Learn more about Master's programme in Industrial Engineering and Management. Watch the Webinar recording where programme representatives and students tell more about the studies, career possibilities and answer some other questions you might have.
The Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management is a unique combination of engineering, business and leadership studies. The recent growth in the importance of digital technologies and the on-going digitalisation of companies and society make the skills that our graduates have even more valuable. In particular, the ability to understand and integrate technology and engineering on the one hand, and business and management on the other hand is becoming increasingly critical.
Upon graduating from the Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management, graduates will have:
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.
Industrial Engineering and Management is organised by the School of Science and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
The variety of courses provided is extensive, covering topics like entrepreneurship, innovation, finance and organisation design and leadership. There are several common core courses for all four majors, on which more information can be found in the next section.
The minor is chosen from a technical field and guarantees that the student acquires the appropriate level of knowledge in a technical discipline. The minor can be chosen from an appropriate field of engineering, where appropriateness depends on the student’s educational background. To learn more about choosing the minor, please visit the Student Guide.
The Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management offers four majors. Students are encouraged to choose their major before starting the programme. It is noteworthy to mention, however, that the majors have many overlapping themes and there is a variety of optional courses. Therefore, choosing a specific major does not bind the student to a fixed curriculum or a career path, but allows them the flexibility to develop their unique competency profiles.
There are four majors in the Master's Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management:
Organization Design and Leadership
How can companies grow and prosper while simultaneously preserving their adaptability, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset? What are the key elements to build a high-performing company culture? The major in Organization Design and Leadership focuses on issues of organisational design, motivation and leadership that are critical to the creation and transformation of technology-based businesses. Typical entry positions for students after graduation are in business development functions, consulting (in particular regarding change management), development of knowledge work practices, and functions that enable and support the development of human potential.
Operations Management
How do you organize and build operations and systems that are efficient and best contribute to the organisation’s goals and competitive advantage? What kind of strategies, actions, and techniques best support a company to achieve their environmental goals? Operations Management is a wide field with many diverse career paths. Operations manager is one example of a typical position, which may gradually lead to an executive role, such as COO (Chief Operating Officer), in a larger organisation. Because managing operations means prioritising and getting the right things done, it is excellent training for general management duties and it gives capabilities to run a new venture, as well. There are also several fields of specialisation in operations management enabling diverse positions in a variety of organisations from the very beginning of the career. Furthermore, expert positions in consulting, research or educational organisations are possible.
Product and Innovation Management
How do you channel new technologies and innovations into new products? The major in Product and Innovation Management addresses the questions of how innovative operations management can be used to design existing operations to support and execute new products and innovation, and how the product management can be used to orchestrate the development of businesses, especially in new ventures and during rapid growth. The major is targeted especially to those with an interest in exploring opportunities in roles that are close to technology, products, operations and seeking a career trajectory towards Head of Product- or CTO-positions. Such roles can be found in startups, scale-ups and equivalent parts of larger organizations.
Strategy
How do you identify, formulate and implement actionable steps that improve or sustain business performance? The major in Strategy puts particular emphasis on the development of strong analytical and judgment skills. It exposes students to a wide range of critical business situations that call for analysis and the exercise of judgment, and thereby develops a broad and holistic perspective on technology-based businesses. Majoring in Strategy offers students many attractive career options. Common entry positions after graduation include strategy and business development functions in corporations, management consulting, investment banking, founders/CEOs in startups, positions in venture capital and private equity firms or other organisations building and transforming technology-based business. Later in their careers our graduates often work as CEOs, members of top management teams, and investors.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman of Nokia, Founder of F-Secure, Alumnus of Aalto IEMStudies in Industrial Engineering and Management are the best field for high-growth entrepreneurship.
The programme’s study environment is highly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. Students can participate in the international exchange programme at one of Aalto University’s many top-tier partner universities worldwide. Other options to gain international experience are to include a summer course or practical training abroad in the degree.
Apart from the studies, student life among IEM students is very welcoming and active. New students can join the IEM student organisation called Prodeko, which provides different activities, events and other opportunities to balance studies with free-time fun. Prodeko also organises networking events and mentoring by alumni of the programme. They also organize an annual seminar for students, alumni and faculty. For more information on Prodeko, please visit prodeko.org.
In addition to the invaluable support by Prodeko, the programme’s alumni act as mentors for international students, smoothing their integration into the IEM and Aalto communities.
As Prodeko members, students also join the international student organisation ESTIEM that organises events and activities around Europe for IEM students. It comprises over 60 student organisations across the continent and offers not only great networking opportunities but also possibilities to take on responsibility in different leadership positions – already as a student. Fore more information, please visit estiem.org.
Many of our students also participate in Slush, which is a yearly startup event (one of the largest in Europe) that is organized by students. Fore more information, please visit slush.org.
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.
The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field). Several graduates of the programme have also launched successful academic careers and are now working at leading European or North American universities.
Our graduates typically take on expert and leadership positions in a number of different types of companies, ranging from start-ups to large multinational management consulting companies, as well as public and non-profit organisations. Right after graduating, typical jobs include working as consultant in global firms such as McKinsey, BCG or Bain or local or Nordic companies like August Associates, Reddal or Nordic Healthcare Group, or in various roles (including as analyst, project manager, service manager or HR manager) in a broad number of companies in various industries, such as Nokia, Kone, Stora Enso, IBM or Sievo. Founding a company after graduation (or sometimes already during studies) is an increasingly popular option. Our graduates have co-founded many startups that include some of the fastest-growing companies in Europe (for example Supercell, Relex). Several graduates have also attained senior positions in large, stock-listed companies, including CEO.
Our department’s close collaboration with the industry helps students build relationships with companies throughout the studies. Companies are involved in many courses, for example through guest lectures or company assignments, which allows students to establish contacts. The majority of students write their master’s thesis for a company, which often leads to employment after graduation. Typically, graduates work in expert, analyst, consulting or project management roles in their first job after graduation (see the description of the majors for more information about typical entry jobs). The program also has a very active alumni network. There is an alumni organization called Prodeko alumni that organizes events and also offers mentoring to the current generation of students. The alumni from the program are often very successful in their careers, and they are also very helpful and happy to give back and support younger alumni and students.
Aalto University has well-established career services to support students’ 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.
Strong ties to business world, collaborative learning, and opportunity to build personalized skill profile are Saghar Sedighi’s favourite aspects of her programme
Assistant professor of operations management Siavash Khajavi explains how studying Industrial Engineering and Management helps students develop hard skills through rigorous studies and soft skills through countless interactions and collaboration.
The close cooperation between students, alumni and the department of industrial engineering and management culminates in the annual Prodeko seminar.
Graduates from the School of Science at Aalto University have very good employment prospects in positions corresponding to their education. On this page, you can find information about employment and career development five years after graduation.
The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management conducts world-class research focusing on the creation and transformation of technology-based business. Examples of current areas of research include:
Research is typically done in close collaboration with companies and the goal is to make an impact on real-life business practices. More information on the relevant research conducted can be found from the website of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management. To see examples of practitioner publications, please visit the following articles:
The Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management is multidisciplinary in itself. We cooperate closely with national and international companies - ranging from start-ups to multinational enterprises – through e.g. guest lecturers and students solving real-world business problems. The faculty and students are also active in organising events, company visits and mentoring opportunities. The alumni are closely involved with the current generation of students and actively participate in events jointly organised by alumni, students and faculty. In addition, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management has research cooperations with leading international universities.
Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus brings students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
Industrial Engineering and Management applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated according to the below Evaluation criteria. The evaluation process is described under Evaluation process. In addition to the obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) are evaluated based on the following criteria:
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) and previous time-to-graduation |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
We only admit applicants with outstanding academic performance. The degree certificate and/or the official transcript of study records should clearly indicate that the applicant has been among the best students (top 10-15%) in their home university:
We emphasize the grades achieved in the degree that first gives the eligibility for applying. We seek students who will complete the programme successfully in due time. Therefore, the applicant’s previous time-to-graduation matters besides the GPA. If the applicant has several relevant degrees, all attached information will affect the assessment, but we value consistent performance throughout the academic record. However, the level of the highest degree achieved is not a proof of academic performance in this context. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Official transcript(s) of study records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Contents and scope of previous studies compared to demands/contents of study option applied to (see below) |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
We expect applicants to have a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in some field of engineering and at least 25 ECTS of business studies included in the degree. Other Bachelor’s degrees may be suitable only if they contain both the required business studies and the following typical bachelor's level engineering studies complemented with relevant university-level non-degree studies:
