History
Established in 2010, Aalto University is strongly future-oriented while at the same time building on the combined 300-year-history of three highly-regarded universities. It was created by a merger of the Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Art and Design Helsinki.
The Aalto University charter was signed in June 2008. On December 19, 2008, Prof. Tuula Teeri was selected by the Board to be the first President of Aalto University. The university started operating on January 1, 2010.
A new university with centuries of experience
The three schools are all leading and renowned institutions in their respective fields and in their own right. Whilst proud of its heritage, Aalto University is not resting on its laurels but sees its tripartite nature as an excellent opportunity to redefine the role and functioning of modern European universities.
The Aalto University School of Art and Design was established in 1871 and has since grown into a leading art and design education institute (starting from 1 January called the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture).
The Aalto University School of Economics was established in 1904 by the business community and it received University standing in 1911.
The formerly independent TKK functioned as the Aalto University School of Science and Technology throughout 2010 and its activities continue from 1 January 2011 in the form of four Aalto University schools of technology corresponding to the former faculties of TKK. TKK was founded in 1849 and it received university status in 1908.
