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Director of the Master's Programme: Associate Professor Pia Fricker (Aalto ARTS)

The Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning prepares students to excel as a professionals capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges and opportunities. They will learn to address and question such challenges and opportunities through interdisciplinary breadth as well as depth in core areas of knowledge, skills and practice. The programme balances theoretical 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 911������. The signature elements in the programme are interdisciplinary studies that address urban challenge and opportunity themes. These themes relate to urgent contemporary urban controversies as well as creative and visionary thinking not only in Finland but on the European and global scales. The urban challenge and opportunity themes may be attached to focus areas, research projects or collaborations within our universities, municipalities, and regions in order to provide a critical and constructive framework for study and practice. These themes cross the boundaries of disciplines and professions and are united in addressing a common challenge and affirmative opportunities and emphasizing creative and innovative approaches.

Aims of the Master of Science degree (Architecture) in Urban Studies and Planning 

The architecture specialization equips students with the expertise to attain advanced knowledge and scientific methods relevant to urban studies, urban design, and planning. Students learn to analyse and address field specific challenges and opportunities from diverse perspectives: use, art, aesthetic, economic, ideological, philosophical, technical, social, and environmental. This specialization provides professional competencies crucial for roles in urban planning and urban design in both private and public sectors. The education shall be based on scientific research and the professional practices of fields requiring expertise in science and technology, and on artistic activity. In addition, the degree of Master of Science (Architecture) shall meet at least the requirements set forth in the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7 September 2005) (see Appendix 3)

Aims of the Master of Science degree (Technology) in Urban Studies and Planning in Real Estate Economics

In the real estate specialization, the program provides students with skills for analyzing the real estate markets and understanding the dynamic processes determining supply, demand and prices. Students learn the basic methods used in the valuation of real estate and gain understanding in the business logics of various actors. The specialization provides professional capabilities relevant in real estate related position in both private and public sector.

Key Learning outcomes of the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning

After completing a degree in the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, the student can:

1. Apply relevant conceptual and theoretical frameworks to analyze, and critically evaluate urban questions in their own professional fields.
2. Recognize the multidisciplinary foundations of urban studies, urban planning and urban design.
3. Apply diverse methods to address urban studies, design and planning research questions.
4. Develop interdisciplinary knowledge.
5. Participate in broader contemporary urban challenge discussions.

General Knowledge and Skills 

After completing a degree in the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, the student can: 

1. Apply and develop integrated approaches based on theories, research methods and skills for the coproduction of knowledge across urban studies, design and planning.
2. Develop responses to urban challenges using theories, tools, and techniques across multiple fields/ disciplines.
3. Communicate understanding of and responses to urban phenomena visually, graphically, verbally and in writing.
4. Write academic, and professional texts on urban themes based on relevant literature.

Knowledge and Skills Related to Specializations and Professions

After completing a degree in the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, the student can: 

1. Situate urban analyses and proposals in relation to their specialization contextually.
2. Identify, differentiate, and articulate relations among various theories and methods relevant to their specialization.
3. Conduct independent research on urban issues in their field using adequate research methods, tools and techniques.
4. Communicate professionally and constructively with different experts, practitioners, and stakeholders in the field of urban studies, design and planning.

Code: ARTS3092
Credits: 90 ECTS credits 
Head of the Programme: Associate Professor Gianni Talamini

Pääaine suomeksi: Kaupunkitutkimus ja suunnittelu, arkkitehtuuri
Huvudämne på svenska: Urbana studier och planering, arkitektur

The architecture specialization equips students with the expertise to attain advanced knowledge and scientific methods relevant to urban studies, urban design and planning. Students learn to analyse and address field specific challenges and opportunities from diverse perspectives: use, art, aesthetic, economic, ideological, philosophical, technical, social, and environmental. This specialization provides professional competencies crucial for roles in urban planning and urban design in both private and public sectors. 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 also enables a career outside Finland. In order 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 the admission process.     

Advanced studies 60 ECTS

Master's Thesis 30 ECTS

To graduate, students must meet the aims set for the thesis. The aim of the master's thesis is that:

• Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;
• Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;
• Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

The thesis may be a piece of theoretical, artistic or applied research, a work of art or a combination of these; it may also include a production component. The production component may be, depending on the field, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or project. Theses always include a written component. If the thesis consists of a design or other production component and a written component, the student must specify the emphasis to be given to the different components in the evaluation. However, the thesis is always evaluated as a whole, with all the components of the thesis included in the evaluation.

The recommended extent of the written component of the thesis is 25–70 pages (approx. 50 000–140 000 characters) depending on the extent of the possible production component.

In addition, students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies.  For your elective studies you can study courses offered by 911������ or by other universities as it is possible by Aalto internal and inter institutional agreements and procedures and course specific prerequisites. Students in the USP-programme can take advantage of the specific USP-electives palette that include courses offered by 911������ and University of Helsinki. You can also include a minor in your elective studies, participate in an international student exchange programme or do an internship in Finland or abroad (USP-E0440 Practical Training 5-10 ECTS credits). 
The programme’s elective course offering is presented in the following table.

