Congratulations for the admission and welcome to study at the Aalto University School of Business! On this page you will find instructions for starting your studies and the orientation programme.
Prepare for your Master’s studies:
- Follow the instructions for new students on the page New Master's students and this page
- Read carefully the newsletters sent to new students during spring and summer:
(April 11, 2025)
(April 25, 2025)
(May 7, 2025)
(May 21, 2025) - Activate your Aalto IT user account and complete the preorientation on the MyCourses learning platform
- Reserve time for orientation events
- Online info sessions about study planning will be held in mid-August. The timetables for the fall 2025 orientation are published in the table below and will be updated during spring.
- Online orientation sessions will not be recorded but all the materials are published on this page after the events.
- Orientation week is organized on Aug 25 – Aug 29, 2025. Events take place both during the day and in the evenings.
- Create a preliminary study plan and register for period I courses by Aug 25.
- Participate in orientation events.
- Start your studies: first courses will begin on Sep 1, 2025.
Participating in orientation is an important part of starting your university studies. During the orientation you will familiarize yourself with studying and student life, your courses, study environment and university practices. You will also receive information about services available to you and get to know your fellow students, tutors, staff and faculty.
Attending the orientation events and activities is highly recommended for all new students. If you cannot attend, please inform your planning officer and familiarize yourself with the information provided on these pages.
Orientation schedule for new Master's students fall 2025
Changes may occur, so please keep an eye on this page.
| Day and time (GMT +3) | Program | Place |
| July-August | Complete Preorientation course after you have activated your Aalto account |
|
| Tuesday 12.8.2025 | ||
| 14.30-15.00 | Information for Mikkeli campus graduates This session if specifically targeted for Mikkeli graduates starting their studies in a Master's programme at the School of Business, after graduating from BScBA in International Business. Dscussion is led by Mikkeli alumni studying at Otaniemi campus. |
Online, |
| 15.00-16.00 |
Study plan, course registration and credit transfers in English
The course registration deadline is 25 August for most courses, so we encourage you to attend this session. There will be time for questions during the whole session. |
Online, |
| Programme-specific online sessions scheduled here below. These online info sessions are esigned specifically for new master’s students in respective MSc programmes. You’ll receive a brief introduction to the programme and course selections in Period I. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions about your studies or the programme in general. |
||
| 13.00- 14.00 | MSc Global Management: Online info session for new students | Online, |
| 16.00-16.45 | MSc Strategic Management in a Changing World: Online info session for new students | Online, Zoom |
| 16.00-17.00 | MSc Marketing: Online info session for new students | Online, Zoom |
| 17.00-17.45 | MSc Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Online info session for new students | Online, Zoom |
| 16.15-16.45 | MSc Accounting: Online info session for new students | Online, Zoom |
| Wednesday 13.8.2025 | ||
| 15.00-16.00 |
Study plan, course registration and credit transfers in Finnish (91ÇàÇà²Ý)
The course registration deadline is 25 August for most courses, so we encourage you to attend this session. There will be time for questions during the whole session. |
Online, |
| Programme-specific online sessions scheduled here below. These online info sessions are esigned specifically for new master’s students in respective MSc programmes. You’ll receive a brief introduction to the programme and course selections in Period I. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions about your studies or the programme in general. |
||
| 16.00-16.30 | MSc Finance: Online info session for new students | Online, |
| 16.00-16.45 | MSc People Management and Organizational Development: Online info session for new students | Online, Zoom |
| 16.15-16.45 | MSc Business Law: Online info session for new students (In Finnish/91ÇàÇà²Ý) | Online, Zoom |
| Thursday 14.8.2025 | ||
| Programme-specific online sessions scheduled here below. These online info sessions are esigned specifically for new master’s students in respective MSc programmes. You’ll receive a brief introduction to the programme and course selections in Period I. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions about your studies or the programme in general. |
||
| 10.00-11.00 | MSc Business Analytics: Online info session for new students | Online, |
| Friday 15.8.2025 | ||
| Possible programme-specific online sessions scheduled here below: | ||
| Monday 18.8.2025 | ||
| 15.00-17.00 | Study plan clinic (optional) Available programme-specific drop-in guidance for any questions concerning your personal study plan in Sisu. This session is organized on first come, first serve basis and we will accept students to the Zoom meeting one by one. |
Online, Zoom. See programme-specific Zoom links below: |
| Friday 22.8.2025 | ||
| 16.00 | KY: Icebreaker Party A party where you get your first introduction to the community and meet other new students. Before this, there will be hanging out and some activities within the tutor group. |
|
| Day and time (GMT +3) | Program | Place |
| Monday 25.8.2025 | ||
| 09.00- | Welcome breakfast Breakfast is served for all new students with their tutors |
School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, lobby ground floor |
| 10.00-12.00 | Welcome 91ÇàÇà²Ý University School of Business! Dean's welcome, Dean Timo Korkeamäki Introduction to orientation week Greetings from Aalto University Student Union AYY & Association for business students KY |
School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, lobby ground floor |
| 12.00-13.15 | Lunchbreak | Lunch with tutors |
