Curriculum design at Aalto University

The university launches the work of curriculum design by setting the joint goals for the design. The goals are grounded in the university’s strategy and include the development targets identified on the basis of educational assessments. The University Academic Affairs Committee and Learning Steering Group (LESG) play a central role in setting the university’s joint goals.

Learning Services (LES) prepares the curriculum design guidelines. The end result are the Goals for the curriculum design work and the current guidelines.

Implementation of the language guidelines: At this stage, the schools will have identified the programmes and majors responsible for producing the education in the national languages. Preparations begin for decisions on changing the languages of the programmes, and the programmes begin their development of the curricula.

In the spring of odd-numbered years, programmes begin the curriculum design process for the next curriculum period. They do so by making assessments and by identifying and synchronising their own development targets with the broad development targets of the university.

A programme that has identified the need to make major changes to the intended learning outcomes of its curriculum should already during the spring reserve enough time for collaborative planning and produce a description of the programme’s aims and learning outcomes. This stage must ensure that updates to the intended learning outcomes are included in the descriptions of the study options, which are produced by the programme for student recruitment as well as for other recruitment materials.

In the spring, it is worth agreeing on the teaching cooperation between the Aalto schools and departments, e.g. adding a study unit from a different department to the degree requirements of the programme, or making significant changes to study units that are in the programmes of a different unit. Possible school guidelines and contact persons are published in the school's schedule.

At this stage, it is worth discussing the school’s LWL selection: What selection of degree education will be offered for continuous learners, and what kinds of new continuous-learning content should be planned. The university's lifewide learning team supports the schools in planning the selection to be offered. Possible school guidelines and contact persons are published in the school's schedule.

Implementation of the language guidelines: during the spring, the programmes produce descriptions of the study options and identify key changes to be made to the curriculum and to information on the study options.
 

• Documentation concerning the programme’s development targets
• A draft of the intended learning outcomes, an updated description of the study option, and a possible description of the aim of the programme

• Curriculum design goals for 2026–2028
• Curriculum development

In autumn of odd-numbered years, the programmes and majors revise their respective intended learning outcomes; they revise as well their degree requirements, or descriptions of the study units composing a student’s degree. Those in charge of minor subjects plan the minor’s intended learning outcomes and degree requirements. This preliminary curriculum information is refined in the next stage before it is confirmed.

The programmes and departments also produce information on what study modules and study units will be offered, i.e. what study modules and study units will be taught in the next curriculum period. Any significant planned changes in the offering are reported.

The organisational units decide on which study units from their degree education will be offered (e.g. through Open University and FITech) as continuous learning study units; they also decide on what other information, if any, will be collected by the school concerning study unit quotas. 

Learning Services informs all the schools and programmes about significant changes in the selection of study modules and study units.

Implementation of the language guidelines: The languages of instruction and the language of study attainments (‘language of learning’ in Sisu) are defined, and when possible implementations of study units taught in other languages will be held. Information on the study units’ languages of instruction, languages of study attainments, and languages of study unit implementation will be published for internal use on 12 December 2025.

The selection of study units offered by departments and other units, significant changes in the study units, a summary of the majors and minors on offer and any significant changes to them will be published for internal use no later than 12 December 2025.

• Draft of the intended learning outcomes and degree requirements of the programme and the minor, containing a description of the language paths in multilingual programmes and in programmes with responsibility for instruction in a national language of Finland.
• The selection of study units offered by departments or other units and significant changes in the study units
• A summary of the selection of major and minor subjects on offer and significant changes in them

• Curriculum development
• Curriculum information about programmes and study modules
• Curriculum information about study units and study unit implementations
• Additions, deletions and significant changes in study modules and study units
• Formulating degree requirements clearly in Sisu

Descriptions of study units and study unit implementations are also a part of the curriculum. The teacher responsible (i.e. ‘teacher-in-charge’, or ‘responsible teacher’ in Sisu) is in charge of its description. To ensure the alignment of the curriculum, the study unit planning should be done in cooperation with the programme’s teaching staff. The teacher responsible for an implementation gives their preferences regarding implementation class times, classroom bookings, and other needs. The study unit descriptions are updated and the time and location preferences are entered in the Curriculum Planner system.

It is important to make sure the intended learning outcomes of the programme and study units are mutually aligned, and also to ensure that the timing of the study units is workable from the student perspective of making smooth progress in studies.

