Urban Studies and Planning, Master of Science in Architecture
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Description
The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as a professional capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges, in a time marked by complex dynamic climate change. They will learn to address such challenges through interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skills and practice. The programme balances theoretical, historical and conceptual knowledge with the acquisition of methods, skills and experience.
Taking full advantage of the joint university structure, the programme unites expertise from the University of Helsinki and Aalto University. The signature elements in the programme are interdisciplinary studies that address urban challenge themes. These themes relate to urgent contemporary urban controversies found not only in Finland but on the European and global scales. The urban challenge themes may be attached to focus areas, research projects or collaborations within our universities, municipalities and regions in order to provide a constructive and critical framework for study and practice. These themes cross the boundaries of disciplines and professions, and are united in addressing a common challenge and emphasising a forward-looking perspective.
For architecture specialization, the degree given is Master of Science (Architecture). The learning outcomes are based on the regulations of the EU directive that applies to pursuing the professional activities of an architect (Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications). According to the directive, an architectural degree meets the expectations of the construction industry and enables a career outside Finland. To meet the requirements of the EU directive, the applicant ought to have a bachelor's degree with orientation to architectural design. The assessment of full five-year curriculum is done individually in admission process.
Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option from the Programme page.
Language of instruction
All teaching is given in English
Tuition fees and scholarships
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.
Structure of studies
The Master of Science (architecture) degree is 120 ECTS credits. The programme includes 60 cr of major studies, 30 cr of elective studies and a master’s thesis worth 30 cr. More information on the content of the education can be found in the Student Guide under Curriculum.
Qualifications
The programme offers different degrees from two universities from the University of Helsinki, Master of Science (nat. sci., environ. sci.), Master of Arts (humanities) and Master of Social Sciences, and from Aalto University, Master of Science (architecture), and Master of Science (technology) - that ensure sufficient expertise to work in established and emerging expert roles in urban development in the public and private sectors, in Finland and internationally.
For architecture specialisation, the degree given is Master of Science (architecture). The learning outcomes are based on the regulations of the EU directive that applies to pursuing the professional activities of an architect (Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications). According to the directive, an architectural degree meets the expectations of the construction industry and enables a career outside Finland.
Degree qualification in architecture is provided for students who have a B.Sc. in technology or architecture.
Specialisations
The programme combines several degree options from Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. The target degrees are listed in the section ‘Qualifications’. The target degree should be selected in the application process, and the application should be directed to the suitable university according to the target degree. The applicability of previous studies is assessed according to the selected target degree.
For example, a student aiming for a Master of Science (architecture) degree at Aalto University must have suitable previous studies to qualify for the target degree, and the application must be submitted ʵ University. The chosen target degree cannot be changed.
Internationalisation
The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning USP provides an international scope, by taking advantage of the unique Helsinki context and diverse urban contexts around the world. Each year, the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning includes both Finnish and international applicants. We look for students whose varied backgrounds, experiences, and education reflect the richness of contemporary society. The programme’s teachers have international backgrounds and experiences, and the programme draws on their strong global networks within their respective fields. Additionally, researchers and invited lecturers participate in the teaching.
Elective courses include student exchange or internships abroad, and students are encouraged to collaborate internationally in their Master’s thesis work. All students have the opportunity to study in an international environment and acquaint themselves with different cultures.
For international and Finnish students, Helsinki and Finland are well known for their progressive planning approaches. Helsinki is a UNESCO creative city, and planning and design have strong roles within municipalities, the government and public sector. Finland is a European and international forerunner in technological research and innovation, such as open data in municipalities. Local and national policies support an experimental and participatory culture and development. In the context of urban challenges, Helsinki provides a unique case for engaging with progressive approaches to welfare state paradigms, including public-private dynamics, changing demographics and cultures, and diverse approaches to market growth and sustainability.
Further study opportunities
After completing a degree in the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning, you can apply for a doctoral programme at the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, and other top international universities.
