Upon completing the Computer Science major, graduates are provided with:
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 Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Computer Science comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
Areas of specialisation within the major are structured into the following five study tracks. It is also possible to mix courses belonging to different tracks. Moreover, there is the flexibility of taking an optional minor subject and plenty of elective courses.
The Algorithms, Logic, and Computation study track equips students with a strong methodological and mathematical foundation that covers the modelling, design, and analysis of advanced algorithms and computing systems from massively distributed infrastructure to quantum computing. Students can expect to gain strong programming skills, including skills with automated reasoning tools.
The Big Data and Large-Scale Computing study track provides students with a strong background to cope with the challenges arising from the growth of data and information in our society. The track covers a broad range of topics in large-scale data analytics and platforms, including big data infrastructures management, batch and stream data processing, algorithmics for data analysis, and computing and automation management for data science processes.
The Software Systems and Technologies track broadly covers topics on software systems and the related enabling technologies: embedded systems and mobile computing; virtualization and cloud computing; data centre networking and sustainability. The track provides a solid background on full-stack development with cloud-native tools and practices suitable for the complex computing systems of today.
The Web Technologies, Applications and Science study track takes students to the centre of what many think is the most important technological innovation since the computer itself. The teaching in the Web Technologies, Applications, and Science track approaches subject areas of web applications and services in a versatile way. Students learn to develop modern web applications and use web technologies in distributed systems.
The Secure Systems study track combines foundational knowledge in information security and cryptography with hands-on engineering skills. Students learn to understand how the adversary thinks, to analyse cyber threats, and to design secure computing and communication systems. Topics include network and protocol security, cloud and operating system security, mathematical cryptography, andmodern software technologies.
The studies make full use of modern teaching methods, including distance learning, small group learning and online feedback tools. Instead of traditional lecture-based learning, the Computer Science major emphasises collaboration and hands-on learning and encourages students to take the lead in their education and become active learners.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
The study environment in the Computer Science major is strongly international – studies are conducted in multicultural groups and a large number of courses are led by international professors. Studies are closely tied to world-class research taking place at the Department of Computer Science, which is routinely ranked among the top 10 Computer Science departments in Europe. In addition, there is an ongoing collaboration with ELLIS, the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, which has some of the best academic institutions and scientists under its umbrella.
The School of Science offers diverse possibilities for students to develop their global competence by, for example:
The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).
Students in the Computer Science major are getting job offers before they graduate and overall, their career prospects are excellent.
Aalto University has great 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.
A common route into employment is getting hired by companies who pay students for writing their Master’s theses. Other students start their own companies or continue to research careers at universities or industry research labs.
Job titles of our recent graduates include:
Our recently graduated alumni work for example in the following companies, universities and research institutes: Aalto University, Accenture, BetterDoctor, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Conformiq, Eficode, Ericsson, Espotel, EXFO, Finnish Defence Forces, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, First American, Forcepoint, F-Secure, Futuremark, Futurice, Giosg, GM Wargaming, Harvard University, Institut national de recherche en informatique et automatique, Jongla, Microsoft, Nitor Creations, Netlight Consulting, Nixu Corporation, Nokia, Nordea, OneSpin Solutions, Orbis, Palantir Technologies, Planixs, Qualtrics, Queen’s University Belfast, Quintic, Reaktor, RedLynx, Santander, Seriously Digital Entertainment, SSH Communications Security, Smartly.io, Space Systems Finland, Supermetrics & Floweb, Trimble, Tuxera, University of Helsinki, Valas Media, Vincit, , Wolt, ZEF etc.
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 closely related to the world-class research conducted at the Department of Computer Science.
Computer science is a multidisciplinary field by nature – it is much harder to name a field in which it is not used than it is to name one where it plays an integral part. The School of Science operates closely with other Aalto schools and students from other Master’s Programmes regularly frequent courses of the Computer Science major. Likewise, Computer Science students can include a minor in their elective studies. The minor can be chosen freely from any Aalto school. Individual elective courses can also be taken from other programmes at Aalto University.
Computer Science 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 obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applications to Computer Science - Computer, Communication and Information Sciences (CCIS) 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 CCIS programme is looking for applicants with excellent academic performance in their previous studies. In study options where the number and quality of applications is high, this means that the applicant has achieved consistently excellent grades throughout the degree studies (very high weighted average grade or GPA). The applicant’s prior academic performance will be evaluated based on the grade point average (GPA) and grades in key courses. The time spent on the previous studies will also be considered. All the applicant’s previous university studies, including incomplete degrees and non‐degree studies, will be taken into consideration when evaluating academic performance. Applicants from Finnish universities of applied sciences (AMK) International applicants |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Content and scope of previous studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants are expected to have a high-quality Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, communications engineering, or electrical engineering. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields including but not limited to information systems, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics or physics will be considered if they have sufficient studies in the required areas. The required university-level studies for Computer Science are:
Advanced studies in all areas of CS are advantageous for the applicant. The contents of the applicant’s previous studies are evaluated based on the courses on the official transcript of records. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, course descriptions |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look for in an applicant? | We expect applicants to have completed their previous degree in a high-quality university and programme. The recognition of the applicant’s home university also affects the interpretation of the grades when evaluating the academic performance. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s suitability to the study option, motivation, commitment to the studies, and written communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
The applicant should be motivated to study the chosen subject and committed to full‐time studies with a plan to complete the Master’s degree in two years. We are looking for applicants who can express clearly the reasons for applying to the study option and describe why they would be excellent candidates for the study option. Studies in the Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge for the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master’s or a higher degree or is studying towards one, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another one is necessary. In most cases, non-degree studies are recommended instead. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Application as a whole including motivation letter |
| What is evaluated? | Work experience, other qualifications and achievements |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Beyond their academic record, applicants may have other experience, knowledge and qualifications that prepare them for the Master’s studies and distinguish them among their peers. We particularly value demanding work experience related to the planned studies, participation in scientific research leading to publications, entrepreneurship, and special achievements such as success in competitions (e.g. Junction Hackathon). |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae (CV), recommendation letters, proofs of employment, publications, other certificates, GRE or GMAT results (if available). |
During the evaluation of eligible applications, Computer Science applications are first evaluated based on the following criteria:
Only the applications who fulfil 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. This means, for example, that motivation for Master level studies in this subject does not compensate for low grades or that relevant work experience does not compensate for higher education studies in the required subjects.
After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all five criteria.
The admission process is very competitive and only the best applicants are selected yearly. Not all applicants fulfilling the requirements can be admitted.
In addition to obligatory application documents, Computer Science applicants are requested to provide the following programme-specific documents:
*) The lack of this document will cause rejection.
In addition, these additional documents add value to your application:
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.
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.
We are an internationally-oriented community and home to world-class research in modern computer science.
Tietokilta ry (TiK) is the guild for computer science students. Tietokilta has about 800 student members of which most study a degree programme in computer science.
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