Postgraduate Studies
Master’s Degree Programme in Sustainable Urban Planning and
Climate Change
Application process is open - send your applications by May 25th 2012.
Objectives and purposes
Working in the field of urban planning today is a demanding task for the professionals. New working skills and understanding of multidimensional environmental projects are needed. The new programme is intended for those who have working experience from the field and want to improve their skills and professional knowledge of environmental issues. The education covers the following subject areas:
1. Urban planning and collaboration
2. Climate change and its environmental impacts
3. Environmental management
4. GIS in environmental planning and research
5. Environmental technology and research
The new degree programme provides a professionally oriented and international knowledge base to face the challenges in modern urban planning. The professionals in the field today need more environmental science based information and working skills in contemporary planning processes.
Learning methods
The education is carried out by intensive periods and with the help of virtual meetings and eLearning platforms. During one year there are at least six intensive weeks of contact teaching.
The degree programme is planned and realized in cooperation with two partner universities, Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland (UK) and University of Salento in Italy. The language of the education is English.
The studies can be completed either as part-time studies alongside a normal day job or as full-time studies. Study methods include cooperative learning processes, independent work, contact lessons, eLearning, seminars and a research-oriented development project (30 ECTS) leading to a Master’s thesis. The thesis work is started in the beginning of the education.
Degree programme structure, 60 ECTS
The curriculum is workplace orientated and based on each student´s individual study plan.
Research methods 5 ECTS
• Methodological studies 5 ECTS
Advanced professional studies 3 x 5 ECTS = 15 ECTS
• Urban planning and collaboration (obligatory) 5 ECTS
• Climate change and its environmental impacts 5 ECTS
• Environmental management 5 ECTS
• GIS in environmental planning and research 5 ECTS
• Environmental technology and research 5 ECTS
Elective studies 2 x 5 ECTS = 10 ECTS
• Selected from courses listed above or from other LUAS Master´s programmes or from other FUAS Master´s programmes or from exchange Master´s programmes in international partner schools
Master´s thesis 30 ECTS
1 ECTS = 1.5 study weeks
Duration
The duration of the degree can vary from 1 year to 2 years depending on the student´s individual study plan. All advanced professional studies and methodological studies are provided during the first academic year.
Prerequisites
The applicant must have at least a bachelor-level degree in the field of the Master's degree programme from University or University of Applied Sciences and a minimum of three years of work experience in the field.
Work experience
At least three years' work experience after graduation is required. Those who have completed college-level or vocational qualification, worked for three years after that and then started bachelor degree studies can be accepted as applicants.
The work experience needs to be obtained by 31 July 2012. The only kind of work experience accepted is one of which you have been given a testimonial by your employer. Entrepreneurship is accepted as work experience if you can provide a certificate of it given by a designated authority (in Finland i.e. a testimonial of YEL or MYEL insurance).
A part-time job is converted into full-time so that 150 hours or 20 full-length working days (at least 7 hours per day) are equivalent to one month. The work experience does not have to be continuous or obtained under the same employer.
Work placement or practical training are not counted towards work experience if they are included in the degree used in admission. Military service, non-military service or child-care leave are not counted towards work experience.
English language requirements
A solid command of English is required. In order to prove your English language skills, you must meet one of the following minimum requirements:
- IELTS score academic level 6.0, or
- TOEFL score 550 paper-based test or 79 - 80 Internet-based test or
- grade C in the Finnish matriculation examination in advanced level English (IB examination grade 4 completed in Finland or Reifeprüfung examination grade 7 completed in Finland or EB examination grade 6.00 - 6.95), or
- skills level 4 in English in the Finnish general language examination or
- a bachelor's or master's degree conducted in English in an EU/ETA country or one of the following countries: United States of America, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
Application period, process and selection criteria
Application for China and Vietnam has ended February 29th and application for other countries April 20th 2012 - thank you for your applications!
Application process is still open and it has been extended - you have time to send your applications by May 25th 2012.
Please follow these webpages and you will be informed of all the updates and latest news concerning the application process.
Student selection will be made based on entrance examination and interview, portfolio, grade of the thesis and working experience. After the end of the application period all eligible applicant will be invited by a letter to the entrance examination.
The portfolio should include the following viewpoints:
- description of the applying student and his/her motivation and need for the Masters programme (CV and other information)
- working experience and the most important work tasks (also visual material included)
- possibilities to study including the possibilities to participate in one-week intensive periods in partner schools (once or twice a year)
Testing schedule
There will be two entrance exams. The first exam is for those who applied before April 20th. The entrance exams will be organized in Lahti, Finland.
Time: May 7th, 2012
Exam at 12.00-14.00, individual interviews before and after the exam
Place: Learning Centre Fellmannia, Kirkkokatu 27, Lahti
Time: June 4th, 2012
Exam at 12.00-14.00, individual interviews after the exam
Place: Learning Centre Fellmannia, Kirkkokatu 27, Lahti
The examination includes questions based on an article and an interview. Further entrance examination details and individual interview times will be informed in the invitation letters.
Downloadable application form
These documents needs to be sent via traditional mail:
- application form, filled and signed
- copies of the education diplomas (Finnish applicants)
- officially confirmed copies of the education diplomas and officially confirmed translations of the certificates, translated to English or Finnish (foreign applicants)
- certificates to prove the work experience
- the certificate of language skills: TOEFL or IELTS or proof of a bachelor’s or master’s degree conducted in English in an EU/ETA country or some of the following countries: United States of America, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
- CV in English
- 2 letters of reference
- copy of passport (if the applicant is non-European)
Return the application with the requested attachments to:
Lahti University of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Technology
Ståhlberginkatu 10
FI-15100 Lahti
FINLAND
Tuition, living expenses and insurances
The Finnish Ministry of Education provides free tuition for the programme. Books and other studying materials, travel, accommodation and living expenses must be covered by the student. To obtain the residence permit foreign students have to make a bank deposit of at least 6000 euros for each year of studying to cover their living costs in Finland and prove that they have a health insurance for the duration of their studies in Finland. More information on the web pages of the Finnish Immigration Service: Finnish Immigration Service internet pages.
Students from outside the EU/EEA countries are not covered by the Finnish national health insurance. It is highly important that these students have sufficient insurance cover of their own before their arrival in Finland.
Contact information:
Principal lecturer
Dr. Eeva Aarrevaara
email eeva.aarrevaara[at]lamk.fi
Education Planner
Ms. Essi Malinen
email essi.malinen[at]lamk.fi
Lahti University of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Technology
Ståhlberginkatu 10
FI-15110 LAHTI, FINLAND
Tel. +358 3 8282311
Fax +358 3 8283015
email masters[at]lamk.fi