Master's Degree Programme in Automation Engineering: Industrial Automation Engineering

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 Industrial Automation Engineering specialisation track are

• automation engineering 
• mechanical engineering 
• electrical engineering 
• Control and systems engineering 
• computer science 
• industrial 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.

Industrial Automation Engineering 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
• Industrial Automation Engineering 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. Industrial Automation Engineering studies include courses with topics on industrial communications, sensors and actuators, and robotic manipulation.

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 Industrial Automation Engineering track approaches automation as an integrated engineering challenge. Reliable automated systems cannot be developed by considering sensors, actuators, controllers, communication networks, and robots separately. Engineers must understand the operation of individual components as well as how they interact at the system level.

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

• modelling and simulation of dynamic and electromechanical systems
• analysis and design of control systems
• sensors and actuators and their operating principles
• industrial communication and networks
• robotic manipulation and robot control
• advanced control methods, including optimal and discrete-event control
• measurement, data analysis, and experimental validation
• integration of electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems
• data-driven and intelligent methods for monitoring and controlling automated systems
• engineering projects, innovation management, and technical communication

Control engineering and industrial system integration form the core of the track-specific studies. The programme develops your ability to move between physical understanding, mathematical modelling, simulation, control-system design, and laboratory experimentation. This combination is essential when designing automated systems for real production environments and demanding operating conditions.

The Industrial Automation Engineering 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 industrial automation as multidisciplinary systems in which sensing, control, communication, robotics, and software must work together. Learning activities may include lectures, programming assignments, simulation exercises, laboratory work with real control setups and robot arms, group projects, and industry-oriented engineering tasks.

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 automated systems under realistic operating conditions, safety and reliability requirements, communication constraints, 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 analysis and machine learning
• robotics and intelligent machines
• renewable energy and energy systems
• electric powertrain systems and electrical engineering
• 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. Automation is a key technology in manufacturing, the marine industry, energy production, and process industries, 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, automation 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 industrial processes and production systems
• model-based and optimal control of dynamic systems
• control of discrete-event systems and production lines
• design and implementation of industrial communication networks
• integration of industrial data exchange standards and cloud platforms in automation systems
• sensor selection, design, and sensor fusion for industrial applications
• design of custom sensors and actuators for monitoring and control
• robotic manipulation and robot control
• condition monitoring and predictive maintenance of industrial machines
• fault detection and diagnostics for automated systems
• digital twins for production systems, machines, and processes
• data-driven modelling and machine learning for automation applications
• process and building automation and energy-efficient control
• automation for renewable energy and smart energy systems
• automation and control of marine and mobile machinery applications

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

After completing the Industrial Automation Engineering track, you will understand the operating principles and design challenges of modern automated systems. You will be able to analyse an automation system both as a collection of components and as an integrated system.

You will be able to:

• Select and model sensors, actuators, controlled processes, and complete automated systems
• analyse the dynamic behaviour and performance of controlled systems
• design and evaluate control solutions for electromechanical and industrial systems
• design industrial networks and integrate them with higher-level data systems
• analyse and model robot kinematics and dynamics and implement robot control
• use simulation, measurement, and data-analysis tools in engineering development
• assess interactions between electrical, mechanical, communication, and software 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 automation technologies from technical, economic, and sustainability perspectives

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

Graduates of the Industrial Automation Engineering track can work in companies and organisations developing production systems, process automation, robotics, industrial networks, marine and energy technologies, building automation, sensors and measurement systems, and other automated applications.

Possible job titles include:

• automation engineer
• control systems engineer
• industrial automation engineer
• robotics engineer
• systems engineer
• systems integration engineer
• modelling and simulation engineer
• test and validation engineer
• industrial communication and network engineer
• process automation engineer
• building automation engineer
• data and analytics engineer
• application engineer
• research and 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 advanced and model-based control, industrial communication techniques, advanced sensing methods, digital twins, data-driven methods for automation, and process and energy automation.

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

Choose Industrial Automation Engineering if you want to:

• work at the intersection of control, sensing, communication, robotics, and software
• understand the complete chain from measurement and data to controlled action in a machine or process
• contribute to the automation of production, industry, and energy systems
• combine mathematical modelling with simulation and experimental engineering
• develop reliable, efficient, and intelligent automation 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 smarter, more efficient, and increasingly automated technologies.