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Director of the Master's Programme: Heidi Falkenbach

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. 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 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 into three major study tracks. 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 emphasizing innovative approaches. 

The degree requirements have been approved by Academic Committee for Arts, Design and Architecture on 28.11.2023 (USP Architecture) and X.X.2024 (USP Real Estate Economics).

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 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, theoretical frameworks to analyze, and critically evaluate urban questions in their own professional fields
2. Recognize the multidisciplinary foundations of urban studies and planning
3. Apply diverse methods to address urban studies 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 co-production of knowledge across urban studies 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
5. Work productively and cooperatively in multidisciplinary, multi-professional environments in diverse contexts

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 and planning

Code: ARTS3092
Credits: 60 ECTS credits 
Head of the Programme: professor Pia Fricker

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 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 admission process.        

In addition, students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take additional alternative studies or elective courses offered by Urban Studies and Planning. The programme’s own elective course offering is presented in the following table.

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.

For more information on completing your thesis see: Completing your master's thesis 

Code: ENG3078 (programme code ENG217)
Credits: 64 ECTS credits
Responsible Professor: Heidi Falkenbach

In the real estate spezialisation, 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.

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

The structure of your Master’s Programme is designed so that you are able to study your major studies i.e. common and advanced courses during the first year. This leaves the second year for elective courses and Master’s thesis.
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 different universities.
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.

You can complete a minor subject and include it in elective studies. Please note that if you want to have a minor it needs to be advanced level minor. Please see the list of all minors offered by Aalto University 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).

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.

Please note that the total number of credits for a master's degree (major studies, elective studies and master's thesis) may not exceed 125 ECTS.

Please see language requirements below. 

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 Aalto University.
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.