Purpose & Philosophy of the Program
Aalto University, located in Espoo, Finland, offers degree programs in art & design, business, technology, and multidisciplinary domains. For students who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland—and thus liable for tuition fees—Aalto provides a limited number of merit-based scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers. These are called Aalto University Excellence Scholarships (and related schemes), intended to reward outstanding applicants and to make the university more accessible to talent from around the world.
The scholarships focus solely on waiving tuition. They do not cover your cost of living, travel, or other personal expenses. That means you’ll still need to budget and possibly look for external funding to fill the gaps.
Tuition Fees at Aalto: What You’re Getting Into
Who Pays (and Who Doesn’t)
- If you’re from inside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you do not pay tuition fees for degree studies at Aalto.
- If your citizenry is elsewhere, and you enroll in a degree program taught in English, you are required to pay tuition.
- However, programs taught in Finnish or Swedish, or doctoral programs, are typically exempt from tuition fees—even for non-EU citizens.
- Some students holding specific Finnish residence permits may also be exempt.
Fee Levels (Starting August 2025)
Depending on your field of study, the fees vary. Here’s a snapshot:
Bachelor’s programmes (from 1 August 2025):
- Business: €12,000/year
- Art & Architecture: €15,000/year
- Technology: €12,000/year
Master’s programmes (from 1 August 2025):
- Business: €15,000/year
- Art & Architecture: €20,000/year
- Technology: €17,000/year
- Multidisciplinary programmes: €17,000/year
These are normative fees—the standard amounts for full-time study under normal conditions.
Additional Costs & Refund Rules
Tuition doesn’t cover study materials, living expenses, student union fees, or health services. Many students estimate needing at least €800 per month to manage living expenses in the Helsinki region.
If your situation changes (for example, your residence permit status), partial refunds may apply under certain conditions. There is also a full-refund policy under very limited situations (e.g. a conditional admission not fulfilled). But you’ll need to follow the university’s rules closely.
Scholarships at Aalto: What You Need to Know
Types & Categories
For students liable to pay tuition, Aalto offers several scholarship categories:
- Aalto University Excellence Scholarship: Covers 100% of tuition (full waiver).
- Partial Scholarships (Category B): Covers 50% of tuition.
- Other schemes:
- Scholarships for continuing from Aalto Bachelor’s to Aalto Master’s
- Scholarships for an additional term to finish required credits
- Reserve scholarships
All these are offered as tuition fee waivers only; none include direct allowances for living costs.
Eligibility & Conditions
To be considered:
- You must be liable to pay tuition (i.e. non-EU/EEA citizen enrolling in an English-taught bachelor’s or master’s).
- You should apply for the scholarship when you apply for admission—there’s no separate later window.
- The scholarship decision is tied to the admissions evaluation.
- You must study full-time and maintain steady progress per your approved study plan.
- If your scholarship is conditional (e.g. based on academic credentials being finalized), you must meet those conditions by deadlines.
- Once approved, the scholarship is granted for the normative duration of your degree: three years for bachelor’s, two years for master’s.
If you didn’t receive a scholarship initially, you generally cannot apply for it mid-studies. Also, the decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Duration & Renewal
As long as you follow the plan and pass your credits, the waiver stays valid for the standard degree period. The university monitors your progress annually, often at the end of March, and you are expected to resolve any issues by end of April to continue.
If your scholarship is conditional, the status kicks in only after all conditions are met.
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Application & Selection Process
1. Apply to Degree Program
When you apply for your chosen bachelor’s or master’s program, there will be an option (if you’re eligible) to tick a box for the scholarship. If the program accepts scholarship applications, then the evaluation committee considers you for both admission and scholarship in tandem.
2. Submit Required Documents
Your application must include:
- Academic transcripts and diplomas
- Motivation letter / statement of purpose
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Any other documents the program requires
Make sure your application is strong on merit—grades, relevant experience, research, and clarity of purpose.
3. Scholarship Decision
Scholarship award decisions are made together with admission decisions. If awarded, you’ll receive terms you’ll need to accept. If you don’t accept, the scholarship may be revoked.
4. Sign & Return Scholarship Terms
If you’re granted, you’ll receive the “Scholarship Terms” document which you must sign and return by specified deadlines.
Key Deadlines & Timelines
- The general master’s admissions cycle runs from 1 December to early January (e.g. 2 January).
- Scholarship applications follow the same window—you can’t apply after admission closes.
- For students whose study rights begin on or after 1 August 2025, the updated scholarship schemes apply, so be sure which cycle you’re in.
- Conditional students need to finalize their credentials by deadlines defined by Aalto, or risk losing eligibility.
Always double-check the specific program page for detailed deadlines—they sometimes differ.
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Standing Out in a Competitive Pool
Because scholarships are limited and merit-based, you’ll want to make your application as compelling as possible:
- Craft a crisp, honest motivation letter—what drives you?
- Show strong academic performance, research, or creative works.
- If your background crosses disciplines, highlight that versatility.
- Explain clearly why Aalto and Finland matter to your goals.
- Submit everything neatly, thoroughly, and early—not sloppy last minute.
- If you’re continuing from Aalto’s undergrad, mention good grades and the internal scholarship track.
Even if you don’t land an Aalto waiver, also scout external scholarships (governmental, private foundations, national agencies) to help with living costs.
Pros & Limitations: What to Expect
Pros:
- A full tuition waiver is a big relief.
- You study at a world-class institution in a high-quality environment.
- You join a diverse, international cohort.
- You gain exposure to European research ecosystems, networks, and opportunities.
Limitations:
- You must still cover living costs.
- The competition is stiff; many excellent candidates will be vying for few slots.
- There’s no ability to apply once you’ve started your studies.
- Scholarship decisions are final and not appealable.
Bonus Opportunity: Fulbright-Aalto Graduate Award
If you are a U.S. citizen, there’s a special route via the Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award. This combines a full-tuition waiver from Aalto with a stipend (≈ €1,000/month for 9 months), travel assistance, and other support. For the second year of a master’s, continuation depends on successful studies in the first year.
The application is dual: you apply for Fulbright funding and separately for admission at Aalto.
Final Thoughts
Aalto’s scholarship scheme may not cover everything, but it’s a powerful enabler for non-EU/EEA students who would otherwise not consider studying there. If your academic trajectory is solid, and your motivation clear, it’s absolutely worth applying.
Yes, it’s competitive. But the downside of applying is small; the upside is huge. And even if you don’t win the scholarship, putting your best effort into that application will sharpen your proposal skills for future funding.
Here’s the official link for full, up-to-date rules and application details:
Aalto University Scholarships and Tuition Fees
Wishing you clarity, courage, and all the best in crafting an application that truly shines.