineering program across its three departments – the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, and Department of Information and Communications Engineering.
Co-operation with other parties
Aalto University is well-known for bridging the disciplines of business, arts, technology and science, and your work in this major will bring you into contact with students from multiple degree paths. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the university bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts together, and fosters friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
This programme includes guest lectures by industry experts and collaborative teaching with experts from the New Children's Hospital in Helsinki, providing valuable industry and clinical insights. These unique opportunities set this degree apart from other engineering tracks, offering you invaluable exposure to real-world experience.
You will also have the freedom to enhance your studies by taking courses from other Aalto schools, programmes, and majors as well as courses offered by other universities. This flexibility allows you to broaden your knowledge and explore additional areas of interest.
Health Technology Engineering equips students to create innovative technical solutions to health challenges
New Master’s programme combines engineering knowledge with practical understanding of health-related issues
Study-option-specific application instructions
Applicants to the programme must meet the general eligibility and language requirements that are common to all Master's programmes in Aalto University.
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option. The applications to the Master’s Programme in Health Technology Engineering are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Evaluaton criteria
| What is evaluated? | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant |
A high‐quality bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechatronics, physics, or a related field is required. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields such as computer science, engineering, natural sciences, or mathematics, will be considered if they have sufficient studies and proven skills and knowledge in electronics, robotics, signal processing, control engineering, or physics. Following recommendations collectively ensure a comprehensive foundation, leading to an enriching experience in the master's program:
For applicants whose previous degree is in a subject other than electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechatronics, or physics it is critical to demonstrate the knowledge of the above areas. The Master’s programme aims to offer applicants genuinely new knowledge. Candidates who already possess a Master’s degree of comparable quality and content in the fields covered by the Health Technology Engineering programme, or who plan to pursue one (or who have a valid study right in this application target), will generally not be admitted unless there are compelling reasons. Therefore, the motivation letter should clearly articulate why pursuing an additional master’s degree is essential. In most instances, non-degree studies are advised as an alternative. |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant |
The programme is looking for applicants with excellent success in their previous studies. This will be evaluated on the basis of the Grade Point Average (GPA) and results in key courses. The time spent on the previous studies will also be taken into account, so the motivation letter should clearly articulate any justifiable reasons for their extension. Academic performance in the previous bachelor’s degree is emphasized. Other previous studies are considered as well, but the evaluation is primarily based on bachelor level studies. Applicants with prior academic experience at Aalto University, such as exchange students, are additionally assessed based on the grades, the number of credits earned, and the duration of their studies. Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree from a non-Finnish university, or a higher education institution, are expected to demonstrate an excellent study success, equivalent to a degree awarded with distinction, first-class honors, or a similar level indicating superior performance relative to the average. While a high GPA is important, it alone does not ensure admission. Other exceptional qualifications, as outlined in the "suitability" category, may also enhance the applicant's profile. Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree from a Finnish university of applied sciences (AMK) should demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3,80. However, meeting this GPA requirement does not guarantee admission. Applicants with a GPA below the 3,80 threshold will not be admitted unless they possess other exceptional qualities. Completion of program-specific courses or equivalent coursework through open university or non-degree studies with outstanding grades may strengthen the application. |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant | The applicant’s previous degree will be evaluated based on the international reputation and academic quality of the university and the programme. |
| Evaluated documents | International and national rankings of higher education institutions. ARWU, THE and QS rankings (both global and area-specific rankings) are used. |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation and commitment for studies |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant | Applicants should show genuine interest in the chosen field of study and demonstrate a commitment to full-time enrollment, aiming to complete the master’s degree within the standard two-year timeframe. We seek applicants capable of articulating their motivations for applying to the Health Technology Engineering program and providing compelling reasons why they are suitable candidates. |
| Evaluated documents | motivation letter, curriculum vitae |
| What is evaluated? | Work and research experience, as well as other accomplishments such as scientific publications, patents, and international study or work experience |
| Admission requirements / What we look for in an applicant |
Applicant will benefit from the following
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| Evaluated documents | motivation letter, curriculum vitae |
Evaluation process and requested documents
The evaluation process is described under Applicant evaluation process. In addition to obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applicants are first evaluated based on the general eligibility requirements of Aalto University. 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. Firstly, the applications are evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria.