| 13.15-15.00 | Practical information on studies School of Business Learning Services Starting Point of Wellbeing |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1. Lecture hall A. |
| Programme organized by business students association KY: Night of the Clubs. Various KY's Clubs present themselves in the form of checkpoints and a party at Betonimiehenkuja 3. All new students are welcome to the event, including exchange students after the Exchange Extravaganza |
Betonimiehenkuja 3 | |
| Tuesday 26.8.2025 | ||
| 10.00-16.00 | The HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) pop-up service point To obtain or update a HSL card. |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1 |
| 10.00-16.00 | Master's programmes' kickoffs Degree programme specific kick-off sessions (around 2 h per programme) at campus, where you get to meet fellow new master's students, meet faculty & subject club representatives. Detailed scheduled TBA |
School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1 |
| 18.00 --> | Programme organized by business students association KY: Subcommittee Evening. KY's subcommittees, KY-Sub, NESU-KY, and Cultural Subcommittee/Kulttuurijaosto introduce themselves to all new students. Overalls are fitted during the daytime part of this event. The evening part is held in the parking lot behind the Nano building at Saha. The emphasis of the evening part of this event is on Bachelor’s level students, but Master’s level students are also welcome. Everyone must arrive at the overalls fitting (Masters from 5-6 PM, others from 6-8 PM) |
Otaniemi camppus, Konemiehentie 3 |
| Wednesday 27.8.2025 | ||
| 10.00-15.00 | DVV, Digital and population data services agency Possibility to register your place of residence and your permanent municipality of residence in Finland. Requires preparation, see more here. |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1 |
| 10.00-16.00 | The HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) pop-up service point To obtain or update a HSL card, see more here. |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1 |
| 10.00-11.00 | Drop-in: tuition fee and scholarship advice (optional): If you have any questions concerning on tuition fees and scholarships, you can drop by and get personal guidance. |
School of Business Ekonominaukio 1, 1st floor. Learning Services help desk Y115 |
| 11.30-13.00 | International Student Peer Advice (ISPA) pop-up service point Hear from fellow international Aalto students about their experiences with settling in, student life, and navigating Finland. |
School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, lobby ground floor |
| 14.15-15.45 | Campus tour with tutors Get to know Aalto’s campus with your student tutors! A relaxed walk through key spots, helpful tips, and a great chance to ask questions along the way. |
Around campus |
| 16.00-18.00 | Welcome Evening for new Master’s students Organized by School of Business Career Services & Alumni Relations. More information and registration: Welcome Evening for new Master’s students at School of Business | Aalto University |
School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, ground floor |
| 18.00 --> | Programme organized by business students association KY: Night of the Clubs. Various KY's Clubs present themselves in the form of checkpoints and a party at Betonimiehenkuja 3. All new students are welcome to the event, including exchange students after the Exchange Extravaganza | Otaniemi campus, Betonimiehenkuja 3 |
| Thursday 28.8.2025 | ||
| 10.00-15.00 | Aalto Welcome Fair At the fair, you will meet with several different organizations that can support you during your studies, and you will get information about other useful services. More information: Aalto Welcome Fair 2025 | Aalto University |
Aalto University Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1. |
| 12.30-14.00 | Better Student Life -lecture During the lecture you will get a concise overview of who supports you in various situations during your studies. |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1, Aalto-hall. |
| 10.00-15.00 | DVV, Digital and population data services agency Possibility to register your place of residence and your permanent municipality of residence in Finland. Requires preparation, see more here. |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1 |
| 10.00-16.00 | The HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) pop-up service point To obtain or update a HSL card, see more here. |
Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1 |
| 16.30-22.00 | Programme organized by Aalto University Student Union AYY: Otasuunnistus. A traditional checkpoint crawl event in the Aalto community where new students can get to know different AYY entities and Otaniemi associations. | |
| Friday 29.8.2025 | ||
|
21.00- |
Programme organized by KY: Meet Your Masters A relaxed event organized by KY's Master's Committee on Betonimiehenkuja, aimed at Master's students. At the event, students have the opportunity to get to know each other and, for example, subject clubs have the chance to introduce themselves at various checkpoints. Programme by KY: Mursu Party The Mursu Party is the final highlight party of the orientation week, organized by KY's Cultural Subcommittee. Everyone, both mursus and marsus is invited in the event held in the parking lot behind the TUAS building. |
Otaniemi campus, Betonimiehenkuja 3 |
| Day and time (GMT +3) | Program | Place |
| Tuesday 2.9.2025 | ||
| Aalto Day One Opening of the academic year 2025-2026 Registration and more information TBA |
||
| 13.15 | Opening ceremony | Undergraduate Centre U2 hall and online |
| 14.15 | Aalto Awards and Reception | Marsio and online |
| 15.30 | Aalto Party | Alvar Aalto's Park |
| Thursday 5.9.2024 | ||
| Programme by KY: Mursujaiset | ||
Support for starting your studies
Tutors are senior students who help new students during orientation week and at the beginning of their studies. Each new student is assigned a student tutor who has completed tutoring training. Tutoring is carried out in cooperation with tutors, University personnel and student organizations. Each major has their own tutors, who introduce students to the campus, student organization activities (KY & AYY) and student life in general.
