Department of Design
The Department of Design is a diverse community of competent, creative and responsible individuals. In design, we appreciate technical skill, social significance and artistic expression.
Aalto ARTS fact sheet for partner universities
At Aalto ARTS, we create better living environments and drive global change through art. Through practical projects, we prepare students as innovative global citizens, addressing societal challenges and expanding the role of design. Highly respected in Finland and internationally, Aalto ARTS ranked 8th globally in art and design, and 39th in architecture in the 2024 QS University Rankings.
This website works as a fact sheet for our partner universities and incoming exchange students.
This website works as a fact sheet for our partner universities and incoming exchange students.
Academic information
- Autumn term: August - December, periods I and II
- Spring term: January – July, periods III, IV and V
The exact dates for each term can be found in the Academic Calendar.
Exchange students at Aalto University are expected to study full-time, with a workload of 30 ECTS credits per semester or 60 ECTS credits per academic year. Incoming students should choose courses mainly in the major they have been nominated for. In addition to this, students can choose among courses that are open for all exchange students at Aalto.
Most of the courses lectured in English at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture are on Master level. For Bachelor's level students, English-taught courses are very limited and are primarily found within the Bachelor's Programme in Design.
Find out more about the studies:
-> General information about studies for all incoming exchange students 91ÇàÇà²Ý University
-> Studies at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture for exchange students
-> Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture
-> Aalto University Summer School
Application information
All exchanges 91ÇàÇà²Ý University School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Aalto ARTS) are based on agreements between institutions. An active agreement is the precondition for nominating students, and only nominated students can apply. Students can only apply for the major covered by the agreement between their home university and Aalto ARTS. Please note that there are certain limitations regarding application to the different majors, please find them below under limitations to admission. Nominated students will receive a link to the online application form for Aalto ARTS along with detailed application instructions.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer any Free Mover options.
Please note that acceptance for exchange studies is not guaranteed. All incoming exchange students' applications are thoroughly reviewed by the major/programme they are applying for, and acceptance is based on both the student's suitability and motivation for the specific major/programme, and on the available places in the chosen major. All accepted exchange students will receive an official letter of acceptance.
Please refer to our website for incoming exchange students 91ÇàÇà²Ý ARTS for all information about the application process.
Deadlines for autumn semester and academic year:
- Nomination deadline: 8th April. Please send all nominations by email to in-exchange-arts@aalto.fi. We will send all partners a Call for nominations -email with a nomination Excel sheet and further instructions in February.
- Application deadline: 15th April. The application period is from 15 March to 15 April.
Deadlines for spring semester:
- Nomination deadline: 8th October. Please send all nominations by email to in-exchange-arts@aalto.fi We will send all partners a Call for nominations -email with a nomination Excel sheet and further instructions in September.
- Application deadline: 15th October. The application period is from 15 September to 15 October.
| Programme and major | Limitations to applying |
|---|---|
| Master's Programme in Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture - major in Architecture | Available only to students who have completed their Bachelor's degree and are on Master level in their studies. |
| Master's Programme in Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture - major in Landscape Architecture | Courses for exchange students in the major Landscape Architecture given in English are limited. Available only to students who have completed their Bachelor's degree and are on Master level in their studies. |
| Master's Programme in Animation |
Available every other year as they can only offer courses for exchange students coinciding with the intake for new Master's degree students, next academic year available 2025-26. Available only to Master level students. |
| Master's Programme in Art and Media - major in Photography | Available every other year as they can only offer courses for exchange students coinciding with the intake for new Master's degree students, next academic year available 2025-26. |
| Master's Programme in Art and Media - major in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art | Available in 2024-25 coinciding with the intake for new Master's degree students. Available in the autumn term 2025 with limited courses. Not available in the spring term 2026. |
| Master's Programme in Art and Media - major in Sound in New Media | Available every other year as they can only offer courses for exchange students coinciding with the intake for new Master's degree students, next academic year available 2026-27. |
| Master's Programme in Design - major in Collaborative and Industrial Design | Priority for students studying in a Master’s programme. Bachelor students who are close to graduation (e.g. 4th year) may be accepted in exceptional cases, e.g. if there are few Master student applicants. |
| Master's Programme in Design - major in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design | Exchange students can only to apply for the autumn semester (August-December), as exchange studies during the spring semester are not available. |
| Bachelor's programme in Art and Media - major in Visual Communication Design | Exchange students can only to apply for the autumn semester (August-December), as exchange studies during the spring semester are not available. |
| Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning | Available only in the autumn term, as they can only offer courses for exchange students starting their studies in the autumn term. |
| Bachelor's and Master's programme in Art Education | Courses for exchange students in English are very limited. Exchange students can only to apply for the spring semester (January-June), as exchange studies during the autumn semester are not available. |
| Master's programme in Film and Television - major in Costume Design | Available every other year as they can only offer courses for exchange students coinciding with the intake for new Master's degree students, next academic year available 2025-26. |
| Master's programme in Film and Television - major in Film Directing | Available in 2025-2026 with limited courses. Normal course offering available in 2026-2027 coinciding with the intake for new Master's degree students. |
| Master's programme in Film and Television - major in Screenwriting | Not available in English at the moment. Students majoring in screenwriting can choose to apply to other film and tv majors. |
Read more at Studies for exchange students at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.
