Aalto University

Aalto University is a public research university located in Espoo, Finland.

The history of Aalto University can be traced back to the early 19th century, when the first of its three predecessor institutions were founded- The Helsinki School of Economics was founded in 1911, The University of Art and Design Helsinki was founded in 1871, Helsinki University of Technology was founded in 1849.

All three institutions gained a strong reputation for their excellence in teaching and research. The Helsinki School of Economics was the first business school in the Nordic countries to receive the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation. The University of Art and Design Helsinki is one of the most respected art and design schools in the world. Helsinki University of Technology was a leading institution in engineering and science.

In the late 20th century, the Finnish government began to explore the possibility of merging the three universities into a single institution. This was seen as a way to strengthen Finland's higher education system and to create a more internationally competitive university.

The merger of the three universities was completed in 2010, and Aalto University was officially established. The new university was named after Alvar Aalto, a renowned Finnish architect and designer who was also an alumnus of Helsinki University of Technology.

Since its founding, Aalto University has quickly become one of the leading universities in Northern Europe.

Aalto University is committed to excellence in research and education. It is a vibrant and international community of students, researchers, and faculty from all over the world.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, Aalto University is positioned as the #113 top university in the world, which makes it the #1 top university in Finland. The university's global rank decreased by 4 points from last year.