Finland Scholarship Recipient, Ushnish from India, Completed His Master’s in Electrical Power and Energy Engineering at Aalto University

I’m Ushnish Chowdhury, currently a doctoral researcher at Aalto University, Finland. I’m originally from Kolkata, India. I completed my bachelor’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering between 2013 and 2017. After that, I joined IBM India Pvt. Ltd. as a Software Developer, where I worked for five years. I then pursued my master’s degree in Automation and Electrical Engineering, with a major in Electrical Power and Energy Engineering from 2023-2025.

I had always wanted to pursue a master’s degree right after my bachelor’s, but due to financial reasons, getting a job became necessary. My time at IBM not only gave me valuable experience but also the financial stability to finally think about higher studies. Another big source of motivation was my fiancé, who pursued a master’s degree in Europe and is now a doctoral researcher at Tallinn University of Technology.

Finland Scholarship Details

I received the Finland Scholarship from Aalto University, which consisted of a full tuition fee waiver for two years, along with a one-time grant of €5000 to support relocation to Finland. I also received the Dean’s Incentive Scholarship of €500 for completing more than 60 credits in the first year of study (out of a total of 120 credits).

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I received a 50% tuition fee waiver from LUT University, Finland, before receiving the offer from Aalto University.

Educational Background

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Techno India University with a CGPA of 9.05/10. Master of Science (Technology) (M.Sc. (Tech.)) from Aalto University with a GPA of 4.56/5.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Aalto University?

Preparation for the application was regular, beginning with a well-structured motivation letter that clearly reflected my interest and ideas in the field. All other required documents, including my bachelor’s degree certificate, transcripts, and recommendation letters (both academic and professional), were submitted along with the application. I also took the IELTS exam for English proficiency and scored 7.5, meeting the cutoff for most European universities. A few months later, I was thrilled to learn that I had not only been accepted to study at Aalto University but had also received a prestigious scholarship to pursue it.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Finland Scholarship?

One good thing about applying to Finnish universities is that scholarship applications are usually not separate (except for the University of Helsinki, which has its own portal). You simply indicate in the main application whether you wish to be considered for scholarships. As a result, the same set of documents is automatically used for both admission and scholarship evaluation.

How is (was) Your Experience at Aalto University? 

My experience so far has been very positive and has ultimately motivated me to continue with my doctoral studies in the same department. I would like to especially acknowledge Professor Marko Hinkkanen, who has been a constant guide throughout my journey, from supervising my master’s thesis to now being my doctoral supervisor.

How Does Aalto University Support International Students?

Aalto University is a strong promoter of diversity and actively encourages the participation of international students. I have never felt like an outsider in any of my courses and have always been treated just like a native student. For example, whenever a few of my Finnish friends are conversing in Finnish and I join in, they immediately switch to English and even try to teach me some Finnish words. Moreover, all the important university websites and information portals are available in English, so adapting to the new environment has been smooth and comfortable.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Finnish?

Almost all courses (all mandatory ones) in my master’s degree program are taught in English.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically, Not Knowing Finnish?

Not at all.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe this question is best answered by the reviewer of my application, but I focused on constructing a strong problem statement relevant to the field and proposing a potential solution as a hypothesis. This practical approach, combined with my relevant skill set, helped my application stand out.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I don’t think I would have done anything differently, as the approach I used worked well. The key is to be concise and express your motivation in a clear and straightforward manner.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Focus as much as possible on your motivation letter, as it is often the most critical part of your application. The key is to keep it clear, concise, and to the point. Avoid overwriting or including unnecessary details. A well-crafted motivation letter effectively conveys your interest, relevant skills, and long-term goals, making a strong impression on the reviewers. Once your motivation letter is strong, the other components of the application, such as transcripts and recommendation letters, naturally fall into place and support your case.