New Media, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
Espoo, Finland
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 20,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee only; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not pay
Key Summary
About: Aalto University's New Media MA is a two-year, 120 ECTS Master's taught in English. It brings diverse students to study digital media, interaction design, creative computation, physical computing and new media art. The project-based curriculum mixes practice and theory: core tools and a first-year capstone, then electives, research skills and a Master's thesis. Admission is portfolio-driven with a two‑phase evaluation.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter international roles in user experience design, interaction design, information design, interactive storytelling, new media art, software development and digital animation, and related positions such as creative technologist, creative coder, researcher or freelance creative practitioner roles.
The New Media major at Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture is a two-year, 120 ECTS Master’s programme taught in English. It brings together students with diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds to explore creative and critical approaches to digital media, interaction design, creative computation, physical computing and new media art and culture. The curriculum is project-oriented and combines practice with theory: the first semester introduces core topics and tools; the spring semester of year one focuses on advanced seminars and studios and culminates in a first-year capstone project; the second year is dedicated to elective studies, research skills, and completion of the Master’s thesis. Students create a Personal Study Plan (PSP) to tailor advanced seminars, studios, and electives (30 ECTS elective allowance) to their interests. Admission is portfolio-driven and includes a two-phase evaluation (preliminary document review and, for shortlisted applicants, phase‑II assignments and an interview).
Graduates gain skills for international careers across new media art and design, including user experience design, interaction design, information design, interactive storytelling, new media art, software development and digital animation. The programme emphasises creative and technical competence that enables graduates to take on existing roles or create novel positions in organisations as digital media evolves.
The curriculum is project‑based. Year 1: autumn semester introduces key topics and essential tools; spring semester offers advanced seminars and studios and ends with a first‑year capstone project (individual or team). Year 2: focuses on elective studies (students may choose 30 ECTS of electives or a minor), research skills, and completion of the Master’s thesis. Students submit a Personal Study Plan (PSP) to map their study path.
Aalto University awards a small number of tuition fee waivers to exceptional fee‑paying applicants based on programme evaluation criteria.