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2 – 13 February 2026:  Lectures and workshops on-site at Aalto University campus

• Daily lectures and workshops (Monday-Friday) between 09-12
• Independent study time and group project work
• Optional social program in the evenings

*Note that this is a preliminary schedule subject to change or updates.

Alongside the lectures, students have independent work, either in groups or individually. Students can coordinate with their teammates to complete these assignments outside of teaching hours.

The total workload of the course includes both contact lectures and the estimated amount of independent work. Some of the courses also have pre- or post-assignments included in the independent working hours.

-> Find the total course workload below
 

Understand core concepts

• Learn the fundamentals of AI and ML with a focus on large language models (LLMs).
• Explore the architecture and functionality of models like BERT and GPT.

Preprocess text data

• Perform tokenisation, stemming, lemmatisation, stop-word removal, and vectorisation.
• Use tools like NLTK and SpaCy to clean and prepare text data.

Apply machine learning to NLP and develop NLP applications

• Implement supervised learning for tasks like sentiment analysis and text classification.
• Fine-tune pre-trained LLMs using frameworks like Hugging Face’s Transformers.
• Build and deploy language generation tools such as chatbots and text generators.

Analyse and mitigate ethical concerns

• Identify ethical challenges like bias and data privacy in LLMs.
• Develop strategies to reduce bias and promote responsible AI use.

Deploy and integrate models

• Deploy AI/ML models on cloud services and edge devices.
• Implement end-to-end solutions showcasing LLMs in practical applications.

Engage in hands-on projects

• Collaborate on a real-world NLP project using LLMs.
• Present project outcomes, demonstrating real-world impact and innovation.

The working and teaching methods are interactive and engaging, combining various instructional strategies. 

1. The course fosters an active learning environment by combining lectures, hands-on practical sessions, and collaborative group activities.
2. Lectures introduce theoretical concepts and industry applications, while practical sessions allow participants to work directly with tools and frameworks used in AI and ML.
3. Group discussions and peer-to-peer learning encourage participants to share insights and collaborate on problem-solving, enhancing their understanding and application of Large Language Models in real-world scenarios.
4. Additionally, the use of online resources and guided self-study support independent learning and reinforce key concepts outside of the classroom. 

Course workload

Lectures and practical sessions 30h
Independent study 21h
Project work and assignments 30h
Total workload 81h (3 ECTS)

The course is graded as pass/fail.

Please note that the undergraduate courses offered by Aalto University Summer/Winter School can not be included in Aalto degree studies.

The course does not require any specific prerequisites. It is ideal for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including students, professionals, and enthusiasts looking to enhance their understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning, particularly in the context of Large Language Models. 

The course does not require prior knowledge of coding.

Those in fields such as engineering, data science, software development, and business will benefit from the practical skills gained in applying AI techniques to solve real-world problems. The workshop also equips participants with tools to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. 

Participants must have completed a high school or vocational degree or equivalent by the time the course starts. However, they do not have to be a degree student at a university to participate in our courses.

Additionally, all summer and winter school course students must be 18 years or older, as it is the legal age in Finland.

Please include a motivation letter or video in your application. In your motivation letter or video, describe your motivation for taking this course. The recommended length for the motivation letter is 150-250 words, and 1-2 minutes for the video.

Tuition fees for Winter School courses

One course: 1170€ (incl. VAT 25,5%) 

• The course fee includes academic course sessions and assignments, an official digital Aalto University certificate and support from the Winter School team. The fee does not cover accommodation, daily meals, or transportation during the course
• Unfortunately, Aalto University Summer/Winter School does not offer scholarships for participants.

If you need a visa, we recommend applying by 1 November 2025.

• This is to ensure that we have enough time to process your application and that you have time to make the tuition fee payment, book a visa appointment and wait for the application to be processed.
• You can apply and be accepted to the courses after 1 November 2025. In that case, we recommend that you pay at your earliest convenience so that we can deliver your invitation letter to you promptly.
• According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the processing time for a visa application is 15 days. However, the processing time may be longer if a more detailed application examination is required.

Learn about the Aalto University Summer School cancellation terms. You will receive the full terms before making the payment and confirming the course participation.