The Department of Architecture is the oldest and largest school of architecture in Finland, with roots in architecture teaching that began in 1872. Since 2010 it has been part of Aalto University, created from the merger of three Finnish universities. Alvar Aalto, who gave the university its name, studied at its predecessor.
02 / AREAS OF STUDY
Programmes
Students can follow bachelor and master programmes in architecture, landscape architecture and interior architecture, as well as a master in urban studies and planning. The department also offers doctoral studies and research in history, conservation, housing and health architecture.
03 / LOCATION
Teaching approach
Teaching is based on design studios, often with projects built at full scale. Many of these projects explore building with wood, a field in which the department has an international reputation.
Campus and facilities
The department is located on the Otaniemi campus in Espoo, in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Students have access to wood and metal workshops and to the wider facilities of Aalto University.
International profile
Bachelor courses are mostly taught in Finnish, while master and doctoral studies are mainly in English. The department welcomes exchange students and international researchers, and its master programmes attract students from many countries.