This is the stage where the intended learning outcomes and degree requirements of the programmes are put into their final form. The selection of study units and study modules composed in the previous stage and the listing of significant changes help to ensure that the changes made by other units are noted in the programmes and that the curricula are ready to be brought to the academic staff for decision-making. LES together with the director of degree programme are responsible for putting on the finishing touches.

Implementation of the language guidelines: the teachers responsible indicate the languages of instruction and languages of study attainments when writing their descriptions of the study units and the study unit implementations. The director of degree programme and LES ensure that the languages of instruction are implemented as planned. 

• The degree requirements and the final versions of the intended learning outcomes of both the programmes and the minors.
• Study unit descriptions
• The study unit descriptions, the time and location preferences for teaching, and other information for planning the timetable

• Curriculum information about programmes and study modules
• Formulating degree requirements clearly in Sisu
• Curriculum information about study units and study unit implementations
• How to update course information in Curriculum Planner

The descriptions of study units and study unit implementations are finalised and it is ensured that the descriptions are ready to be given to academic staff for decision-making. The finishing work is supported by Learning Services and carried out by Learning Services together with the responsible teacher.
The finalised version of the curriculum is submitted for approval to the academic committees in accordance with the schedules and processes of the schools and of the other units that produce education.

Curriculum information on the degree programmes, study modules and study units is approved in the academic committees no later than 27 March 2026.

Learning Services publishes the curricula of the programmes and minors on aalto.fi and the study unit descriptions on Sisu after they have been approved by the school academic committee.

From March through May, Learning Services plans the timetables for the next academic year based on the requests of teachers.

Curriculum information on the degree programmes, study modules and study units is published no later than 1 April 2026.

Study unit implementations, i.e. academic timetable information and study unit implementation descriptions are published on 1 June 2026. After that, the responsible teachers inspect the information pertaining to teaching in order that any corrections may be made over the summer well before the next academic year begins. 

The selection of lifewide learning studies that are consistent with degree studies is published three times a year.

Using the courses of ARTS in programmes in the fields of technology and business and economics:

• new initiatives are agreed with the programme director and the teacher in charge of the course in question
• removing courses from the curriculum are announced to the teacher in charge of the course

Significant changes in courses in the fields of technology and busienss and economics, that are agreed to be included in the programmes of ARTS:

• Changes are announced as soon as possible to the programme director / head of major

• Language guidelines implementation plan ready in the departments
• Admission quotas 2026

• Programme and major intended learning outcomes review and study year specific planning  (Curriculum mapping)
• Programme development plans (Programme Review)

• TAITE General studies mandatory courses ready for decision making (material delivered to PC rapporteur)

• TAITE General studies mandatory courses decided, scheduled and informed to the departments 

End of October depending on Programme Committee meetings:

• Degree requirements ready
  • Programme, major and minor intended learning outcomes
  • Programme, major and minor content description
• Course portfolio ready (new and discontinued courses)
• Study module offering ready
  • Minors offered (incl. new and discontinued)
• Programme committee meeting window: 20 Oct - 5 Nov 2025

Beginning of December

• Basic information on new courses
• Significant changes in courses (teaching language, teaching period, target groups, prerequisites, core content)

Course Descriptions ready in Curriculum Planner

• new courses: teacher writes the description
• continuing courses: teacher updates the description
• scheduling: teachers in charge give proposals for scheduling and request for specific equipment in lecture halls
• model timetable: programme director / head of major draws up model timetable for the programme / major and sends it to LES according to departments practices

Using the courses of BIZ in programmes in the fields of technology and art and design:

• new initiatives are agreed with the head of deaprtment and the teacher in charge of the course in question
• removing courses from the curriculum are announced to the teacher in charge of the course

Significant changes in courses in the fields of technology and art and design, that are agreed to be included in the programmes of BIZ:

• Changes are announced as soon as possible to the programme director / head of major

Pedagogical expert: Maura Ratia (maura.ratia@aalto.fi)

Coordination of the curriculum process: Riikka Leikola (riikka.leikola@aalto.fi)

Please find the contact information of the planning officer of the programme: https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes-hub#/?school=School%20of%20Business (choose the programme > Contact)

Sep 19^th, 2025

Programme’s development plans ready

• Curriculum mapping analyzed and development actions agreed upon
  • In master's programmes including progamme's decision on the scope of the thesis and if the programmes selects the 20 ECTS thesis, contact Riikka.leikola@aalto.fi
• Programme/department development workshops or meetings scheduled and pedagogical support booked

