Open University studies for upper secondary students

On offer are courses and study modules in technology, economics and business, arts and design, and languages and communication.The teaching provided through the Open University is the same as that of the degree programmes.You may choose individual courses from the course selection to fit your current situation, or you may resolve to undertake a whole study module.Successful completion of technology or business studies through the Open University route may lead to securing a student place as a university degree student. 

 Useful links and information 

• Open University study modules 
• Technology route (in Finnish)
• Business route 
• Suitable courses for upper secondary students 

The wide variety of fields and courses on offer at the Open University gives you a chance to find your area of interest. Course offerings especially suited to upper secondary students are available from the Open University’s course menu. The courses suited to upper secondary (high school) students are indicated. They are mostly introductory courses and do not require previous university studies. 

We recommend reading the course description carefully before registering. Every Open University course has a course description with details about the course. To see a course description, just click on the name of a course from the course menu. The description shows the scope of the course in credits (cr), indicating the amount of work required.One credit is equal to about 27 hours of study. This is good to take into account when planning your studies. Some courses have prerequisites, that is, a starting level of knowledge needed in order to take the course. Beginner courses in languages are suitable for all and have no prerequisites. You may also take language courses at a higher level if you already have good proficiency.The proficiency level for every language course is indicated in its course description. 

In addition to the Open University’s own courses, you can participate in courses that count towards a degree if they have places reserved for Open University students. Open University courses are taught primarily on weeknights and sometimes on Saturdays, whilecourses taught by degree programmes are taught primarily between 8 and 16 on weekdays.The Open University courses with contact teaching are given on the Otaniemi campus in Espoo. The campus is conveniently located and on the metro line. Online courses are given on electronic learning platforms and require no presence on campus. 

Additional information on studying at the Open University  

• Guidelines for study 
• Electronic systems used in studying 
• Key concepts related to study 
• Course registration and paying the course fee 

For more information on studying in general or specific courses at the Open University, please contact [email protected] 

For more information on applying to become a degree student, see the Aalto University Admission Services site.

The Aalto University Junior scheme organises courses and contests for upper secondary school students, disseminates information on open lectures, and coaches students wishing to participate in maths contests through Matikka-akatemia (‘the math academy’). Aalto University Junior organises study visits to Aalto University, and offers teachers the chance to have Aalto researchers visit their class to talk about their work. 

Aalto University Summer School is a great way to get a foretaste of studying at Aalto. The Aalto summer school is open also to upper secondary school students unless otherwise stated in the course details.   

Events and information for upper secondary students wishing to apply to Aalto: Every year, Aalto University hosts a number of events where upper secondary school students get to hear about applying to and studying at Aalto, and visit the study facilities and campus. The most important events in which the Aalto University Admission Services are involved are listed on their website. 

Online courses for everyone  

The Starting Up online course is an open and free-of-charge course covering the basics of start-up entrepreneurship.  

Someilmiöt is a free-of-charge and open course on social media phenomena, developed by the Aalto University degree programme of Information Networks. 

FITech is a university network where Aalto is a member. It offers open and free-of-charge courses in technology, many of which are suitable also for upper secondary school students. The course are well-suited to complement your upper-secondary-level IT studies.  On the FiTech 101 online courses, you get firsthand experience of what studying computer science at university would be like.