At the University of Helsinki, the relevant doctoral programmes include:
- Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences (DENVI)
- Social Sciences
- Sustainable use of renewable resources (AGFOREE)
- Political, Economic and Regional Change
- History and Cultural Heritage
- Philosophy, Arts and Society
- Political, Societal and Regional Change (PSRC)
At Aalto University, the relevant degrees include Doctor of Science (architecture), Doctor of Science (economics and business administration), Doctor of Arts, and Doctor of Science (technology). The relevant doctoral programmes include:
- Arts, Design and Architecture
- Business, Economics and Finance
- Engineering
- Science
Career opportunities
The programme prepares you for a career in a dynamic field, where the growing demand for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban solutions places your expertise at the forefront of change. You will acquire the knowledge, skills and experience needed to meet traditional and emerging planning roles (such as urban planning and design, real estate development, strategic planning, environmental planning, policy and service design). To these established or emerging roles, you will bring an integrated understanding of, and training in applying, interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to urban development. As a graduate you will be prepared to compete for local and international positions within public, private and non-profit organisations, urban planning, architectural and policy advisory firms, research institutes and NGOs.
Research focus
The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning is offering research-oriented studios, which focus on current and future-oriented challenges in the field of Urban Studies and Planning. Students will be introduced to a diverse range of research methods, setting particular focus on scientific writing. These basic research skills will be further developed during the Master Thesis.
Co-operation with other parties
The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning is profoundly interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral.
The programme combines the most important fields of urban studies from the University of Helsinki and Aalto University into a progressive and interdisciplinary curriculum. Courses include extensive co-teaching to ensure multiple perspectives on core topics. There are continual exchanges among disciplines and between theory and practice, for example, through dynamic learning-by-doing pedagogical approaches within urban challenge studios.
Building on the established joint bachelor’s programme, the master’s programme further develops multiple forms of collaboration with the City of Helsinki. The programme includes collaboration with other city administrations, local media, civil society organisations, heritage and cultural institutions, think-tanks and companies. At these universities, and in Finland in general, societal impact is highly valued and effectively implemented in education and research.
Study-option-specific evaluation criteria in 2026 Master’s admissions
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for Master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning - M.Sc. In Architecture will be evaluated based on the following criteria
Phase I
| Artistic and/or design practice | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments & motivation for studies |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Applicants should demonstrate
|
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Portfolio (max 20 pages, pdf-format) The curriculum vitae and the motivation letter (max 400 words) should be added to the portfolio. Maximum size for the portfolio is 100 MB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf |
| Relevance of previous studies | |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Bachelor in Architecture |
| Method of demonstrating competence | degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records (letter of references, proof of employment, publications, study visits or other relevant material attached as appendix) |
Phase II
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | The interview is tied together with the required application material and will test applicants’ further motivation and suitability to the field of study. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
The applicants should demonstrate:
|
| Method of demonstrating competence | Interview |
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases and is described next.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice (Portfolio, Curriculum vitae and Motivation letter)
- Relevance of previous studies/ (Degree certificates and Transcript(s) of records and Other areas of competence
The applicant´s portfolio (which includes the CV and the motivation letter), are reviewed independently by at least three selection committee members and graded according to the given criteria. The final grade for phase I is achieved by averaging out the grades of the various reviews by the selection committee members. Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
- Suitability/Interview
On the basis of the application documents and the results of the phase I, some of the applicants will be selected to an interview.
The interviews are conducted online. The invitation to the second phase is send to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
Use of AI Tools – Application Guidelines
To ensure transparency and fair evaluation, all applicants must clearly declare any use of AI tools across all parts of the application.
A brief AI usage statement must be included with the application, specifying:
- in which parts of the application AI tools were used (e.g., renders, text, design development)
- and for what purpose
The documents required from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
A portfolio composed of the applicant's own work samples (exercises, possible other work, etc.) must be enclosed in the application with integrated CV and motivation letter. The portfolio must illustrate the applicant's design skills and artistic nature in a broad-based and versatile manner. The main focus of the evaluation is placed on design sketches and other image material. The portfolio and other application documents must demonstrate the applicant’s competence related to building design and the scope of their studies in building design, required in the Bachelor level studies towards a degree in Architecture.
Maximum size for the portfolio is 100 MB.
Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf
CV
The application should include a CV which states the applicant's personal data, information on their education, work experience and other professional/artistic activities and achievements (exhibitions, publications, prizes and grants, study visits and positions of trust, etc.). CV should be integrated to the portfolio.
Motivation letter
In the motivation letter (max. 400 words), the applicant must explain why he/she is applying to study architecture, what are his/her particular areas of interests, and objectives and hopes regarding the studies in the study option of Architecture in the Master’s programme in Urban Studies and Planning at Aalto University. Applicants must specify their visions of architecture and urban design and planning, and demonstrate their special interest in multidisciplinary urban development. The motivation letter should be integrated to the portfolio.
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in English
Contact information
Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.
arts-admissions@aalto.fi
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.
admissions@aalto.fi