Summer School social programme and events
Get to know your coursemates and Finland through engaging extracurricular activities and social events organised by the Summer School team.
Circular Economy
Sustainable development requires a fundamental shift in resource use, and the transition will have fundamental implications. During this summer course, you will learn how circular business models are designed and how they provide value to the customer.
Teaching period:
-
Application period:
31.1.2025 – 31.5.2025
Course format:
Campus
Duration:
2 weeks
part-time
Course level:
Undergraduate
Field of study:
Business and Economics
Credits:
2 ECTS
Organiser:
Aalto University
Tuition fees:
1170€
Sustainable development requires a fundamental shift in the way resources are used in our economic system. Instead of continuing a linear economic model where resources are used and discarded, we need to shift to a circular economy model where economic value is created through the circular use of resources. The transition towards a circular economy has fundamental implications for businesses and other organisations.
Furthermore, the transition to a circular economy does not only ask ‘what should be done?’, but urges to ask, ‘how are we thinking?’. Systems thinking is an essential part of circular economy, as it identifies the interconnectivity of economic, political, social, and ecological systems.
During this course, you will gain expertise in designing and developing circular business models and value chains that will give you a competitive edge in various organisations and industries, especially in high-waste sectors like textiles, food, and construction.
As circular solutions continue to gain traction, your ability to navigate the challenges of circularity will be essential, no matter your industry field.
Summer School Alum Story: Addressing Modern Challenges with the Circular Economy Course
Tim von Ass, Summer School alum and a Business Administration student at the University of Hamburg, has focused his studies on business information systems and supply chain management. Attracted by Finland’s leading position in the circular economy, he enrolled in the Circular Economy course at Aalto University Summer School.
4 August – 15 August 2025: Lecture weeks on-site at Aalto University campus
- Daily lectures (Monday-Friday) between 9-12
- Group work and individual tasks
- Optional social program in the evenings
| WEEK 1 | Monday 4 August | Tuesday 5 August | Wednesday 6 August | Thursday 7 August | Friday 8 August |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning (9-12) | Course session | Course session | Course session | Course session | Course session |
| Afternoon | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work |
| WEEK 2 | Monday 11 August | Tuesday 12 August | Wednesday 13 August | Thursday 14 August | Friday 15 August |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning (9-12) | Course session | Course session | Course session | Course session | Course session |
| Afternoon | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work |
In this introductory course to circular economy, you will:
- Learn core concepts and principles of circular economy thinking
- Gain insight into how these concepts and principles are brought to life in practice via concrete examples and company visits
- Apply these concepts and principles to design a circular solution
- Develop an understanding of circular economy from environmental, social, and economic angles from a multidisciplinary perspective
Course workload
Contact sessions (lectures and workshops) 30h
Individual or team assignments 24h
Total 54h (2 ECTS)
The course is graded as pass/fail.
Please note that the undergraduate courses offered by Aalto University Summer School can not be included in Aalto degree studies.
This course does not require previous experience in the topic. You must have completed a high school or vocational degree or equivalent by the time the course starts. However, you do not have to be a degree student at a university to participate in our courses.
Additionally, all summer school course students must be 18 years or older, as it is the legal age in Finland.
Please include a motivation letter or video in your application. In your motivation letter or video, describe your motivation for taking this course. The recommended length for the motivation letter is 150-250 words and 1-2 minutes for the video.
Tuition fees for Summer School courses
One course: 1170€ (incl. VAT 25,5%)
- The course fee includes academic course sessions and assignments, an official digital Aalto University certificate and support from the Summer School team. The fee does not cover accommodation, daily meals, or transportation during the course
- Unfortunately, Aalto University Summer School does not offer scholarships for participants.
Social program fee
If you need a visa, we recommend applying by April 15th 2025.
- This is to ensure that we have enough time to process your application and that you have time to make the tuition fee payment, book a visa appointment and wait for the application to be processed.
- You can apply and be accepted to the courses after April 15th. In that case, we recommend that you pay at your earliest convenience so that we can deliver your invitation letter to you promptly.
- According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the processing time for a visa application is 15 days. However, the processing time may be longer if a more detailed application examination is required.
Learn about the Aalto University Summer School cancellation terms. You will receive the full terms before making the payment and confirming the course participation.
Teacher Information
Dr. Iqra Khan is a post-doctoral researcher at Aalto University's School of Business, working on the Finix project, which focuses on sustainable textile systems.
Iqra holds Master's degrees in Education and Globalization and Management Science from the University of Oulu, Finland and RIPHAH International University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Her research focuses on Industry 4.0, sustainable development, digitalization, and innovation ecosystems, contributing both to academic knowledge and practical advancements for a sustainable future.
She recently completed a visiting scholar position at Stanford University as part of the SCANCOR program which added to her prior experience as a visiting scholar at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
Summer School Team
Information for Summer School Applicants
Get to know the application guidelines and tuition fees.
Aalto University Summer School
Make this summer unforgettable and experience the best of Aalto University and Finland under the Nordic summer sun.
Travel arrangements for Summer and Winter School students
Learn about the guidelines for visa application and budgeting for your stay during the summer course.
Financial Times: Aalto University School of Business world's top in sustainability education
The School of Business is one of five business schools in the world to get the Financial Times recognition