- Relevance of previous studies
- Academic performance
- Suitability (if motivation letter is missing, application is rejected)
- Other areas of competence (if CV is missing, application is rejected)
Only the applications that fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of the 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
After the evaluation of each criterion the applicant’s scores from all criteria are added together. Applicants will be ranked according to this joint score, and the highest-scoring applicants will be admitted.
The following documents are requested from all applicants:
- Official bachelor’s degree certificate or a certificate of equivalent studies
(the studies do not need to be completed at the time of applying, but must be completed by the 31st of July of the application year) - Official transcript of records listing completed university studies
- Copy of passport or identity card
- Language test scores when applicable
Additionally, applicants to the Master’s Programme in Health Technology Engineering must provide specific documents related to this study option. Please follow the instructions below and include all requested attachments. Applications missing these documents will be automatically rejected:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
When applicable, please attach an official transcript of records for any additional university-level studies beyond your bachelor’s degree.
Please refrain from including any additional documents beyond those specified, as they will not be considered in the evaluation process. Specifically, do not attach reference letters, certificates of online courses, proofs of commercial training, or additional external links to sources containing information about the applicant (LinkedIn, ResearchGate, etc.). All relevant information must be provided as attachments within the application itself. This ensures a streamlined and efficient review process, where all necessary information is easily accessible and appropriately formatted.
Instructions for the Curriculum Vitae
The CV should provide a comprehensive summary of one's personal history, achievements, and other relevant aspects that are important for the application. The recommended length of the CV is up to two A4 pages, and it should preferably follow the Europass format (https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv). When writing your CV, be sure to include details such as educational background, work experience (if applicable), skills, any awards or recognitions, and, if available, direct links to Git repositories exemplifying previous relevant projects. Highlight extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and/or memberships that demonstrate your commitment and interests. Additionally, include the contact details of two referees who can vouch for your qualifications and character.
Applicants should not attach any additional documents to the application (so no reference letters as well); instead, use the CV to indicate personal achievements. However, applicants must be prepared to present proof/documentation for the items listed in the CV upon request. By crafting an informative and well-organized CV, applicants can effectively showcase their qualifications and readiness for the programme.
Instructions for the motivation letter
A motivation letter is an important component of your application to the Master’s Programme in Health Technology Engineering. This letter should supplement the details provided in your CV, focusing on why you are applying to the programme and why you would be an excellent candidate. Rather than reiterating basic details already present in your CV, the motivation letter should delve into your motivations for pursuing a master's degree in this field.
Specifically, the letter should describe which major within the Health Technology Engineering master programme you are interested in and explain your reasons for choosing this particular path. Relate any relevant experiences, skills, or achievements that demonstrate your suitability and passion for this area of study. Additionally, explain how this program aligns with your career goals and what you hope to achieve through your studies.
The motivation letter must be written in English and should not exceed one A4 page in length. Exceeding the recommended length may negatively impact the evaluation of your application. To write a compelling letter, focus on providing a clear and concise narrative that showcases your dedication and readiness for advanced studies in health technology engineering. Proofread your letter thoroughly to ensure it is free of errors and presents a polished, professional image.
General instructions on study-option-specific documents
All additional application documents described above should preferably be submitted in English. If some other language than English, Finnish or Swedish is used in them, the applicant must provide precise, word-for-word translations of them.
Upload the documents to your online application form in pdf-format. Name the file(s) according to format: Name of the document-Lastname-Firstname (e.g. CV-Lastname-Firstname.pdf). Maximum file size is 1.0 GB.
The study-option-specific documents must be uploaded for each study option separately, even if you use the same document (e.g. CV). Please check carefully the study-option-specific document requirements for each study option you apply to.
The deadline for the study-option-specific application documents to be uploaded to your application form is the same as for the general application documents.
Contact information
School of Electrical Engineering
For enquiries regarding the application process, general application documents and language tests, please contact [email protected]. For enquiries regarding the content of programme, the studies at the School of Electrical Engineering and the study option specific application documents please contact [email protected].
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