Getting even more multidisciplinary!
Both programmes embrace multidisciplinary thinking in teaching but still have their special focus and identity. The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning (USP) is merging methods and interests of urban planning and design with those of urban research with social, cultural, historical, economic, ecological and systemic perspectives and research traditions. The USP degrees granted by the University of Helsinki are Master of Science (Faculty of Science and Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences), Master of Arts (Faculty of Arts) and Master of Social Sciences (Faculty of Social Sciences). From 2018 the degrees are available also from Aalto University.
The Master’s Programme in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering (SPT) focuses on the integration between spatial and transportation planning a - it is an engineering programme with a clear human twist. The programme builds on the methods and theories of land use and transportation planning not to forget the close collaboration with planning practice. The programme combines a wide range of approaches from people’s daily life and mobility to large-scale strategic and systemic thinking necessary for shaping the built environment in a smart way. The SPT degree granted by the Aalto University is Master of Science in Technology.
Selected specialization courses of the programmes can be included in the USP or SPT degree as elective studies. More information about shared courses available in autumn 2017.
Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning (USP)
Master’s Programme in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering (SPT)
Read more news
From Singapore to Finland: Students discover new perspectives on sustainability at Aalto University
In March 2026, Aalto University Summer School had the privilege of hosting a group of bright and ambitious students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore for a two-week program on social sustainability and creativity.
The EU Horizon-funded VOPUS project explores the future of virtual culture
The project uses the virtual Operaland platform to investigate the long-term impacts on culture when citizens spend more time in virtual worlds.
Students shaped Hilti Finland’s broader AI adoption strategy
‘Younes and Hien delivered exceptional work, and we now have a much clearer understanding of how AI works’