The Master's Programme in Advanced Energy Solutions is divided into four majors. Each major shares the same theoretical foundation, which is then built upon in multidisciplinary courses to broaden and deepen your understanding of the energy challenges facing our society.
The Energy Conversion Processes major focuses on both the background physical and chemical phenomena – such as heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid flows – as well as energy conversion systems as whole. Major offers students the skills needed in designing future power plant processes, developing waste and biomass conversion systems, designing wind parks and energy storage systems, just to mention some practical examples. Energy conversion is a cornerstone to sustainable energy consumption and a cleaner planet!
The other majors of the Advanced Energy Solutions programme are:
Language of instruction is English. The language of instruction is English. More information and guidelines on the languages of the degree and instruction at Aalto University available here.
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.
Master of Science (Technology) degree is 120 ECTS credits. The degree consists of major studies, master´s thesis and elective studies.
Major studies (60 cr) consists of
The main purpose of the programme common module is to give the same starting point for all students regardless their previous back ground. Major common courses give the student a basic understanding of the field. Specialization is built mainly through advanced studies, where students may choose courses from different topic groups. Topic groups within the Energy Conversion Processes major are Conversion and Storage, Computational Methods, and Power and Heat Production Technologies.
The elective studies (30 cr) can be totally freely selected, or they can constitute a minor subject, according to the student’s preference. Master´s thesis of 30 cr then concludes the degree.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Topic groups within the Energy Conversion Processes major are Conversion and Storage, Computational Methods, and Power and Heat Production Technologies.
The student decides the major when applying to the Advanced Energy Solutions MSc Programme, and cannot change it once accepted and studies begin.
The study environment in the Master’s Programme in Advanced Energy Solutions is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. Students are actively encouraged to spend a semester abroad, studying at one of the top-tier international partner universities of Aalto University.
The Master’s programme in Advanced Energy Solutions at Aalto is considered as a great foundation for doctoral studies.
Read more about applying for doctoral studies at Aalto University:
The studies of the Energy Conversion Processes major deal with renewable energy technology, computational fluid dynamics, simulation of energy systems, energy storage, biomass conversion and power plant technology. Graduates of the programme are leading experts in areas such as bioenergy, alternative energy, thermal processes, and energy modeling and simulation. Our graduates are also well equipped to pursue doctoral studies.
The students in the Energy Conversion Processes major interact with researchers investigating, among other topics, hydrogen production, computational fluid dynamics, energy storage, synthetic fuels, biofuels, and carbon capture tecnologies.
Aalto University and the departments involved in the programme collaborate with many high-quality universities world-wide. Students typically work for an industry partner for their MSc thesis. The programme offers the Advanced Energy Project Course (AAE-E3000) where students practice consulting skills through solving an industry related problem.
Alumnus Johannes Tervo is heading partnerships at The Upright Project. He studied his master’s in Advanced Energy Solutions Energy Conversion Processes, which helped him to understand how the world works and solve problems by applying first principle thinking with the help of math and physics.
Curious about life at Aalto University? Our student ambassadors are here to share their firsthand experiences and insights on student life, academics, and campus culture. Join us for interactive sessions, casual chats over coffee, and engaging discussions with current students and alumni.
Note! The evaluation criteria for the programme will be updated by the end of August 2025.
Applicants to the programme must meet the general eligibility and language requirements that are common to all Master's programmes in Aalto University. Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Advanced Energy Solutions (all study options) are evaluated based on the following criteria:
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) |
| What we look in for an applicant? | Grades need to be mainly very good or excellent. The applicant's success in his/her previous studies (those that give basis for applying to the programme) will be evaluated based on the cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Applicants are required to have a CGPA equivalent to a minimum of 3.0 (on a scale 1.0 - 5.0, 1.0 being the minimum passing grade). |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree of certificate(s), grading scale |
| What is evaluated? | Contents and scope of previous studies compared to demands/ contents of study option applied to |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in a relevant field. This study option specific contents suit very well or excellent to the study option: Energy Conversion Processes Energy engineering, Mechanical engineering, Physics, Chemical engineering, Process systems engineering, Environmental engineering In addition to the studies giving basis to apply to the programme, other possible studies are also evaluated. However, the study option should provide genuinely new knowledge and enhance the career prospects of the applicant. Thus, applicants who already have a master’s degree in a closely related field will only be admitted with well-justified reasons which should be explained in the |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look in for an applicant? | The applicant's previous institution (where the degree giving basis to apply was completed) will be evaluated based on the recognition and quality of the institution. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
The applicant should be motivated to study the chosen subject and committed to full-time studies with a plan to complete the Master’s degree in two years. We are looking for applicants who are able to express clearly the reasons for applying to the study option and describe why they would be good candidates for the study option. Please see further instructions for the motivation letter below. The studies should provide genuinely new knowledge. If the applicant already has a master's degree, he/she should clearly indicate why he/she is applying to complete another master's degree. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter (mandatory) |
| What is evaluated? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant? | -work experience in a field related to the study option -publications with DOI or posters -competitions in a field related to the study option -non-formal education |
| Method of demonstrating competence | The applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV) is evaluated |
Applicants' evaluation process is described under Evaluation process. In addition to obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applicants are first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria is described next. Firstly, the applications are evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria.
Only the applications who fulfil the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria
After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all criteria.
The documents requested from all applicants are listed here (/en/study-at- aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Should be written in English
Examples of questions to consider when writing the motivation letter:
Grading scale
The applicant must provide information on the official grading scale used in their Bachelor’s degree studies, including the lowest passing mark on the scale. The grading scale may be included in the transcript of records/degree certificate, or it may be provided as a separate document, such as a link to the grading scale on the institution’s webpage or handbook, a diploma supplement, or another reliable source. Applicants from Finnish Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences do not need to submit this document.
Suvi Jämsä
Planning officer (content and studies of the programme)
masterstudies-eng@aalto.fi
Aalto University Admission Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services.
admissions@aalto.fi
