Applying Design & Media Bachelor in English at Aalto University: Most Frequently Asked Questions

Hi everyone! I’m Vitória, a 3rd-year Design and Media BA student and a student ambassador at Aalto University. I often get questions from prospective students about studying at Aalto, living in Finland, and more. Today, I’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions specifically about the Design and Media BA. Design programs vary widely across universities, so while the website has detailed information, I know how helpful it is to hear from a student in the program. Please note that my answers reflect the current curriculum and my personal experience, but as the degree evolves, some details may change—always check Aalto’s website for the latest updates.

What kind of design is the Design and Media BA about?

This is the question I get the most from prospective students! The design program is broad, meaning that your major courses (mandatory ones) address different fields of design. You will learn about digital and physical product design, service design, branding, UX/UI design, Sustainable Design, and more! I think this is a good program if you’re interested in exploring different fields of design before narrowing it down to a specific field. I would say some things that the degree emphasizes are the value of research, teamwork, and multidisciplinarity. This link has a lot of information about the degree and the section “structure of studies” provides more concrete examples of the type of work you will be doing and the courses you will be taking: https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/design-and-media-bachelor-of-arts-and-master-of-arts-art-and-design.

How are the teachers and professors at the University?

Teachers and professors at Aalto University, are generally very approachable and willing to help! In Finland, there’s not much hierarchy dynamics, so at Aalto you address teachers by their first name, for example. It also means that if you need further support for a project or help with something, if they have the time teachers are happy to meet with you outside of class. Aalto has also different research groups, so if you’re doing research on a specific topic or even for your thesis, professors and researchers are also easy to reach out to and willing to discuss your topic and give you advice. Apart from teachers, each design workshop space has 1-2 workshop masters who are in charge of the workshop facilities and are experts in that specific field. They are also very approachable and happy to support you on your upcoming projects. They value self-initiative and willingness to try so you don’t have to be afraid to ask for support!  

Do I need a portfolio to apply?

So far, to apply to the Design and Media BA no portfolio has been requested. The application process consists of the submission of a set of assignments which you need to submit by a certain deadline. The first assignments are the preliminary assignments. If you move forward to the next phase, you will need to complete the Intake Assignments. Based on the previous years, the last phase is an online Interview. Check this link for the most up-to-date information regarding the application process and deadlines: https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/admission-to-bachelors-programme-in-design-and-media-bachelor-and-master-of-arts-3-yrs-2-yrs. If something about the application process in nota clear to you or you have further questions, you can also contact the admission services ([email protected]).

How can I prepare for the application process?

Since the assignments are different every year, it’s hard to share concrete advice on how to prepare in advance. My advice would be to check the previous year's assignments through this link: https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/previous-preliminary-and-intake-assignments-in-art-and-design. This might help you know more or less what to expect. Take a look at the evaluation criteria as well so you know what they will be looking for. In connection to that, familiarize yourself with the curriculum of the Design and Media BA so you also understand what the degree is about and the kind of skills you may need. My best advice would be to not do the assignments last minute since they take time to execute. And of course, make sure you submit it on time!!

Are there internships and work opportunities to do alongside your studies?

I get this question quite often either because the student is looking to financially support themselves during their studies or they’re looking to gain experience. Depending on the goal there are different positions available. Because there’s a lot of information that depends on the type of position you’re looking for, I recommend you to check this link: https://www.aalto.fi/en/international-students/working-in-finland. It summarises very well the available job opportunities for students in Finland so it should clarify many of your questions!

I hope these questions from other students helped you to clarify some of your own! However, if you have a question that wasn’t addressed here, feel free to reach out to me and other student ambassadors on Unibuddy: https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/chat-with-aalto-students

Best of luck with your application <3

Kind wishes,

Vitória