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 doctoralservices@aalto.fi for the registration link).
In the academic year 2026-2027, Orientation Days will be held on 31.8.-1.9.2026, 30.11.-1.12.2026, 8.-9.2.2027 and 17.-18.5.2027.
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 September 2026
Day I: Monday 31.8.-1.9.2026 9.00-16.00, Undergraduate Centre, Otakaari 1
+ social programme
| Framework and Planning Hall U3, Undergraduate Centre |
|
| 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 to Aalto University! |
| 10:15-10:55 | Beyond the Degree: Recent Graduates’ Stories |
| 10:55-11:00 | Introducing doctoral student tutors |
| 11:00-12:30 | Tutor groups meet, lunch (self-paid) |
| Thriving as a Doctoral Student Hall U8, Undergraduate Centre |
|
| 12.30-12.50 | Thriving as a Doctoral Student |
| 12.50-13:10 | Career Design Lab: What do I want to do with my doctoral degree? |
| 13:10-13:20 | Begin with impact: Why explore commercializing your doctoral research? |
| 13:20-13:30 | Doctoral Researchers’ Association Aallonhuiput |
| 13:30-14:00 | Community and representation – Panel discussion Aallonhuiput, Student Union AYY, Shop steward for doctoral students |
| Break | |
| 14:30-16:00 | Getting to Know Your Doctoral Programme: Requirements for Doctoral Thesis & Supervision arrangements, Doctoral programmes |
| 16:30 onwards | Doctoral researchers' association Aallonhuiput Orientation Days Evening event |
Day II: Tuesday 1.9.2026 (8.30-) 9.00-12.00, Mordor, A Grid, Otakaari 5
| Optional: for Newcomers | |
| 8:30-9:00 | Newcomers' introduction to Aalto, Helsinki, Espoo, and Finland: History, Culture, and Community |
| HR and practicalities | |
| 9:00-9:35 | HR Orientation to employment related issues (for employed doctoral researchers) |
| 9:35-9:50 | Moving to Finland (all newcomers) |
| Break | |
| Doctoral research: Researchers' tools, skills and support | |
| 10:00-10:20 | My research idea – New doctoral students present their research topics/ideas |
| 10:20-10:30 | IT Services supporting your research work |
| 10:30-10:45 | Library resources and services for researchers |
| 10:45-11:00 | How to follow Good Research Practice |
| 11:00-11:15 | Why Open Science is relevant for your research |
| 11:15-11:30 | How to manage your research data successfully |
| 11:30-11:50 | Your research profile at ACRIS – visibility for your research |
| 11:50-12:00 | My next steps as a doctoral researcher? |
| 12:00-13:00 | Tutor groups meet, lunch (self-paid) |
Orientation presentations
Useful links
Doctoral page index
Index of all aalto.fi pages about doctoral education
Contact information
Doctoral education Services
doctoralservices@aalto.fi