Courses in languages, culture and communication in period II

Please note that your course registration in Sisu can only be accepted if the course has been added to your personal study plan and you have selected the correct version. If you change the version after registering, your registration will not update automatically. You must then register for the course again.

Contact information for Language and Communication Studies

The Language Centre has introduced dedicated subject-specific email addresses for some language and communication subjects. If you need support, advice, or guidance regarding studies at the Aalto University Language Centre, please contact the following service email addresses:

General matters: kielikeskus@aalto.fi
Communication Studies: communicationstudies@aalto.fi
Intercultural communication: icc@aalto.fi
Finnish as a second language: finnish@aalto.fi
Written communication in Finnish: kirjoitusviestinta@aalto.fi
Swedish: svenska@aalto.fi
English: english@aalto.fi

For other languages, please contact the language-specific contact teacher directly.

We aim to respond to messages as quickly as possible. Please do not send attachments containing health data or other sensitive information to the address above.

Communication courses

LC-0561 Interaction in Teams and Projects (in English) (3 cr)

"A great team is more than the sum of its parts" – but what does this really mean in practice? In this hands-on course, you will develop your skills in team and group communication. Learn practical strategies to enhance collaboration, improve interaction, and understand how effective communication builds successful and efficient teams. The course is open to all Aalto students at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. 

LC-0330 Leadership Communication (in Finnish) (3 cr)

Leadership is communication! Would you like to gain new perspectives on leadership as interaction and deepen your understanding of the importance of communication in the workplace? During this practical course, you will develop your communication competence through a variety of exercises and learning tasks. The key themes of the course are leader communication competence, leader-follower relationship, feedback skills, listening, difficult conversations, and group communication. The course is open to all Aalto students at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. 

LC-0531 Public speaking and stage fright (in Finnish) (3 cr)

Public speaking course especially for those who experience their nervousness or stage fright as a problem or are otherwise interested in the topic. Safe and positive atmosphere guaranteed! The course is open to all Aalto students at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. 

Please note that starting in the fall of 2026, you will also be able to take a minor in Communication and Social Interaction. Read more here: Aalto Communication studies

Intercultural communication

LC-0615 Intercultural Communication in Teamwork (3 cr)

Finnish as Second Language

LC-7292 Finnish Language Club (1 cr) 

In this course, you will practice Finnish in practical situations. The course consists of meetings with different themes. You can attend one or more meetings during the academic year. You will earn one ECTS credit by attending at least six meetings. Themes may include, for example, a game club, a reading circle, and outdoor activities together.  

Please note that starting in the fall of 2026, you will also be able to take Finnish as a Second Language as a minor. 

Other foreign languages

At Aalto University, you can study the following foreign languages (also starting from beginner level): Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, French, German, and Russian. The goal is to use these languages in working life and/or during exchange studies; therefore, most languages can be studied up to level B2. Russian is also offered up to level C1. Japanese can be studied up to level A2. You can choose to study these languages alongside or instead of English. Teaching is provided in small groups, allowing for a high degree of individual guidance. Studies can be started from level 0.

Minor Studies in Foreign Languages

Starting in the fall of 2026, students will have the opportunity to complete a minor (15–23/25 ECTS credits) in Spanish, French, German, and Russian. This is an excellent opportunity both for student exchange and for future job prospects. Stand out from the crowd!

Read more: Minor Studies

KiVANET course offerings

The KiVANET network provides a wide range of language learning pathways designed according to digital pedagogy, from level A1 to C1. The courses are offered free of charge to students at higher education institutions participating in the network. Through KiVANET, students can also find languages that are not offered at Aalto, such as Korean or Hungarian.

Read more: KiVANET

Cooperation Between Universities in the Capital Region

Starting in the fall of 2026, fixed study places will be opened in language courses offered by universities in the capital region. This means that Aalto students can study languages at Hanken, the University of the Arts Helsinki, or the University of Helsinki, and students from these universities can participate in Aalto’s language courses. As part of planning our collaboration, we are conducting a survey to assess student interest in language study, identify obstacles to participation and develop our network in line with student wishes.

To access the survey, please follow this link: KiePe survey 2026 - Aalto University. The survey will remain open until 20.10.2026.

Read more: More opportunities to study languages from autumn 2026

Courses available through cross-institutional studies will soon be published on our website. Until then, you can contact the university offering the course or Aalto Student Services at opiskelijapalvelut@aalto.fi

Read more: Cross-institutional studies (RIPA)

Language Courses Offered at Aalto (click the language name and browse the course offerings):

Spanish

With over 400 million speakers, Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world. It is the second most studied foreign language in the world after English.

