Study at Aalto

Studying at the Aalto campus

Aalto University’s campus locates in the Helsinki metropolitan area, close to nature and the city buzz. The campus area offers an ideal environment for living, studying and leisure. Get to know the campus!
Aalto University students walking with a dog in the wintery Otaniemi.

The Aalto campus locates in Otaniemi, in the city of Espoo. Otaniemi is home to a lively community, and it could be even described as a small town with excellent services from study hubs to restaurants and cafes, stores and sports facilities. The location is a perfect balance of vivid city life and nature: hop on a metro and travel to the heart of Helsinki in less than 15 minutes or head to the neighbouring nature reserve to catch some fresh air.

Unlike all the other study options offered at Aalto, The Bachelor’s Programme in International Business is offered in Mikkeli. Since the Mikkeli campus is much smaller, it’s home to a tight-knit community, known for its “Mikkeli Spirit”, which also welcomes new students to the programme with open arms. 

Living and commuting

Being a student in Otaniemi is a holistic experience since it’s possible to live, study, work and spend your free time all in the same treasure trove dedicated to students, academic life and a unique startup ecosystem. There’s even a term for never needing to leave Otaniemi – “otaantuminen”, becoming one with Otaniemi! When you need a change of scenery though, the metro and bus lines are just around the corner. The tram line opening in 2024 will improve the connections even further.

Aalto University campus in the autumn

Housing for students

Learn more about accommodation for both short and long-term stay in Finland.

Services
Kampuspyörä

Campus bikes and cycling

The mode of transport has a significant impact on the environment. Aalto strives to offer the most sustainable way of transport between campuses and within. Aalto and ACRE cooperate with HRT and nearby cities.

Services
Aalto-yliopisto / Unto Rautio

Campus maps, addresses and opening hours in Otaniemi

Here you will also find restaurants, the Aalto Space mobile app, access control - all practical information on one page! You can also visit the campus virtually.

Campus

Study spaces

At the Aalto campus, the students can freely use various self-study and group work spaces, studios and workshops. One of the students’ favourites must be the Learning Centre that offers library services, silent study areas, group work facilities, studios, a VR hub, a café and a paper shop, to name a few. There are also various event venues on campus that can be rented. Take a virtual tour to deep dive into the campus or find information on a specific service.

Ilmakuva kampuksesta

Virtual Campus Experience (external link)

Explore Aalto University’s campus from anywhere in the world! Our digital guides, an Aalto University student and an assistant professor, introduce you to our learning facilities, laboratories, workshops, service spots and outdoor spaces. The tour can be experienced on desktop, mobile or VR headset.

Photo from the K-floor of the Harald Herlin Learning Centre, students working at desks.

Learning Centre

Otaniementie 9

Harald Herlin Learning Centre offers you library services and facilities for studying working.

Student guide illustration, campus guide

Self-study spaces

Spaces designed for self-study are found in many places around campus, and access rights let you work in them at the times that suit you.

Support for Studying
self service studio_panopto

Self Service Studio (studios.aalto.fi) (external link)

Talk to a camera or record a podcast in a controlled environment with little setup up front, located at the Harald Herlin Learning Centre. It can be booked with an Aalto user account.

Aaltopahvi logo

Aaltopahvi (business.site) (external link)

Paper and art supplies shop at the Harald Herlin Learning Centre.

Aalto Party 2017

Book a venue for your event at the Aalto University campus

Aalto University offers versatile and high-quality facilities for different kinds of events. More than 100 spaces are available and they are located on the Otaniemi campus.

Campus
Do you want to study at Aalto University? Come meet us!

Student community and hobbies

Friends, parties, fun traditions and much more! There are hundreds of different associations operating within Aalto University Student Union (AYY). These give you the opportunity to attend events, find new hobbies or become an active member of a smaller community within Aalto. The associations have different spaces available for students, such as guild rooms, party venues, band rooms, saunas and sports facilities. 

Aalto-yliopiston ylioppilaskunnan logo

Aalto University Student Union (AYY) (external link)

AYY represents approximately 14,000 Aalto University students of arts, design, business and technology. AYY advocates for its members and offers them student apartments and services.

