Turku, Finland
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application period: January 2026
** free for citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries €12,000/academic year
Key Summary
Introduction
Discover all degree programmes of the University of Turku
Follow the smart track!
The studies in the Master’s Degree Programme: Smart Systems specialisation track provide advanced training in smart technologies and enable you to deal with the challenges and opportunities of modern industry.
A smart system makes use of artificial intelligence algorithms and control technologies to integrate sensors and actuators so that devices can operate autonomously and intelligently. It should therefore be able to make reasonable predictions about the expected results of its own actions, adapt to operational changes, and learn from experience.
In order to meet the current demands of modern industry, the Smart Systems track gives access to courses in robotics, machine learning, intelligent control, digital factory, systems engineering, and modelling. This interdisciplinary approach offers you a wide range of cutting-edge knowledge in smart technologies and helps you step through the doors of the fourth industrial revolution.
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Academic Excellence & Experience
The Smart Systems track is supported by professors, lecturers and researchers from the newly created Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering in the new Faculty of Technology. The department covers many topics trending in modern industry such as:
- digital twins,
- intelligent control,
- robotics,
- mechatronics,
- additive manufacturing,
- systems engineering.
For more information about our research and teaching activities, see our webpage and follow us on LinkedIn.
Specialisation Tracks
Digital Manufacturing is one of the three specialisation tracks of the Master's Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering. Other specialisation tracks are:
- Digital Manufacturing
- and Digital Design.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
The University of Turku supports merited and motivated students with generous scholarships. The university offers these scholarships to students pursuing Master's level studies who are subject to tuition fees.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, and you can apply for a scholarship by simply answering “yes” to the corresponding question in the online application form when you apply for the programme.
One type of scholarship covers whole tuition fees for two years for Master’s degree programmes. In addition to that, there is a scholarship for the best applicants that covers tuition fees and includes an additional grant of €5,000.
Approximately 30 % of the admitted students are awarded a scholarship by the University of Turku.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The Master’s Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering: Smart Systems is a two-year programme of 120 ECTS credits. It consists of the following sections:
- Joint mechanical engineering studies, 20 ECTS
- Smart Systems studies, 20 ECTS
- Thesis and project, 40 ECTS
- Minor or Thematic Studies, 20-25 ECTS
- Other studies, 15-20 ECTS
Master's Thesis & Topics
You will be able to choose a thesis topic that is related to a research project already underway in our department or commissioned by a company, which means that you might be supported by the corresponding company. Some examples of master's thesis topics are listed below:
- Intelligent control of mechatronic systems using machine learning
- Digital twins for industrial applications and healthcare devices
- Control and decision-making in autonomous robotic systems
- Smart condition monitoring for predictive maintenance
- Reinforcement learning for scheduling factory production
- Soft Computing Applications in Industry: modeling and control
- Smart sustainability: AI-based approaches to energy-efficient automation
Program Outcome
Competence Description
With the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution, there was a remarkable increase in the demand for highly skilled and innovative professionals. The Smart Systems specialisation track provides the means you might need to develop your ability to innovate, design and create smart features in any system or application.
After completing this programme, you will learn to apply:
- basic theories and methods of data analytics and artificial intelligence;
- methods and technical solutions for the autonomy and intelligence of autonomous devices such as robots and unmanned vehicles. This includes machine vision and sensor fusion-based environment observation, intelligent and learning control systems, autonomous decision-making methods, and human-machine interaction techniques;
- methods and standards related to the lifecycle and design of complex intelligent systems;
- methods for implementing and managing a practical design project;
- modern systems and methods for data collection, analysis, and visualisation, as well as their security solutions, especially methods based on digital twins and their applications in product development and decision making. You will be able to critically assess new technologies and their work based on an entrepreneurial and sustainable development viewpoint.
Career Opportunities
Job Options
The employment percentage of those holding an M.Sc.(Tech.) degree is high in Finland. Moreover, since smart systems are becoming an intrinsic part of our daily lives, with applications ranging from simple smart home appliances to highly efficient and intelligent manufacturing systems, this specialization track offers several career opportunities in a wide variety of jobs.
Career In Research
After successfully finishing this programme, you can also opt for a research career by applying for a position at the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). The Graduate School consists of doctoral programmes, which cover all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.