Japanese

Japan is Finland’s second-most important trade partner in Asia. The key to this country—often thought of as foreign, distant, and challenging—is the Japanese language. As Japanese people are not always fluent in English, knowledge of Japanese is essential for succeeding in the Japanese market. Language proficiency is also crucial in developing and participating in Finnish–Japanese collaboration in the sectors of higher education, science and technology.

Chinese 

China is a key market for Finnish business, and Chinese businesses are continually expanding their operations in Finland. Leading companies of different fields are looking to recruit employees with knowledge of Chinese language and culture. Persons with proficiency in Chinese have good opportunities for employment in business life.

French 

Although English has undoubtedly become the most common lingua franca in the world, French with its 200 million speakers remains strong in international contexts.

German

German is spoken natively by over 100 million Europeans and is traditionally a leading language for technology, art and economic life.

Russian 

A knowledge of the Russian language has many benefits. It also makes it easier to understand and study other Slavic languages. A command of Russian facilitates communication in countries where Russian is an official language. Russian also serves as a lingua franca for many people in Eastern European countries, for example. All Russian courses are taught in a hybrid format.

English and Swedish

English

English courses for bachelor's students

LC-1124 Writing Skills for engineers 1 (w) (1 cr) (NB! In the old curriculum, this was LC-1110 Online writing skills for engineers 1 - the content is still the same) 

LC-1125 Presentation skills for engineers (o) (2 cr) ( NB! In the old curriculum, this was LC-1112 Online presentation skills for engineers - the content is still the same) 

LCA-1002 Expressing your expertise (o,w) - Open for bachelor's students from ARTS

English courses for master's students

LC-1311 Online Academic Writing Skills for MSc Students (w) (2 cr)

LCA-1022 Academic writing (for ARTS thesis writers) (w) (3 cr)

Swedish

Swedish courses for international students

LC-5012 Swedish for International Students 2 builds on the skills developed in the previous course and strengthens your ability to communicate more independently in everyday and study-related situations. During the course, you will develop your spoken and written Swedish, learn to describe yourself, your experiences and daily life, and become more confident in understanding and producing longer utterances in different interactional situations.

Courses for students whose native language or language of school education is Finnish

If you have Finnish as your mother tongue/school education language you can start by taking an entry-level test to identify the right course and study method for you. You can find the test in MyCourses by using search words "ruotsin lähtötasotesti + ARTS, BIZ, CHEM, ELEC, ENG or SCI" depending on your field of study.

Please note that you can take the test only once. Make sure to reserve enough time for it and complete the entire test carefully and thoughtfully in one sitting.

Basic-level course lasting one period: 25 points or more in the entry-level test

LC-5003 Swedish for Working Life (Course for students whose native language or language of school education is Finnish. Some groups are reserved for specific schools or majors; please see the course name. Groups whose names do not specify any restrictions are open to all Aalto University students. After participating in the course, you will take the oral and written examinations in Swedish as the second national language at the end of the course. The course is also offered as joint online implementations for students from all Aalto University schools. The online implementations also include small-group work, and the written examination is taken under supervision in an EXAM facility on campus. This course corresponds to courses LC-5410, LCB-5800 and LCA-5703 in the previous curriculum.)

Other Swedish courses

LC-5555 Prepkurs i svenska (Course for students whose native language or language of school education is Finnish. This course helps you revise your basic Swedish skills and prepares you for LC-5004 Foundations of Swedish for Working Life, which you will take after the preparatory course. This course corresponds to course LC-5551 in the previous curriculum. Please note that the preparatory course alone does not yet provide the skills required to take the oral and written examinations in Swedish as the second national language directly.

LC-5007 Practice Your Knowledge in Nordic Countries in Swedish strengthens your spoken Swedish skills while introducing you to the culture, society and business life of the Nordic countries. During the course, you will develop your ability to study and work in a Nordic environment. In connection with the course, you can also complete the written and oral examinations in Swedish as the second national language.

LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert (Swedish as mother tongue/language of secondary education or equivalent required)

Sverigepaket 2026 

Nätverket Svenska nu och Sverigekontakt i Finland arrangerar årligen en informationsdag om Sverige för finskspråkiga högskolestuderande. Årets Sverigepaket arrangeras på torsdagen den 12 november kl. 9-12 på Hanaholmen. Årets tema är När självledarskap och välmående går hand i hand. Läs mer och anmäl dig här: Sverigepaket 2026

Updated credit transfer guidelines for Swedish as the second national language

If you plan to apply for credit transfer based on previous studies, please read the latest guidelines before submitting your application.