autar nehru

Finland’s top-ranked higher education institution has won international acclaim for excellent inter-disciplinary education and research since it was established in 2010

With the US, UK, Canada and Australia — the most preferred study abroad destinations of Indian students — tightening visa rules and regulations for international students, several other countries have emerged as alternative higher education destinations. According to a Student Pulse Survey Spring 2025 report of edtech company ApplyBoard, Germany, Denmark, and Finland are attracting Indian students. In particular, Finland with its well-established global reputation for K-12 education excellence (it routinely tops PISA rankings), rising number of ‘English-taught’ degree programmes, free tuition for European Union (EU) students, and relatively affordable options for non-EU students is becoming an attractive destination for higher education.

Finland (pop.5.5 million) hosts 13 ‘traditional’ universities and 22 Universities of Applied Sciences which offer “more practically-oriented higher education”. Aalto University (estb.2010) is Finland’s top-ranked higher education institution, which in a short time span has won international acclaim for excellent, interdisciplinary education and advanced research. The 15-year-old Aalto University (AU) is ranked #113 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and #25 in the QS Europe University Rankings — Northern Europe. Moreover, Aalto U is ranked #8 globally for its art & design programme in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. In Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Aalto is ranked #66 for business & economics and #88 in computer science worldwide.

Currently, Aalto offers eight English-instruction bachelors and over 40 Masters degree programmes in design, technology, business, architecture, engineering, and arts. Of the 12,000 students on its muster rolls, 2,000 are international from 100 countries. However, while study programmes are taught in English, to derive the full benefit of the campus experience and studying in Finland, university spokespersons advise foreign students to learn basic Finnish (several short-term Finnish language learning courses are offered on campus).

The publicly-funded Aalto University was established in 2010 through the merger of three major Finnish higher ed institutions — Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki School of Economics and University of Art and Design, Helsinki. The objective: “to create a first-of-its-kind university — one that would foster interdisciplinary collaboration, bridge the gap between science, business, and the arts, and enhance Finland’s global competitiveness through innovation and entrepreneurship”. The university was named after Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), a renowned Finnish architect and designer. Thanks to generous donations from Finnish corporations such as Nokia, Kone, and Neste, Aalto is one of the country’s most well-endowed universities with a corpus of €700 million (Rs.7,005 crore).

Noted alumni include well-known designer Eero Arnio, film director Renny Harlin and former Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila.

Espoo. The second most populous city in Finland, Espoo (pop.3.2 lakh) is a hub of education, business and culture. Reputed for its high quality of life, modern infrastructure, and excellent urban planning, it’s also a technology and innovation hub, hosting several hi-tech companies and startups including Nokia and KONE. Despite its reputation as a business epicentre, Espoo has a relaxed ambience with vast  green spaces. It boasts scenic lakes, nature trails, parks, and beaches. Other attractions include Nuuksio National Park, Espoo Museum of Modern Art, and the WeeGee Exhibition Centre.

Espoo has a typically Nordic climate with cold, snowy winters and mild to warm summers. Average winter temperatures range from -5°C to -15°C, while summer highs reach 20-25°C.

Campus facilities. Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus hosts the university’s six academic schools. In the heart of the 12-acre campus is the iconic statue of Alvar Aalto, Finland’s most celebrated modernist architect, after whom the university is named. He master-planned the original campus — Helsinki University of Technology — and designed several of its main buildings, including the Undergraduate Centre and the University Library, known for their harmonious use of natural light, brickwork, and functional elegance. These buildings reflect typical minimalist Nordic architectural design.

Aalto’s campus is seamlessly connected with the Helsinki metropolitan area by the Aalto-yliopisto metro station, sited within the campus. This ensures quick access to central Helsinki (10-15 minutes), making the campus conveniently urban and rural, surrounded by forests, walking trails, and the waterfront.

Moreover, the campus features the Otahalli, a historic Alvar Aalto-designed indoor sports hall (constructed for the 1952 Olympics). Equipped with multi-floor gyms, group exercise studios, ball courts, and personal training, it also offers outdoor options including a sports park with running paths, jetties by the bay for swimming, and student-managed clubs (e.g, ice hockey, futsal, tennis, strength training).

Apart from Otaniemi, the university has two other campuses — Toolo Campus in central Helsinki which houses Aalto University Executive Education and the Mikkeli Campus, set in the picturesque Lake Saimaa region, which hosts the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business. 

Admission. The minimum eligibility criteria for admission into Aalto’s undergrad programmes are successful completion of Plus Two and English language proficiency (minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent scores on TOEFL or PTE tests). For Master’s programmes, requirements include successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, English language proficiency and standardised test scores (such as GMAT for MBA programmes).

For further information, email: [email protected]; call +358 2944 29290 or visit www.aalto.fi.

Accommodation. Aalto University does not own student dormitories. The main student housing providers for Aalto students are the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region Hoas (hoas.fi), and Aalto University Student Union AYY (ayyasunnot.fi). Mikalo Oy offers housing to students studying on the Mikkeli Campus.

ADMISSION & FEES

Aalto offers eight English-language bachelor’s and over 40 Master’s degree programmes. They include:

Undergraduate. Arts & design; economics; international business; chemical engineering; computational engineering; computer engineering; data science; digital systems and design; quantum technology

Postgraduate. Animation; collaborative & industrial design; contemporary design; creative sustainability; fashion, clothing & textile design; game design & development; international design business management; interior architecture, urban studies & planning in architecture & landscape architecture; visual cultures, curating & contemporary art; accounting; business analytics; creative sustainability; economics; finance; global management; acoustics & audio technology; advanced materials for innovation & sustainability; automation & electrical engineering; biological & chemical engineering for sustainable bioeconomy; bioproducts engineering; biotechnology; ICT innovation; machine learning, data science & AI.

Tuition fee (per year): Undergraduate: €12,000; Postgraduate: €15,000

Living expenses: €9,500–11,000                          €=Rs.101