Master's Degree Programme in Automation Engineering: Electric Powertrain Systems

General Requirement

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – normally a Bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education,
• your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or three years of full-time study,
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to. Please check the section on track-specific admission requirements for detailed degree requirements.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills. You can indicate your language skills by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests. 

Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be eligible for the University of Turku. No exceptions will be made. Read more about the language requirements here.

Before you start preparing your application, always read the full admission requirements on the application portal Studyinfo.fi

The applicant’s previous degree based on which s/he is seeking admission to the Master’s Degree Programme in Automation Engineering must be in a relevant field of study. Relevant fields for the Electric Powertrain Systems specialisation track are

• automation engineering 
• electrical engineering 
• mechatronics and automotive engineering 
• power electronics 
• electric power and energy engineering 
• mechanical engineering 
• control and systems engineering 

You may not apply to more than one specialization track within the same Master’s Degree Programme at the University of Turku. Therefore, you should carefully consider the suitability of your educational background for the applied track.

The decision of admission will be based on

• the relevance of the applicant’s awarded degree(s)
• the amount, relevance, and grades of the courses in the degree(s)
• the language test result (see Language requirements)
• the motivation letter (use the template published here later, or the application will be rejected)
• possible relevant work experience
• possible interview.

The academic evaluation is made only for complete applications received during the application period. Any preliminary assessment of suitability or chances for admission will not be given.

Electric Powertrain Systems is a specialisation track of the Master’s Degree Programme in Automation Engineering. The programme comprises 120 ECTS credits and is designed to be completed in two academic years.

The programme consists of:

• Joint studies in Automation Engineering, 20 ECTS
• Electric Powertrain Systems studies, 20 ECTS
• Thesis and project, 40–45 ECTS
• Minor or Thematic Studies, 20–25 ECTS
• Other studies, 15–20 ECTS

The joint studies provide advanced competence in areas such as control engineering and discrete-event systems, as well as broad pool of electable courses, for example, renewable energy, process and automation engineering, model-based and optimal control, magnetic suspension and levitation systems, and system modelling and synthesis with HDL. The Electric Powertrain Systems studies include power electronics for electric vehicles, electrical machine design, and control of electrical powertrains.

The thesis and project module comprises an industry-oriented automation engineering project, a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis, and knowledge and innovation management. The project allows students to apply their knowledge to a demanding engineering problem, often in cooperation with a company or a research project.

The University of Turku also supports students’ professional and international development through internships and student exchange opportunities.

The Electric Powertrain Systems track approaches electrification as an integrated engineering challenge. Efficient powertrains cannot be developed by considering electrical machines, power converters, control algorithms, energy sources, and mechanical loads separately. Engineers must understand the operation of individual components as well as their interaction at the system level.

During your studies, you will develop competence in areas such as:

• electrical machine design, selection, and their operating principles
• power electronic converters and electric drive systems
• modelling and simulation of electric powertrains
• control of electrical machines and power conversion systems
• energy efficiency and powertrain optimisation
• measurement, data analysis, and experimental validation
• integration of electrical, mechanical, and control subsystems
• digital and intelligent methods for monitoring and controlling electrified systems
• engineering projects, innovation management, and technical communication

Power electronics and electrical machine design form the core of the track-specific studies.

The programme develops your ability to move between physical understanding, mathematical modelling, simulation, control-system design, laboratory experimentation, and system-level engineering. This combination is essential when designing electric powertrains for practical operating conditions.

The Electric Powertrain Systems track is part of the Master’s Degree Programme in Automation Engineering at the University of Turku. Teaching combines expertise in automation, control engineering, electrical engineering, digital technologies, and mechanical systems.

Students study electric powertrains as multidisciplinary systems in which electrical energy conversion, physical components, embedded control, measurement, and software must work together. Learning activities may include lectures, computational assignments, simulation exercises, laboratory work, design tasks, and industry-oriented projects.

The programme emphasises the connection between theoretical methods and real engineering systems. Students learn not only to analyse individual components but also to investigate complete powertrains under realistic load cycles, operating constraints, efficiency requirements, and control objectives.

The flexible structure of the degree allows students to strengthen their expertise in fields such as:

• advanced control and optimisation
• embedded and digital systems
• data-driven modelling and machine learning
• renewable energy and energy conversion
• mechanical engineering
• industrial automation
• entrepreneurship and business competence

This flexibility allows each student to build a competence profile that supports their professional objectives.

