Aalto Handbook

Management of education

At Aalto University, the educational path covers the lifewide learning needs. Key actors in the education are the students as well as the university professors and lecturers, along with the program directors, whose work is enabled with support from the university management and teaching and learning services.
School of Business Management and International Business

The future-oriented development of teaching and learning is one of the main strategic goals of the university. Aalto University promotes the development of a positive learning culture and atmosphere, with a particular emphasis on systematic curriculum development and streamlining of study paths. The strategic goal of learning services is to user-centrically develop and build services and digital tools that enhance teaching and learning experience. 

Organisation of education

The vice-president for education is responsible for leading the university's educational activities regarding undergraduate (Bachelor's and Master's degrees) and lifewide learning. The vice-president for research is in charge of leading the university's research activities, including doctoral education. The Learning Steering Group (LeSG), consisting of vice deans for education of Aalto Schools, managers of Learning Services, and representatives from key academic units (Language Centre, AEE, Open University), guides and directs the strategic and operational development of education, and serves as a platform for sharing common practices. Additionally, LeSG coordinates joint development projects and prepares education-related items for decision-making. The operative management teams of Learning Services (LESjory), comprising the management of Learning Services, serves as a key preparatory body for LeSG. In addition to LeSG, future-oriented learning trends and guidelines are examined in the Future-led Learning Working Group. The core of the working group consists of representatives of academic leadership in education, and its aim is to highlight and prepare strategic guidelines for education and learning and provide input, for example, to LeSG discussions. 

Decision-making in education

According to the Aalto University Bylaws, the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) of the university is responsible for deciding on the university's curricula, degree requirements, admission criteria, and degree regulations, as well as appointing key bodies to support teaching and research. Some of the tasks of the university's academic committee have been delegated to the academic committees of the schools (e.g. Schools’ curricula). Furthermore, the schools also have degree programme committees or similar bodies, which prepare and partially decide on study-related matters of the degree programs. 

Regarding education-related decisions, the Aalto University president has decision-making authority (e.g., establishing or discontinuing educational programs, annual decisions on study options and intake quotas). Additionally, the vice-president for education has the authority to provide guidelines and operational instructions, for example, to implement the university's degree regulations. 

Administrative framework for educational management 

The management, development and monitoring of teaching and learning and related learning services (LES) are based on the university's strategy and legislation concerning education, guidelines from the Ministry of Education and Culture, and other instructions. 

The General rules for teaching and studying at Aalto University are supplemented by the degree regulations of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and Degree regulations on Doctoral degrees as well as other rules and guidelines issued by the rector, provost, or the vice president responsible for education. 

The Schools are responsible for organizing education and degrees. Each Schools is responsible for appropriate allocation and prioritization of resources to ensure the organization of teaching and the achievement of the agreed academic targets. The  Deans are in charge of educational leadership within the universities but may delegate decision-making responsibility to vice deans for education. 

Lifewide learning at Aalto University includes not only degree education but also Aalto Junior, Open University, Aalto Summer School, FITech Network University, and the educational portfolio of AaltoEE (Aalto Executive Education Ltd).

The Learning Services (LES) is responsible for the services and processes related to teaching and learning throughout the students’ study path. The mission of the Learning Services is to ensure the framework for smooth everyday management and support seamless studying. Coordination and development bodies within the university and between Schools ensure effective preparation and handling of operational and long-term education matters at School and university levels. 

Strategic guidelines for educational development 

The strategic plans for teaching and learning have been made for the next four years, from 2024 to 2027. Following the principle of a living strategy, the choices are regularly reviewed. The plans are updated annually as part of our annual planning process. 

Quality assurance in education

The Program Management Handbook brings together guidelines and best practices to support program management at Aalto. The Teacher's Handbook provides practical information on teaching practices, digital teaching and learning platforms, and campus teaching facilities. The quality of teaching is monitored and evaluated using both student feedback and peer assessments. Peer assessment is conducted through regular evaluations of teaching, where an international panel assesses the quality and impact of education.

The strategic plans for teaching and learning are prepared for the period of 2022-2025. According to the principles of the living strategy, there is a regular process, University Dialogue, for evaluating and revising the strategic focus areas. 

Aalto University strategy 3.0, web banner (square)

Our plan 2024-2027

Explore our strategic plans for 2024-2027

Our strategy

The programme director's handbook provides a holistic set of guidelines and good practices for programme management purposes at Aalto University. The teacher's handbook seeks to provide practical information on teaching practices, digital platforms for teaching and learning, and physical learning spaces for teaching.

Programme director's handbook

The programme director's handbook is a collection of guidelines, templates, and good practices. The handbook gathers together information about processes, schedules and tools and the aim is to support degree programme directors, heads of majors and others involved to succeed in implementing, evaluating and developing the degree programmes.

Students at Aalto University Learning Centre

Teacher’s Handbook

This handbook contains practical information for a teacher on teaching at Aalto University.

Teacher's handbook illustration: main image

The quality of teaching and learning is monitored and evaluated utilising student feedback and peer reviews. Peer reviews are conducted as regular teaching and education evaluations in which an international panel is assessing the quality and impact of education.

A photo of Aalto University students discussing, photo by Aino Huovio

Quality assurance and evaluation of education

At Aalto University we implement a comprehensive quality assurance framework to evaluate our educational activities.

Programme director's handbook
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Learning analytics support and development

This page describes what learning analytics solutions Aalto University offers and how to get support for using them.

Services
Aalto University students photo by Unto Rautio

Learning Services – enabling success

Learning Services (LES) supports future-oriented learning and the smoothness of daily work.

Digital Aalto
Four people looking at the laptop. Image: Aalto University / Aleksi Poutanen

General language guidelines

Aalto University language policies and principles

Aalto Handbook

Learning steering group (LESG) coordinates the planning, implementation and evaluation processes in education. The Learning services provide details on how the strategic objectives guide the curricula preparation. In addition the implementation of the education major development activities are described.

Learning Services

Aalto University Learning Services (LES) is responsible for all services which facilitate the smooth progression of studies at the university.

Kuvassa kaksi opiskelijaa tutkii tietokoneen ruutua pöydän molemmiin puolin.Photo: Unto Rautio

Future-led Learning Working Group

Future-led learning is a key element in our strategy, and the Future-Led Learning Working Group has been established to support it.

Aalto University, A-logo around campus, photo Mikko Raskinen
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