Dec 1^st, 2025

Preliminary degree requirements ready

• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/formulating-degree-requirements-clearly-in-sisu

Course portfolio ready

• Courses offered (icl. new and discontinued courses)
• Significant changes in courses (teaching language, teaching period, target groups, prerequisites, core content)

Study module offering ready 

• Majors and minors offered (incl. new and discontinued)
• Significant changes in majors and minors (language, target groups, scope and level) 

Jan 30^th, 2026

Course information and schedule proposals ready in Curriculum planner 

• new courses: teacher writes the description
• continuing courses: teacher updates the description
• scheduling: teachers can give proposals for scheduling and request for specific equipment in lecture halls
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/curriculum-information-about-study-units-and-study-unit-implementations
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/how-to-update-course-information-in-the-curriculum-planner

March 6^th, 2026

Degree requirements ready

• Intended learning outcomes of the programme, each major / specialization and each minor
• Structure and content of each programme, major / specialization and minor
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/curriculum-information-about-programmes-and-study-modules

Summary of development work ready

• Programme director offers the academic committee a summary of the planning process and development 

Curriculum map updated

The curriculum work for the programme is led by the programme director.

Pedagogical support for curriculum work:
Pedagogical expert Jukka Välimäki
Digipedagogical expert Suvi Toivonen

Coordination of the curriculum work and language guidelines work: Kari Lehti

Programme support: planning officers specified below

• Finnish-language CHEM bachelor's programme: Kari Lehti
• BSc TECH Chemical Engineering: Kari Lehti
• Bioproducts Engineering: Taru Korkalainen
• Biotechnology: Anna Mäkilä
• Chemistry and Materials Science: Taru Korkalainen
• Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering: Pekka Tolvanen
• Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering: Sirje Liukko

Curriculum Planner info 3.12.2025

• Presentation slides
• How to update course information in Curriculum Planner (implementation types)
• Curriculum information about study units and study unit implementations
• Competence based approach and intended learning outcomes

Preliminary degree requirements and course lists ready by 30.11.2025

Offering of study modules ready by 8.10.2025

• Offered majors and minors (incl. new and removed study modules)
• Significant changes to study modules (language, target group, scope and level)

New and discontinued courses by 30.11.2025

More information on drafting clear degree requirements

By 9.1.2026 

Course information ready in the Curriculum Planner system.

• New courses: the curriculum coordinator creates the course and the teacher drafts the descriptions
• Continuing courses: teacher reviews and updates the descriptions
• Discontinued courses: the curriculum coordinator deletes the courses in the system
• Scheduling: the responsible teacher can propose a schedule and submit requests for teaching spaces by 30.1.2026. Separate instructions will be given regarding timetable requests.
• More information on course information
• Curriculum Planner update instructions
  
   

28.2.2026 

Degree requirements ready

• Learning outcomes for programmes, majors and minors
• Structure and content of programmes, majors and minors
• More information on programmes and modules
   

March 2026

Deciding on the curricula for the curriculum period 2026-2028

• The Degree Programme Committee will review the curricula on 10.3.2026. Programmes and LES will produce a concise summary of key changes for decision-making.
• KTAK will confirm the curricula on 24.3.2026.

Curricula for 2026-2028 will be published on 1.4.2026.

Timetable information for the academic year 2026-2027 will be published on 1.6.2026.

Using the courses of ELEC in programmes of the other schools:

• new initiatives are agreed with the head of deaprtment and the teacher in charge of the course in question
• removing courses from the curriculum are announced to the teacher in charge of the course

Significant changes in courses of the other schools, that are agreed to be included in the programmes of ELEC:

• Changes are announced as soon as possible to the programme director / head of major

Pedagogical experts: Kirsti Keltikangas (kirsti.keltikangas@aalto.fi) and Marja Elonheimo (marja.elonheimo@aalto.fi)

Coordination of the curriculum process: Tuula Noponen (tuula.noponen@aalto.fi)

Please find the contact information of the planning officer of the programme:  https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes-hub#/?degree=bachelor,master&school=School%20of%20Electrical%20Engineering

Dec 1st, 2025

Study module offering ready

• Majors and minors offered (icl. new and discontinued)
• Significant changes in majors and minors (language, target groups, scope and level)
   

