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grammes are taught in English, to derive the full benefit of SCHOLASTIC OPTIONS AT AALTO
the campus experience and studying in Finland, university
spokespersons advise foreign students to learn basic Finn- Aalto offers eight English-language bachelor’s and over 40
ish (several short-term Finnish language learning courses Master’s degree programmes. They include:
are offered on campus). Undergraduate. Arts & design; economics; international busi-
The publicly-funded Aalto University was established in ness; chemical engineering; computational engineering;
2010 through the merger of three major Finnish higher ed computer engineering; data science; digital systems and
institutions — Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki design; quantum technology
School of Economics and University of Art and Design, Hel- Postgraduate. Animation; collaborative & industrial design;
sinki. The objective: “to create a first-of-its-kind university contemporary design; creative sustainability; fashion, cloth-
— one that would foster interdisciplinary collaboration, ing & textile design; game design & development; interna-
bridge the gap between science, business, and the arts, and tional design business management; interior architecture,
enhance Finland’s global competitiveness through innova- urban studies & planning in architecture & landscape ar-
tion and entrepreneurship”. The university was named after chitecture; visual cultures, curating & contemporary art;
Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), a renowned Finnish architect and accounting; business analytics; creative sustainability;
designer. Thanks to generous donations from Finnish cor- economics; finance; global management; acoustics & au-
porations such as Nokia, Kone, and Neste, Aalto is one of dio technology; advanced materials for innovation & sus-
the country’s most well-endowed universities with a corpus tainability; automation & electrical engineering; biological &
of €700 million (Rs.7,005 crore). chemical engineering for sustainable bioeconomy; bioprod-
Noted alumni include well-known designer Eero Arnio, ucts engineering; biotechnology; ICT innovation; machine
film director Renny Harlin and former Nokia CEO Jorma learning, data science & AI.
Ollila. Tuition fee (per year): Undergraduate: €12,000; Postgradu-
Espoo. The second most populous city in Finland, Espoo ate: €15,000
(pop.3.2 lakh) is a hub of education, business and culture. Living expenses: €9,500–11,000 €=Rs.101
Reputed for its high quality of life, modern infrastructure,
and excellent urban planning, it’s also a technology and in-
novation hub, hosting several hi-tech companies and start- Alvar Aalto-designed indoor sports hall (constructed for
ups including Nokia and KONE. Despite its reputation as a the 1952 Olympics). Equipped with multi-floor gyms, group
business epicentre, Espoo has a relaxed ambience with vast exercise studios, ball courts, and personal training, it also
green spaces. It boasts scenic lakes, nature trails, parks, and offers outdoor options including a sports park with running
beaches. Other attractions include Nuuksio National Park, paths, jetties by the bay for swimming, and student-man-
Espoo Museum of Modern Art, and the WeeGee Exhibition aged clubs (e.g, ice hockey, futsal, tennis, strength training).
Centre. Apart from Otaniemi, the university has two other cam-
Espoo has a typically Nordic climate with cold, snowy puses — Toolo Campus in central Helsinki which houses
winters and mild to warm summers. Average winter tem- Aalto University Executive Education and the Mikkeli Cam-
peratures range from -5°C to -15°C, while summer highs pus, set in the picturesque Lake Saimaa region, which hosts
reach 20-25°C. the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business.
Campus facilities. Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus hosts Admission. The minimum eligibility criteria for admission
the university’s six academic schools. In the heart of the into Aalto’s undergrad programmes are successful comple-
12-acre campus is the iconic statue of Alvar Aalto, Finland’s tion of Plus Two and English language proficiency (mini-
most celebrated modernist architect, after whom the uni- mum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent scores on TOEFL
versity is named. He master-planned the original campus — or PTE tests). For Master’s programmes, requirements in-
Helsinki University of Technology — and designed several clude successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, English
of its main buildings, including the Undergraduate Centre language proficiency and standardised test scores (such as
and the University Library, known for their harmonious use GMAT for MBA programmes).
of natural light, brickwork, and functional elegance. These For further information, email: admissions@aalto.fi; call
buildings reflect typical minimalist Nordic architectural +358 2944 29290 or visit www.aalto.fi.
design. Accommodation. Aalto University does not own student
Aalto’s campus is seamlessly connected with the Helsinki dormitories. The main student housing providers for Aalto
metropolitan area by the Aalto-yliopisto metro station, sit- students are the Foundation for Student Housing in the
ed within the campus. This ensures quick access to central Helsinki Region Hoas (hoas.fi), and Aalto University Stu-
Helsinki (10-15 minutes), making the campus conveniently dent Union AYY (ayyasunnot.fi). Mikalo Oy offers housing
urban and rural, surrounded by forests, walking trails, and to students studying on the Mikkeli Campus.
the waterfront.
Moreover, the campus features the Otahalli, a historic RESHMA RAVISHANKER

JULY 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 41