Study at Aalto

Studying at the Aalto campus

Aalto University’s campus is located in the Helsinki metropolitan area, close to both nature as well as the city buzz. The campus area offers an ideal environment for living, studying and leisure. Get to know the campus!
Two Aalto University students sitting under a big oak, drinking coffee and talking.

The Aalto campus is located in Otaniemi, in the city of Espoo. Otaniemi is home to a lively community, and it could be even described as a small town in itself with excellent services from study hubs to restaurants and cafes, stores and sports facilities. The location is a perfect balance of vivid city life and nature: hop on a metro and travel to the heart of Helsinki in less than 15 minutes or head to the neighbouring nature reserve to catch some fresh air.

Unlike the other study options offered by Aalto, the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business operates in the town of Mikkeli. Since Mikkeli campus is much smaller, it’s home to a tight-knit community, known for its “Mikkeli Spirit”. Mikkeli also welcomes new students to the programme with open arms. 

Living and commuting

Being a student in Otaniemi is a holistic experience since it’s possible to live, study, work and spend your free time all in the same treasure trove – a unique ecosystem dedicated to students, academic life, recreation, and startup businesses. There’s even a term for never needing to leave Otaniemi – ‘otaantuminen’, becoming one with Otaniemi! When you need a change of scenery though, the metro, tram and bus lines are just around the corner. You can deep dive into the campus remotely by taking a virtual campus tour.

An aerial photo of the Aalto University campus at sunset.

Virtual Campus Experience (external link)

Explore Aalto University’s campus from anywhere in the world! Our digital guides introduce you to our learning facilities, laboratories, workshops, service spots and outdoor spaces. Experience the tour on desktop, mobile or with VR headset.

Aalto University campus in the autumn

Housing for students

Learn more about accommodation for both short and long-term stay in Finland.

Services
Otaniemessä on kampuspyörät helpottavat henkilökunnan liikkumista.

Campus bikes and cycling

The mode of transport has a significant impact on the environment. Aalto strives to offer the most sustainable way of transport between campuses and within. Aalto and ACRE cooperate with HRT and nearby cities.

Services

Study spaces

On Aalto campus, students can freely use the various self-study and group work spaces, studios and workshops. One of the students’ favourites must be the Learning Centre, which offers library services, silent study areas, group work facilities, studios, a VR hub, a café and a stationery shop, to name a few. There are also various event venues on campus that can be rented.

Photo from the K-floor of the Harald Herlin Learning Centre, students working at desks.

Learning Centre

Otaniementie 9. Welcome! We offer you excellent library services, expert services and study and work spaces.

Student guide illustration, campus guide

Self-study spaces

Spaces designed for self-study are found in many places around campus, and access rights let you work in them at the times that suit you.

Support services for students
self service studio_panopto

Self Service Studio (studios.aalto.fi) (external link)

Talk to a camera or record a podcast in a controlled environment with little setup up front, located at the Harald Herlin Learning Centre. It can be booked with an Aalto user account.

Aaltopahvi logo

Aaltopahvi (business.site) (external link)

Paper and art supplies shop at the Harald Herlin Learning Centre.

Dipoli events

Book a venue for your event at the Aalto University campus

Aalto University offers versatile and high-quality facilities for different kinds of events. More than 100 spaces are available and they are located on the Otaniemi campus.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto / Unto Rautio

Campus maps, addresses and opening hours in Otaniemi

Here you will also find restaurants, the map, the Aalto Space mobile app, access control - all practical information on one page! You can also visit the campus virtually.

Campus
Fairs and events for applicants

Student community and hobbies

Friends, parties, fun traditions and much more! Hundreds of different associations operate within the Aalto University Student Union (AYY). These give you the opportunity to attend events, find new hobbies or become an active member of a smaller community within Aalto. The associations have different spaces available for students, such as guild rooms, party venues, band rooms, saunas and sport facilities. 

Aalto-yliopiston ylioppilaskunnan logo

Aalto University Student Union (AYY) (external link)

AYY represents approximately 14,000 Aalto University students of arts, design, business and technology. AYY advocates for its members and offers them student apartments and services.

