Aalto University Summer School
Learn how to create immersive experiences that cross the digital and physical space with multidisciplinary teams of international students.
Join Aalto University Summer School for an immersive, multidisciplinary learning experience in the heart of Finland! With 21 cutting-edge courses offered between July and August, students can dive into topics like Game Design, Nordic Product Design, and Personal Growth, alongside exciting new additions such as Happiness Science from Finland, AI & Machine Learning, Managing Diversity & Inclusion, and Designing with Nature for Sustainability.
At Aalto, learning goes beyond the classroom—engage in interactive lectures, challenge-based projects, and real-world case studies, while gaining industry insights through company visits and networking opportunities. With over 250 students from nearly 50 countries, this is more than just a summer course—it’s a chance to expand your global network and experience Finland’s vibrant academic culture.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, innovate, and connect at one of Europe’s top universities!
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Useful links
Have questions?
For general inquiries: study.abroad@ucalgary.ca
For questions about the courses or program details: summer@aalto.fi
Program details
The information below was last updated in 2025
A variety of courses in arts, business, and technology are offered.
4th-year undergraduate students (and sometimes 3rd-year) are also allowed to attend Master's level courses at Aalto.
6 ECTS = 1 UCalgary HCE (3 units). Most courses on the Aalto summer program are worth 2 or 3 ECTS, meaning that students must take 2-3 courses to transfer back 1 course to UCalgary.
If students take less than 6 ECTS credits at Aalto's Summer School, it may be possible to combine it with courses taken at Aalto's fall or winter semester exchange in order to still receive credit. Please contact the UCalgary Global Learning advisor to inquire about this.
Courses are offered in July and August, generally 2 weeks long, with varying start dates. Please see the Aalto course page to find the dates for your desired course. It is allowed to take multiple courses in the same or different teaching blocks, as long as there are no scheduling conflicts.
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Costs
This is a Fee-Paying program, which means that you will pay tuition fees to Aalto directly as well as any other required program fees such as housing, social events, etc.
You will pay a $150 placement fee to UCalgary, but otherwise you will not owe any fees to UCalgary for this program.
As long as your total stay in Europe is less than 90 days, a visa is usually not required for students travelling on a Canadian passport.
Note: while Finland may be expensive compared to Canada, it's much cheaper to go as a student! Costs for student accommodation and on-campus cafeterias are affordable with your student card and are typically cheaper than in Canada, with other cost savings available to students. Some examples:
- Lunch on campus typically costs less than 4 euros for a full meal of well-balanced, healthy food.
- 50% discount on all public transport (both local and for long-distance travel). The monthly ticket for Espoo is about 30€, and for both Helsinki & Espoo, about 55€.
- Helsinki cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here
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Funding
Although Aalto does not offer any scholarships, students can earn various discounts:
- "Early bird" rate for early applicants
- 10% tuition discount for students from partner universities, including UCalgary
Fee-paying programs might be able to obtain additional funding. Students are responsible for verifying eligibility for any funding you wish to pursue at UCalgary. If you wish to apply for student loans, please confirm eligibility with Alberta Student Aid or your responsible loans provider. If you wish to apply for our office's awards, such as the Global Learning Award, note that your program must receive at least 3 units of academic credit at UCalgary to qualify.
Various accommodation options are normally available such as shared apartments, private dorms, etc. Students can also arrange independent housing. More information about this will be available prior to the summer school.
The summer school courses are taught at Aalto's campus in Espoo (about 10 minutes by transit from Helsinki's city centre); housing can be found in Espoo or other districts in Helsinki.
The Aalto Summer School eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years of age and having previously completed at least one year of university. Some courses on the summer school have other requirements or pre-requisities.
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Application to UCalgary
Please submit an applicaton in the UCalgary application system, RAISA. Your application must be submitted by the UCalgary deadline, which is advertised in the yellow banner at the top of this page. (This program typically re-opens applications past the priority deadline until mid-March.)
In RAISA, you will be asked some basic questions about your interest in studying abroad, and confirm that you understand this is a Fee-Paying program.
By applying in RAISA, the UCalgary Global Learning office will better be able to support your preparation to travel, including providing resources for your safety abroad and guidance on the academic transfer credit process.
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Application to Aalto
Independent of your UCalgary RAISA application, you must also submit an application to Aalto. Your Global Learning Advisor will send you a reminder to apply, but it is your responsibility to gather the necessary documents and submit them to Aalto following their provided instructions and deadlines.
Note: When applying to Aalto, you should include your official UCalgary transcript. This is technically an optional document, but by providing a transcript, Aalto can verify that you are from UCalgary and you will be eligible for the 10% fees discount.
Have questions?
The Global Learning Advisor for this program is: Sydney Guthrie
How to Apply
Identify your programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs by the priority deadline. If you are applying to a mixture of fee-paying and exchange or research programs, please consult with a Global Learning Advisor. Fee-paying programs often have different timelines; we can help identify if your desired programs are competitive or any other unique considerations.
Check requirements and deadlines
Please review the "Eligibility and application requirements" section above. Some fee-paying programs require students to apply both to UCalgary and to the host university, while others may have different instructions. If you are uncertain about application procedures, you are welcome to contact a Global Learning Advisor and/or the host university for guidance.
Start your application
Be mindful that if your desired program requires applying both to UCalgary and to the host university, there may be different timelines for each application. Make note of the requirements for each application, prepare in advance when possible, and ensure you don't miss the deadline!
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.