Study at Aalto

What studying at Aalto really looks like

Read and watch stories from Aalto students and alumni on student life in Finland, interesting school projects, making an impact through studies and finding unique career paths.

A community for students from all over the world

Finnish universities are known for their vibrant student life and strong sense of community. Aalto University is no exception. Take a look at some of our international students' stories about studying at Aalto and finding their place in Finland. 

Pranava Pakala

Student Pranava Pakala: The world is your oyster at Aalto!

Pranava studies Electronics and Nanotechnology and she believes that the field is the solution to most of the problems the world faces today

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Stian Kroken at the Aalto University campus.

Student Stian Kroken enjoys the Finnish sauna culture and Aalto's diverse course selection

Stian studies Electrical Power and Energy Engineering and he has extended his studies to a double degree with the Reykjavik University in Iceland.

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Amy Sidibé
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Student Even Giske

Student Even Giske thinks the professionalism of the staff and teachers is the best thing at Aalto University

Even thinks that the the city, the high standard facilities at Aalto, the fantastic public transportation, and the cheap dinner in the cafeteria make the whole student experience easy and great.

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Ayse Pekdiker - blog post image 1

My experience at Aalto University as an international student and an employee

After one month of work, our Program Assistant Ayse at Aalto University Summer School shares her experiences.

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Picture of Roman Suran

Student Roman Suran wanted to give back and became an international tutor

Roman finds tutoring rewarding, because he has made friends from all around the world and learned to get along with people from different backgrounds

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A chance to make an impact

Are you driven by the thought of making a positive impact on societal issues? If so, Aalto is the right place for you. Students at Aalto are determined to make the world a better place with design, technology and business and Aalto provides the opportunity.

Towards a sustainable packaging industry – Madhawa Basnayaka develops ecological and intelligent packaging

Basnayaka’s doctoral research conducted at Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center aims to find intelligent packaging solutions, in which biomaterial replaces electronics parts made of plastic.

A portrait of Madhawa Basnayaka wearing a red sweater.

Meishan Lin wants to start a company that can benefit humanity

Meishan Lin’s dream is to start a cancer research and drug discovery company. She is currently completing the second year of her Bachelor’s studies at Aalto University, School of Chemical Engineering.

Meishan Lin.

Irene Purasachit saw the floral industry’s waste problem firsthand – now she makes material for handbags from discarded blooms

Nearly half of cut flowers end up in the trash, never making their way to dinner tables or first dates

Irene Purasachit

Aarni Kapanen illustrates Dudes & Feelings podcasts

Fighting toxic masculinity with a podcast and the help of Visual Communication Design.

Man in sunny winter cityscape

Student Reetta Kälvälä wants to use technology to develop better cancer treatments

Reetta studies bioinformation technology, and she thinks university seems easier than upper secondary school because she can study according to her own schedule.

Opiskelija Reetta Kälvälä, kuva: Markus Toivonen
Elizaveta sitting on a rock at the seaside. There is a small green ferry in the background.

Elizaveta wants to improve people’s lives through biotechnology

In autumn 2022, Elizaveta Sidorova began her Master’s studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering. After working with cell biology and bioproducts in the past, she is now exploring the field of biotechnology and looking forward to doing work that can have a genuinely positive impact on people’s lives.

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cucumbers on a plate covered with biobased liquid

No more plastic wrap? Students create novel biobased packaging for cucumbers

A dip in the biobased liquid gives cucumbers a protective film. Innovative idea will be presented in the international BioDesign Challenge competition.

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opiskelija ja professori, Kauppakorkeakoulu. Kuva: Roope Kiviranta

Students developed a strategy implementation tool for NGO Startup Refugees

School of Business students also perform project work for non-commercial organisations

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Interesting projects

'Cross-disciplinary' and 'innovation-driven' are words often spoken about Aalto but what does that actually look like? Take a look at some inspiring projects that Aalto students have been a part of during their studies.

Aallon opiskelijoita ICT-Electronics laboratoriossa.

Aalto University students combine an open microprocessor with an AI accelerator

In the recent past, Aalto students implemented a simple processor. Now, they have further refined its structure and combined it with an AI accelerator.

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Nainen väljässä punaisessa housupuvussa seisoo seinän edessä ja katsoo suoraan kameraan

Näytös22 fashion show brought a jackpot for Hanna-Lotta Hanhela

With winning three of the four prizes awarded, Master's student in Fashion Hanna-Lotta Hanhela was the most awarded student at the Aalto University’s annual Fashion Show.

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Kuvituskuva: Designs For A Cooler Planet exhibition 2021. Kuva: Aalto-yliopisto / Mikko Raskinen

Student analysed real estate financing markets

The project aimed to identify future trends

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Ohjaaja Saara Hakkaraisen lyhytelokuva Hiljaisuus rikkoo tabua / Aalto-yliopiston elokuvataiteen laitos

Film Silence breaks a taboo

A short film directed by Saara Hakkarainen tells a story of a silenced secret.

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Räätälöity projekti Hiltille, työryhmä
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Communications Engineering students

Aalto's students' project work utilises LEDs and smartphones for indoor navigation

Project supervisor Alexis Dowhuszko thinks that the project covered all the phases needed to create a start-up

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Two lab-coated women in a laboratory looking at pipes.

Chemistry and business students developed plant-based products with Valio

A team of two Master’s students collaborated with Valio in a 6-month Aalto Thesis project.

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Unique career opportunities

Have you ever wondered what career paths Aalto opens up to its students? Whether you start your own business or offer your knowledge to someone else, being a student at Aalto is a guarantee for exciting job opportunities. Read and watch stories on building a career as an Aalto student below.

Mun juttu Pinja Koskelin

My story

My story presents former and current Aalto people and their stories.

Image from remote site: aaltouniversity.shorthandstories.com

A lighter path to exercise (external link)

The psychology of motivation coupled with mixed reality games can get kids moving

A man in a soundproof studio waving an object to create sound

Creating sounds and raising the bar - an interview with Film Sound Designer Iivo Korhonen

Mundane sounds support the characters' personality and Iivo Korhonen is the one recording them. He encourages everyone to dream big, because sometimes that may become your reality.

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Alumna Erika Ahlberg: If you never make mistakes, you haven't been brave enough

Our alumna Erika Ahlberg wanted to combine her previous studies in retail and design in her master's degree, and the International Design Business Management program was a great fit for this. In her career in fashion, sales, marketing, and brands, she has courageously taken on challenges - for example, jumping into the management of an organization of 100 people without any previous managerial experience.

Erika Ahlberg

Language technology combines alumna Tiina Lindh-Knuutila's interests

According to Tiina Lindh-Knuutila, language technology and machine learning offer enormous opportunities for many kinds of people.

Tiina Lindh-Knuutila

A student satellite project launched alumna Maria Hieta’s career in the space industry

Alumna Maria Hieta majored in Space Science and Technology.

Aalto-yliopisto / Maria Hieta / photo: Maria Hieta

21st century medical needles for high-tech cancer diagnostics

Modern medicine needs better quality samples than traditional biopsy needles can provide, ultrasonically oscillating needles can improve treatment and reduce discomfort

The ultrasonic needle, which is a regular medical needle with a metal attachement connected to a large box on the side of the syringe

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four students sitting outside infront of the Väre building in Otaniemi

Fairs and events for applicants

This page gives information on upcoming events, fairs and webinars for applicants. Join Aalto students for a virtual coffee every Friday or come meet Aalto University students and staff in Finland and abroad!

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Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto? Come chat with our students about all things Aalto on Unibuddy chat platform.

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