Your student tutor will contact you at the latest during week 34. Your contact information will be given to your tutor. If you haven't been contacted by your tutor by the end of week 34, please contact studentservices@aalto.fi.
Planning officers support students in study affairs: planning of studies (personal study plan), guidance on practical study affairs and counselling in challenging study situations. You meet your programme’s planning officer during the orientation week and can contact them any time during your studies.
You can reach your planning officer through programmes-biz@aalto.fi.
Academic advisers are faculty members who also act as mentors for students of their department. You can talk about your academic ambitions, interests and study goals with the academic adviser.
Some programmes assign academic advisers to all students, some name the advisers per research topic. If you don’t know how to contact an academic adviser, please ask your planning officer through programmes-biz@aalto.fi.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll receive a newsletter for new students via email about once a month during the summer. Please read the emails carefully since they include important information about starting your studies at Aalto University. The email address we use is the one you gave when you applied 91ÇàÇà²Ý.
Your student tutor and planning officer will contact you in August via email or phone with details about the start of studies. You can also chat with students of Aalto Business School here.
The events and activities during orientation are planned to ensure a smooth start of studies. You will learn all you need about the start of studies by following the instructions on this page, reading your email and participating in the orientation.
Here on your programme pages. This is the study guide of the programme and here you can find the curricula, instructions for study planning, available study options and instructions for all study related matters.
Please familiarise yourself with the page New Master’s students and this page that you are currently on (Starting your studies). These pages contain information relevant to new students. Complete also the preorientation in MyCourses.
You can browse through the Student guide to learn more about practices. The most important information is part of the orientation programme.
The beginning of the academic year is the busiest time for the planning officers and they get many emails. Your planning officer will reply to you as soon as possible.
If you have a study related question, instead of sending an email, please do the following.
- Check if the information is available on these pages, New Master's students, or in the newsletters you received.
- If the subject of your question is part of the orientation programme, attend the orientation event. Please also attend the available Q&A sessions and/or clinics and ask there.
- If you can’t find the information and the matter is urgent, call your planning officer via phone or contact the student services at studentservices@aalto.fi.
Please also note that during August-September we can't prioritize emails with questions that will be answered during the orientation or are answered in the materials sent to new students.
The degree structure of your programme and the courses it includes are listed under Curriculum 2024–2026. You can find instructions for planning your studies under During your studies > Planning your studies.
The study plan is created in and the detailed instructions for creating your study plan are part of the orientation programme.
Please note that all our programmes are full-time programmes that run mainly on campus. We do not recommend working full-time during the studies.
The amount of compulsory attendance depends on the course. Please familiar yourself with the detailed course descriptions in the
Yes, you can transfer credits completed outside of Aalto University to your degree. You can use them to substitute a specific Aalto course or include them in the degree as is towards e.g. the electives. Please read more about credit transfer here. The detailed instructions are part of the orientation programme.
Course registrations are done in the student information system Sisu through your study plan. Please see the instructions here. The detailed instructions are also part of the orientation programme.
If the registration period is still ongoing, register for the course even if there appears to be more participants than allowed. The participants will be confirmed only after the registration period has ended. In many courses, priority will be given to students in the programme that organises the course. This information is available on the course brochure in Sisu.
If the registration period has ended, please choose another course.
Personal Study Plan or PSP (sometimes referred to with the Finnish abbreviation HOPS) is a plan for the courses you are going to include in your degree. It also includes a schedule for your studies over the planned study time.
PSP is used for e.g. course registration and graduation, but primarily it is your planning tool that helps you plan your studies. PSPs are made in the Sisu system.
Yes, you can. We ask you to make your personal study plan first and foremost to help you plan your studies. The first version of your study plan is done during the orientation, but you are allowed to change your plans. Please see the instructions under During your studies > Planning your studies.
The scope of the Master's degree is 120 cr. Students are allowed to extend the degree by one course. Plan your studies to meet the 120 credits.
No, they won't. The degree certificate includes only the courses that are part of your degree. You can, however, download a transcript of records from Sisu that will show all the courses you have completed at Aalto University.
This is not possible. You cannot hide or delete courses from the study register.
We recommend that you start the thesis process in the beginning of the second study year.
Most programmes require a 30-credit thesis which equals six months of full-time work. If you won't be able to work on the thesis full-time because of studying other courses or employment, or you have another reason the thesis process will take longer than six months like gathering your own data, plan accordingly to start your thesis process earlier on in your master's studies.