USP electives (through RIPA agreement)

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Science or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees in Architecture or Landscape Architecture must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

Master of Science in Architecture or Master of Science in Landscape architecture:

• 9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland, and 3 cr in one foreign language.

Courses that fulfill the language requirements of the degrees of Master of Science in Architecture or Master of Science in Landscape architecture

Students whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish

Students who have received their primary and secondary education abroad or whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish must demonstrate their foreign language proficiency either by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies corresponding to the degree requirements in one foreign language, or by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies in Finnish or Swedish.

Note: Students whose studies have begun on 1 August 2022 and after must complete their foreign language requirements in English at CERF level B2 or Spanish, Chinese, French, German or Russian in CERF level B1 or in Finnish or Swedish.

Compulsory foreign language courses have a letter (o) for oral skills and (w) for written skills or both (o, w). Students can choose a suitable course corresponding to their language skill-level in Finnish or Swedish.

I have begun my studies before 1st August 2022

Students who have a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish and who have begun their master’s degree studies before 1 August 2022 may complete the required 3-credit language studies in accordance with the previous degree regulations of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture until 31 July 2026.

• students pursuing a Master of Arts (Art and Design) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language;
• students pursuing a Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language.

The language studies can be completed in any language of the student's choice and there is no CEFR level requirement for course completion (elementary courses and basic courses are also accepted).

After the transitional period (31 July 2026), the language studies earned for the degree must comply with the requirements set for those who have started their studies on or after 1 August 2022. 

I have begun my studies on 1st August 2022 or after

Students with a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish who started their studies on or after 1 August 2022 shall complete their required language studies in compliance with the provisions of the 911������ Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees. 

The 3-credit foreign language requirement of the degree may be fulfilled by taking a course in one of the following languages: English (CEFR B2-CEFR C1), Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Russian (CEFR B1). From the course offerings of 911������'s Language Center, you can recognize the courses accepted for the degree by (w, o), (w) or (o).

The study attainment may consist of oral or written communication studies or both. In addition, the foreign language requirement may be fulfilled by earning 3 credits in Finnish or Swedish at the proficiency level appropriate for the student’s skills.

In the case of language studies completed between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2024, the proficiency level requirement may, however, be disregarded in the case of students who completed a language course at a CEFR level lower than the required level due to insufficient communication about the changed degree requirements.

The language studies for master’s degrees completed on or after 1 August 2026 must comply with the 911������ Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (CEFR-level) and the specifications set forth in this decision. 

Code: ENG3078 (programme code ENG217)
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Responsible person: University Teacher Lassi Tähtinen

Pääaine suomeksi: Kaupunkitutkimus ja suunnittelu, kiinteistötalous
Huvudämne på svenska: Urbana studier och planering, fastighetsekonomi

In the real estate specialization, the program provides students with skills for analyzing the real estate markets and understanding the dynamic processes determining supply, demand and prices. Student learn the basic methods used in the valuation of real estate and gain understanding in the business logics of various actors The specialization provides professional capabilities relevant in real estate related position in both private and public sector.

Advanced studies 60 ECTS

Master's Thesis 30 ECTS

The master’s thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the degree programme.

The topic of the master’s thesis remains valid for one year and  the school appoints a thesis supervisor and one or two thesis advisors for it. The master’s thesis supervisor shall be one of the professors of 911������.
The master's thesis includes a presentation and maturity test.

Further instructions on the master’s thesis and the related process from Completing master's thesis.

For your free elective studies, you can study courses offered by 911������ or by other universities as it is possible by Aalto internal and inter institutional agreements and procedures and course specific prerequisites.

Elective studies must be university level studies that fulfill the degree requirements and, in general, studies that are offered as degree studies at the university in question. Universities also offer courses that are targeted for a larger audience. The suitability of these studies is evaluated taking into consideration the learning outcomes of the degree that the courses are planned to be included in.

Alternatively, you can deepen your expertise by taking more of our advanced courses as elective studies or broaden your expertise by choosing courses from Aalto’s other programmes or from other universities.

Completing a minor is not compulsory in your programme. If you want to include a minor (20-25 ECTS) into your degree, please note that it needs to be an advanced level minor or one of the following minors: List of the new minors offered by language center, for example, “S2 – Finnish as a second language”.  Please see the list of all advanced level minors offered by 911������ under Minors.

You can also include max 5 ECTS of practical training (ENG-E1010 Practical training) in your elective studies. You can find information on practical training on (MyCourses).

The choice for elective studies is yours: the most important thing is that your elective studies complement your major studies and provide you with expertise that you personally feel important and inspiring for your career.

USP electives (through RIPA agreement)