Aalto University
Aalto-yliopisto
Finland's merger of technology, business and art and design, on an Alvar Aalto-designed seaside campus in Espoo.
- Students
- 16,000
- Tuition
- €12,000
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 2010
- QS World Ranking
- #126
- 2027 edition
About Aalto
Aalto University started operating on 1 January 2010, when three Finnish institutions merged: the Helsinki University of Technology (founded 1849), the Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. It is named after the architect Alvar Aalto, who designed the heart of its campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, about ten minutes by metro from central Helsinki. Today it has about 16,000 students and 5,200 employees, including 446 professors, in six schools: Arts, Design and Architecture; Business; Chemical Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Engineering; and Science.
The mix of technology, business and design is Aalto's identity. Its art and design is ranked 9th in the world by QS, it coordinates the ELLIS Institute Finland for AI and machine learning, and its president says Finland's space and quantum industries would not exist without Aalto. The endowment, worth EUR 1.7 billion in June 2026, gives it unusual financial independence for a Nordic university.
For international school-leavers Aalto offers English-taught bachelor's programmes in Economics, Finance, International Business, Design and Media, six science and technology majors, and from autumn 2027 a new Technology, Business and Design programme. Bachelor's admission includes an automatic right to continue to a master's. Aalto suits students with strong test scores who want hands-on, cross-disciplinary study and a campus steeped in start-up culture.
Why students choose Aalto
Admission to a bachelor's programme comes with the right to continue into selected Aalto master's programmes, out of about 100.
The new Technology, Business and Design programme (first intake autumn 2027) lets you study all three fields in one class before choosing a major.
Science and technology majors include Quantum Technology, Data Science and Computer Engineering, taught in English.
Otaniemi is a full-service seaside campus with its own metro station, Alvar Aalto buildings and a strong start-up community, including the new Aalto Founder School.
Admissions
Entry autumn 2027
Selectivity
Aalto publishes applications and accepted study places per programme rather than an overall rate. For 2026 entry, Economics had 1,330 applications for 52 accepted places, International Business 1,653 for 66, Data Science 660 for 36 and Computer Engineering 694 for 40. Design and Media had 420 applications, invited 165 to intake assignments and accepted 43.
Typical entry requirements
| SAT or ACT (admission round A) | Ranked on SAT total or converted ACT score. Lowest accepted SAT in 2026 (Admission Group I): Economics 1440, International Business 1260, Data Science 1550, Computer Engineering 1500, Quantum Technology 1450, Chemical Engineering 1410 |
|---|---|
| IB, EB or Finnish matriculation (admission round B) | Ranked on diploma grades converted to admission points; the Technology, Business and Design programme also uses a preliminary assignment |
| Design and Media | Preliminary assignments, intake assignments and an interview; any qualification giving general eligibility for higher education |
| English language | No language test result is required for the English-taught bachelor's programmes; students are expected to have sufficient English to study. |
Deadlines
- Application period (admission rounds A and B) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months22 January 2027, 15:00 Finnish time
Application period 7 January (08:00) to 22 January 2027 (15:00, UTC+2) for all English-taught bachelor's programmes, including Design and Media. The Technology, Business and Design preliminary assignment (published 17 December 2026) is also due on 22 January 2027 at 15:00.
- Documents and SAT/ACT scores (admission round A) Non-binding In ~4 months29 January 2027, 15:00 Finnish time
Deadline for SAT/ACT results to arrive directly from the test organiser, and for academic documents and ID, for round A applicants. Round A results by 31 March 2027; round B results by 28 May 2027.
Dates are from Aalto's 2027 admission pages. Accepting an offer is binding, and you can accept only one higher education study place in Finland per term.
How to apply
Apply on Studyinfo.fi between 7 and 22 January 2027 in admission round A (SAT/ACT) or B (IB, EB, Finnish matriculation, DIA/RP), depending on your qualification. Rank up to three study options per round. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants pay a EUR 100 application fee within seven days of submitting. SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly by the test organiser (SAT code 1700, ACT code 3008).
What admissions looks for
- High SAT or ACT scores: round A applicants are ranked purely on their best single-sitting total, with the mathematics section breaking ties.
- For IB, EB and Finnish matriculation applicants, strong diploma grades converted to admission points.
- For Technology, Business and Design, a strong preliminary assignment alongside test scores or grades.
- For Design and Media, creative ability shown in preliminary and intake assignments and an interview.
Tips for applying to Aalto
- 1 Take the SAT or ACT on or after 1 January 2025 and send scores directly (SAT code 1700, ACT code 3008) so they arrive by 29 January 2027; scores sent only by you are not accepted.
- 2 Put serious effort into the SAT math section: if scores tie, the higher math score wins.
- 3 Rank your study options carefully: if you are admitted to your first or second choice, lower preferences are cancelled automatically.
- 4 Non-EU/EEA applicants should apply for the Aalto Excellence Scholarship during the application period; it cannot be applied for later.
