Housing for students
Learn more about accommodation for both short and long-term stay in Finland.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Learning Centre
Otaniementie 9
Harald Herlin Learning Centre offers you library services and facilities for studying working.
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.
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 (business.site) (external link)
Paper and art supplies shop at the Harald Herlin Learning Centre.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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