ʵ

News

5 reasons to choose Aalto University Summer School this summer

The future is made this summer at Aalto University – by joining Aalto University Summer School courses, you can gain valuable skills for working life and expand your networks globally. Aalto University Summer School offers high-quality academic courses and programs for the summer teaching period for students, professionals and lifewide learners.

Why choose Aalto University Summer School for studying abroad this summer? Our two-week courses cover topics like sustainable material science, self-leadership, game design, digital business and much more. However, choosing a summer course is so much more than just course topics. We have gathered a list of five reasons to apply for a summer course at Aalto University. 

Summer school social programme at Clarion Hotel, students getting to know each other
Digital Business students getting to know each other at the Welcome event. Photo: Ayse Pekdiker

#1 Make new friends and expand your networks

Summer school is a perfect opportunity to meet people and make new friends. You can expand your professional network by getting to know fellow students and professionals from all over the world. Many of our alums still keep in touch with their coursemates long after their visit to the Aalto University campus. 
 

Summer school students utilising design thinking method
Summer school students exploring solutions with the help of design thinking. Photo: Ayse Pekdiker

#2 Experience challenge-based learning

Challenge-based learning includes solving real-life challenges aligned with work-life environments. At its best, challenge-based learning offers summer school students the opportunity to collaborate with local and global partners. Topical projects provide authentic learning experiences and allow students to explore, discuss, and construct concepts and relationships meaningfully.

Material science lab work by Aalto University Summer School students
Nordic Biomaterials course focuses on sustainable material development.

#3 Become an expert on the most critical multidisciplinary topics

Aalto University’s main mission is to shape a sustainable future. We are renowned for our sense of community and culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The Summer School course topics for 2023 align well with some of our time’s most important themes, including leading transformation, radical creativity, virtual reality and circular economy.

Digital business summer school students after the final presentations
Digital Business summer course 2022 had students from all continents excluding Antarctica. Photo: Ayse Pekdiker

#4 Embrace cultural diversity

Aalto University is ranked as the 47th most international university in the world by Times Higher Education. Last summer, we had the honour of hosting students from 25 countries of residence and even more nationalities.

People enjoying a summer night in Helsinki.
Get to know Helsinki at its best. Photo: Mariia Kauppi, Helsinki Partners

#5 Get a true Finnish experience

Summer School staff makes sure that you can get the most out of your visit to Helsinki and Finland. Our dedicated program assistants will organise social programme in the form of fun events and trips that locals and visitors enjoy during summer. We will also give you plenty of recommendations for your free time in the city.

Read more

Students in front of Väre building of Aalto University campus

Aalto University Summer School

Aalto University Summer School offers high quality academic summer courses and programs at Aalto University.

Students of the Radical Creativity Summer School course exploring Somenlinna Sea Fortress.

Get to know Finland through Summer School

Gain new friends and experience the best Finnish summer has to offer.

Aalto University Summer School
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

A person in black touches a large stone sculpture outside a brick building under a blue sky.
Campus, Research & Art, University Published:

Glitch artwork challenges to see art in a different light

Laura Könönen's sculpture was unveiled on 14 October at the Otaniemi campus.
A person wearing a light grey hoodie stands indoors with a brick wall and green plants in the background.
Appointments, University Published:

The research puzzle of when humans and AI don’t see eye to eye

Francesco Croce works on robustness in multi-modal foundation models
A! on campus
University Published:

The certificate for aalto and eduroam networks changes on 14 October 2025

Users may receive a notification or a confirmation request on the change of the certificate
Two people stand outdoors on a paved area. One wears a dark blazer, the other a brown leather jacket and white sweater.
Studies Published:

“You get to experience everything at once: culture, food, nature and academics”

Students from South Korea visited Aalto University for a one-week program: Future of Design and Technology.