Doctoral+
Doctoral+ (Tohtori+) is a cooperation agreement between certain Finnish universities and it is in force from 1 September 2025. Under this agreement doctoral students can apply free-of-charge for a fixed-term right to complete doctoral level courses that will be included in their doctoral degree at another university that is part of the agreement.
In addition to Aalto University, the agreement includes Hanken, University of the Arts Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki, University of Lapland, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa and Åbo Akademi.
Doctoralcourses.fi
A number of Finnish universities have partnered to offer doctoral courses to their students: Aalto University, Hanken, LUT University, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Jyväskylä, University of Lapland, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa and Åbo Akademi. The agreement only applies to a specifically determined course offering, not all courses. The courses offered by Aalto to their network partners can be found at the Doctoralcourses.fi platform.
Nordic Five Tech
Nordic Five Tech is a strategic alliance of the five leading technical universities. More information at N5T website.
NORDTEK
NORDTEK is a network of the Rectors and Deans of the Technical Universities in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The members represent 27 universities. Find courses offered by these universities at NORDTEK website.
Unite!
Unite! is an European University alliance of innovation, technology and engineering. It has nine partner universities, who offer courses to Unite! member universities' students. Check out the courses at Unite! metacampus platform.
The unit offering the teaching will decide on granting the study right based on the student's application and the number of places on the course. The units can prioritize Aalto doctoral students when handling the registrations to the course.
To find courses taught at Aalto to be included in your doctoral degree, take a look at the curriculum of each Aalto doctoral programme. Do remember that the co-operation agreement can limit the courses that you can apply for.
The course descriptions, teaching times and more information about the courses are available in the student information system Sisu. You can browse course information in Sisu without logging in.
The letter D at the end of the name of the course indicates that the course is suitable for doctoral students, even if it would be primarily a Master's course.
Most courses at Aalto University are taught on campus. The teaching mode is indicated in the course description of the course in Sisu (Choose the course > Completion methods > Teaching > Groups and teaching times > Location). In case a doctoral student from a partner university wishes to take a course which requires attendance in person on campus, they are themselves responsible for any incurring costs and travel arrangements.
Doctoral students in our partner universities from the networks mentioned above can apply to complete doctoral courses at Aalto University free of charge, as long they will be included in their doctoral degree. Note that doctoralcourses.fi agreement only applies to the courses listed on the doctoralcourses.fi website.
Students are accepted to these courses if capacity allows and if they meet the required prerequisites, as estimated by the teacher in charge. A study right towards doctoral degree in one of our partner universities is a basic requirement.
If you fulfil the requirements you can apply for a non-degree study right for a doctoral course:
Instructions for submitting the form:
There are no application periods, but we recommend that you apply at least 2 months before the start of the course.
If you are a doctoral student at Aalto University wishing to take courses in one of our partner universities from the networks mentioned above, please see instructions here: Courses from other Finnish or foreign universities.
If your university is not our partner university or you are looking for something else, take a look at our other non-degree studies offer, options at Aalto University Open University or what can Lifewide Learning at Aalto offer you.
Aalto University believes that education must offer more possibilities than ready-made solutions. Aalto University can grant the right to pursue non-degree studies to applicants who are not enrolled as degree or exchange students at Aalto University.
Open University courses are open to everyone regardless of background or age. Open University offers individual courses in Business, Technology, Languages, and Art and Design. Students are admitted to individual courses in the order of registration.
Aalto University Lifewide Learning helps you develop your skills in an ever-changing environment.
