Creative Sustainability, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
Espoo, Finland
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee only; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not pay
Key Summary
About: The Creative Sustainability Master's blends business, design and materials/chemical engineering to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality. Studies total 120 ECTS and include joint Creative Sustainability courses, compulsory management studies, electives or a minor, project-based learning with partners, and a Master’s thesis. Teaching uses challenge-based learning, systems thinking and design thinking. Graduates from the School of Business get an MSc (Economics and Business Administration).
Career Outcomes: Graduates work as sustainability experts and change-makers in multinational companies, sustainability consulting, start-ups, NGOs, public sector or academia, covering research, management, leadership, design and engineering; Aalto career services support employment and start-ups.
The Creative Sustainability (CS) Master’s programme combines business, design and materials/chemical engineering perspectives to prepare students to address complex sustainability challenges (e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality). Studies (120 ECTS) include compulsory joint Creative Sustainability courses, compulsory Management studies, elective studies (including the possibility to take a minor), project-based learning with partner organisations, and a Master’s thesis. Teaching emphasises challenge-based learning, interdisciplinary teamwork, systems thinking, design thinking, and practical, research-informed problem solving.
The programme is highly international and includes opportunities for exchange semesters and field projects. Graduates from the School of Business track are awarded an MSc (Economics and Business Administration).
- Systems thinking: create holistic and critical understandings of complex sustainability challenges.
- Interdisciplinary competences: work in diverse teams and combine knowledge from different disciplines.
- Change-making: develop action-oriented strategies and promote systemic transformations.
- Sustainability in materials use: understand resource constraints, circular economy and tools for sustainable materials use.
- Design thinking: use tools to support creativity, empathy and collaboration in creative processes.
- Sustainability management: develop and manage sustainability initiatives in organizations.
Creative Sustainability graduates can work as sustainability experts and change-makers in a wide range of organisations. Typical career paths mentioned include roles in multinational companies and large organisations, sustainability consulting, start-ups and entrepreneurship, NGOs and the public sector, or academic careers. Graduates may develop expertise spanning research, management, leadership, design and engineering roles. Aalto’s career services and active entrepreneurship community support employment and start-up ventures.
- Financial Times: Aalto University School of Business received international recognition and was one of five universities to receive the Responsible Business Education Award 2024.
- Aalto University School of Business has been accepted into the Champion group of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) network.
- Creative Sustainability is included on the Financial Times' list of best practices in responsible business education.
- The programme is stated as ranked 4th in the TOP 100 Best Master's in Sustainable Development and Environmental Management.
The two-year programme totals 120 ECTS and is composed of:
- Compulsory joint Creative Sustainability studies
- Compulsory Management studies (School of Business track)
- Elective studies, including the option to take a freely chosen minor
- Master’s Thesis and project-based learning (including the Capstone)
Pedagogy emphasises integration of teaching and research, challenge-based learning, group assignments, and practical projects carried out for partner organisations. Students may complete an exchange semester at partner universities.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers for fee-paying students (non-EU/EEA). Scholarships are awarded to the highest-achieving applicants according to the programme's evaluation criteria.