History
The idea of a merger was first presented in autumn 2005 by the then rector of the University of Art and Design, Yrjö Sotamaa, in his opening speech for the academic year. A more concrete plan for the establishment of a new university was presented in February 2007, in the memorandum of the working group led by Secretary of State Raimo Sailas.
Education
- The School of Engineering teaches and researches fields that encompass all aspects of our built-up environment.
- The School of Business is Finland's leading business school and one of the top business schools in Europe.
- Important areas of research conducted at the School of Chemical Engineering include environmentally friendly and energy-efficient processes, diverse utilisation of wood and other biomaterials, new materials and their application, new motor fuels.
- At the School of Electrical Engineering electrical engineering, the natural sciences and information technology intertwine to form smart systems and innovations that save energy and increase well-being.
Research
At Aalto University, we create the conditions needed for innovation, economic growth, employment and wellbeing. Our research focuses on seven key areas combining four core competences in the fields of ICT, materials, arts, design and business together with three grand challenges related to energy, living environment, and health.
Career
The mission of Aalto University Career Services is to facilitate our students in finding relevant employment by mediating appropriate vacancies, organizing career and recruitment events, offering internship support in Finland and grants for internships carried out abroad and enhancing our students' job hunting skills. We serve both students and employers, and also provide Aalto University with information and statistics on the placement of our graduates.
Aalto University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #114 Ranking
- 8 Bachelors
- 59 Scholarships
- 661 Academic Staff
- 12,815 Students
- 3,076 Students (int'l)
- 4,742 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Aalto University Overview
Aalto University Scholarships
Aalto University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Aalto University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Aalto University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Dropped 1 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | 113 | 114 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
Climbed 1 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | 196 | 195 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 25 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 273 | 296 | 271 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | 401 | 401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Housing services
Degree students at Aalto University are, for the most part, responsible for arranging their own accommodation. Aalto University offers support and useful tips for students who are looking for housing.
Similar to the other European metropolises, the housing situation in the Helsinki region is challenging. Rental level is relatively high, and finding affordable accommodation can be difficult, especially in the beginning of the autumn term (August/September). The spring term is easier when it comes of finding accommodation. Therefore it is highly recommended that exchange students favour the spring term, if at all possible.Library services
The Learning Centre offer you excellent library services, expert services and study and workspaces. Learning Centre supports students by providing help in information searching and accessing books and other information sources in printed or electronic form. In addition, there are other services functionin in our premises that support studying.
ICT services
IT Service Desk provides help with questions concerning IT services, and gives end users instructions on how to use the services. Help is provided online via the service portal, and in the physical world at all the campuses of Aalto University
Campus life
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.
A parkland-style campus established in the 1950s forms the core of Otaniemi. The overall vision of the campus was that of Alvar Aalto, and its individual buildings were designed by Aalto and other celebrated Finnish architects such as Reima and Raili Pietilä and Heikki and Kaija Sirén.
Sports facilities
UniSport offers sporty meeting spots for members of the academic community at the two universities’ six campuses. At UniSport you can try out and engage in both traditional and novel activities: examples of our wide range of options include gym training, group exercise, ball sports, combat sports and dance. The main objective is to gain new experiences rather than try to excel. UniSport caters to both the body and mind.
Accreditation
AACSB accreditation is granted to an entire institution and covers all education in economics and business administration provided by that institution. The Aalto University School of Business was awarded the AACSB accreditation as the first Nordic business school in 2007.
Aalto University Campus Locations
Aalto University Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 35 Reviews
- 4 Star 50 Reviews
- 3 Star 7 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 8 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.1
- Admission Process 4.2
- Quality of Student Life 4.2
- Career Development 4.1
Navigating International Education with Precision
My academic journey in Political Science was deeply enriched by the resources found here. The platform didn't just help me find a program; it helped me identify an institution that aligns with my goal of influencing international policy. The depth of information regarding European curricula allowed me to make an informed, strategic choice for my graduate studies. I am now prepared to take the next step toward a Master’s degree, fully equipped with the global perspective necessary for today’s political landscape.
Great experience
I'm currently doing my master's at the Aalto University and I can honestly say it has exceeded my expectations in several ways. One of the things I appreciate most is how much project-based work is integrated into the grading system. Rather than everything riding on a single final exam, a significant portion of your grade comes from hands-on projects throughout the semester. This makes the learning process more engaging and, frankly, more representative of real-world work. The professors here are generally very kind and approachable. Whenever I've had questions or needed guidance, I've found them genuinely willing to help. The curriculum also offers a meaningful degree of flexibility: you can choose up to 30 CFU of courses freely, which means you can actually tailor your studies around what you're passionate about, rather than just ticking boxes. One practical piece of advice I'd give to anyone considering applying: as soon as you receive your acceptance letter, immediately apply for student housing through HOAS or AYY.
Preparing Engineers for a Sustainable Future
What I really like / expect to like - I’m excited about the strong focus on both mechanical engineering fundamentals and modern, sustainable technologies. I’m looking forward to hands-on projects, practical applications, and collaborating with an international group of students. The high-quality labs and resources at Aalto University also seem like a great environment for learning and experimentation. What could be improved / I hope to see improved - Since I haven’t started yet, I hope that the workload is well-balanced across courses and that there are ample opportunities for industry collaboration and real-world projects. Clear coordination between modules would make the programme smoother and more manageable. Overall summary / expectations - I expect the programme to be challenging but rewarding, equipping me with advanced technical skills, a sustainability mindset, and a global perspective. I’m looking forward to growing both academically and personally during my time at Aalto University.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?