No official English proficiency test score (such as TOEFL or IELTS) is required; however, we expect nominated students to be proficient in both written and spoken English to successfully complete course assignments and participate in classroom discussions. The expected level of English proficiency is equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (total), TOEFL 87 (total) or CEFR B2.
Living in Finland
Citizens of EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland:
EU/EEA citizens do not need a residence permit to stay in Finland, but instead they must register their right of residence if their non-stop stay exceeds 3 months. The registration can be done once the student's study right has started. For more information on registering an EU citizen’s right of residence, please see Finnish Immigration Service's (MIGRI) website:
Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries:
Non-EU/EEA students need to apply for a residence permit or a mobility notification. Students that need a residence permit are strongly advised to apply for it immediately after receiving the Letter of Admisson/ Acceptance letter. Students that already have a valid residence permit for studies issued by another EU country can check if they meet the requirements for a . Please find more information at: .
Students must personally cover costs if they become ill in Finland, therefore all exchange students must have insurance that is valid for the whole duration of the stay in Finland. Students who apply for a Finnish residence permit must take out private insurance that covers medical and drug expenses. For more information on eligible insurance for a residence permit application, please see .
EU/EEA citizens must bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them to Finland. By presenting the European Health Insurance Card, they can prove their right to medically necessary treatment in Finland. The card must be valid for the whole duration of the exchange. We strongly recommend purchasing private health insurance as well.
More information about Health care for exchange students.
Aalto University does not itself own any student dormitories nor has housing services to offer. However, Aalto University has an agreement with Hoas for providing a number of furnished rooms for incoming exchange students. These apartments are dispersed throughout the Helsinki metropolitan area, and students apply for housing directly through Hoas. Please note that Aalto University cannot guarantee housing for all the exchange students since the Hoas quota is limited. Exchange students can apply housing also for unfurnished apartments owned by Aalto's Student Union, AYY. In addition, it is good for students to prepare to find accommodation from the private rental market as well. Please find further information about Housing for exchange students.
For living expenses, see Moving to Finland and financial matters | Aalto University.
Aalto ARTS offers a diverse workshop environment, enabling students to engage in hands-on projects, experiments with various materials, and innovative research. Discover more about the workshops here: Arts infra Workshops and watch the .
Aalto University has a vibrant student culture, with the student union (AYY) organizing a wide range of events. UniSport provides gym and sports facilities for students, including fitness centres and group exercise classes. There are several student cafeterias around campus that offer affordable and nutritious meals.
For more information regarding the campus, see Campus guide and .
Attending orientation is mandatory, and students should ensure they arrive by the start of orientation. Accepted exchange students will receive the orientation schedule well in advance, allowing time for preparation. Additionally, a pre-arrival webinar will be organized before the start of the of the exchange.
All exchange students are assigned student tutors who will help them at the beginning of the exchange, for example with practical questions related to student life and arriving in Finland.
Contact
For inquiries regarding collaboration and visits, please contact arts-international@aalto.fi.
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo (visiting and courier address)
PO Box 31000
FI-00076 AALTO (Mailing address)
ERASMUS code: SF ESPOO12
PIC: 991256096
OID: E10181958
Erasmus Charter Number (2021-2027):
257712-EPP-1-2014-1-FI-EPPKA3-ECHE
International Collaboration Agreements, General Inquiries:
arts-international@aalto.fi
Incoming Students:
in-exchange-arts@aalto.fi
Astrid Kalland, Coordinator
Outgoing Students:
out-exchange-arts@aalto.fi
Johanna Virta, Planning Officer
Collaboration Agreements, Visiting Delegations:
iina.ekholm@aalto.fi
Iina Ekholm, International Relations Manager
Educational Projects, Erasmus BIP courses, Staff Mobility and Visitors:
arts-international@aalto.fi
Hanna Karkku, Planning Officer
Department of Art and Media
The departments of Art and Media at Aalto University School of Arts, Design & Architecture have merged as of 1st January 2022. Professor Harri Laakso has been appointed as Head of the new Department of Art & Media.
Department of Film (ELO)
The Department of Film, ELO, is Finland's only university-level film school.
Department of Architecture
We train professionals to design human-centred environments.