Aalto University

Aalto University, established in 2010, is the product of a merger between the Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Art and Design. The idea was to create a new, innovative institution bringing science and technology, design and art, and business and economics together while promoting the welfare of people and the environment.

Academic Highlights

Aalto University has close to 20,000 students enrolled in six schools offering 90 degree programs. Its School of Business is considered the best in the country, having received the triple crown of accreditation from the international business school accreditation bodies. Multidisciplinary learning is encouraged through institutes like the Aalto Design Factory and the Aalto Entrepreneurship Society.

Take a virtual tour of Aalto University Otaniemi campus. You can also view this video, and a second video, about studying as an exchange student at Aalto University.

Location

Aalto University is located on a series of campuses across Finland’s capital Helsinki. Helsinki is Finland's major political, educational, financial, cultural, and research centre. It also has a campus in Mikkeli, a small city about 230km south of Helsinki.

Did you know?

The University is named in honour of the prominent and influential architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Aalto was a student at the former Helsinki University of Technology and was instrumental in designing a large part of the University's main campus in Otaniemi.

Handbook/Catalogue

Use the Sisu system to find available units. In the top right-hand corner, there is a drop down menu that allows you to change the language of the system to English. Under the section headed “Organisation”, click on “Open organization menu” and choose the area for which you want to search, in this case, “School of Business”. You can refine this if you only want to look at management units, for example.

Choose the northern hemisphere academic year of interest and the language of learning as “English”. You don’t need to choose from the other categories. That should be sufficient to enable you to find the units available.

Restrictions

Units offered in the MBA and EMBA Programs coordinated by the Aalto University Executive Education (AEE) are not available to exchange students.

Language requirements

Be sure to check the language of instruction, as many courses are offered in languages other than English.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

ECTS - European Credit Transfer System

*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.

Academic Calendar

Autumn term (Monash Semester 2): late August – mid-December
Spring term (Monash Semester 1): mid-January – mid-June

Academic calendar

Important notes

Please note that students applying for a residence permit (student visa) for Finland may need to travel to the Finnish Embassy in Canberra for an in-person appointment.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Tristan Pokornyi
Bachelor of Arts (Global) and Commerce
Semester 2, 2017
Studied: Business units

Study Experience

Coming from Melbourne, the experience of Finland and moreover the Finnish culture is a lot different to what I am used to. Upon arriving, the grey weather and shy nature of the people struck me. Although, the more I explored the pristine nature, national parks and put myself out there to meet new people, the more I felt that Finland was like a second home. By the end, I was very sad to leave.

While there was no shortage of opportunity to make friends with super-friendly exchangers, meeting the locals is harder. Once I got to know them though, I knew it would be a long-term friendship. The level of student involvement and activities is quite high, which means that life at Aalto University can be very fun indeed. Get involved, and ready for the land of impromptu saunas, diving into Arctic lakes, snow blizzards, student basement dinner parties, colourful student 'overalls' and of course the northern lights.

Culture

Helsinki is a really lovely city. The best part of it is the relaxed atmosphere and natural settings. I was always within a stone's throw from a park or nature reserve. Helsinki has everything that one would need, while still giving everyone plenty of space.

In summer it is very green and I saw the seasons change dramatically as the leaves turned golden, then the snow came. Unlike other cities, the snow in Helsinki often can persist for more than a month. People can be seen skiing to work. Go to the historic fortress island of Suomenlinna, or the idyllic café Regatta. Take a day return ferry to the charming city of Tallinn. Or even just a stroll in the local park. You never know what you will see - one night I even saw the northern lights in Helsinki!

Benefits of going on exchange

The most enriching part was simply being in an environment different to the everyday life in Melbourne. The ability to culturally exchange with new people, and with the environment as well, allowed me to see different perspectives to life and become a more well-rounded person. This outweighs other factors when it comes to personal development. Students can often become preoccupied with building their career, but it is important to grow as a person and discover new things and I think Finland is ideal for this.

Career Benefits

Aalto University is very good when it comes to work integrated learning. Many - if not most of the units there engage a company for which to complete an actual project for. Group work is taken to the next level. I have great memories of one of my units which included an all-expenses paid business trip to Russia, complete with a banquet dinner. Another unit was so interesting that I managed to do an internship at the company, after the unit was finished. These things are excellent for career (and personal) development.

Money and Budgeting

• Definitely apply for housing early through HOAS or AYY housing. They offer furnished student housing that is subsidised by the government so can turn out to be very affordable.
• Have lunch at the Student Cafes which are spread around the city but usually clustered around universities. They offer significantly discounted meals for 2.60 euros which include a salad buffet and healthy, good-sized portions.
• Take Onnibus to travel around Finland - it's a pretty cheap bus company that does trips around the country. Sign up to Finnair and Norwegian airlines newsletters, they usually run cheap flights out of Helsinki.
• Use the ResQ Club app; it offers discounted meals from restaurants around time while at the same time working to reduce food waste.

Top tips

• Definitely visit Lapland. It's one of the most beautiful and natural places in the world. And go in winter for a chance to experience husky sledding and the northern lights. Koli National Park is another great place with amazing views.
• Try to make friends with locals as well. Get involved in some of the diverse clubs and the student association of your faculty. Or even try an authentic Finnish experience by joining a Student Nation (e.g. Pohjois-Pohjalainen Osakunta) like I did.
• Be open to new and unexpected experiences.