Aalto expands Finnish and Swedish teaching after criticism

Aalto University has expanded opportunities to study in Finnish and Swedish following criticism of the amount of English-language teaching, broadcaster Yle reports.

Vice-Rector Petri Suomala said the changes stem from new language policies for teaching and degrees that took effect in January 2024. The policies apply to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral education.

Some changes were incorporated into curricula for the 2024–2026 academic years, with broader changes in the 2026–2028 curricula, Suomala said. Students may be allowed to complete assessments in Finnish or Swedish in a course taught in English if that option has been confirmed for the course.

Aalto students also have the right to complete shared studies in Finnish- and Swedish-language programmes in a domestic language. In technology and arts, studies can be completed in Finnish or Swedish; in business, they can be completed in Finnish.

The options depend on the language of a programme and its major. Some courses may remain available only in English, and assessments in English-language programmes will generally be in English.

Students had criticised what they saw as excessive use of English in teaching. Deputy Chancellor of Justice Mikko Puumalainen also reprimanded the university in 2013 and 2023. His decisions found that Aalto had acted contrary to the Constitution and the Universities Act.

English remains important, vice-rector says

Suomala said he could not estimate how much teaching would continue to be available only in English, as this depends in part on students’ choices and the emphasis in their personal study plans.

He said English remained important for professional development in many fields, including science and the wider economy, and that the university had a responsibility to take this into account.