Technological advancements are having a major impact on our understanding of the living world and our health and well-being. There is a growing need for experts who can build bridges between life sciences, engineering, and computer science to develop technologies and methodologies that advance diagnostics and therapeutics, transform healthcare, and increase our understanding of complex biological systems.
Upon graduating from the Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies, you will:
In the Master's Programme in Life Science Technologies, the language of instruction is English.
The tuition fee for this programme is 17 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
The Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
Your first year will be spent completing your compulsory and major courses. In your second year, you will focus on your elective studies and master’s thesis. You can choose practically any combination of elective courses – from Aalto as well as other universities in Finland and abroad – that supports your studies and suits your interests.
Our curricula are designed for full-time students. While master's students often work part-time during academic terms or full-time in the summer, full-time work during academic terms is discouraged. Part-time work requires careful planning and extra effort, as not most courses are available online or every year.
While there may be courses that are available online, as a general guideline, studies at Aalto University School of Science require on-campus attendance.
The Master's Programme in Life Science Technologies offers five majors. You can choose any of these if you have the necessary background in mathematics, natural sciences and computational sciences. You’ll select your major when you create your personal study plan at the beginning of your studies.
Life Science Technologies majors
Bioinformatics and Digital Health covers a wide range of topics in bioinformatics and data science. This major, which requires a strong background in mathematics and programming, provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of probabilistic modelling, machine learning, data science, and modern artificial intelligence. You will graduate this major with the skills to develop new computational methods and models and apply them to real-world biomolecular and health data.
The major is designed to build strong competencies in:
Browse the curriculum and courses included in Bioinformatics and Digital Health.
Biomedical Engineering builds on physics, data science, and technology to observe and influence biological systems. This major will introduce you to the physics of biological systems and to key concepts in data recording, signal analysis, and scientific inference. You will learn the knowledge and skills to develop novel engineering solutions e.g., for diagnostic and treatment needs in healthcare
After completing the major in Biomedical Engineering, you will be able to:
Browse the curriculum and courses included in Biomedical Engineering.
Biosensing and Bioelectronics will make you an engineering expert in the detection, processing and analyses of biosignals – and you’ll be taught the knowledge you need to develop innovations in the field of biosensors and bioelectronics.
Students in the Biosensing and Bioelectronics major are introduced to:
Browse the curriculum and courses included in Biosensing and Bioelectronics.
Complex Systems is a transdisciplinary research area that builds on statistical physics, computer science, data science, and applied mathematics. The major in Complex Systems provides you with the tools to understand systems with large numbers of interacting elements – from the human brain to social networks, and from living to technological systems.Studies in Complex Systems provide you with a systems-level understanding together with hands-on experience in data-intensive research. This interdisciplinary major is suitable for students from different backgrounds (like physics, bioinformatics, or computer science), and you can choose to emphasise computational data analysis, theory, or application areas according to your interests and career aspirations.
The set of tools in the curriculum includes:
Browse the curriculum and courses included in Complex Systems.
Human Neuroscience and Technology will educate you in the structure and function of our most complex organ – the brain – as well as in the methods to measure and influence brain activity on multiple spatial and temporal scales. The teaching draws from the world-class research conducted at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering on electrophysiology, systems-level neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience and neurotechnologies such as brain imaging and brain stimulation. The bridge towards clinical applications is an integral part of this major.
The curriculum emphasises experimental science. Although regular lecture and course work is also required, some of your studies will take place in small groups under the guidance of senior scientists. The teaching faculty consists of recognised scientists that study e.g. human sensory functions, cognitive functions, brain–computer interfacing and develop brain imaging and stimulation technologies. The curriculum reflects their research.
The aim of the Human Neuroscience and Technology major is to provide you with:
Browse the curriculum and courses included in Human Neuroscience and Technology.
Teaching methods
Gaining practical expertise in the latest life science technologies is essential for preparing to work at the forefront of life science related research and technology development, therefore practical exercises and group work will make up a significant part of your studies.
All the majors combine lectures, seminars, visits, multidisciplinary projects, peer working and individual projects. Teaching varies from contact sessions and face-to-face meetings to e-learning.
You’ll build a strong methodological foundation that will remain relevant despite the continuous evolution of existing technologies and the emergence of new ones. You’ll graduate with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the major of your choice, along with a broad view of the topics covered by the whole programme in the joint studies.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student Guide. There may be some changes to the courses for the academic years 2026–2028 — the new curricula will be published in April 2026, when they will also be visible in the Student guide.
The Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies is . Science is a universal language, so you can take your skills anywhere in the world after you graduate. Aalto also offers exchange programmes all over the world. Exchange studies can be included in the degree as, for example, an international minor. Other possibilities for developing one’s global competence include conducting practical training or taking a summer course abroad.
The degree programme provides eligibility for scientific postgraduate studies in Finland. The skills learned in the programme create an excellent basis for doctoral studies at Aalto University, another Finnish university or top international universities. Doctoral graduates from Aalto University continue to researcher or other academic career or high-level business positions, among other things. Read more about applying for doctoral studies at Aalto University: /en/doctoral-education/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-studies
Health technology is one of the most significant high-growth technology sectors both globally and in Finland. It is also one of the fastest growing high-tech export sectors in Finland, with 300 companies currently employing over 13,000 people. You will carry out your studies in the Greater Helsinki region, one of the most important health technology hubs in Northern Europe. According to HealthTech Finland, Finnish health tech companies combine advanced technology including artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, digital services, and information collected by national health authorities like genomic data. These products, services and solutions are also often based on new and innovative cooperation between the municipalities, hospital districts and private companies.
Typical career paths for graduates of the programme include:
Depending on which major you choose, this programme will provide you with key competencies in, e.g., data science, signal analysis, biosensors or computational modelling that can be applied across industries.
