Aalto University Summer School welcomes more students than ever in the summer of 2023

The application period for Aalto University Summer School 2023 has officially concluded. The application period ran from February until 31 May 2023. This year for the first time, the Summer School introduced undergraduate-level courses in addition to the existing graduate-level programs. The introduction of new courses garnered significant interest, and the program received a record-breaking 538 applications this year. Notably, the number of applications for graduate courses experienced a remarkable 36 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Aalto University Summer School caters to the educational needs of domestic and international students and continuous learners by offering multidisciplinary, two-week courses in a global learning environment and opportunities for international exchange. The course subjects vary from virtual reality and leadership to biomaterials and circular economy.

Altogether, 239 students will participate in the Summer School. Of the 538 applicants, 388 applied for undergraduate courses and 150 for graduate courses. A total of 212 students were accepted, and the Summer School will also welcome 27 exchange students, further enriching the academic community.

Eight courses were entirely sold out, demonstrating the high demand and interest. Among the courses offered, Self Leadership emerged as the most popular choice among undergraduate students, while Radical Creativity attracted the highest number of applications from graduate students.

“We made new additions to our course selection this year with the undergraduate courses and have been thrilled to see that the topics resonate well with applicants. Seeing the popularity of our brand-new graduate course on Radical Creativity has also been great. A lot of collaboration with Design Factory teachers and the experts from Aalto's Radical Creativity team has gone into the course preparation. We are glad to welcome a very diverse group of students on the course to reimagine the future of different industries together with our sponsor organizations St1, City of Espoo and VTT,” says Laura Kitinoja, the Program Director of Aalto University Summer School.

During the two-week courses, students meet the study field's experts and gain hands-on experience. Moreover, in some courses, students can co-create with Finnish organizations and work with real-life company cases to explore and experiment with innovative methods.

A diverse group of students

The diverse range of applicants representing 43 countries ensures a multicultural and inclusive learning environment for each course. The applicant pool spans six continents, showcasing the international appeal of the Summer School. Most applications were received from China , Finland, South Korea and France, excluding the exchange students. Remarkably, 47% of applications for undergraduate-level and 40% of applications for graduate-level courses were from Asia.

Aalto University Summer School is a unique opportunity for students to engage in an interdisciplinary and enriching educational experience. Aalto University Summer School aims to foster a supportive academic atmosphere while also offering various social programs and activities to encourage meaningful connections between participants and introduce them to Finnish culture.

The eagerly anticipated commencement of the first course starts on July 3rd, and classes will continue until the end of August.