Aalto University was created in 2010 by merging three Helsinki universities: the Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. Its main campus is in Otaniemi, Espoo, next to Helsinki. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 126th in the world and the second-highest-ranked university in Finland. It’s known for engineering, technology, business, design and architecture, and for its start-up culture.
Aalto offers English-taught bachelor’s programmes in business, science and technology, and art and design, and a wide range of master’s programmes in English. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Aalto’s own guidance and official Finnish government information.
1. Choose a bachelor’s programme in English
Aalto’s English-taught bachelor’s programmes include Economics, Finance, International Business, Design and Media, Technology, Business and Design, and Science and Technology, which offers study options such as Computer Engineering, Data Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical and Civil Engineering, and Quantum Technology. You rank your study options in order of preference on the application form. Aalto: apply to bachelor’s programmes in English.
2. Apply for a bachelor’s between 7 and 22 January 2027
The application period for Aalto’s English-taught bachelor’s programmes starting in autumn 2027 is 7 to 22 January 2027. Applicants with the IB, the European Baccalaureate or the Finnish matriculation examination apply in Admission Round B and are selected on their grades. Most other international applicants, such as those with A-levels or a national high-school diploma, apply in Admission Round A.
3. Take the SAT or ACT for Round A
In Admission Round A, selection for the business and science and technology programmes is based on SAT or ACT scores, and Technology, Business and Design also sets a preliminary assignment. Design and Media has its own admission process. Register for your test early so you have your scores in time. Practise with our free SAT practice tests.
4. Apply for a master’s from 7 December 2026 to 5 January 2027
Aalto admits master’s students once a year. The application period for programmes starting in autumn 2027 runs from 7 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 at 15:00 Finnish time, earlier than at many Finnish universities. You need a bachelor’s degree, and you can apply before you graduate if your degree will be completed by 31 July 2027. Aalto: apply to master’s programmes.
5. Prepare programme-specific requirements
Each master’s programme sets its own admission criteria. Programmes look at things such as the relevance of your previous studies, your grades and your motivation. Business programmes may ask for GMAT or GRE scores, and all art, design and architecture programmes require a portfolio, so check your programme’s page well before the deadline. Practise with our free GMAT practice tests and free GRE practice tests.
6. Prove your English
Most English-taught programmes ask you to prove your English, usually with a recognised test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or a Cambridge English qualification, although some applicants qualify through their previous studies. Minimum scores vary by university and programme, so check yours on Studyinfo.fi, and book your test early so your results arrive in time. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
7. Understand the fees
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t pay tuition fees. For others, Aalto’s current fees are €12,000 a year for bachelor’s programmes in business and technology and €15,000 in art and architecture. For master’s programmes, they’re €15,000 in business, €17,000 in technology and €20,000 in art and architecture. The fee is paid in one instalment for each year, and Aalto recommends that new students pay by 31 July. Non-EU applicants also pay Finland’s one-off €100 application fee. Aalto scholarships and tuition fees.
8. Apply for an Excellence Scholarship
Aalto offers a limited number of Aalto University Excellence Scholarships, which waive the full tuition fee for top fee-paying applicants. You apply by ticking the option on your application form. The scholarships are highly competitive, some programmes may not award any, and they don’t cover living costs, so plan to fund your living costs of at least €800 a month yourself.
9. Pay your fee and apply for a residence permit
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a residence permit, but they must register their right of residence if they stay in Finland for more than three months. If you’re from outside the EU/EEA, you apply to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) for a student residence permit after Aalto has admitted you, usually online through the Enter Finland service followed by a visit to a Finnish embassy or consulate. You must show that you have enough money for your living costs, at least €800 a month, or €9,600 for a year of study, and that you can pay your tuition fee if you haven’t paid it yet, as well as valid health insurance. Apply as early as you can, as processing can take weeks. Study in Finland: student residence permit.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
International students can work part time, up to 30 hours a week on average during term and full time in the holidays, but jobs can be hard to find without Finnish or Swedish, so don’t count on them to pay your tuition or living costs. After you graduate, you can apply for a two-year residence permit to look for work or start a business in Finland. Learning some Finnish while you study will help your job search, and Aalto’s career services can help you find internships and thesis projects with companies. Study in Finland: opportunities after graduation.
Applying for a PhD at Aalto?
Doctoral education in Finland is free of tuition fees for all nationalities. Aalto’s doctoral programmes have their own application rounds, and many doctoral researchers are funded through paid positions or grants. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Apply to more than one programme to give yourself options. Read our guides to the University of Helsinki, the University of Oulu, LUT University and the University of Turku. Our guide to studying in Finland explains how the Finnish system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Aalto University’s official admissions and fee pages, Finnish government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on Aalto’s admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Aalto University.