Please note that your course registration in Sisu can only be accepted when you add a course to your personal study plan (HOPS) or update the version (Note: if you update the version of a course after you have already registered (enrolled) to participate in it, you will need to re-register for the course). 

Communication courses
 

Intercultural Communication 

LC-0610 Intercultural Communication (3 cr) is open for all levels of students from all schools

Are you interested in exploring ‘culture’ from a different perspective? Are you interested in understanding ‘intercultural communication (ICC)’ beyond making assumptions about people just based on their nationality? LC-0610 is designed for you who want to build up critical awareness and effective communication skills to become an ethical intercultural communicator working in a diverse workplace.

This course is composed of lectures as well as small group discussions, so you will be able to have lots of interesting discussions with your peers having diverse backgrounds

Communication and social interaction

LC-0320 Public speaking skills (this group in English) (3 cr.)

Refine your presentation skills on this in-depth presentation skills training. Lots of public speaking exercises from improv to academic presentations and pitching and podcasts. 

LC-0350 Listening (in English) (1 cr.)

Join this short course focusing on listening skills and become more aware of this super skill of social interaction. Listening has a clear connection to individual as well as organizational well-being. 

LC-0225 Negotiation skills (in Finnish) (3 cr.)

In this course, you’ll learn essential negotiation skills, from preparation to creative problem-solving. Practice negotiating in different environments, develop persuasive argumentation, and learn to steer discussions constructively toward results. The course includes role-play exercises, case studies, and tips for managing challenging situations. 

LC-0530 Public speaking and stage fright (this group in Finnish)(2-3 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!

LC-0550 Communication Skills D (2–3 cr) (this group in Finnish)

Join the pilot and develop your interaction skills through play! Presentation skills at Nokia's headquarters, negotiation at Heureka, and conflict resolution at Otaniemi High School. During the course, you will develop your interaction skills through creative, fun, and challenging game tasks. The pilot version is an adventurous team game.

See the full course offering here: Communication and Social Interaction | Aalto University

Written communication in Finnish

LC-7110 Academic writing for doctoral students (3 op) 

This course provides a strong basis for research writing and popular scientific writing. Finnish is both the medium language as well as the topical language but the course suits also those writing their theses in English who want to improve their Finnish writing skills. The method of implementation (class/remote) will be agreed on upon the course start.

Finnish as Second Language

Welcome to Finnish courses in spring 2026! Courses are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners. Check out the wide range of self-study materials before the spring courses: 

Kielibuusti's self-study material search allows you to search and filter the materials that suit your level: Find online learning materials | Kielibuusti

The Introductory Finnish self-study course allows you to learn the basics of the Finnish language (no credits.

LC-7010 Finland Studies MOOC 

Would you like to learn more about studying at a Finnish university? Finland Studies MOOC course offers a wide range of perspectives on university studies. 

Other Foreign Languages

At Aalto University, you can also study the following foreign languages: Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, French, German, and Russian. The goal is to use foreign languages in professional life and/or during exchange studies, which is why most languages can be studied up to a very high level (B2). In Russian, level C1 is also available. Japanese and Portuguese can be studied up to level A2. 

These languages can be studied in addition to or instead of English. The teaching is conducted in small groups, allowing for highly individualized guidance and support. Studies can be started from level 0.

Also familiarizes themself with the KiVANET course offerings

From the KiVANET network you can find a wide variety of language courses from A1 to C1 levels. The language course learning paths have been built based on digital pedagogics. The courses are open for free to all the students in universities and UAS that are part of the network.

KiVANET

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.

Click the language name and browse the course offerings

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.

 Click the language name and browse the course offerings

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.

Click the language name and browse the course offerings

Portuguese 

Portuguese is among the most spoken languages in the world. Spoken in Portugal and Brazil as well as many African countries, Portuguese has over 200 million speakers worldwide. Brazil is increasingly important for Finland as market region, and in business, having a knowledge of the language and culture is a great asset.

Click the language name and browse the course offerings

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.

