Aalto University Scholarships 2027 Full Details

Aalto University Scholarships 2027: Eligibility, Tuition Fees and How to Apply

Explore Aalto University Scholarships 2027 in Finland, including tuition-fee waivers, eligibility, required documents and the application process.

Studying at Aalto University in Finland can be an excellent opportunity for international students interested in business, technology, engineering, art, design and architecture. Aalto offers competitive scholarships to outstanding applicants who are required to pay tuition fees for eligible English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes.

The main university-wide scholarship is the Aalto University Excellence Scholarship, which provides a 100% tuition-fee waiver to selected students. However, scholarships are limited, awarded on academic merit and do not cover living expenses. Applicants should understand the scholarship rules, tuition fees, eligibility requirements and application process before applying.

Scholarship Overview

Aalto University is a multidisciplinary university in Finland known for combining technology, business, art and design. Its scholarship programme aims to support high-achieving applicants who are liable to pay tuition fees.

The Aalto University Excellence Scholarship is highly competitive. Eligible applicants must apply for the scholarship during the relevant degree admission period. Scholarship decisions are made as part of the admissions process, and not every eligible applicant will receive an award.

At a Glance

Feature	Details
University	Aalto University
Study destination	Finland
Scholarship	Aalto University Excellence Scholarship
Degree levels	Eligible bachelor’s and master’s programmes
Eligible applicants	Applicants liable to pay tuition fees
Scholarship coverage	100% tuition-fee waiver for selected recipients
Living allowance	Not covered by the university-wide Excellence Scholarship
Scholarship duration	Normally the standard duration of the degree, subject to scholarship conditions
Application method	Apply for admission and request a scholarship on the application form
Deadline	Depends on the programme and admission round
Official website	https://www.aalto.fi/en/admission-services/scholarships-and-tuition-fees

Important: This is not a universal fully funded scholarship. The main Excellence Scholarship covers tuition fees, while students must arrange funding for their living costs and other expenses.

University Overview

Aalto University is located in the Helsinki metropolitan region of Finland. It brings together academic disciplines in business, technology, science, art and design, offering students opportunities to work across different fields.

The university is particularly suitable for students interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, research, design, engineering and interdisciplinary education. Applicants can explore programmes at the bachelor’s and master’s levels and check the admission requirements for each study option.

Official website: https://www.aalto.fi/

Why Study at Aalto University?

Interdisciplinary education: Students can explore connections between technology, business, science, art and design.

Research and innovation: Aalto provides an academic environment focused on research, problem-solving and developing new ideas.

International learning environment: Students can experience a multicultural university community and engage with people from different academic backgrounds.

Career development: Depending on the programme, students may access project work, research opportunities, industry connections and entrepreneurship activities.

Scholarship opportunity: Outstanding applicants who are liable to tuition fees can compete for a full tuition-fee waiver.

Degree Levels and Fields of Study

Aalto’s scholarship eligibility depends on the degree programme and its admission rules. The university-wide Excellence Scholarship is available for eligible tuition-fee-paying applicants to bachelor’s and master’s programmes.

Popular study areas include:

• Business, economics and management
• Computer science and data-related fields
• Electrical engineering and communications
• Mechanical engineering and other technology disciplines
• Chemical engineering and materials science
• Architecture and built environment
• Art, design and creative disciplines
• Sustainability and multidisciplinary studies

Programme availability, language requirements and admission criteria differ. Applicants should review the individual programme page before preparing an application.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected Aalto University Excellence Scholarship recipients receive a 100% waiver of the applicable tuition fee for the normative duration of their degree, provided they meet the relevant scholarship conditions.

For programmes beginning under the tuition-fee structure introduced from 1 August 2025, the published annual fees include:

Degree and field	Annual tuition fee
Bachelor’s – Business	€12,000
Bachelor’s – Technology	€12,000
Bachelor’s – Art and Architecture	€15,000
Master’s – Business	€15,000
Master’s – Technology	€17,000
Master’s – Multidisciplinary programmes	€17,000
Master’s – Art and Architecture	€20,000

These are published tuition-fee levels, not cash payments to scholarship recipients. Joint-degree programmes may have different fees and scholarship arrangements, and Aalto reserves the right to change its fee levels.

The scholarship does not normally pay for accommodation, food, flights, personal expenses or other living costs. Students should not assume that receiving a tuition waiver means all study-related expenses are covered.

Other Financial Support and Discounts

Aalto also publishes specific funding arrangements for certain groups of students.

Early-acceptance discount for new bachelor’s students: Eligible new bachelor’s students may receive a 25% reduction on the first academic year’s tuition fee if they accept their offer and pay within the specified 21-day period. The applicable deadline is communicated in the admission instructions.

Scholarship for eligible Aalto bachelor’s graduates: Certain tuition-fee-paying students who received an Aalto University Excellence Scholarship during their bachelor’s studies and meet the stated graduation-time and academic-performance conditions may qualify for a 100% tuition-fee waiver for a directly continuing Aalto master’s programme.

Programme-specific funding: Some international joint-degree programmes have their own scholarship schemes and tuition-fee arrangements. Applicants should check the relevant programme website rather than assuming the university-wide scholarship applies.

Hidden Costs and Expenses

A tuition-fee waiver does not remove the need to budget for living in Finland. Aalto advises students to prepare for at least €800 per month in living expenses, although actual costs may be higher, especially in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Expense	What applicants should know
Accommodation	Rent, utilities and housing deposits may be payable by the student
Food and groceries	Budget separately for daily meals
Local transport	Travel to campus and other locations is not covered by the tuition waiver
Health insurance	Arrange suitable insurance, including any coverage required for a residence permit
Student healthcare fee	Eligible bachelor’s and master’s students must pay the applicable student healthcare fee
Student Union membership	A compulsory membership fee applies where required
Books and study materials	Personal study-related expenses are generally not included in tuition
Residence permit	Budget for any applicable application and related expenses
Flights	International travel is not covered by the university-wide Excellence Scholarship
Personal expenses	Clothing, phone service, leisure and other daily needs require separate funding

Applicants should verify current costs and immigration requirements before making financial plans. Do not rely on the scholarship alone as proof that you can meet Finland’s financial requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility depends on the degree programme, but the general scholarship rules include the following:

• You must apply to an eligible Aalto bachelor’s or master’s programme.
• You must be liable to pay tuition fees under Finnish regulations.
• You must meet the academic and admission requirements of your chosen programme.
• You must apply for the scholarship during the relevant admission period.
• Your application must be assessed under the programme’s published selection criteria.
• You must be prepared to cover living expenses and costs not included in the tuition waiver.

Applicants who are citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland are generally not liable to pay tuition fees and therefore are not eligible for the university-wide Excellence Scholarship. Certain Finnish residence permits can also exempt students from tuition fees.

Doctoral students do not pay tuition fees under the university’s general tuition-fee rules, so this scholarship is not the relevant funding route for doctoral study.

Required Documents

Documents differ by programme and degree level. Use the following checklist as a preparation guide and follow the official instructions for your selected study option.

Checklist	Document or requirement
☐	Online application for admission
☐	Educational certificates and degree documents required by the programme
☐	Official academic transcripts
☐	Proof of English-language proficiency, if required
☐	Passport or identification details, as instructed
☐	CV or portfolio, if required by the programme
☐	Motivation letter, statement or other programme-specific documents, if required
☐	Additional documents specified by the selected study option
☐	Scholarship request completed within the admission application

Art and design programmes may require a portfolio or other supplementary materials. Some programmes have additional requirements, so applicants should not assume that the same document list applies to every course.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step	What to do
Step 1: Choose a programme	Search the official Aalto website and select an eligible bachelor’s or master’s programme.
Step 2: Review admission requirements	Check academic qualifications, language requirements, application documents and programme-specific criteria.
Step 3: Confirm tuition-fee status	Determine whether your citizenship or residence permit makes you liable for tuition fees.
Step 4: Check the application period	Find the official opening and closing dates for your selected programme. Different admissions routes may have different schedules.
Step 5: Prepare documents	Collect transcripts, certificates, language results and any additional documents requested by the programme.
Step 6: Submit your admission application	Apply through the official application route stated on the programme’s admissions page.
Step 7: Request the scholarship	If eligible, select the scholarship option within the admission application. You cannot normally apply for the university-wide Excellence Scholarship after the application period has closed.
Step 8: Submit everything on time	Make sure the application and required documents meet the published deadline and submission rules.
Step 9: Wait for the decision	Scholarship decisions are made alongside admission decisions. The university may award no scholarships in a particular programme or admission round.
Step 10: Review your offer	If admitted, read the admission and scholarship terms carefully and follow the instructions for accepting your place and paying any remaining fees.

Application Timeline

There is no single deadline that applies to every Aalto programme. The dates depend on the degree level, programme and admission round.

For applicants targeting the 2027 intake, check the current admissions page for the exact opening date, closing date, document-submission requirements and scholarship instructions. Aalto’s English-taught bachelor’s admissions information lists an application period of 7–22 January 2027 for the relevant bachelor’s study options, but applicants must confirm that their chosen programme follows that route.

Master’s application periods may differ by programme. Do not wait until the last day to submit your application or arrange language-test results and other required documents.

How Are Scholarship Recipients Selected?

Aalto University Excellence Scholarships are merit-based and highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated using the selection criteria published for their chosen programme.

Academic performance is important, but the exact evaluation method can vary across study options. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship. Some programmes may decide not to grant any scholarships in a given admission round.

Scholarship decisions are normally communicated with the admission decision. The university states that scholarship decisions cannot be appealed.

Tips for Applicants

• Choose a programme that matches your academic background and career goals.
• Read the programme’s selection criteria before preparing your application.
• Submit complete, accurate documents in the required format.
• Apply for the scholarship within the admission period; late scholarship applications are not normally accepted.
• Prepare a realistic budget for living costs even if you expect to receive a full tuition waiver.
• Check the official website regularly for changes to fees, admission dates and scholarship rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming the scholarship covers living costs, flights and accommodation.
• Applying to a programme without checking its specific admission requirements.
• Missing the scholarship request on the admission application.
• Using incomplete or incorrectly prepared academic documents.
• Assuming every eligible applicant receives a scholarship.
• Relying on unofficial websites for deadlines or tuition amounts.
• Failing to arrange sufficient funds for living expenses and residence-permit requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Aalto University Scholarship fully funded?

The Aalto University Excellence Scholarship is a full tuition-fee waiver, but it does not cover living costs. It should not be described as a fully funded living-and-study package.

2. Can international students apply?

Yes. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who are liable to pay tuition fees can compete for scholarships if they meet the relevant programme requirements.

3. Does Aalto offer scholarships for bachelor’s degrees?

Yes, eligible applicants to bachelor’s programmes may apply for the university’s scholarship scheme. Availability and selection depend on the programme and admission round.

4. Are master’s students eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants to English-taught master’s programmes can request a scholarship during the admission process.

5. What does the Aalto University Excellence Scholarship cover?

It covers 100% of the applicable tuition fee for selected recipients, subject to the scholarship terms.

6. Does the scholarship include a monthly stipend?

No. The university-wide Excellence Scholarship does not provide a monthly living allowance.

7. Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?

English-language requirements depend on the programme and the applicant’s circumstances. Check the official programme page for accepted tests and exemptions.

8. Can I apply for the scholarship after receiving admission?

You must request the scholarship during the applicable admission period. A late application is not normally possible.

9. Is the scholarship guaranteed if I meet the eligibility criteria?

No. The scholarship is limited and competitive. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee an award.

10. Are PhD students eligible for this scholarship?

The university-wide Excellence Scholarship described here is for eligible bachelor’s and master’s applicants. Doctoral students do not pay tuition fees under Aalto’s general tuition-fee rules and should explore doctoral funding opportunities instead.

11. What is the tuition fee at Aalto University?

For study rights beginning on or after 1 August 2025, published fees range from €12,000 to €15,000 annually for the listed bachelor’s fields and from €15,000 to €20,000 annually for the listed master’s fields. Some joint-degree programmes have separate fees.

12. What is the deadline for Aalto University Scholarships 2027?

There is no single scholarship deadline for every programme. Applicants must check the current admission schedule for their selected study option. The relevant English-taught bachelor’s application period listed by Aalto is 7–22 January 2027; master’s dates may differ.

13. Can I study at Aalto without paying tuition fees?

Some students are exempt from tuition fees because of citizenship, qualifying residence permits or other applicable rules. Selected eligible applicants may also receive a full tuition-fee waiver through the Excellence Scholarship.

14. Where can I apply?

Start with Aalto University’s official admission and scholarship information: https://www.aalto.fi/en/admission-services/scholarships-and-tuition-fees

Conclusion

Aalto University offers an attractive scholarship opportunity for high-achieving international students who want to study business, technology, engineering, art or design in Finland. The Aalto University Excellence Scholarship can remove the full tuition fee for selected applicants, but it does not provide a general living allowance.

To improve your preparation, choose the right programme, review its official admission criteria, prepare your documents carefully and request the scholarship within the application period. Most importantly, arrange a realistic financial plan for accommodation, food, insurance and other living expenses before accepting an offer.

Visit the official Aalto University website for the latest scholarship rules and programme-specific deadlines.