Aalto University

Key figures of 2021 and reports

Aalto University’s new strategy entered into force at the start of 2021, and with it, the university is setting its sights firmly on building a sustainable future. Our academic results developed favourably last year, despite the pandemic. On this page also the Annual Board Report and Financial Statements.
TOKYOn myyjäiset Väreen tiloissa.
Photo: Aalto University / Henry Vogt.

Research

  • We have been highly successful in taking a determined approach to focusing on our strengths.
  • The number of refereed articles in scientific journals increased from last year.
International articles 2021

International peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals

2012–2021

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Artistic outputs

2012–2021

Includes artistic publications, exhibitions and performances.

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International academic faculty (%)

2012–2021

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Quality of publications

2015–2021

Share of Aalto University publications that belong to the top 10% most highly cited publications in the world in the same subject area. This indicator has been used since 2015.

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Competitive research funding (€ million)

2012–2021

International funding includes competitive EU funding and funding from foreign funds and foundations. Other funding includes funding from the Academy of Finland, Business Finland and companies.

 Excellence in research

  2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Recipients of European Research Council (ERC) funding

 10 13 16 17 21 26 26 24 27 28

Academy of Finland Centres of Excellence

 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 3 3
Academy of Finland
Flagships		 - - - - - - - 3 4 4

Academy of Finland
Academy Professors

 7 7 7 6 7 5 5 5 4 2

Academy of Finland
Research Fellows

 37 34 36 34 38 40 41 44 44 49

Professors

  • At the end of 2021, the university had 395 professors, of whom 296 had been appointed since the establishment of Aalto University.
  2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Professors

 293 329 369 388 386 386 389 390 393 395
International 12% 15% 17% 18% 20% 22% 24% 24% 26% 27%

Women

 13% 16% 17% 20% 19% 20% 20% 21% 20% 22%

Rankings in key research areas

  • In field-specific rankings Aalto ranks among the best in the world.

  • In 2021, QS placed Aalto 9th in the world among universities founded less than 50 years ago.

    Key_research_areas_EN-01.png

    Aalto University key research areas

    Click on the arrows to see examples of rankings attached to these areas.

    Key_research_areas_EN-05.png

    ICT and digitalisation​

    • ShanghaiRanking: Telecommunication engineering 40 (2020: 34)
    • ShanghaiRanking: Computer science & engineering 51–75 (2020: 51–75)
    • US News: Computer science 68 (2020: 56)
    Key_research_areas_EN-08.png

    Global business dynamics​

    • ShanghaiRanking:​ Management 31 (2020: 27)
    • ShanghaiRanking:​ Business administration 25 (2020: 24)
    Key_research_areas_EN-07.png

    Materials and sustainable​ use of natural resources​

    • ShanghaiRanking: Mining & mineral engineering 76–100 (2020: 51–75)
    • QS: Materials science 98 (2020: 101–150)
    Key_research_areas_EN-06.png

    Arts and design ​knowledge building​

    • QS: Art & Design 6 (2020: 7)
    Key_research_areas_EN-02.png

    Human-centred living environments​

    • QS: Architecture/Built Environment 42 (2020: 41)​
    • ShanghaiRanking: Marine/Ocean Engineering 39 (2020: 35)
    Key_research_areas_EN-04.png

    Advanced energy solutions​

    • ShanghaiRanking: Electrical & electronic engineering 101–150 (2020: 76–100)
    • QS: Electrical & electronic engineering 79 (2020: 101–150)
    • US News: Electrical & electronic engineering 92 (2020: 81)
    Key research areas_hea

    Health and wellbeing​

    • ShanghaiRanking: Medical Technology​ 101–150 (2020: 101–150)

    Education

    • Teaching and learning have been developed on the basis of a new learning strategy, Future-led learning.
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    Bachelor's degrees

    2012–2021

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    Bachelor's graduate survey

    2013–2021

    Average score given by Aalto University bachelor's graduates in the national feedback survey on a scale of 1 to 5. This indicator has been used since 2013.