ARTS student association TOKYO logo (Golden Spiral)

ARTS student association TOKYO ry (external link)

TOKYO is a student association which brings together the students of Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture as well as its former students, the alumni.

Image from remote site: www.ky.fi

KY - Aalto University Business Students (external link)

KY is an association for business students at Aalto University. All degree students at Aalto University School of Business can join KY.

Nature and sport on campus

Being located by the seaside and right next to a nature reserve, Otaniemi is a fantastic environment for nature-loving people. In addition to the outdoor opportunities, Otaniemi Sports Park and a Unisport gym offer great fitness and sporting facilities. There are also various sport-related student associations within the AYY through which you can attend sporting events or find a fun hobby. 

Image from remote site: aaltouniversity.shorthandstories.com

Aalto neighbourhood home to waterbird oasis and forest habitat for flying squirrels (external link)

Aalto University's campus is right next to a nature conservation area. We accompanied an expert on an outing to learn what makes it unique – and what can be done about biodiversity loss.

Two people stretching on a university's sports field.

Unisport Otaniemi (external link)

Along with a well-equipped gym and versatile exercise rooms, UniSport offers a wide selection of ball sports, group training classes as well as massage and personal training services. Student's best training buddy is the UniSport Training Card, which students can purchase at a lowered price.

Otaniemi track and field urheilukenttä, Otaniemen urheilupuisto by Mikko Raskinen

Otaniemi sports park (external link)

Otaniemi sports park, one of Espoos sports parks, is situated on Otaniemi campus.

Campus services and development

Aalto’s main campus in Otaniemi boasts a wonderful mix of new and old – the foundation for the campus was laid decades ago, but even today, it is constantly transforming itself to fit the needs of the Aalto community as new facilities and services pop up. A range of services at Otaniemi are available for both students and the wider public. You can find Aalto University’s own shop, dozens of restaurants, cafés and bars, grocery stores, a pharmacy, a second-hand store, a hairdresser and much more.

Three students sitting next to a wooden table, and studying. Two of them have laptops in front of them. Photo: Unto Rautio

Campus restaurants and cafés

Information on Aalto University campus restaurants and cafés. Please check each restaurant’s and café’s own website for information on exceptional opening hours.

Campus
A Bloc logo yellow

A Bloc (external link)

Shopping center A Bloc is the beating heart and the main meeting place of the Otaniemi campus with its restaurants, cafés and other services. Finland's most innovative shopping center is located in connection with the Aalto University metro station.

A Blancin logo

A Blanc (external link)

Renewed shopping centre A Blanc on the edge of Alvarinaukio is the second service concentration on the campus. A Blanc offers local services to support everyday life, as well as meeting places with restaurants, stores and office space.

Illustration image on a sunny day as the sun is setting, of Otakaari 2A, the lights in the building are lit and there are blurry images of people walking around. Grass and trees are green.

The new Marsio building is a showcase for research, teaching and impact at Aalto University

The name was selected through a contest, and it is a tribute to Aino Marsio-Aalto.

News
Havainnekuva opiskelijakeskuksesta.

A student centre will be built as a joint meeting place for Aalto University students

The building, to be built at the heart of the campus, will be implemented as a joint effort by student organisations and the university.

News
Dipoli / Photo by Tuomas Uusheimo

Otaniemi campus to develop into a lively neighbourhood

The university's campus is in Otaniemi, home of the lively community that supports innovations. The goal of the campus development is to mix valuable history and new ways of planning.

Campus
Students dancing to celebrate the opening of the semester on Aalto campus.
Aalto Day One event 2019 in Otaniemi, photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi

See social media content from our students!

  1. Snapchat
  2. TikTok
  3. Youtube: Student vlogs

Subscribe to our applicant's newsletter

Learn more about what it's like to study at Aalto and how to apply. Sign up and get the latest information on admissions, events, study opportunities, and student life straight to your inbox.

Sign up!
Three students looking at a smartphone screen and smiling at a graduation party. Photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi / Aalto University
  • Published:
  • Updated: