You can also get started by checking out our quick guide:
Course registration for open university courses is done at Sisu. The link to Sisu can be found in the course description. Please follow the instructions given in the course description.
You need an Aalto user ID in order to take Open University studies. You can activate your ID beginning one day after you have confirmed your course registration. If you already have an Aalto user ID (for example, if you are an Aalto degree student or employee), use the ID that you already have. Aalto user IDs are personal assigned: they are to be used only by the individuals to whom they were granted.
The Aalto user ID gives you access to all the Aalto systems. To access the MyCourses platform or the Sisu student information system, you must use multifactor authentication.
For more about activating your user ID and multifactor authentication, see:
Course descriptions usually indicate whether attendance at lectures is compulsory. If you are unsure about this, contact the teacher of the course. Participation in language courses and other small-group teaching is compulsory for the first lecture. If you need to be absent from the first meeting of a course, inform the teacher in advance.
If a course has compulsory attendance and you need to skip a lecture due to illness, for example, inform your teacher directly about your absence. To compensate, you may need to complete a make-up assignment.
Aalto University courses and activities take place mainly on Aalto’s Otaniemi campus in Espoo. Open University courses are usually held at the Undergraduate Centre (Otakaari 1) and at Väre (Otanimentie 14), but other buildings may also be used.
At the Undergraduate Centre, you have free access to the teaching rooms on the first floor. To access other buildings and classrooms, you must activate your student access token.
Check to make use your contact details are up to date in Sisu, the student information system, as the Open University informs students by email or phone if there are class cancellations or room changes, etc.
Teachers inform students about courses primarily via email. Personal email addresses outside of the Aalto domain (such as @gmail.com, for example) may also be used by teachers. However, for receiving messages from Aalto, your aalto.fi email address (assuming you have one) will be used instead.
Open University students do not automatically receive an Aalto email address, so if you want one, you should contact Aalto’s IT Services about it. You may redirect messages from your Aalto email to a different email address, if you need to. Please note that Aalto email addresses for students are valid only for the duration of the student’s right to study.
Information about the learning materials for a course is usually on the MyCourses website, or if not, the teacher will inform you separately. As an Open University student, you can borrow course books from the Aalto University library (the Learning Centre). Please note that the number of course books you may borrow is limited. You should reserve and check out your coursebooks in good time.
You may also be able to find books you need by checking at another higher education institution’s library or a Helsinki Metropolitan Area library.
Instructions on obtaining an Aalto University library card and borrowing materials
You can also access online and remotely use e-materials from the Aalto Learning Centre. Software needed for courses can also be downloaded to your home computer through the service at . The computers at Aalto for student use can also be used.
More about the systems and services available to students can be found on the IT Services website.
If your course has course examinations, you usually do not need to register in order to take the first one. However, always follow the specific exam instructions you receive for the course you are in.
In independent study, book examinations are paid and your examination fee payment covers only one exam sitting.
If you are retaking an exam, register for it no later than a week before the exam date. For detailed instructions on examination practices and registration, see the: Open University examination guidelines
When students complete a course, their performance (also referred to as their ‘study attainment’, or ‘completed credit’, etc.) is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 5 or on a pass/fail basis. In the numeric scale, 0 means failed, 1 is the lowest passing grade, and 5 is the highest possible grade. Information about the scale used in a course can be found in the course description.
The teacher has four (4) weeks from the date of the student’s completion (whether of an exam or a course assignment) to grade their work. Please check the details concerning your completed credits in Sisu no later than two (2) weeks after the course results have arrived. If you spot an error in the information, contact the course teacher without delay.
If you are unhappy with your exam results, please contact the course teacher immediately after being informed of the grade. If you do not have the contact details of the teacher, you can get them at the Open University office. The teacher is obligated to explain what evaluation criteria was used and how it applied to your case.
Students have the right to obtain information about a course’s assessment criteria and how the criteria were applied to their own performance in a course (i.e. their own study attainment). The assessment criteria can always be obtained from the course teacher.
If you are not satisfied with a grading assessment you received, you may submit an appeal to the teacher. The appeal must be submitted within 14 days of the date on which the information was available to you on the assessment results and on how the assessment criteria were applied to your own coursework.
For detailed instructions, see the following:
All Aalto Open University courses collect course feedback. Feedback is collected automatically at the end of a course in the form of an end-of-course survey. This survey includes questions common to all Aalto courses as well as questions specific to the Open University services and possibly questions added by the course teacher. Feedback may also be collected by a teacher during a course.
As a student, you are in a key position to give feedback to the teacher so they can further develop the course and course teaching. Remember to give your ideas and suggestions on both the strengths and the areas for development.
As a student, you can send direct feedback through the MyCourses surveys. You will get an email reminder about the survey. The end-of-course survey opens one week before and closes one week after the end of the course, unless the teacher extends the time to respond.
You can respond to the feedback survey only once, and you cannot edit your response afterwards. If you send feedback, your name will be recorded in the list of respondents. This enables teachers to, if they wish, reward students (by giving additional points, for example) for having given their feedback. The system prevents teachers from connecting any particular feedback to the individual student who gave the feedback.
Remember that course feedback never includes information about a person’s state of health or anything else corresponding to personal data. Therefore, please do not include private, personal or sensitive information in the feedback. To communicate such information, you should use other more appropriate, personal channels. When sending feedback, remember that it should always be given in an appropriate manner and with due discretion. Your feedback makes a difference!
Course feedback is used particularly for evaluating and developing the quality of teaching and education. For that reason, course feedback is handled not only by teachers, but also by their supervisors and employees in Open University's service operations.
The results of courses you have completed are registered in the student information system . You can review your own course completions in Sisu and download an electronically verified transcript of records. Studyinfo.fi also transfers course completion information to , a service you can access by using your bank identification. We can also send you a paper copy of your transcript of records, if necessary.
You can also receive a enrolment certificate to show that you have registered for studies, if needed for seeking unemployment benefits, for example. Certificates of completed minors are also available. Read more about transcripts of records and about certificates at:
The Open University has many kinds of support available. For more information, see below. You can contact Open University staff at avoin@aalto.fi if necessary.
You might read the Aalto University website on study skills for degree students. The site has tips on self-management, motivation and planning studies.
For medical reasons, you can receive reasonable individual study arrangements to support you in your Open University studies. The medical reason may be dyslexia, a sensory impairment, a mental health condition or a learning difficulty. For more information on individual study arrangements, see:
Individual study arrangements at the Open University
Maths refresher (Matikkastartti)
The maths refresher (Matikkastartti) offers a review of the essential contents of high school mathematics and the course Differential and Integral Calculus 1. To take the maths refresher, go to the OpenLearning platform. First you need to create an account. After that you can access the maths refresher pages. The maths refresher is available in Finnish only.
Mathematics tutoring lab (laskutupa)
Aalto University has a room where students can get help for their math courses. The ‘laskutupa’ is located in Y190c (Otakaari 1, Espoo). It is possible to join the lab remotely as well, but help is mainly obtained by visiting the lab physically. The tutoring lab has university assistants who help students with their assignments. The tutoring lab is designed mainly for students in basic mathematics courses, but students in other math courses are also welcome to attend. See the opening hours and details about the mathematics tutoring lab at:
Finland’s open universities have worked together to organise webinars on study skills. Information and links are updated on the page (in Finnish only).
Need help planning your studies? Are you thinking about what to study next at Open University? You can book at time to get study advice by emailing avoin@aalto.fi . Include in your message a brief description of what you would like to discuss. This study advising service is only for Open University study options. For help on questions about applying to become a degree student, contact Aalto University Admission Services: admissions@aalto.fi .
Open University study advising is available by phone or by visiting Otaniemi campus at a prearranged time.
Nyyti ry is an association for promoting the mental health and ability to study of students. Through Nyyti, students can take part in various kinds of event, courses and peer support groups. Check out what Nyyti does at the Nyyti webpage:
Here is a list of commonly used Open University terms and their definitions.
A study package completed after basic studies. Intermediate studies are bachelor's level studies.
A study unit covering one subject. The scope of a course is given in credits. A course may include independent study and/or different forms of teaching.
Courses usually have their own workspaces in MyCourses, an online learning environment where you can find courses material, learning assignments and exercises. Your details will be transferred into the MyCourses workspace 24 hours after you get your Aalto University account. To start using the course page, you must log in using your Aalto username and the two-factor authentication login method.
A set of several courses, for example, an academic minor. A study module may be a part of a degree or a component that is completed separately. The Open University gives you the opportunity to complete different kinds of minors.
Minors at Open University
The authorisation to complete a course or courses. Your right to study at the Open University is valid for a fixed period. When your right to study ends, so do your permissions (username and password) to use Aalto University systems.
Credit (abbreviated cr): The basic unit for measuring the workload of studies. Used to denote the scope of a course completion. One credit corresponds to approx. 27 hours of work. In practice, the amount of work needed to complete one credit may vary greatly depending on e.g. the student’s aptitude and previous learning.
The first study package that serves as the foundation for intermediate studies. Basic studies are bachelor's level studies.
The university’s information system containing data on students and studies. Sisu gives you information about studies and your completed courses. Sisu is also where you register for studies. In Sisu, you can also print out a copy of your transcript (record of completed studies).
A study package completed after subject studies. Advanced studies are master's level studies.
Examination: a test or a similar study attainment that the student performs usually at the end of course and in conditions monitored by the university. Teachers provide students with details about any examinations in their courses. KT is commonly used as an abbreviation for course exam.
Re-examination: A course may offer one or two possibilities to resit an examination. Retake exams are also mentioned in the course description.
Midterm exam A test occurring usually halfway through a course on the material in the first half or at the end of a course on the material in the second half. Teachers provide students with details about any interval examinations in their courses.
You can find more information about studying at Aalto Open University through the links below.
Read our instructions on how to register for Open University courses, and about fees and rules.
In Open University studies, you need an Aalto user ID (sometimes referred to as Aalto ID or Aalto user account). On this page, you can find instructions on the activation and use of the Aalto user ID as well as information on multi-factor authentication.
Open University students are entitled to receive reasonable, individual study arrangements due to an impairment restricting his/her ability to study or other health condition.
Welcome É«É«À² Campus! Find information how to access study places on the campus.
Exam organisers, registration, rules, dates and locations
Open University exam halls are located in the Undergraduate Centre Building (Kandidaattikeskus), street address: Otakaari 1, Espoo. You can enter the exam hall 30 minutes after the official commencement of the exam at the latest. You can leave the exam earliest 35 minutes after the official commencement of the exam. Please note that changes to halls are possible.
Find out where you can find the results of your Open University courses and exams and how you can order certificates and transcripts of records of your studies at the Open University.
Click here for contact details for Open University services and personnel.
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