Aalto Doctoral Orientation Days

Participation
New doctoral students will recieve a personal registration link by email. Doctoral researchers employed by Aalto University, who have not yet received the study right for doctoral studies, are also welcome to participate (if we haven't reached you, please email udes@aalto.fi for the registration link).
In the academic year 2025-2026, Orientation Days will be held on 1.-2.9.2025, 1.-2.12.2025, 2.-3.3.2026 and 18.-19.5.2026.
Doctoral students are invited to the next Orientation Days following the starting date of their study right. If you are unable to participate, we will send you an invitation to the next Orientation Days.
Programme September 2025
Day I: Monday 1.9.2025 9.00-16.00, Mordor, A Grid, Otakaari 5
+ social programme
Framework and Planning | |
9:00-9:15 | Framework of doctoral studies at Aalto University |
9:15-10:00 | Planning and Structuring Your Doctoral Research and Studies |
10:00-10:15 | Vice-President's welcome speech |
10:15-10:55 | Beyond the Degree: Recent Graduates鈥 Stories DA Anna Kholina, ARTS D.Sc. (Econ) Jaakko Markkanen, BIZ D.Sc. (Tech) Susanna Forssell, CHEM D.Sc. (Tech) Saurabh Deo, ENG |
10:55-11:00 | Introducing doctoral student tutors |
11:00-12:30 | Tutor groups meet, lunch (self-paid) |
Thriving as a Doctoral Student: Career, Community, EDI and representation | |
12.30-12.45 | Thriving as a Doctoral Student |
12.45-13:00 | Code of conduct & EDI |
13:00-13:15 | Introducing Aalto University Student Union, AYY |
13:15-13:30 | Introducing Doctoral Researchers鈥 Association Aallonhuiput |
13:30-13:45 | Shop Steward representing doctoral researchers |
13:45-14:00 | Career Design Lab: What do I want to do with my doctoral degree? |
Break | |
14:30-16:00 |
Getting to Know Your Doctoral Programme: Requirements for Doctoral Thesis & Supervision arrangements, Doctoral programmes
|
16:30 onwards | Doctoral researchers' association Aallonhuiput welcome evening at Rantasauna, Otaniemi. |
Day II: Tuesday 2.9.2025 (8.30-) 9.00-12.00, NEW HALL: H304 (Opettajaneuvoston istuntosali), Undergradute Centre, Otakaari 1
Optional: for Newcomers | |
8:30-8:55 | Newcomers' introduction 柠檬导航, Helsinki, Espoo, and Finland: History, Culture, and Community |
HR and practicalities | |
9:00-9:45 | HR Orientation to employment related issues (for employed doctoral researchers) |
9:45-10:00 | Moving to Finland (all newcomers) |
Break | |
Advancing Your Research and Doctoral Thesis: Research plan & Researcher鈥檚 tools, skills and support | |
10:05-10:20 | My research idea 鈥 New doctoral students present their research topics/ideas |
10:20-10:30 | IT Services supporting your research |
10:30-10:45 | Library resources and services for researchers |
10:45-11:00 | Research ethics and integrity |
11:00-11:15 | Open science at Aalto University |
11:15-11:30 | Research data management at Aalto University |
11:30-11:50 | Research information management system ACRIS |
11:50-12:00 | Q&A about your ACRIS profile, open science and research data management |
12:00- | Tutor groups meet, lunch (self-paid) |
13:15- | (Opening ceremony & Aalto Party) - recommendation to join with your tutor group |
Aalto Day One 鈥 opening of the academic year 2025鈥2026
Let's kick off the new academic year at Aalto University together!

Orientation presentations
Useful links
Spotlight
Doctoral page index
Index of all aalto.fi pages about doctoral education

Contact information
Doctoral education Services
udes@aalto.fi