Cooperation with industry is an important part of the programme. Electric powertrain technologies are increasingly used in the automotive, marine, energy, manufacturing, and mobile machinery sectors, all of which have a strong presence in Southwest Finland and elsewhere in Finland.

Industry cooperation may include:

• Master’s theses commissioned by companies
• industry-oriented student projects
• company visits
• guest lectures by industry specialists
• research and development assignments
• internships and summer employment

The project course provides students with an opportunity to solve a multidisciplinary engineering problem as part of a team. Students apply methods from modelling, control engineering, electrical engineering, and data analysis while developing their project management, teamwork, documentation, and presentation skills.

The Master’s thesis is worth 30 ECTS credits and is normally completed during the second year of study. It is typically an experimental, computational, or theoretical engineering project conducted in cooperation with a company or as part of an ongoing research project.

The thesis allows the student to demonstrate the ability to formulate and investigate a demanding engineering problem, select appropriate methods, analyse results critically, and communicate technical findings in English.

Possible Master’s thesis topics include:

• modelling and control of electric vehicle powertrains
• control of synchronous and induction machines
• development of power electronic converters
• energy-efficient control of industrial electric drives
• optimisation of electric powertrain efficiency
• thermal modelling and management of electrical machines and converters
• condition monitoring and predictive maintenance of electric drives
• fault detection and diagnostics for powertrain systems
• design and experimental validation of electrical machines
• battery and energy management in electrified systems
• electric powertrains for marine and off-highway applications
• hybrid and diesel-electric propulsion systems
• digital twins for electric drives, powertrains, and microgrids
• data-driven modelling and machine learning for powertrain applications
• renewable energy conversion and grid-connected power electronic systems
• magnetic bearings, bearingless motors, and high-speed electrical machines

The exact topic is selected according to the student’s interests and the available research or industrial development projects.

After completing the Electric Powertrain Systems track, you will understand the operating principles and design challenges of modern electrified systems. You will be able to analyse an electric powertrain both as a collection of components and as an integrated system.

You will be able to:

• model electrical machines, converters, mechanical loads, and complete powertrains
• analyse the dynamic behaviour and energy efficiency of electrified systems
• design and evaluate control solutions for electric drives
• select suitable electrical machines and power electronic converters
• use simulation, measurement, and data-analysis tools in engineering development
• assess interactions between electrical, mechanical, thermal, and control subsystems
• contribute to laboratory testing, commissioning, and experimental validation
• participate in multidisciplinary product development and research projects
• communicate technical results and manage engineering projects
• evaluate new electric powertrain technologies from technical, economic, and sustainability perspectives

The broad foundation in automation and control engineering also enables graduates to work beyond electric powertrains in other areas involving advanced electrical, energy, and automated systems.

Graduates of the Electric Powertrain Systems track can work in companies and organisations developing electric vehicles, marine propulsion, mobile machinery, industrial drives, power electronics, electrical machines, renewable energy systems, and automation technologies.

Possible job titles include:

• electric powertrain engineer
• electric drive engineer
• power electronics engineer
• electrical machine design engineer
• control systems engineer
• systems engineer
• modelling and simulation engineer
• test and validation engineer
• application engineer
• energy systems engineer
• research and development engineer
• product development engineer
• project engineer
• technical specialist
• technical project manager

With professional experience, graduates may advance to positions such as lead engineer, chief engineer, project manager, product manager, R&D manager, or technology director.

The combination of electrical engineering, control, modelling, and system integration also provides transferable expertise for emerging fields in which electrification, automation, and intelligent energy management are combined.

The Master of Science (Technology) degree provides eligibility for scientific postgraduate studies. Graduates can continue towards a Doctor of Science (Technology) or Licentiate of Science (Technology) degree.

Possible postgraduate research areas include electrical machines, power electronics, electric drives, advanced control, energy conversion, magnetic suspension, condition monitoring, digital twins, energy storages, and data-driven methods for electrified systems.

Postgraduate studies can be completed at the University of Turku Graduate School.

Choose Electric Powertrain Systems if you want to:

• work at the intersection of electrical engineering, automation, control, and mechanical systems
• understand the complete chain from electrical energy to controlled mechanical motion
• contribute to the electrification of transportation, industry, and energy systems
• combine mathematical modelling with simulation and experimental engineering
• develop energy-efficient and intelligent powertrain solutions
• study in close connection with industrial applications and research
• build a career in a rapidly developing international technology field

The track prepares you to take an active role in the transition towards cleaner, more efficient, and increasingly electrified technologies.