Non-degree studies, Exchange Studies, Studies under the flexible study right agreement (JOO)
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.
Please check the school-specific instructions below, and find out about the courses in the information system Sisu () or learning environment MyCourses (
The fee for non-degree studies is 15 euros/ECTS.
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.
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 91ÇàÇà²Ý 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.
( 0 cr) Laboratory Safety Course 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 studies-eng@aalto.fi.s. If you are sending your message from other than an Aalto email, please follow these instructions. More information: saara.kristiansson@aalto.fi.
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).
Exchange studies
We are also very pleased to welcome students from our partner universities to study as exchange students at Aalto. Aalto University is an internationally recognised university. Its research and students have had, and continue to have, a positive global impact. This means, for instance, that international mobility is considered a natural part of life for all members of Aalto.
Aalto has an internationally rich and diverse student body of approximately 2700 international students representing over 100 countries. However, we always strive to develop into a community which is even more international and multi-cultural. If you would like to become an exchange student at Aalto, please first contact your home university’s international office, and discover the possibilities. Once your home institution has approved your participation, you will need to apply directly to the Aalto School with whom your home university has an agreement.
Upon receipt of your application the Aalto School coordinator will process your application and contact you with a decision. It is important that you receive this decision before committing to attend the School.
For further information about the application procedure and the exchange possibilities at Aalto, please see the Incoming Exchange Students page. More information and contact persons can be found on the school specific pages.
More information on the school's pages
Architecture, Art and Media, Design and Film
Contact: in-exchange-arts@aalto.fi
More information on the school's pages
Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Information Systems Science, Logistics, Management Science, Organization and Management, International Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizational Communication
Contact: incoming-biz@aalto.fi
More information on the school's pages
Bachelor's Degree Program in International Business - also called the BScBA Degree Program - located at the Mikkeli campus of the School of Economics.
Contact: exchange-mikkeli@aalto.fi
More information on the school's pages
The School of Chemical Engineering offers teaching in the following fields: Biomass Refining, Biotechnology, Chemical and Process Engineering, Chemistry, Fibre and Polymer Engineering, Functional Materials, Sustainable Metals Processing.
Contact: international-chem@aalto.fi
More information on the school's pages
Advanced Energy Solutions, Building Technology, Geoengineering, Geoinformatics, Mechanical Engineering,Real Estate Economics, Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering
Contact: exchanges-eng@aalto.fi
More information on the school's pages
Automation and Systems Technology, Bioinformation Technology, Communications Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Contact: incoming-elec@aalto.fi
More information on the school's pages
Computer Science, Applied Physics, Mathematics and Systems Analysis, Industrial Engineering and Management, Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
Contact: exchanges-sci@aalto.fi
Outgoing exchange students
As an Aalto University student, you have excellent opportunities become more internationally orientated and globally competent during your studies. You can study or find a work placement abroad, take part in teaching provided in English or work actively in multicultural partnerships and projects. This allows you to gain knowledge and skills that will benefit you into the future.
As you gain international experience, you gain expertise that is beneficial for both your personal and professional life. You can learn foreign languages and get to know other cultures; enhance your employability with skills gained by working in an international environment and discover alternative ways of studying, working, thinking and living in general. In addition, the friends and contacts you make abroad will contribute to your life being wonderfully rich and diverse.
The university provides you with easy access to an exchange abroad. The Schools manage exchange agreements with top universities of their field. You are guided and instructed in choosing a suitable destination, and your exchange is also supported by scholarships awarded for exchanges abroad.
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.