Aalto University Summer School
Aalto University Summer School offers high-quality academic summer courses and programs at Aalto University during the winter and the summer.
Aalto University Summer School receives a record amount of 803 applications for summer 2024
The application period for Aalto University Summer School concluded on May 31st, 2024.
Since its start in 2019, the Summer School has continuously scaled up its operations by broadening the course curriculum and increasing the amount of both graduate-level and undergraduate courses.
This year, the Summer School received an astonishing 803 applications altogether. The Summer School offers twelve cutting-edge courses in 2024, such as Virtual Reality, Game Design, Circular Economy, Nordic Product Design, Data Visualisation, Digital Business, Nordic Biomaterials, Self-Leadership and Radical Creativity.
In addition to open summer courses, the offering also includes customised programs for universities worldwide. This summer, students from Loyola University of Chicago are participating in a program called Global Perspectives on Business at Aalto University. The program includes lectures on digital transformation and design thinking, as well as a company visit to Supercell, among other activities.
Edward Morrell, doctoral researcher and teacher of the Game Design course at Summer SchoolI’m beyond thrilled that the course has been popular enough to fill a second implementation so quickly this year.
High demand required additional course implementations
The most popular courses for 2024 were Circular Economy, Nordic Product Design and Game Design.
The Game Design summer course was a major success in 2023, attracting widespread interest and positive feedback. This year, the course became so popular that it quickly sold out, leading to Aalto University Summer School organising a second implementation of the course to accommodate the high demand. The additional course also filled up rapidly, highlighting the growing interest for game design.
‘I was so proud to see that the first iteration of the Game Design Summer course in 2023 was such a success; it was incredibly satisfying to see the course material resonating with so many students, each of them leaving with a portfolio of several amazing small games to their name. I’m beyond thrilled that the course has been popular enough to fill a second implementation so quickly this year’, says Edward Morrell, doctoral researcher and teacher of the Game Design course at Aalto University Summer School.
‘We have been busy working to radically refine the material and I could not be more excited to meet and teach a couple of fresh new cohorts all about the artistry, practicality and reality of making games in 2024’, Morrell concludes.
With nearly 300 accepted applicants, the summer courses will include participants from various backgrounds and countries – China, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Nigeria, Spain, USA, Denmark and India, to name a few.
‘The diverse international participation in each course enhances the entire summer school experience, and we are happy to be able to offer such a multicultural environment for our students. In addition to the course lectures and workshops, we organise a versatile and fun social programme with extracurricular activities that offer something for everyone. The social programme enhances the cultural understanding of Finland and provides opportunities for connecting with like-minded students in a more relaxed setting. We for example organise trips to Nuuksio National Park, Old Town of Porvoo, and Suomenlinna Sea Fortress’, says Aalto University Summer School Program Director Laura Kitinoja.
Summer School social programme and events
Get to know your coursemates and Finland through engaging extracurricular activities and social events organised by the Summer School team.
Travel arrangements for Summer and Winter School students
Learn about the guidelines for visa application and budgeting for your stay during the summer course.
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