Concerning business studies, we require basic knowledge of management science, covering at least the essential principles of operations management, markets, and competition, organizational behaviour, and financial management. We may also consider university-level studies completed in addition to the applicant’s B.Sc. degree. The application documents, study records and supportive course descriptions, should clearly display the aforesaid studies. Even though the studies in the relevant subject areas would reach the minimum amount expressed in ECTS, they may be inferior as compared to other applicants. The degree in the Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management should also give the applicant genuinely new knowledge. We may not consider for further evaluation applicants that already have a master’s degree in the field of industrial engineering and management or an equivalent degree, or that have completed an equivalent combination of engineering and business studies. In sum, the content of the previous degrees can affect the evaluation both positively and negatively. Deficiencies concerning business studies or typical engineering studies |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Official transcript(s) of study records and degree certificate(s). Course descriptions of individual courses taken on the relevant subject areas in cases where the amount of business studies does not clearly exceed 25 ECTS or the applicant does not have a B.Sc. in some field of engineering. (More in Requested documents) |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| 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 institution and the programme. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated? | The entire application demonstrating applicant’s overall capability as regards the expectations of the study option, based on motivation and commitment for degree studies, as well as background, experience, and proficiency in English. |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest and willingness to pursue the degree. They should reflect on their willingness to study at Aalto University and on their capabilities and goals with respect to the objectives of our programme. Hereby applicants should keep in mind that once accepted into the programme, they will be part of a very active community of students and alumni with ample opportunities for involvement. They are thus encouraged to familiarize themselves with the activities and values of the Prodeko community. We look for evidence that support the applicant’s profile created by the evaluation of the previous criteria. Quality counts more than quantity. We appreciate excellent results in standardized tests as well as relevant work experience. Conversely, diplomas or certificates in non-credit, non-formal or commercial programmes have little value. We also highly value extracurricular activities and achievements that demonstrate a willingness and ability to contribute to the community and society. Applicants already having a M.Sc. or higher academic degree should describe thoroughly motivation to join and graduate from the programme. To improve knowledge in management does not require degree studies because the Finnish educational system offers other possibilities for this. For example, non-degree or open university studies are recommended to complement the earlier degree or to improve one’s professional skills. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter, curriculum vitae, recommendation letter, and other relevant documents, e.g., proof of employment, and standardized test results (more in Requested documents). |
This is the master version of the programme-specific evaluation criteria and its Finnish and Swedish versions are its translations
During the evaluation of eligible applications, Industrial Engineering and Management applications are first evaluated based on the following criteria:
Only the applicants who fulfil 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 ranked based on the joint evaluation of all criteria:
The evaluation process is highly competitive, and the admission quota limits the intake. For example, in the recent admissions our quota was 15 and we received 407 online applications. Our requirements for the academic performance are very high. Since all the qualified candidates have outstanding academic performance, suitability as well as recognition and quality of institution are also significant. Eventually, any difference between even applicants may become crucial considering the final rank order in a tight competition.
The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management is responsible for the academic evaluation. The Departmental Selection Board consists of academic faculty members of the department, and it executes the evaluation. The Board reserves the right to decide on the exact interpretation of the previously described criteria.
In addition to obligatory application documents, the applicants to Industrial Engineering and Management should provide the following programme-specific documents. The lack of the following application documents will adversely affect the evaluation of your application:
An applicant is also advised to include the following documents to strengthen his/her application. Quality counts more than quantity.
Additional information for applicants with a degree from a university of applied sciences (especially in the field of IEM)
A degree from a university of applied sciences (UAS) belongs to the “other bachelor’s degrees” stated in the academic evaluation criterion “Relevance of previous studies”. Therefore, read carefully the description of the criterion and pay attention to the following advice when preparing your application.
Notice that the course names in transcripts do not always clarify the content unambiguously. It is the applicant’s duty to attach additional documentation on course contents to his/her application.
Please also note the requirements on the minimum GPA under Academic performance criterion.
Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto? Come chat with our students and alumni about all things Aalto on Unibuddy chat platform.
Industrial Engineering and Management master's student Leonidas Karavanas Papadimos tells us about his experiences studying at Aalto
We conduct world-class research and education focusing on the creation and transformation of technology-based business.
The Guild of Industrial Engineering and Management Prodeko is the student organisation of IEM students at Aalto.
Do you want to study in the Nordics in Finland? At Aalto University science and art meet technology and business. We believe in the power of curiosity and encourage our students to explore the unknown as well as to learn and do things in a whole new way.
Finland’s excellent reputation in education, combined with a wide range of courses offered in English, makes Finland and Aalto University an attractive study destination for international students.
Learning Services at Aalto University School of Science
For enquiries regarding the programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services of Aalto University School of Science
Admission Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services