Technological advancements have a major impact on human health and wellbeing. There is an increasing need for experts who develop technologies and methodologies that can help shape and equalise healthcare systems, lower the production costs of medicine, advance diagnostics and therapeutics, and simply put, get people to live healthier and better lives. To meet the demands of rapidly growing and constantly evolving health and wellbeing sectors, the Master's Programme in Life Science Technologies educates a new generation of engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who are all committed to creating a lasting impact on people’s lives. Upon graduating from the Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies, graduates will:
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.
The Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
The Master's Programme in Life Science Technologies offers six majors. The students selected to the programme may freely choose their major, provided they have the required background. The major will be selected as part of the personal study plan in the beginning of the studies.
Programme’s majors
Bioinformatics and Digital Health covers a wide range of topics in bioinformatics and computational systems biology. To better understand the methodological basis commonly used in the field, the major provides students with a comprehensive background in probabilistic modelling, machine learning, and data science.
The major is designed to give strong competences in:
Examples of research questions studied include:
Biomedical Engineering builds on a solid basis of physics and technology to characterise, monitor, image and influence biological systems. This major introduces the student to physics of biological systems and to key concepts of related imaging and signal analysis. In addition, the major provides knowledge and skills for developing novel engineering solutions for diagnostic and treatment needs in healthcare. The Biomedical Engineering major offers excellent foundations for pursuing a career in the medical technology industry or in academia.
After completing the major, the students will be able to:
The Biosensing and Bioelectronics major educates engineering experts who have versatile comprehension of detection, processing and analyses of biosignals from various sources. To accomplish this, the student is introduced to nanoscale phenomena, microfabrication techniques, biomaterials science, biochemical recognition of biomolecules, physical transducers, sensor technologies and to various clinical equipment. The basic knowledge needed in the development of innovations in the field of biosensors and bioelectronics is provided. Students are also strongly encouraged to consider practical aspects and possible applications of their knowhow throughout their studies.
Students of the Biosensing and Bioelectronics major are introduced to:
Biosystems and Biomaterials Engineering provides a solid understanding of biological phenomena, biomaterials and small organic molecules important to the field of life science. At the core of the teaching are:
Specialisation during the major allows acquiring in-depth understanding in one of the selected fields or studying at the interface of the different fields.
The major in Biosystems and Biomaterials Engineering is strongly research-driven and is tightly linked to research activities related to the fields of biotechnology, organic chemistry, chemical and biological microdevices, and polymer science at the School of Chemical Engineering. Employment sectors for graduates are within the broad context of engineering combined with chemistry and biotechnology within the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.
Complex Systems is a transdisciplinary research area that builds upon statistical physics, computer science, data science, and applied mathematics. The major in Complex Systems provides the students with tools to understand systems with large numbers of interacting elements from the human brain to social networks and from living to technological systems.
Studies in Complex Systems focus on system-level understanding and giving students hands-on experience in data-intensive research. The set of tools in the curriculum includes:
This interdisciplinary major is suitable for students from different backgrounds (e.g. physics, bioinformatics, computer science), and students can choose to emphasise computational data analysis, theory or application areas as per their own wishes and interests.
Human Neuroscience and Technology educates students on the structure and function of our most complex organ – the brain – as well on the methods to measure and influence brain activity on multiple spatial and temporal scales. The teaching draws from the world-class research conducted at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering on electrophysiology, systems-level neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience and neurotechnologies such brain imaging and brain stimulation. The bridge towards clinical applications is an integral part of this major.
The aim of the major is to provide students with:
The teaching faculty consists of recognized scientists that study e.g. human sensory functions, cognitive functions and develop brain research technologies. The curriculum reflects the research lines of the teaching faculty.
The curriculum of the Human Neuroscience and Technology major is a carefully tailored combination of:
The curriculum emphasizes experimental science. Although regular lecture and course work is also required, part of the studies will take place in small groups under the guidance of a senior scientist.
Teaching methods
The Master's Programme in Life Science Technologies embraces learning by doing. There are very few pure lecture courses as instead, group works and practical exercises form a significant part of the teaching methods. Gaining practical expertise of the latest technologies is essential for preparing to work at the forefront of life science related research and technology development.
Students receive a firm methodological foundation that will remain relevant despite continuous evolution of existing and emergence ofof new technologies. Programme graduates will have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the major of their choice, accompanied with a wide view of the topics covered by the whole programme in the joint studies. All majors combine lectures, seminars, visits, multidisciplinary projects, peer working and individual projects, and vary from contact teaching and face-to-face meetings to e-learning.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
The Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies is international by definition. Education is acknowledged globally and – as science is a universal language – the graduates can take their skills to any country in the world. The schools involved offer diverse possibilities for student exchange all over the world. Exchange studies can be included in the degree as, for example, an international minor. Other possibilities for developing one’s global competence include conducting practical training abroad or taking a summer course 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 their studies, but also through multiple free time events, celebrations and extracurricular activities 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.
The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).
