About: Information Technology Program (ITP) for Students
Looking to showcase your skillset to potential employers?
- What? Aalto University's minor program (24 to 30 ECTS), combining digital business, design, and technology.
- When? During the summer period from 01.06. to 28.08.2026. Orientation from 01.06 to 05.06. Lectures start 08.06.2026.
- Where? Aalto University Otaniemi campus in Espoo.
- For whom? All Aalto degree students, JOO students, and Aalto BIZ exchange students. All study backgrounds are welcome! Read more under Application Guidelines.
- Prerequisites? 60 ECTS completed in BSc studies before the start of the program
- How to apply? Send your application (CV, motivation video/letter, and your official transcript of records) here by the end of the application period (Friday, April 10th, 2026 at 23:59)
Over the summer, you will:
- Earn 24-30 ECTS that can be applied toward a master's minor or elective credits within your degree program.
- Collaborate directly with a company and gain hands-on experience by working on real-world digital challenges.
- Expand your professional network by connecting with industry professionals, mentors, and fellow students.
Erika Natunen, ITP Student 2020The program offered me new viewpoints to design and the future, as well as ideas for my career and life in general. In short, loved ITP!
Two Study Tracks: ISB & SED
In ITP, you can study information technologies, service design, and digital platforms. Each of the 24 credit tracks includes three courses and the Business Project. Select one of the following two specialization tracks.
The Information & Service Business (ISB) specialization track is designed to provide students with a clear understanding of IT consulting and business models, new digital business opportunities and the information ecosystem. The courses and business projects students are working on during the summer are focusing on the current IT trends, big data, IoT, data-driven decision making, mobile business, disrupting technologies and usability.
Digital Service Innovations (ISM-C4006), 6 ECTS
This course explores issues in managing the business of software and services. The key issues faced by SME’s and start-ups over the lifecycle of a software venture from an idea to a product and further to maintaining the product and business. One focus area is the coordination of software and business development. The course provides students with skills to manage the business side of a software business. The course is highly interactive, consisting of lectures, visitor cases and assignments.
Strategic IT Management (ISM-C4005), 6 ECTS
This course explores the implementation of business models, strategies and tactics made possible by modern information technology. Ubiquitous, inexpensive network connectivity, improved development technologies, better-packaged software and outsourcing have dramatically expanded the range of strategic options for managers. This course provides students with frameworks and tools to develop, implement and manage business models effectively and efficiently in a rapidly evolving environment.
Data-Driven Decision Making (47C58600), 6 ECTS
Business analytics is in the intersection of business and technology. Companies gather a large amount of data to aid business governance. Information is being captured everywhere we look and used to make business decisions from product development and advertising to hiring. Data and algorithms have a tendency to outperform human intuition in a wide variety of circumstances. On this course you will learn how to identify different data resources, differentiate between numbers and numbers that matter, basics of data visualization and how to persuade with data.
Business Project (47C48000), 6 ECTS
The objective of the Business Project is to apply the theory learned during the conceptual courses in practice. The projects completed during the summer will be based on the real-life needs of collaborating companies. The project weeks are dedicated to the project and events related to it. The participants will also be working on the project during the courses, especially on the lecture-free project days. The course will consist of workshops, group work, lectures and other events.
Strategy & Experience Design (SED) specialization track is designed to provide students with an understanding of basic methods for producing and designing digital media products and services, concept and design processes, and strategic decisions related to digital media. The courses and business projects conducted during the summer are focusing on strategic design processes, user experience design and visual prototyping in digital services.
Design Strategy (ISM-C4007), 6 ECTS
This course will prep you with competencies to master the basics of design in product/service/ business development and will get you started on how to transmit a design-driven approach in teams and organizations. To immerse into the chances and challenges of design, the course combines theory with applied assignments and practitioner talks.
User Experience Design (47C58400), 6 ECTS
The User Experience is how people feel when they interact with your service or product. In this hands-on course you will get an overview on how to take the necessary steps to turn the product ideas into concrete and relevant user centered outcomes.
The course covers the basics of UX in the digital product development process from evaluation and user discovery to user interface and visual design principles. Using Figma software, you take learning into practice by building and presenting prototypes and other design deliverables.
Service Creation (ISM-C4008), 6 ECTS
Service Creation course is an invitation to hands-on experimentation with the process of Service Design – with a twist towards experimental, concrete, collaborative, and visual ways of working. During the course you will be provided with the theoretical, practical and technical tools, methods, and skills to develop services. Make your work a study of meaning, value, and problem-solving as well as an exercise in visualizing what you see, learn, and want to communicate!
Business Project (47C48000), 6 ECTS
The objective of the Business Project is to apply the theory learned during the conceptual courses in practice. The projects completed during the summer will be based on the real-life needs of collaborating companies. The project weeks are dedicated to the project and events related to it. The participants will also be working on the project during the courses, especially on the lecture-free project days. The course will consist of workshops, group work, lectures and other events.
Hands-on Business Project
The highlight of the ITP summer is a real business project commissioned by a partner organisation. The business project is done in teams of 4-6 students, with varying academic and international backgrounds. While the ITP faculty supports student teams throughout the summer with workshops and frequent feedback sessions, the teams work independently to come up with the best solution for their client’s challenge.
The business project allows students to improve their project management, teamwork and presentation skills, not to mention the unique learning experience of applying your new skills to a real challenge. After ITP, students are ready to take on the challenges of the digital business environment.
Optional Book Exam
In addition, students have the opportunity to earn an extra 6 ECTS by completing a separate book exam at the end of the summer. The book exam materials are independent from the course content and are distributed at the beginning of August, with the exam taking place at the end of August.
Summer Schedule
This week introduces students to ITP and provides essential program information, including course registration guidance and opportunities to ask clarifying questions. During this week, students are assigned their business projects and attend mandatory, pre-arranged meetings with their company representatives. As these meetings are required, students must be available to participate throughout the first week.
01.06 - 07.06
During each three-week lecture period, students study four days per week, with Wednesdays dedicated to project work. These project days are flexible, allowing each project group to decide how best to use the time. The lectures and coursework during this period are designed to provide students with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully develop and execute their business projects. ITP alternates between these three-week study periods and dedicated project weeks, with a project week taking place in between each three-week block of studying.
This summer, the three-week lecture block are as follows:
- Lecture Period 1: 08.06 - 28.06
- Lecture Period 2: 06.07 - 26.07
- Lecture Period 3: 03.08 - 23.08
During each project week, Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for mandatory project presentations to the ITP staff and are not flexible. The remainder of the week is intended for independent, team-based project work, including meetings with company representatives to provide updates on project progress. How students choose to use this time is left to the discretion of each project group and their company partners, allowing schedules to be adapted to the availability of both students and company representatives.
- Project Week 1: 29.06 - 05.07
- Project Week 2: 27.07 - 02.08
- Project Week 3: 24.08 - 30.08
Questions about the application process? Contact us!