Preliminary learning objectives for the programmes ready

Preliminary degree requirements ready

• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/formulating-degree-requirements-clearly-in-sisu

Course portfolio ready

• Courses offered (inc. new and discontinued courses)
• Significant changes in courses (teaching language, teaching period, target groups, prerequisites, core content)

Jan 30th, 2026

Course information and schedule proposals ready in Curriculum planner

• new courses: teacher writes the description
• continuing courses: teacher updates the description
• scheduling: teachers can give proposals for scheduling and request for specific equipment in lecture halls
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/curriculum-information-about-study-units-and-study-unit-implementations
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/how-to-update-course-information-in-the-curriculum-planner

Feb 28th, 2026

Degree requirements ready

• Intended learning outcomes of the programme, each major / specialization and each minor
• Structure and content of each programme, major / specialization and minor
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/curriculum-information-about-programmes-and-study-modules

The curriculum design work of the programme is led by the Programme Director.  
Please find the contact information of the Programme Directors here (Student guide / Programme / Contact): https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes-hub#/

Pedagogical support for the curriculum design: 
Pedagogical expert Heidy Tiits-Tikkanen 
Digipedagogical expert Karoliina Pakkanen 
Coordination of the curriculum design: Päivi Kauppinen (1.1.2026 Saara Kanerva)

Planning officers of the programmes: 
Bachelor's Programme: Annika Schultz (1.1.2026 Saara Kanerva)
Bachelor's Programme in Science and Technology / Major in  Computational Engineering (COE): Annika Schultz (1.1.2026 Saara Kanerva)
Master's Programme in Advanced Energy Solutions (AAE): Suvi Jämsä   
Master's Programme in Building Technology (CIV): Minna Marin
Master's Programme in Geoengineering (GEO): Katri Koistinen
Master's Programme in Geoinformatics (GIS): Päivi Kauppinen
Master's Programme in Mechanical Engineering (MEC): Katri Koistinen
Master's Programme in Real Estate Economics (REC): Päivi Kauppinen
Master's Programme in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering (SPT): Päivi Kauppinen
Master's Programme in Water and Environmental Engineering (WAT): Minna Marin
NEW programme: Master's Programme in Urban and Environmental Engineering: Minna Marin
Master's Programme in Urban Mobility: Aino Roms
Master's Programme in Manufacturing: Aino Roms
European Mining Course (EMC): Aino Roms
Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning / major in Real Estate Economics (USP in REE): Päivi Kauppinen
International Design Business Management (IDBM) / major in International Design Business Management: Katri Koistinen
Environomical Pathways for Sustainable Energy Systems (SELECT): Börje Helenius
Nordic Master Programmes: Börje Helenius
Doctoral Programme in Engineering: Ritva Viero

The development plans and working versions of the learning outcomes of the programmes and majors will be brought to the degree programme meetings for discussion during autumn 2025.

Preliminary degree requirements ready by December 1, 2025

Course portfolio ready 

• Courses offered (incl. new and discontinued courses) - updated to Curruculum Planner
• Significant changes in courses (language of instruction / study attainment, teaching period, target groups, prerequisites, key content)

Study module offering ready

• Majors and minors offered (incl. new and discontinued study modules)
• Significant changes in study modules (language, target groups, scope and level) 

Instructions for establishing a new course at the School of Engineering

To establish a new course as part of the curriculum process, please follow these steps:

1. Evaluate your course idea by considering the perspectives outlined in the Checklist to support designing a new course at the School of Engineering(pdf).
2. Discuss your plan with the programme director and other key persons in your programme. Resources must also be discussed with the Head of the Department early on.
3. Please agree with the Programme Director who will discuss the plan with the Dean and the Vice Dean for Education. You should agree with them whether your plan still requires a round of discussion, such as in the bachelor's or master’s programme steering group meeting (KOOR / MOOR).
4. Discuss your plan with the Learning Services Planning Officer in charge of your programme's curriculum prepration.
5. Add the new course to the Curriculum Planner tool, following the planning schedule for curriculum 2026-2028. If the new course is established in the middle of the curriculum period, you will receive additional instructions from the Learning Services Planning Officer of your own programme.

More information on degree requirements (aalto.fi)

Applying the language guidelines to teaching (aalto.fi)

Ready by January 31, 2026 

Course information ready in Curriculum planner

• New courses: teacher writes a description
• Continuing courses: teacher updates the description.
• Timetables: Teacher can suggest a schedule and give wishes for e.g. equipments in the classrooms.
• More information on study units (=courses)(aalto.fi)
• Instructions for Curriculum Planner (aalto.fi)
• Instructions for compiling course timetable information will be provided separately.
  
