Aalto University Summer School
Learn about the guidelines for visa application and budgeting for your stay during the summer course.
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Budgeting
- The biggest costs during your stay will most likely be accommodation and food.
- Flight or other travelling costs to Finland vary depending on the point of departure, so we recommend checking them on your own beforehand.
- You can also reserve some money for shopping according to your preferences.
- Note that as of 1 January 2024, Finland increased the financial requirement for Schengen visas to 50€ per day of stay.
Unfortunately, Aalto University does not have university-owned dorms that summer school students could use during their stay.
In 2023, we offered the students an opportunity to share their contact information to find people to share a hotel room or an apartment with them once the application period had ended.
The campus can be reached easily by metro, bus and tram number 15. Usually, the students stay near campus or in the centre of Helsinki.
Examples from walking distance from the university
Private room in apartment hostel 55-60 EUR / night
Hotel room for two 100-150 EUR / night (check the deal for summer school students below)
Examples from Helsinki centre
Hostel 40-70 EUR / night
One-person Airbnb 40-90 EUR / night
Hotel room for two 140-230 EUR / night
These costs have been updated in November 2023.
The cost of the food depends on whether you choose to cook at your accommodation or eat at restaurants and cafeterias your whole stay. Check beforehand if your accommodation has kitchen facilities. The example costs do not cover beverages.
- Breakfast at a café 10-15 EUR
- Lunch at a campus restaurant 11-13 EUR
- Takeaway salads or sandwiches from grocery stores 4-8 EUR
- Dinner 15-30 EUR
If you cook at your accommodation, you can save some money. Helsinki Area student housing recommends reserving 150-200 euros monthly for grocery shopping. For two weeks, the sum is smaller.
These costs have been updated in November 2023.
HSL is the public transportation provider in the Helsinki area. Using public transportation is the most convenient way to move around.
AB season ticket (14 days) 50 EUR
AB-day tickets (up to 13 days)
These costs have been updated in January 2024.
Good to know:
- The campus is in zone B. Multiple buses, metro and tram number 15 have stops on campus.
- Most of the sights are in A and B zones.
- Helsinki Airport and Nuuksio National Park are in zone C.
- If you buy the ticket on the HSL app, you can easily buy extra zones as single tickets for trips to and from zone C.
- Student discounts are only available for degree students in Helsinki area higher education institutions.
Tips for booking accommodation
For summer 2024, we have launched an accommodation forum designed for summer school students seeking accommodation to find flatmates or roommates. The forum is available all spring until the end of summer.
- After completing the course payment, you will receive an email containing a link and a forum password.
- The forum is now available on the same platform as our courses, eliminating the need for multiple accounts.
- You can also find accommodation on your own. Joining the forum is optional.
Introduction to Heymo 1
- The hotel is located a ten-minute walk from the Aalto University metro station and the central campus buildings.
- The hotel has all the necessary services for a longer stay: gym, coffee & tea, social area and shared dining area with microwave and opportunity to buy ready-made meals (no cooking facilities). We have been informed that there is also an opportunity to wash laundry.
- Note that Aalto University Summer School does not receive any commission or benefits from students' Heymo 1 bookings.
Self-service booking for stays less than 7 days
Aalto University Summer School students can use the discount code at Heymo 1 Hotel to get 15% off the listed price for a specific date.
- promotion code AALTO15
- the booking can be cancelled without charge until 6:00 PM on the start day of the stay (remember to check the cancellation policy on the reservation portal)
- breakfast is not included; you can buy it as an additional service at Sokoshotels.fi
- reservations can be made between February 9th to December 31st 2024
- the stay can take place between February 9th to December 31st 2024
Book a short stay at sokoshotels.fi
- City of hotel: Espoo
- Name of the hotel: Heymo 1
Longer stays, minimum 7 days
- Book stays of seven days or more directly with the hotel or Sokos Hotels sales.
- In your message, mention Aalto University Summer School, Heymo 1 and the stay dates.
Prices for one person:
- Longer stay (STAY), minimum 7 days. 57 EUR/night, incl. breakfast
- Longer stay (STAY 30), minimum 30 days. 55 EUR/night, incl. Breakfast or 40 EUR/night without breakfast.
- You will receive the cancellation policy before confirming the booking.
Book a longer stay
- Hotel email: [emailprotected]
- Sokos Hotels sales: [emailprotected]
- Rautatientori (Central Railway Station) metro stop will be closed from the beginning of June to early September 2024. The metro does not pass the station at all.
- Metros to Aalto University metro station will run between Kamppi and Kivenlahti.
- Two other metro lines will operate from the University of Helsinki metro stop to eastern Helsinki. These lines do not allow travel to Aalto University.
- You can check the route from potential accommodation to campus on hsl.fi or Google Maps. The route shows you the closest metro station. You can check from below if it is on the Kivenlahti-Kamppi line.
Visa application
Visa information updated in January 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland issues the visas. Always follow the Ministry's and local embassies' instructions in visa-related matters.
- The Schengen category C visa allows its holder to travel in the Schengen Area on a short-term and temporary basis for no more than 90 days over a period of 180 days.
- Note that as of 1 January 2024, Finland increased the financial requirement for Schengen visas to 50€ per day of stay.
- Aalto University Summer School recommends that you apply for a visa as soon as you have confirmed your participation by paying the course fee.
- Generally, it is advised to submit your visa application well in advance of your intended visit.
- The standard processing time for visa applications is approximately 15 days, but it can be longer.
- Note that finding a suitable appointment may take some time.
- To ensure that your application is processed in a timely manner, it is best to submit it as soon as possible to allow for any unforeseen delays.
- Please note that failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in a delayed visa approval, which could potentially impact your travel plans.
- Book an appointment to submit your application.
- Gather the required documents.
- Fill in the visa application form and pay the processing fees.
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