The high number of research groups in life sciences (several hundred) in the region offer good opportunities for internship and thesis work. The majors offered within the Life Science Technologies programme provide graduates with cutting-edge scientific knowledge and skills you can use to integrate into the international life science technologies job market or to pursue doctoral studies in specialist fields.
Thanks to the flexible curriculum, many Aalto students work during their studies. Cooperating with a company for your thesis work, for example, is one common way you might ensure yourself an entry position before graduation. Aalto also has an active entrepreneurship community, which you could use as a springboard for founding your own company.
Graduates from the School of Science at Aalto University have very good employment prospects in positions corresponding to their education. On this page, you can find information about employment and career development five years after graduation.
The studies in the programme are linked to the world-class research conducted at several departments including the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation.
Our latest research covers many areas of investigation in the fields of biological data analysis and modelling, bioinformatics, bioelectronics and biosensing, digital health, biomedical engineering, human neuroscience and neurotechnology.
To get a practical idea of our research focus areas, you can browse theses written by former Life Science Technologies students.
The Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies strongly fosters cross-departmental interaction between its five majors. The primary focus of the programme is on teaching the universal language of science, so you will learn to apply advanced methods, theories and models to various disciplines.
Aalto University is also well-known for bridging the disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom in choosing elective courses across the university brings students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts together, and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.
Life Science Technologies applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated according to the below Evaluation criteria. The evaluation process is described under Evaluation process. In addition to the obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies (LifeTech) are evaluated based on the following criteria:
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? | The programme is looking for applicants with excellent academic performance in their previous studies. This means that the applicant has achieved consistently excellent grades throughout the degree studies (very high weighted average grade or GPA). The expected minimum GPA for successful applicants is 4 (on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best possible grade or equivalent). Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission to the programme. Applicants with GPA below the limit cannot be admitted unless they have other exceptional qualifications. Programme’s courses or equivalent courses completed in the open university or as non-degree studies with excellent grades may support the application. |
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of study records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Contents and scope of previous studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants to the Life Science Technologies programme are expected to have a high-quality Bachelor's degree, primarily in the field of Engineering, Technology or Science. A suitable degree should contain in total at least 90 ECTS credits (90 ECTS corresponds to approximately 1,5 years of full-time studies) of studies belonging in at least two of the three following subject categories: 1. computational sciences: algorithms and data structures, artificial intelligence, computer programming, databases, human-computer interaction, machine learning and data science 2. mathematics: calculus, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, probability, statistics 3. natural sciences and engineering: biomedicine, biophysics, biotechnology, chemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, material science, physics, control engineering, signal processing The content of the applicant’s previous degree(s) is evaluated based on the self-evaluation form and courses available on the official transcript of study records. Relevant work experience, professional certificates and/or online courses are judged case-by-case, but they do not, in general, compensate for the university-level studies of the theoretical foundations of the required subjects. Students selected to the programme may freely choose their major, if they have the pre-requisite knowledge for the mandatory courses comprising the major. Applicants are asked to fill in an online self-evaluation form to assess how well their background matches the knowledge requirements of the preferred majors. The suitability of each applicant for the two most-preferred majors, as indicated in the self-evaluation form, is evaluated during the admission. Students with insufficient background for their preferred majors can be rejected or might be requested to take complementary studies of up to 20 ECTS. The major selection will be finalized as part of the personal study plan in the beginning of studies. Areas of required and additional knowledge considered as an advantage are defined separately for each major below: Bioinformatics and Digital Health Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in the following areas is considered an advantage:
Biomedical Engineering Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
Biosensing and Bioelectronics Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
Complex Systems Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in the following areas is considered an advantage:
Human Neuroscience and Technology Required knowledge:
Additional knowledge in some of the following areas is considered an advantage:
|
| Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of study records, self-evaluation form |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look for in an applicant? | We expect acceptable applicants to have completed their previous degree in a high-quality higher education institution and programme, with high quality of teaching and a demanding academic curriculum. The recognition of the applicant’s home university affects also the final interpretation of the academic performance. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s suitability to the programme, motivation, commitment to studies, and written communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Motivation and commitment to full-time LifeTech studies, relevant career trajectory after graduation, professional written communication skills. Studies in the Master's programme should provide genuinely new knowledge for the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master's degree or is studying towards one in any field, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another Master's degree is necessary. In most cases, non-degree studies are recommended to complement a previous Master’s degree. |
| Evaluated document | Motivation letter |
| What is evaluated? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
Applicants will benefit of the following:
|
| Evaluated documents | Curriculum vitae, recommendation letter, proof of employment, publications, patents, GRE/GMAT results |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s further suitability to the programme, motivation, and commitment to studies, oral communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant? | Motivation and commitment to full-time LifeTech studies, relevant study and work background, relevant career trajectory after graduation, oral communication skills |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Interview (for applicants who proceeded to Phase II) |
The selection process for those Life Science Technologies applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria for master's studies comprises two phases.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are first evaluated based on the following criteria:
Only the applications who fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria. It is not possible to compensate for these criteria with other criteria.
After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the applications which are ranked the highest in this evaluation stage will be invited to Phase II.
Information on when the invitations will be sent will be updated here in December.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criterion:
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint assessment of Phase I and II.
The programme does not have a minimum quota to be filled, and not all acceptable applicants will necessarily be admitted.
In addition to obligatory application documents required from all applicants, LifeTech applicants are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
*) The lack of these documents will cause rejection.
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Learning Services of Aalto University School of Science
For enquiries regarding the programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services of Aalto University School of Science
masters-sci@aalto.fi
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services
admissions@aalto.fi
