Non-degree studies
Non-degree studies
Non-degree studies enable studies at Aalto University without a right to complete a degree. Person living in Finland may apply for non-degree studies at Aalto University. The purpose of non-degree studies is to improve one's professional skills by taking courses in one's own field.
Starting from 1 September 2025, the fee for non-degree studies is 45 euros/ 1 ECTS.
Please check the school-specific instructions below, and find out about the courses in the information system Sisu () or learning environment MyCourses (). The non-degree study right is course-specific, i.e. the courses applied for are listed on the application. If the study right is granted, the applicant can complete only the courses they have applied to. Please send a separate application to courses organized by different schools of Aalto.
If you are a doctoral student at one of Aalto University's partner universities with an agreement about course co-operation, you are able to apply for a study right for certain courses. Please see more information here /en/doctoral-education/course-offerings-for-doctoral-students-at-aalto-universitys-partner-universities?check_logged_in=1
It is also possible to take Finnish language courses as non-degree studies, for instance, if you work at Aalto University or in one of the partnering research institutions, such as VTT and there is room in the course. These applications must be sent ÄûÃʵ¼º½ University Language Centre: languagecentre@aalto.fi.
Please note! Application form (pdf) for non-degree studies is at the end of this page.
Remember also to explore the studies Aalto University Open University offers:
Aalto ARTS accepts non-degree students if there is room in the course and if the applicants have sufficient prerequisites. The Department of Architecture doesn’t accept any non-degree students. After browsing the course catalogue in Sisu, you need to be in contact with the degree programme offering the studies you are interested in and ask about your possibilities and required attachments to the application (e.g. portfolio, degree certificates).
Application period for courses in autumn term and whole academic year is 15 April - 15 May, and for courses in the spring term is 15 October - 15 November. Applications submitted outside the application periods are not processed.
Applications and enquiries: confidential-startingpoint@aalto.fi.s. Please see these instructions: encrypted email for external users of Aalto University.
If you are interested in business studies, please see first the studies offered at Aalto University Open University. If the course you're interested in is not offered at Open University, you can apply for non-degree studies.
You can apply for non-degree studies at the School of Business if you fulfil the prerequisites and there is room on the courses.
Applications and enquiries: confidential-startingpoint@aalto.fi.s. Please see these instructions: encrypted email for external users of Aalto University. Applications need to be submitted well before the courses start, at least 3 weeks before course's start date.
If you are interested in gaining an additional accountant qualification in either Finnish or Swedish, please find more information .
School of Chemical Engineering may accept non-degree students if the applicant has sufficient prerequisites and there is room for course enrolment. If the course is limited to CHEM students or students of a specific major, non-degree students will not be admitted to the course.
Applications and enquiries: confidential-startingpoint@aalto.fi.s. Please see these instructions: encrypted email for external users of Aalto University. Applications need to be submitted well before the courses start, at least 3 weeks before course's start date.
The course CHEM-E0111 Laboratory Safety Practices at CHEM (0 credits) is compulsory for all students taking courses at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering.
You can apply for non-degree studies at the School of Electrical Engineering if you fulfil the prerequisites and there is room on the courses.
Applications and enquiries: confidential-startingpoint@aalto.fi.s. Please see these instructions: encrypted email for external users of Aalto University. Please attach your latest transcript of study records and copy of degree certificate in the email. Applications need to be submitted well before the courses start, at least 3 weeks before course's start date.
You can apply for all courses of School of Engineering, but your application might get rejected if you don’t have adequate prerequisites or if the course is targeted primarily to degree students.
You can apply for non-degree studies at the School of Engineering all year round, but please send your application as early as possible before the course starts (min. three weeks earlier).
Please enclose with the application form:
• official transcript of records
• degree certificate
• admission letter to a doctoral programme if applicable
The applications are submitted as an encrypted email to confidential-startingpoint@aalto.fi.s. If you are sending your message from other than an Aalto email, please follow these instructions.
You can apply for all courses of School of Science. The application may be rejected if, for example, the organizing department does not have the resources to admit non-degree students, the applicant lacks the previous knowledge or skills required for the course, or the course is suitable only for major students. You can return an application anytime, but it is advisable to apply in good time, about three weeks, before the course begins.
With the application form, please enclose copies of:
- official transcripts of records of all previous degrees, for checking possible prerequisites.
- all degree certificates
- possible emails with teacher(s) of the courses applied for, in case permission to attend the course already exists.
The applications are sent to Student Services, Aalto University School of Science in an encrypted email: sari.salmisuo@aalto.fi.s. If you are sending your message from other than an Aalto email, please follow these instructions.
Further information: sari.salmisuo@aalto.fi (also tel. 050 408 4540).
Studies under the flexible study right agreement (JOO)
Aalto will resign from JOO agreement
By decision of the president of the university, the Aalto University will resign from the inter-university agreement on flexible study rights (JOO agreement). Aalto’s resignation will be effective from 1 January 2026, which means that no new approvals for JOO studies will be given after 31 July 2025. The JOO study rights granted prior to this date will remain valid as granted.
Language and Communication studies
The Language Centre is a university-level service unit responsible for providing education in languages and communication for both students and staff. The goal of the Language Centre is to provide all university students with such language and communication skills that give a strong foundation for success in both studies and in the world of work.
Finnish auditor examinations
You can complete the studies required for the Finnish auditor examinations at the Aalto University School of Business. The required courses and instructions can be found here.