Health technology is one of the most significant high-growth technology sectors both globally and in Finland. It is also one of the fastest growing high-tech export sectors in Finland, with 300 companies currently employing over 13 000 people. Students in the Master's Programme in Life Science Technologies carry out their studies in the Greater Helsinki region, which is one of the most important hubs in health technology in Northern Europe. According to HealthTech Finland, Finnish health tech companies often combine advanced technology including artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, digital services, and information collected by national health authorities like genomic data. These products, services and solutions are also often based on new and innovative cooperation between the municipalities, hospital districts and private companies.
Typical career paths for graduates of the programme include:
The high number of research groups in life sciences (several hundred) in the region provide good opportunities for internship and thesis work. The majors offered within the Life Science Technologies programme provide graduates with cutting-edge scientific knowledge and skills enabling them to integrate into the international life science technologies job market or to pursue doctoral studies in specialist fields.
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.
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 studies in the programme are linked to the world-class research conducted at several departments including Department of Computer Science, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems.
The Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies strongly fosters cross-departmental interaction. The primary focus of the programme is on teaching the universal language of science. Students learn to apply advanced methods, theories and models to various disciplines.
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 multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
Life Science Technologies 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 Life Science Technologies (LifeTech) are evaluated based on the following criteria:
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? | The expected minimum GPA for successful applicants is 4 (in scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best possible grade) or equivalent. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission to the programme. Applicants with GPA below the limit cannot be admitted unless they have other exceptional qualifications. Programme’s courses or equivalent courses completed in the open university or as non-degree studies with excellent grades may support the application. |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of study records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Contents and scope of previous studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants to the Life Science Technologies programme are expected to have a high-quality Bachelor's degree, primarily in the field of Engineering, Technology or Science. A suitable degree should contain in total at least 90 ECTS credits (90 ECTS corresponds to approximately 1,5 years of full-time studies) of studies belonging in at least two of the three following subject categories: 1. computational sciences: algorithms and data structures, artificial intelligence, computer programming, databases, human-computer interaction, machine learning and data science 2. mathematics: calculus, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, probability, statistics 3. natural sciences: biomedicine, biophysics, biotechnology, chemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, material science, physics The content of the applicant’s previous degree(s) is evaluated based on the self-evaluation form and courses available on the official transcript of study records. Relevant work experience, professional certificates and/or online courses are judged case-by-case, but they do not, in general, compensate for the university-level studies of the theoretical foundations of the required subjects. Students selected to the programme may freely choose their major, if they have the pre-requisite knowledge for the mandatory courses comprising the major. Applicants are asked to fill in an online self-evaluation form to assess how well their background matches the knowledge requirements of the preferred majors. The suitability of each applicant for the two most-preferred majors, as indicated in the self-evaluation form, is evaluated during the admission. Students with insufficient background for their preferred majors can be rejected or might be requested to take complementary studies of up to 20 ECTS. The major selection will be finalized as part of the personal study plan in the beginning of studies. Areas of required and additional knowledge considered as an advantage are defined separately for each major below: Bioinformatics and Digital Health Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in the following areas is considered an advantage:
Biomedical Engineering Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
Biosensing and Bioelectronics Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
Biosystems and Biomaterials Engineering Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
Complex Systems Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in the following areas is considered an advantage:
Human Neuroscience and Technology Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
|
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of study records, self-evaluation form |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look for in an applicant? | We expect acceptable applicants to have completed their previous degree in a high-quality higher education institution and programme, with high quality of teaching and a demanding academic curriculum. The recognition of the applicant’s home university affects also the final interpretation of the academic performance. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s suitability to the programme, motivation, commitment to studies, and written communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Motivation and commitment to full-time LifeTech studies, relevant career trajectory after graduation, professional written communication skills. Studies in the Master's programme should provide genuinely new knowledge for the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master's degree or is studying towards one in any field, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another Master's degree is necessary. In most cases, non-degree studies are recommended to complement a previous Master’s degree. |
| Evaluated document | Motivation letter |
| What is evaluated? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants will benefit of the following:
|
| Evaluated documents | Curriculum vitae, recommendation letter, proof of employment, publications, patents, GRE/GMAT results |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s further suitability to the programme, motivation, and commitment to studies, oral communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant? | Motivation and commitment to full-time LifeTech studies, relevant study and work background, relevant career trajectory after graduation, oral communication skills |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Interview (for applicants who proceeded to Phase II) |
The selection process for those Life Science Technologies applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria for master's studies comprises two phases.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are first evaluated based on the following criteria:
Only the applications who fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria. It is not possible to compensate for these criteria with other criteria.
After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the applications which are ranked the highest in this evaluation stage will be invited to Phase II.
Information on when the invitations will be sent will be updated here in December.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criterion:
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint assessment of Phase I and II.
The programme does not have a minimum quota to be filled, and not all acceptable applicants will necessarily be admitted.
In addition to obligatory application documents required from all applicants, LifeTech applicants are requested to provide the following programme-specific documents:
*) The lack of these documents will cause rejection.
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Learning Services of 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
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services