    Masters_degrees_2021.png

    Master's degrees

    2012–2021

    Doctoral_degrees_2021.png

    Doctoral degrees

    2012–2021

    Basic_degree_students_2021.png

    Bachelor’s and master’s degree students

    2021

    *Full-time equivalent degree students

    Impact

    • Cooperation with companies enhances the quality and impact of our academic activities.
    Corporate_collaboration_volume_2021.png

    Corporate collaboration volume (€ million)

    The total amount of corporate income in Aalto University Group. The figure excludes all IPR commercialisation income. The indicator has been calculated since 2015.

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    Income relating to technology transfers (€ million)

    Includes income relating to IPR commercialisation, technology transfers and valuation increases.

    Enabling our success

    • The wellbeing of the Aalto community was supported in many ways.
    • Our most important resource and success factor is the multidisciplinary Aalto community which generates new ways of thinking.
    • The long-term campus development programme progressed according to plan.
    • The pro forma operative income totalled EUR 370 million with government funding the main source of income.
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    Personnel wellbeing survey

    Average of all answers received in the survey on a scale of 1 to 5. The survey is carried out every two years.

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    Personnel structure development

    2012–2021

    Personnel_2021.png

    Number of personnel

    31 Dec 2021

    Developing campus

    Campus_development.png
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    Facility usage (1000 sqm)

    2012–2021

    Facility_costs_2021.png

    Facility costs (€ million)

    2012–2021

    CO2_emissions_2021.png

    CO2 emissions (tCO2-ekv/y)

    Amount of CO2 emissions from energy consumption in university buildings. This indicator has been used since 2019.

    Sources and uses of funds 2021

    Sources_and_uses_of_funds_2021.png
    Income_2021.png

    Income (€ million)

    2012–2021

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    Expenses (€ million)

    2012–2021

    Basic_funding_from_MEC_2021.png

    Government funding from MEC

    2010–2021

    * Finnish university inflation index comprising of 64% of Finland’s wage and salary earnings index, 21% of Finland’s consumer price index and 15% of Finland’s producer price index.

    Aalto University annual board report and financial statements 2021, pdf, attachment
    3.39 M
    Aalto University in 2021, key figures, pdf, attachment
    5.44 M

    Sustainability report 2021

    An Aalto pen lying on the page of a study book, students working in the background / photo by Aalto University, Aino Huovio

    Sustainability reports

    Science, technology and arts play an important role in solving global sustainability problems. Aalto University’s strength is its strong multidisciplinary approach to humanity’s greatest challenges, such as environmental crises.

    Sustainability

    News

    See all
    Anni Kaaria
    University Published:

    Aalto University was recognised in national and international evaluations in 2023

    University board approved the Annual Board Report and Financial Statements for 2023
    Opiskelija lukuvuoden avajaisjuhlinnassa puhelin kädessä.
    University Published:

    Aalto University’s academic results remained on a good level in 2022 despite declining funding

    Board approved the Annual Board Report and Financial Statements for 2022
    Students studying together in a group
    University Published:

    Aalto University endowment provided EUR 35 million in 2022 to education and research

    Endowment investment return was -3.5% in a challenging investment environment
    Students in Aalto Design Factory
    University Published:

    Sustainability report: multidisciplinary approach to solving sustainability challenges is Aalto’s strength

    Science, technology and arts play an important role in solving global sustainability problems. Aalto University’s strength is its strong multidisciplinary approach to humanity’s greatest challenges, such as environmental crises. Aalto’s new sustainability report highlights some of the key sustainability actions taken by Aalto University in 2021.
    See all

    Annual board reports from 2010-2020

    Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2020 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2019 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2018 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2017 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2016 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2015 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Report 2014 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Report 2013 (pdf)

    Aalto University Annual Report 2012 (pdf)

    Aalto University Foundation's Board Report and Financial Statements 2011 (pdf)

    Aalto University: Aalto's year 2010 in Review (pdf)

    Aalto University Foundation's Board Report and Financial Statements 2010 (pdf)

    Web materials from previous years

    Aalto University 2020, website

    Aalto University 2019, website

    Aalto University in 2018, website

    Aalto University in 2017, website

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    • Updated: