Finland ranks among the world’s safest and most peaceful countries, placing ninth among 163 countries in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Prospective students may also want to learn more about higher education in Finland and employment opportunities in Finland.
Aalto University is a multidisciplinary Finnish university where science and art meet technology and business. Although Aalto is one of the best-known universities in Finland, attending the university may involve tuition fees and substantial living expenses. Read this article to learn about the overall cost of attending Aalto University.
Study Costs at Aalto University
Study costs vary according to a student’s citizenship, residence permit, program language, degree level, and field of study. Most students from outside the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland must pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs at Aalto University. Students should also budget for housing, food, transportation, study materials, and other personal expenses.
Application Costs at Aalto University
Applicants who are not citizens of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland generally must pay a €100 application fee when applying to bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in Finland. Citizens of these countries and holders of certain Finnish residence permits are exempt. The Finnish National Agency for Education collects the fee through Studyinfo, and it must normally be paid within seven days of submitting the application. An unpaid application will not be processed. Applicants should also check Aalto University’s current admission deadlines and program-specific requirements before applying.
Tuition Fee Costs at Aalto University
Tuition fees vary by degree level, field of study, and the date on which the student’s right to study began. Most non-EU/EEA citizens must pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not pay these tuition fees. Students in Finnish- or Swedish-taught programs, doctoral students, and holders of certain qualifying residence permits may also be exempt.
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
Aalto offers bachelor’s programs in fields such as business, economics, design, technology, science, and engineering. The standard bachelor’s degree comprises 180 ECTS credits and takes three academic years to complete. For study rights beginning on or after August 1, 2025, annual tuition is €12,000 for business programs, €15,000 for arts and architecture programs, and €12,000 for technology programs. International joint degree programs may have different fees.
Master’s Tuition Costs
A standard master’s degree at Aalto comprises 120 ECTS credits and normally takes two academic years. For study rights beginning on or after August 1, 2025, annual tuition is €15,000 for business programs, €20,000 for arts and architecture programs, €17,000 for technology programs, and €17,000 for multidisciplinary programs. Tuition covers courses, academic supervision, examinations, counseling, student services, library services, and IT services. It does not cover living expenses, personal study materials, Student Union membership, or the student healthcare fee.
Ph.D. Tuition Costs
Aalto University’s doctoral programs do not charge tuition or university enrollment fees. Students can review the available research fields and application procedures on the university’s website. The four-year Doctoral Program in Business, Economics and Finance includes International Business as one of its 12 majors. The International Business major includes 60 ECTS credits of coursework. Funding is guaranteed for the first two years, while later funding may be available from the School of Business or external foundations and is generally connected to satisfactory academic progress.
Completing a doctoral degree in Finland does not automatically grant permanent residence. Under the rules effective January 8, 2026, a graduate who completes a doctoral degree in Finland may apply through the higher-education-degree pathway. The applicant must still meet the other conditions, including having developing Finnish or Swedish skills at level A2 or completing 15 credits of Finnish or Swedish studies, having valid grounds for a continuous residence permit, and meeting applicable financial and other legal requirements.
Other Academic Costs at Aalto University
International students should remember that tuition is only one part of the cost of attending Aalto University. Other expenses may include accommodation, food, transportation, study materials, healthcare-related fees, and personal necessities. These additional costs are discussed below.
Books and Miscellaneous
Aalto University does not distribute course books, stationery, computers, or other personal study materials to students. However, required course materials are generally available through the university library, other study facilities, or online resources. Students may still need to purchase program-specific materials, equipment, or personal copies of books.
Accommodation and Transportation
Aalto University does not own student dormitories or guarantee accommodation. Students normally apply for housing through the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region, known as HOAS, the Aalto University Student Union, known as AYY, or the private rental market. Aalto’s 2026 budget estimate places student housing at approximately €300 to €500 per month, while private-market accommodation commonly starts at about €600 per month. Students should apply for housing as early as possible through the providers listed on Aalto’s student housing page.
Aalto estimates transportation costs of approximately €50 to €70 per month for eligible bachelor’s and master’s students using a 30-day public transportation ticket in the central zones of Espoo and Helsinki. The cost is higher when additional zones are required. Doctoral students may not qualify for the same public transportation student discount.
Living Expenses
Living expenses depend on personal preferences, accommodation, and transportation choices. Aalto University’s March 2026 estimate places total living expenses in the Helsinki capital region at approximately €800 to €1,300 per month, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other ordinary expenses. This is equivalent to approximately €9,600 to €15,600 per year, excluding tuition fees.
International students can explore careers in Finland, but they should not rely on part-time work to cover all study and living expenses. Aalto offers a very limited number of competitive scholarships to outstanding applicants who are required to pay tuition. Aalto University Excellence Scholarships provide full tuition fee waivers but do not cover living expenses. Students can also research other scholarships in Finland, while verifying each scholarship’s eligibility requirements and coverage with the official provider.
We hope this article has provided a detailed overview of study costs at Aalto University. To learn more about Finnish universities and scholarship opportunities, please visit the Study in Finland Page. Students preparing for an educational journey in Finland can also explore the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
