Helsinki, Finland
Aalto University is a highly ranked business university in Europe. Established in 1911, Aalto is the largest and leading business university in Finland, offering the most comprehensive range of degree programs in the field of economics and business administration. At Aalto highly qualified scientific research merges with corporate connections, providing the students with a combination of extensive theoretical studies and real business life experiences. The University has actively adopted modern teaching methods and increased student involvement in the teaching and learning process. Presentation, teamwork, and communication skills are emphasized in teaching. Every year about 400 international students participate in Aalto’s programs, totaling about 10% of the student body. Courses are offered in Management, Marketing, Economics, Accounting, Finance, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Information Systems, and Languages.
- Aalto Fact Sheet – Otaniemi
- Aalto Fact Sheet – Mikkeli
- Exchange Student Handbook
- About Aalto University
- Application Checklist
Please note: students are not accepted into the program until they submit their application and deposit to the UF International Center. You can start your online application today!
The City
Helsinki was founded in 1550 and became the capital of Finland in 1812. It is located in the southern part of Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland by the Baltic Sea. It is the northernmost capital of the EU, and together with its surrounding cities of Espoo and Vantaa, is home to about 1 million people. In the capital region modern architecture and commercial districts are in harmony with parks and nature. Helsinki’s green parks and waterways, fresh sea winds, and numerous open-air cafés make Helsinki a lovely place to live. Local transportation includes trams and a subway system. Finland is the sixth largest country in Europe, but with 5.3 million people the population density is low. There are still large areas of untouched land and hundreds of thousands of lakes: 10% of Finland is covered by water and 70% by forests. Finland is also a high-tech country and best known for the world’s leading mobile phone company, Nokia. Students who select Aalto University can also choose to study at the Mikkeli campus.
Student Life
The Aalto Helsinki campus is located in the central area of Helsinki. The three main buildings, where classes are held, are all within walking distance. For a small fee, Aalto students are entitled to join the Student Union (KY). The membership is well worth the benefits which include discounts in transportation, healthcare, and food. Visit the Aalto website for more information about living and studying in Finland.
Innovation and design are themes that are imbedded in campus activities at Aalto University. Exchange students studying at Aalto in the autumn semester are invited to become volunteers for SLUSH. SLUSH is one of the leading entrepreneurship events in the world, where startups and technology talent meet with international investors. SLUSH 2017 brought together 20,000 attendees, 2,500 startups, 1,300 investors, 600 journalists and 200 speakers at 4 stages for the 2-day event. Exchange students get to be part of the unique volunteer experience which includes social activities, an after party and other meetups.
Aalto is also home to Europe’s largest hackathon, Junction organized just prior to SLUSH. Junction is a place to design and develop ideas in to actual projects together with like-minded hackers. It is a converging point for over a thousand developers, designers, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Participants will have 48 hours and the latest hardware and API’s at their fingertips. There are keynotes, tutorials, and workshops suited for all skill levels if you have the passion and a will to create something.
Students are also free to participate in the Aalto Entrepreneurship Society, Europe’s largest student-run entrepreneurship community, and the Aalto Start-up Sauna, the leading business accelerator in Northern Europe.
Term Dates
Fall Semester (Autumn Semester): Late August to mid-December
Spring Semester: Early January to early June
Courses Available
Aalto University offers a wide variety of business courses for students to choose from.
Use our course equivalency database to see which courses offered at Aalto would apply to your UF degree. You can also request additional equivalencies and/or take specialized courses in your academic discipline. Other business courses may be submitted for UF equivalency. Please see an academic advisor for information pertaining to requesting additional equivalencies. Find Aalto Courses in English.
Language of Instruction
Courses are taught in English. Finnish language courses are available for credit.
Grade Conversion
| Aalto points | Aalto grade description | UF grade |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Excellent | A |
| 4 | Very Good | B+ |
| 3 | Good | B |
| 2 | Satisfactory | C+ |
| 1 | Sufficient | C |
| 0 | Fail | E |
Credit Conversion
| Aalto Credit | UF Credit |
|---|---|
| 1.5 ECTS credits (1 point) | 1 UF credit (1.5 X .6 = .9) |
| 4.5 ECTS credits (3 points) | 3 UF credits (4.5 X .6 = 2.7) |
| 6 ECTS credits (4 points) | 4 UF credits (6 X .6 = 3.6) |
| 18 ECTS (12 points) | 11 UF credits (18 X .6 = 10.8) |
Credit conversion is on a course-by-course basis – NOT the sum of credits earned.
Estimated Expenses
| Rough Expense Comparison | Semester at UF | Semester at Aalto |
|---|---|---|
| UF Tuition | $3,190 | $3,190 |
| UFIC Admin. Fee | - | $425 |
| Health Insurance | - | $140 |
| Airfare | - | $1,400 |
| Housing / Utilities | $2,995 | $3,000 |
| Internet / Cable | $585 | $300 |
| Food | $2,300 | $2,000 |
| Books | $445 | $300 |
| Transportation | $560 | $200 |
| Visa | - | $595 |
| Total | $10,075 | $11,540 |
- UF Cost of Attendance determined by Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Aalto Cost of Attendance determined by UF International Center
Accommodation
Student housing in Finland is organized through two large student housing organizations. Student apartments typically consist of 3-5 bedrooms, a shared living room, kitchen, and bathroom(s). The rent varies between 190-520 euros per month, depending on the location and the number of tenants. Student apartments are situated around the Helsinki area. For information about student housing, student housing organizations, and other housing resources, visit the Aalto housing web page for exchange students.
Travel Opportunities
Helsinki itself offers many opportunities for tourism and leisure. For those who appreciate great architecture, Helsinki’s three main churches are sure to please. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral, with its gilded cupolas, hovers over the harbor and Market Square. The Lutheran Cathedral is neoclassical design at its best, with a prominent green dome and pristine interior. The Church of the Rock, blasted out of solid rock, is capped by a copper dome, and filled with music. Suomenlinna Island, in the Gulf of Finland, is perfect for day trips and picnics and is linked to Helsinki by a bridge and ferry. From Helsinki you can take the ferry to Latvia, Estonia, and Stockholm. Helsinki is approximately 5 hours from St. Petersburg. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is 12 miles from the city center, with direct flights around Europe and the world.