- 5 Start looking for housing early: Aalto owns no dorms, so you apply to Hoas or AYY housing yourself, and rent in the Helsinki region is around EUR 500 a month.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
Non-EU/EEA students can apply for the Aalto University Excellence Scholarship, a 100% tuition waiver for the three-year bachelor's awarded competitively to the highest-achieving applicants; it does not cover living costs, and numbers are very limited. New bachelor's students who accept and pay within 21 days get 25% off the first year's fee.
- 100% tuition waiver, very limited number
- Aalto Excellence Scholarship
- 25% off first-year tuition if paid within 21 days
- Early payment discount
- EUR 100
- Application fee (non-EU/EEA)
- EUR 65
- Student Union AYY fee (2025-26)
Academics
Design and Media (BA)
Aalto's art and design is ranked 9th in the world by QS; 43 students were accepted from 420 applications for 2026.
Technology, Business and Design (BSc)
New for autumn 2027: one interdisciplinary class studies all three fields, then specialises in an established Aalto major.
Quantum Technology (BSc, Science and Technology)
An English-taught major in a field where Aalto says it helped create Finland's quantum industry.
Data Science (BSc, Science and Technology)
One of the most competitive majors: the lowest accepted SAT was 1550 in 2026.
International Business (BSc)
Highly competitive: 1,653 applications for 66 accepted places in 2026.
Research
- Aalto coordinates the ELLIS Institute Finland, a research hub for AI and machine learning launched in 2025.
- Competitive research funding rose to EUR 118 million in 2025.
- Aalto's president credits the university with creating Finland's space and quantum industries.
- The Aalto Inventors programme (2025) supports researchers in turning discoveries into companies.
Schools & faculties
- School of Arts, Design and Architecture
- School of Business
- School of Chemical Engineering
- School of Electrical Engineering
- School of Engineering
- School of Science
Aalto reports that its strongest QS 2027 indicators were employment outcomes and sustainability.
Student life
Otaniemi works like a small town: students can live, study and relax on one seaside campus next to a nature reserve, with restaurants, gyms, saunas and 24-hour study spaces. Locals call never needing to leave 'otaantuminen', becoming one with Otaniemi. Hundreds of associations run under the Student Union AYY, with guild rooms, band rooms and party venues. Tech students (teekkarit) are known for their distinctive caps, coloured overalls and elaborate pranks. The best-known prank, in 1961, put a statue of Paavo Nurmi on the Swedish warship Vasa just before it was raised.
- Alvar Aalto's Learning Centre, with library, silent study areas and a café.
- Hundreds of Student Union AYY associations, with their own guild rooms and saunas.
- The teekkari cap and overalls tradition of Finnish technology students.
- The Aalto Founder School and a campus start-up community.
Housing. Aalto owns no dormitories; the main student housing providers are Hoas and the Student Union AYY, and Aalto advises budgeting around EUR 500 a month for rent, with rooms in shared apartments a cheaper option.
Location
Otaniemi is in Espoo, part of the Helsinki metropolitan area, on the coast and next to a nature conservation area. Aalto University has its own metro station, and central Helsinki is around ten minutes away. Housing in the Helsinki region is relatively expensive and competitive at the start of the autumn term, but shared student flats are a common, cheaper option.
Nearest airport: Helsinki Airport (HEL)
Notable alumni
- AA Alvar AaltoArchitect and designer after whom the university is named; studied architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology, graduating in 1921
- JO Jorma OllilaFormer CEO and chairman of Nokia; MSc (Technology) in engineering physics from the Helsinki University of Technology
- RS Risto SiilasmaaFounder of F-Secure and chairman of Nokia 2012-2020; MSc from the Helsinki University of Technology
- MA Martti AhtisaariPresident of Finland and 2008 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; studied at the Helsinki School of Economics
- TK Teuvo KohonenComputer scientist known for self-organising maps; master's and doctorate from the Helsinki University of Technology
- EA Eero AarnioFurniture designer of the Ball Chair; graduated from the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki, a predecessor of Aalto's art and design school
Frequently asked questions
Does Aalto University require SAT or ACT?
Yes, if you don't have a Finnish matriculation, IB, EB or DIA/RP diploma: those applicants are ranked on SAT or ACT scores in admission round A. Only tests taken on or after 1 January 2025 count.
What SAT score do I need for Aalto?
It depends on the programme. For 2026 entry the lowest accepted SAT scores were 1260 for International Business, 1440 for Economics, 1500 for Computer Engineering and 1550 for Data Science.
When is the Aalto application deadline for 2027?
The application period runs from 7 to 22 January 2027 (15:00 Finnish time) on Studyinfo.fi, and SAT/ACT scores and documents must arrive by 29 January 2027.
How much is Aalto tuition for international students?
Non-EU/EEA students pay EUR 12,000 a year for business and technology bachelor's programmes and EUR 15,000 for art and architecture. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens pay nothing.
Does Aalto require IELTS or TOEFL?
No. You don't need to submit a language test result for the English-taught bachelor's programmes, though you are expected to have enough English to study.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Aalto University: Apply to Bachelor's programmes in English
- Aalto University: Applying with a high school diploma (admission round A)
- Aalto University: Delivering SAT and ACT test scores
- Aalto University: Admission statistics
- Aalto University: Scholarships and tuition fees
- Aalto University: Technology, Business and Design, Bachelor and Master
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