   

Degree requirements ready by February 23, 2026

• Intended learning outcomes of the programme, each major and each minor.
• Structure and content of each programme, major and minor.
• More information on curriculum of programmes and study modules (aalto.fi)

 
Decisions on curricula 2026-2028

• Degree programme committees decide curricula in the beginning of March (9.3.2026). The programmes produce a summary of the key changes for decision-making.
• Academic Committee for Engineering (IAK) confirms the curricula in the end of March (23.3.2026).

Curricula 2026-2028 will be published on 1.4.2026

Course timetable information for the academic year 2026-2027 will be published on 1.6.2026

Using courses organized by Aalto SCI in programmes

• new initiatives are agreed with the vice-head of the department responsible for education the teacher in charge of the course in question.
• Removing a SCI course from the curriculum: inform the teacher in charge about the removal.

Teaching collaboration across schools and units is agreed on as soon as possible. 

Significant changes in courses in the fields of technology and art and design that are included in the programmes of SCI:

• The programme director / head of major is informed as soon as possible about these changes.
   

Bachelor’s programme in Science and Technology: 

• Information Networks, Engineering Psychology: Susanna Reunanen
• Engineering Physics and Mathematics: Susanna Ylhävuori
• Computer Science: Jaakko Autio
• Industrial Engineering and Management: Tarja Timonen

Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology

• Data Science, Quantum Technology: Jaakko Autio

Master's programmes

• Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences: Anu Kuusela
• Master’s Programme in Engineering Physics: Susanna Ylhävuori
• Master’s Programme in ICT Innovation: Riina Kontkanen
• Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management: Tarja Timonen
• Master’s Programme in Information Networks: Tarja Timonen
• Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies: Päivi Koivunen
• Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Operations Research: Susanna Ylhävuori
• Master’s Programme in Security and Cloud Computing: Emma Kohonen

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science: Suvipilvi Kotipelto

Curriculum Planner support for departments:
CS courses: Jaakko Autio, Anu Kuusela
NBE courses: Päivi Koivunen
MS and PHYS courses: Susanna Ylhävuori
TU courses: Tarja Timonen

Pedagogical support: Miia Forsten (miia.forsten@aalto.fi)

May-August depending on the the meeting schedule of the Degree Programme Committees.

Programme development plans and preliminary learning outcomes for the programmes and majors ready

• Master's programmes: discussion at Degree Programme Committee meetings in August
• Bachelor's programme: preliminary programme learning outcomes and development plans of majors are discussed on 12 May, 2025. Learning outcomes of the majors are discussed in September.
• Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology: development plans are discussed in May. If necessary, discussions are continued in September. 

28 November 2025
Preliminary degree requirements ready

• Planning the programmes’ degree requirements includes planning the model schedules.
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/formulating-degree-requirements-clearly-in-sisu

Minors ready

• Minors offered (including new and discontinued).
• Significant changes in minors (language, target groups, scope and level).
   

Course portfolio ready

• Courses offered (including new and discontinued courses). All new courses are established by 28 November.
• Significant changes in courses (teaching language, teaching period, target groups, prerequisites, core content)
• Course portfolio includes planning quotas for open university students.
• Departments’ offerings for life wide learning (e.g. Fitech courses), which will be established in Sisu, are confirmed by the Academic Committee for Science according to the schedule below. 
   

30 January 2026
Course information ready in Curriculum Planner 

• New courses: teacher writes a description.
• Continuing courses: teacher updates the description.
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/how-to-update-course-information-in-the-curriculum-planner

Timetables: Instructions for suggestions for timetables will be given separately. 

Degree requirements ready

• Intended learning outcomes of the programme, each major and each minor.
• Structure and content of each programme, major and minor.
• https://www.aalto.fi/en/programme-directors-handbook/curriculum-information-about-programmes-and-study-modules
• Model schedules of the programmes.
• After the deadline, SCI LES checks curriculum information and prepares documents for decision making.

March 2026
Decisions on curricula

• Degree programme committees decide curricula in the beginning of March. The programmes produce a summary of the key changes for decision-making.
• Academic Committee for Science (PAK) confirms the curricula in the end of March.