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Degree programme portfolio development

Aalto programme portfolio includes all degree programme offering at our university. The development of the portfolio – or degree programmes to offer -  is done in schools with support and university level coordination by the Learning Steering Group (LeSG).

Development of the programme portfolio includes:

1. Evaluation and development of the existing degree programme’s on offer.
2. Establishment of new degree programmes.
3. Termination of an existing degree programme, major or application target.

Conceptual principles for new education initiatives​

In February 2025, the Learning Steering Group (LeSG) decided on the following principles for educational initiative concepts, which must be applied in all new educational initiatives.

Degree programme​

• A degree programme has an identified educational responsibility or responsibilities.​
• Degree programmes are distinguishable by their profiles, which are reflected in the learning objectives and contents of the programme.​
• Students in a programme have shared studies that support the achievement of the programme’s shared learning outcomes.​
• Degree programmes have either one or two levels; in a two-level structure the degree programme can be divided into major subjects.​
• The students’ sense of belonging in the degree programme is supported, and the aim is that the degree programme is meaningful to the students.​
• In addition to a degree programme director, a programme has sufficient academics committed to its development.​

Major​

• A degree programme can be divided into major subjects. If the programme has major subjects, they are differentiated from each other by their learning outcomes, contents and/or language.​
• The learning outcomes of a major and the learning outcomes of the programme are aligned. The learning outcomes of the major specify or supplement the learning outcomes of the programme.​

Study option​

• Usually, a study option is a degree programme, and possible majors are chosen during studies. ​
• A study option can also be a major subject when justified in terms of applicant communications and the organisation of teaching.​
• The admissions criteria for a study option are common to all applicants in each admissions cycle.​

The process for preparing a new education initiative

The preparation process for new education initiatives or programme proposals is above all a tool to support programme development. This is done by providing a forum and a process for dialogue, collaboration and information sharing across units and schools. During the development process, dialogue with all relevant actors is essential. Therefore, identifying key actors and stakeholders within the school as well as across school boundaries needs to be done as early as possible. As a first step, the faculty member responsible for the programme development needs to inform the following actors: Vice Dean (education), Department Head/Vice head, Dean, and Manager for Academic Affairs (Learning services) and when applicable, Manager for International Relations. These actors do not only have a formal role in the actual preparation process, but they also manage the school’s education portfolio and resources. The specialists in the Programme management services teams are happy to help with the preparation work (contact information at the end of the site).

During the preparation process, the Teaching and Learning Steering Group (LeSG) examines program proposals twice:

1. Pre-study phase (so-called Gate 0)
2. Plan and proposal (so-called Gate 1)

A template (ppt documents below) is provided for both stages to support the preparation process. The template contains an overview of the school’s current programme portfolio for background information and the following key headings:

1. Why? Purpose of the programme and how it links to our strategy and programme portfolio.
2. For whom? Market need analysis.
3. With whom? Partner analysis.
4. What? Structure and content of the programme.
5. How? Needed resources
6. When? Plan for preparations and launch

Programme proposals will be discussed in the LeSG at two spring (usually February & April) and two autumn (usually September & November) meetings according to the LESG annual clock (marked as Edu portfolio proposals in the annual clock). Meeting schedules and the annual clock can be found on the LESG website. Programme proposals must be submitted well in advance or at the latest one week before the LeSG meeting (via the School´s Manager for Academic Affairs in the Learning Services).

Support for preparation process

Programme management services team offers support for preparing new programme initiatives. Please contact the team´s service manager as soon as possible in the preparation process in order to get needed support.