‘In a data-driven world, it’s hard to think of an industry that doesn’t need experts in data science’

Ignacio Wasowicz-Peinadois originally from Madrid but spent most of his childhood and youth in Warsaw. His interest in data science first sparked back in high school.

‘My father worked on emerging AI solutions. It sounded fascinating, so I took a few introductory courses in data science. I soon realised that this was what I wanted to study at university. For me, Aalto was the obvious choice. At least at the time, it was the only university in Europe where you could complete a bachelor’s degree in data science entirely in English.’

Kiia Koskinen’s journey began closer to home. She grew up in Helsinki, and after graduating from the Helsinki Normal Lyceum, she went on to study environmental science at the University of Helsinki.

‘The more I learnt about environmental science, the more I wanted to understand the data behind it and learn how to work with it. Aalto University is a great place to develop those skills, so I applied as soon as I’d finished my first degree.’

The same favourite course

Data science students develop strong skills in machine learning, programming, artificial intelligence, statistical inference, and process optimisation.

‘Naturally, some subjects will appeal to you more than others, but some of the courses have been outstanding. All in all, the degree gives you a solid foundation for solving complex problems,’ Kiia says.

Both Kiia and Ignacio have high praise for the Data Science Project, a compulsory course in the major. Run every year in collaboration with several well-known companies, it gives students the chance to tackle real-world problems. Working in small groups, each team takes on a genuine challenge set by one of the partner companies. At the time of the interview, Kiia was in the middle of the course.

‘I’d heard from other students that it was great, and yet it’s still exceeded my expectations. We receive support and feedback from our partner company throughout the project, and at the end of the course, we will present our solution to them as a group,’ Kiia says.

‘I took that course last year. I agree, it’s really the star project of the bachelor’s programme. We had an excellent group: six of us working together to solve a really interesting problem from a large company. We got to put everything we’d learnt so far into practice. It was extremely motivating and beneficial,’ Ignacio says. 

Minors in geoinformatics and quantum technology

Data Science is an interdisciplinary major that draws on the methods and theories of mathematics, statistics, machine learning, information studies and computer science.

‘In a data-driven world, it’s hard to think of an industry that doesn’t need experts in data science. We have a vast array of career options open to us. I’m glad our Guild regularly organises company visits. They are a great way to get a feel for different industries that I might choose to work in one day,’ Ignacio says.

Since data science is used in virtually every industry, bachelor’s students have a great deal of freedom to pick a minor based on their own interests. Ignacio chose quantum technology.

‘The Quantum Labs course was one of my absolute favourites. I’d never have imagined that I’d get to conduct experiments in Aalto University’s quantum laboratory as part of a minor during my bachelor’s studies. It was an incredible opportunity.’

Kiia opted for geoinformatics as her minor. She says it turned out to be just the right choice: a practical way to combine her existing knowledge of environmental science with the skills she has developed through studying data science.

A bachelor’s degree in data science also opens the door to a wide range of master’s programmes. Ignacio has already made his choice. He started his master’s studies in the Machine Learning, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence major ('Macadamia') in September 2026. 

‘Studying data science gives you the skills to go on to almost any master’s programme, but quite a lot of students choose Macadamia. It brings together machine learning, data science and AI,’ Ignacio says.

Kiia still has that decision ahead of her, and she’s in no hurry to make it.

‘I’ve been thinking about Big Data and Large-Scale Computing, because I’m more interested in the practical side of data than in theory. Or perhaps I’ll choose geoinformatics as my major. Time will tell.’

Unfounded worries

Studying at Aalto University has been more rewarding than either of them expected. Many things that had worried them beforehand turned out to be complete non-issues.

Ignacio remembers pondering whether the workload would be extreme, or if he could get by in Finland using only English.

‘I needn’t have worried. Student life has been amazing, with lots of positive surprises. There’s hardly any hierarchy between professors and students, for instance. You can just walk up to anyone and talk to them,’ Ignacio says.

‘Same here. I remember thinking about all sorts of things. Did I need to know how to code? Would I feel left out, having already done one degree and being a few years older than most? The answer to both was a clear no. They teach you everything you need to know, and there were others around the same age as I was. A lot of people had studied other subjects before coming here,’ Kiia points out.

No one gets left behind

Kiia and Ignacio agree that the best thing about Aalto University is its student culture.

‘For Finns, the teekkari culture probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but for me, it has been a brilliant bonus. The university-wide events are insanely fun, and on top of that, we have an exceptionally close-knit community within Data Science. Students from all years hang out together in their free time and also help each other out with their studies. That’s rare,’ Ignacio says.

‘I was also struck by the sense of community in Data Science, even though I knew firsthand how high-spirited Finland’s student culture is,' Kiia says. 'There are so few of us studying in the English-taught Data Science major that literally everyone knows each other. I never would have thought I’d get so actively involved in everything like I do here. I’m on our Guild’s board, I’m a tutor, and I help organise all sorts of events.’

Both emphasise that the Data Guild subject association really looks after its own.

‘Data science students have a first-rate support network. If you arrive as a new international student, our Guild will arrange for someone to pick you up, even if your flight lands at four in the morning. You’re one of us from day one,’ Kiia says.

‘Exactly! Older students helped me with everything: which apps to download, how the public transport works in the Helsinki area. If you study data science, being lonely or lost in Finland is not something you have to worry about. Once you’re in, you’re in. No one gets left behind,’ Ignacio says with a laugh.

Author: Joanna Sinclair