ARTS student association TOKYO logo (Golden Spiral)

ARTS student association TOKYO ry (external link)

TOKYO is a student association which brings together the students of Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture as well as its former students, the alumni.

Image from remote site: www.ky.fi

KY - Aalto University Business Students (external link)

KY is an association for business students at Aalto University. All degree students at Aalto University School of Business can join KY.

Nature and sports on campus

Being located by the seaside and right next to a nature reserve, Otaniemi is a fantastic environment for nature-loving people. In addition to the outdoor opportunities, Otaniemi Sports Park and one of Unisport’s gyms offer great sporting facilities. There are also various sport-related student associations within AYY through which you can get to attend sports events or find a fun hobby. 

Image from remote site: aaltouniversity.shorthandstories.com

Aalto neighbourhood home to waterbird oasis and forest habitat for flying squirrels (external link)

Aalto University's campus is right next to a nature conservation area. We accompanied an expert on an outing to learn what makes it unique – and what can be done about biodiversity loss.

Two people stretching on a university's sports field.

Unisport Otaniemi (external link)

Along with a well-equipped gym and versatile exercise rooms, UniSport offers a wide selection of ball sports, group training classes as well as massage and personal training services. Student's best training buddy is the UniSport Training Card, which students can purchase at a lowered price.

Otaniemi track and field urheilukenttä, Otaniemen urheilupuisto by Mikko Raskinen

Otaniemi sports park (external link)

Otaniemi sports park, one of Espoos sports parks, is situated on Otaniemi campus.

Campus services and development

Aalto’s main campus in Otaniemi boasts a wonderful mix of new and old – the foundation for the campus has been laid decades ago, but even today it constantly transforms to the Aalto community’s needs as new facilities and services pop up. There is a range of services in Otaniemi that are available both for students and the wide public. You can find for example Aalto University’s own shop, dozens of restaurants, cafes and bars, grocery stores, a pharmacy, a secondhand store, a hairdresser and much more.

Three students sitting next to a wooden table, and studying. Two of them have laptops in front of them. Photo: Unto Rautio

Campus restaurants and cafés

Information on Aalto University campus restaurants and cafés. Please check each restaurant’s and café’s own website for information on exceptional opening hours.

Campus
A Bloc logo yellow

A Bloc (external link)

Shopping center A Bloc is the beating heart and the main meeting place of the Otaniemi campus with its restaurants, cafés and other services. Finland's most innovative shopping center is located in connection with the Aalto University metro station.

A Blancin logo

A Blanc (external link)

Renewed shopping centre A Blanc on the edge of Alvarinaukio is the second service concentration on the campus. A Blanc offers local services to support everyday life, as well as meeting places with restaurants, stores and office space.

Illustration image on a sunny day as the sun is setting, of Otakaari 2A, the lights in the building are lit and there are blurry images of people walking around. Grass and trees are green.

The new Marsio building is a showcase for research, teaching and impact at Aalto University

The name was selected through a contest, and it is a tribute to Aino Marsio-Aalto.

News
Havainnekuva opiskelijakeskuksesta.

A student centre will be built as a joint meeting place for Aalto University students

The building, to be built at the heart of the campus, will be implemented as a joint effort by student organisations and the university.

News
Dipoli / Photo by Tuomas Uusheimo

Otaniemi campus to develop into a lively neighbourhood

The university's campus is in Otaniemi, home of the lively community that supports innovations. The goal of the campus development is to mix valuable history and new ways of planning.

Campus
Students dancing to celebrate the opening of the semester on Aalto campus.
Aalto Day One event 2019 in Otaniemi, photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi

See social media content from our students!

  1. Snapchat
  2. TikTok
  3. Youtube: Student vlogs

Subscribe to our applicant's newsletter

Learn more about what's like to study at Aalto and how to apply. By signing up you'll get the latest information on admissions, upcoming events, study opportunities and student life straight to your inbox.

Sign up!
Three students looking at a smartphone screen and smiling at a graduation party. Photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi / Aalto University
  • Published:
  • Updated:
Share
URL copied!