Click the language name and browse the course offerings

German

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

Click the language name and browse the course offerings

Russian 

All Russian courses are held in a hybrid format.

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.

During the spring semester, particular attention is given to the Russian 8 courses (LC-8581 and LC-8582), which aim to achieve the effectiveness of language immersion.

Click the language name and browse the course offerings

English and Swedish studies
 

English

NB! Changes to registration times for English courses offered in period III. Please note that registration for most period III English courses ends already before Christmas on Dec 16. 

Before your register for an English course, make sure you have enough time to complete it. We offer both one- and two-period courses. Remember that the total workload for a 3-credit course is the same (=81 hours) whether it's a one- or a two-period course. A one-period course might have fewer contact teaching hours, but then there will be more independent work, so it is not any lighter than a two-period course. In fact, it might even feel heavier since the weekly workload is double compared to a two-period course. 

You can find our whole course offering in sisu, but here are a few tips

Courses for bachelor's students

LC-1121 Communicating sustainable solutions (o,w) (3 cr) - For bachelor's students from all schools. Master's students are also welcome if there is space!

LC-1123 Industrial communications (o,w) (3 cr) - For bachelor's students from all schools.

LCA-1001 Expressing your idea (w, o) (3 cr) - For bachelor's students from ARTS

Courses for master's students

LC-1310 Academic Communication for MSc students (o,w) (3 cr) (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI, BIZ)

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

Swedish

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 + ENG, CHEM, ELEC, SCI, ARTS tai BIZ" depending on your field of study.

Basic courses for Finnish-speaking students in period III, spring 2026:

One period course, test result 25+ (courses include the exams required for the degree)

• LC-5410 Svenska inom teknik, for Finnish-speaking technology students
• LCB-5800 Svensk affärskommunikation 1, for Finnish-speaking BIZ-students
• LCA-5703 Vi skriver och talar om konst på svenska, for Finnish-speaking ARTS-students
• LC-5003 Svenska för arbetslivet, for all Finnish-speaking Aalto students.

Two period courses, test result 16–24 (courses include the exams required for the degree)

• LC-5411 Svenska inom teknik från grunden, for Finnish-speaking technology students
• LCB-5803 Svensk affärskommunikation från grunden, for Finnish-speaking BIZ-students
• LCA-5704 Vi skriver och talar om konst på svenska från grunden, for Finnish-speaking ARTS-students

FLEX groups (LC-5004) for students with identified learning challenges, e.g. dyslexia or anxiousness related to group situations and speaking in public etc. are organized in periods III-IV.

• LC-5004 Työelämän ruotsia perusteellisesti, FLEX

Other Swedish language courses in period III

• LC-5771 Swedish for International Students 1A, a basic course for international or Finnish students with no previous studies in Swedish, see also online course Sidu! Det svenska i Finland
• LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert  Kursen är avsedd för alla studerande som har svenska som modersmål/skolbildningsspråk vid alla högskolor på Aalto-universitetet. Kursen är även lämplig för tvåspråkiga studerande (finska och svenska) samt för övriga studerande med mycket goda kunskaper i svenska. Kursen (3 sp.) ingår i de obligatoriska språk- och kommunikationsstudierna för konstkandidatexamen.
• LC-5005 Träna arbetslivskommunikation på svenska, Kursen är avsedd för studerande vid Aalto-universitetets alla högskolor. Den passar för studenten som vill utveckla sina färdigheter i svenska inom sin egen bransch för arbetslivets eller akademiska behov.
• LC-5006 Träna muntliga kunskaper i svenska, Kursen är avsedd för studerande vid Aalto-universitetets alla högskolor. Den passar för studenten som vill kunna kommunicera interaktivt och sakkunnigt i olika muntliga kommunikationssituationer.
• LC-5551 Ruotsin kieliklinikan verkkokurssi, lähtötasotestistä alle 16 pistettä. Kurssi auttaa kertaamaan ruotsin kielen perustaitoa ja antaa valmiudet perustason kursseille.