Running since 1994, it accepts around 20-30 students every year. Our applicants' backgrounds vary wildly and we have always attempted to recruit a true interdisciplinary team of students with each intake. Sharing knowledge and working in collabative groups within experimental production and research processes is a basic premise of our work in the Media Lab.
During the programme, students will specialise according to their personal skills and motivation. Their future professional profiles relate to the various fields of new media design and research including interface design, interaction design, information design, interactive narrative, new media production, game design, software design and digital animation.
The curriculum contains a number of software tools courses, but in general we expect students to be either proficient in using the tools of the trade, or willing to set aside time for self-study. For this, we provide a library of tutorials, as well as one-on-one coaching.
Advanced Studies in Game Design and Production Specialisation Area consists of following courses: Game Design (5 ECTS) and Game Analysis (5 ECTS). In addition students should include at least 6 ECTS from following list: Advanced Topics in Game Design (6 ECTS), Understanding Games (6 ECTS) as well as courses (that will be specified later) from Media Technology (in the former TKK) and Information Systems Science (in the former HSE). Advanced Studies in Game Design and Production will be available in the autumn 2010. Please note that changes are possible.
The structure of MA degree studies 2009-11
Studies begin with an orientative starting block entitled Understanding Media and Design. After completing that, through tutoring students choose their focus areas and start to participate in courses, digital media studio work, seminars, workshops and study projects. Individual study planning for new students is tutored by a teacher one-on-one, in great detail.
| Obligatory Studies | Advanced Studies | Optional studies | BA level language studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ECTS | 60-100 ECTS | 0 - 40 ECTS | 6 or 12 ECTS |
|
Understanding Media and Design 5 ECTS New Media Exam 1 ECT Personal Study Plan (HOPS) 1 ECT Software Studies for Media Designers 3 ECTS Media Art and Culture 3 ECTS Media Design Research 1 3 ECTS Master's Thesis Seminar 4 ECTS The obligatory Ability to conduct research (tutkimusvalmiudet) 5 ECTS is included into the Media Design Reserach and Master's Thesis Seminar. |
Advanced courses, seminars and workshops from the MA in New Media Curriculum 15-45 ECTS Professional training or project work 5-15 ECTS Master's Thesis 40 ECTS |
Studies from other schools or institutions Individually specified according to the personal study plan (HOPS) |
Language study requirements depend on whether student has already acquired some of these credits as part of an earlier degree.
Mother tongue (Finnish/Swedish) 3 ECTS Second domestic language (Swedish/Finnish) 3 ECTS Other language 6 ECTS
|
Courses
The courses listed in our curriculum are open to all Media Lab Helsinki students. From time to time, there is room for a student or two from the other schools here at the Aalto University - please contact us for more info on how to apply.
Application
Admissions for our different programs are open at differing times, mainly in spring.