Aalto University’s academic results and campus developed favourably in 2018

The development of the Aalto University campus took major steps in 2018. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture relocated to the Väre building at the heart of Otaniemi campus, and the new Business School building was completed by the yearend. A Grid, one of Europe’s largest centres for start-up companies, started its operations in the beginning of 2018.

In 2018 the academic results and internationalisation of Aalto University advanced favourably. The number of most cited top 10% publications rose by 12% to 1 493 (1 332 in 2017). In total of 263 (256) students completed a doctorate degree, which exceeded the target set by the Ministry of Education and Culture and is a higher figure than ever before. The share of international faculty reached 40%.   

The positive development of the academic results was reflected in the international recognition and ranking results of Aalto University. The QS World University Rankings Top 50 Under 50, which features the world’s 150 best universities under 50 years old, placed Aalto 9^th (7^th) worldwide and 3^rd (1^st) within Europe. In the Times Higher Education’s University Rankings, the university was ranked the 55^th most international university in the world.

The university’s pro forma operative deficit was €18 million (surplus €4 million in 2017). The pro forma operative income totalled €347 (€345) million, of which the university funding granted directly by the Ministry of Education and Culture accounted for €219 (€229) million. Pro forma operative expenses were €365 (€341) million, of which personnel expenses accounted for 62% (64%) and facility expenses for 14% (14%). The operative deficit was covered by the use of accumulated returns from the investment portfolio of the university.

The pro forma deficit of investment and financing activities totalled €64 million (surplus €90 million in 2017). The deficit is mainly due to mandatory adoption of IFRS9 accounting method requiring to report the change of the market value of the investment portfolio in the income statement. The impact of the change was -€ 88 million. Following the yearend, the value of the investment portfolio of the university has recovered with the financial markets developing in a positive direction.

Aalto University Group's balance sheet totalled €1671 (€1 712) million at the end of the financial year.