Aalto Doctoral Orientation Days
Participation
New doctoral students will recieve a personal registration link by email. Doctoral researchers employed by Aalto University, who have not yet received the study right for doctoral studies, are also welcome to participate (if we haven't reached you, please email udes@aalto.fi for the registration link).
In the academic year 2025-2026, Orientation Days will be held on 1.-2.9.2025, 1.-2.12.2025, 2.-3.3.2026 and 18.-19.5.2026.
Doctoral students are invited to the next Orientation Days following the starting date of their study right. If you are unable to participate, we will send you an invitation to the next Orientation Days.
Programme December 2025
Day I: Monday 1.12.2025 9.00-16.00, U8, Undergraduate Centre, Otakaari 1
+ social programme
| Framework and Planning | |
| 9:00-9:15 | Framework of doctoral studies at Aalto University |
| 9:15-10:00 | Planning and Structuring Your Doctoral Research and Studies |
| 10:00-10:15 | Welcome speech |
| 10:15-10:55 |
Beyond the Degree: Recent Graduates’ Stories D.Sc. (Tech) Juho Vepsäläinen, SCI |
| 10:55-11:00 | Introducing doctoral student tutors |
| 11:00-12:30 | Tutor groups meet, lunch (self-paid) |
| Thriving as a Doctoral Student: Career, Community, EDI and representation | |
| 12.30-12.45 | Thriving as a Doctoral Student |
| 12.45-13:00 | Code of conduct & EDI |
| 13:00-13:15 | Introducing Aalto University Student Union, AYY |
| 13:15-13:30 | Introducing Doctoral Researchers’ Association Aallonhuiput |
| 13:30-13:45 | Shop Steward representing doctoral researchers |
| 13:45-14:00 | Career Design Lab: What do I want to do with my doctoral degree? |
| Break | |
| 14:30-16:00 |
Getting to Know Your Doctoral Programme: Requirements for Doctoral Thesis & Supervision arrangements, Doctoral programmes
Note: ARTS & BIZ arrange their programme level meeting with they main intake in September. |
| 16:30 onwards | Doctoral researchers' association Aallonhuiput Orientation Days Evening at Otaranta Clubroom, Otaranta 8 B. Snacks, drinks and board games - a great opportunity to meet the active members of the organization and connect with other doctoral students at Aalto. |
Day II: Tuesday 2.12.2025 (8.30-) 9.00-12.00, U8, Undergradute Centre, Otakaari 1
| Optional: for Newcomers | |
| 8:30-8:55 | Newcomers' introduction to Aalto, Helsinki, Espoo, and Finland: History, Culture, and Community |
| HR and practicalities | |
| 9:00-9:45 | HR Orientation to employment related issues (for employed doctoral researchers) |
| 9:45-10:00 | Moving to Finland (all newcomers) |
| Break | |
| Advancing Your Research and Doctoral Thesis: Research plan & Researcher’s tools, skills and support | |
| 10:05-10:20 | My research idea – New doctoral students present their research topics/ideas |
| 10:20-10:30 | IT Services supporting your research |
| 10:30-10:45 | Library resources and services for researchers |
| 10:45-11:00 | Research ethics and integrity |
| 11:00-11:15 | Open science at Aalto University |
| 11:15-11:30 | Research data management at Aalto University |
| 11:30-11:50 | Research information management system ACRIS |
| 11:50-12:00 | Q&A about your ACRIS profile, open science and research data management |
| 12:00- | Tutor groups meet, lunch (self-paid) |
Aalto Day One – opening of the academic year 2025–2026
Let's kick off the new academic year at Aalto University together!
Orientation presentations
Useful links
Spotlight
Doctoral page index
Index of all aalto.fi pages about doctoral education
Contact information
Doctoral education Services
udes@aalto.fi