Survival Guide 2016-2017 Master’s students Welcome to study at the Aalto University School of Business! This guide has been compiled for all the Master’s degree students and it provides practical information on your studies. The first section Academic Year and Orientation to the Studies includes essential first steps in order to start your studies efficiently. In this guide we often refer to Into – the student portal for Aalto University students and direct you to the English version. Finnish students naturally also have the possibility to find the same information on the Finnish version of Into as well. In the last section we have listed some instructions for the foreign degree students related to registrations and housing. The information in this booklet was updated in March 2016 and is subject to change. Therefore, we also recommend taking a look at the webpages provided for up-to-date information. Contents Welcome to Aalto University School of Business 4 Academic Year and Orientation to the Studies 6 Academic Calendar 2016–17 / Teaching Periods 6 Orientation program for new students 7 How to orient yourself to and at the campus 7 Enrolment for the academic year 8 Master’s Degree at the School of Business 9 Degree structure 2016–17 9 Normative duration of studies 9 Master’s Programmes 9 Credits and grades 10 Rules and regulations 10 Practical Matters Related to Studies 11 Electronic tools for studying 11 How to plan your studies – PSP/HOPS 12 Course registration 12 Examinations 13 Credit transfer of studies completed elsewhere 14 Study opportunities outside of School of Business 14 Student union membership, student card and discounts 15 Facilities and Services for Students 16 Aalto University 16 School of Business 16 Key cards and access rights to premises 16 Facilities 17 Restaurants 17 Departments and degree programmes 18 Study guidance and counselling 18 Library 21 AV-services 21 IT-services 21 Unigrafia: Copying and Printing 22 KY and AYY 22 Career Services 22 Law services 22 Aalto University and Entrepreneurship 22 Student healthcare 23 Unisport 23 Study psychologists 23 University priests 23 Nyyti 23 General Information for Students from Abroad 24 Permits and registration after arrival 24 Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus) 24 Contact information for registration 24 Student Housing 25 Notes 26 Welcome to Aalto University School of Business Congratulations on your study place and welcome to study at the Aalto University School of Business! Academic freedom and Study guidance and personal study responsibility plan The richness of the Aalto University School of The student oriented approach at Aalto University Business (BIZ) is that each year we have students requires that the student is committed to his/ with diverse backgrounds starting their studies. her studies and enthusiastic about learning new Among the new students, there are several who things. At the School of Business we pay increasing have actively been in work life or studied at other attention to the fluent progress of studies and to universities or higher education institutions. study counselling. “Academic freedom” is a term often associated with The study guidance includes the preparation of your university studies. This term is open to a number personal study plan with the support of the study of interpretations. However, the basic idea is that coordinator. In addition, you will be appointed a a university student has the opportunity to create teacher tutor from your degree programme. With his/her own individual study plan. the efficient coordination of studies, we want to support you to complete your degree within the The reverse side of this freedom is, as in many other given time limitations. You can find more infor- cases, responsibility. The degree requirements for mation on studies at Aalto University later on in the students are set according to the minimum this document. requirements of the labour market. Nevertheless, these requirements alone should not determine Wishing you a successful start for your studies! the study objectives of an individual student. The student himself/herself has the responsibility and Margareta Soismaa possibility of using the time during the studies in Manager of Learning Services the most effective way to support learning and versatile development. At the School of Business everyone follows the highest ethical principles and we also expect this from our new students. Academic responsibility includes respect towards others, honesty in eve- rything we do, and compliance with the rules and regulations. 4 Academic year and orientation to the studies Academic calendar 2016-2017 / Teaching periods Autumn 2016 Dates Weeks 1. re-examination period and Mon 05.09. – Fri 09.09.2016 36 orientations I teaching period Mon 12.09. – Fri 21.10.2016 37 - 42 I evaluation and examination period Mon 24.10. – Fri 28.10.2016 43 II teaching period Mon 31.10. – Fri 09.12.2016 44 - 49 II evaluation and examination period Mon 12.12. – Fri 16.12.2016 50 2. re-examination period Mon 19.12. – Thu 22.12.2016 51 Spring 2017 Dates Weeks III teaching period Mon 02.01. – Fri 10.02.2017 1 - 6 III evaluation and examination period Mon 13.02. – Fri 17.02.2017 7 IV teaching period Mon 20.02. – Fri 31.03.2017 8 - 13 IV evaluation and examination period Tue 03.04. – Fri 07.04.2017 14 V teaching period Mon 10.04. – Fri 19.05.2017 15 - 20 V evaluation and examination period Mon 22.05. – Fri 26.05.2017 21 Courses are lectured from Monday to Friday. Lectures start fifteen minutes past (aca- demic quarter hour), i.e. 08.15−09.45, 10.15−11.45, lunch break 12-13, 13.15−14.45 and 15.15−16.45 etc. A 3-hour lecture often includes a 15-minute break. Lectures will not be held during the following holidays: • Epiphany: Fri 6.1.2017 • Easter holiday: Fri 14.4. – Mon 17.4.2017 • May Day: 1st of May • Ascension Day: 25.5.2017 There are no classes on the ARENA Career Fair day on Wed 9th of November, unless specifically agreed with the teacher. You can also find the academic calendar in the Student Portal Into at into.aalto.fi > Bachelor and Master’s students > School of Business > Academic calendar 6 Orientation program for new How to orient yourself to and at the students campus The academic year starts with the Orientation The Aalto University School of Business (BIZ) – Program for the new students in the beginning formerly the Helsinki School of Economics (HSE) of September. You will receive the schedule and is located in the Helsinki Business Campus area further instructions for the orientation from the in Töölö, in the center of Helsinki. The address of study coordinator of your Master’s programme the main building is Runeberginkatu 14–16, 00100 before the studies officially begin. For the first Helsinki. For more information on the facilities at meeting you are expected to prepare a preliminary the campus area, please have a look at the Survival study plan, which will also work as a tool for you guide section Facilities and Services for students. when registering for the courses and as a guideline throughout your Master’s studies. Bachelor’s students of Aalto School of Business (BIZ) have begun their studies in Otaniemi campus During the orientation meetings new students will in the fall of 2015. meet the personnel of the School of Business as well as senior students and every Master’s programme Helsinki Region Transport: usually arranges its own welcoming event. These www.hsl.fi/en and meetings will offer a great opportunity to find out www.reittiopas.fi/en/ about study related matters and get answers to questions you may have. Train connections: www.vr.fi/en New students will be divided into smaller groups and each group is assigned a student tutor, who Long distance busses: will guide the group in the beginning of studies. www.matkahuolto.fi/en/ With the tutor you also have the chance to get to know other students and the free time activities arranged by the student unions KY and AYY. PLEASE NOTE! Attending the orientation mee- tings is highly recommended for all students. More information on the orientation program and possible changes will be updated into.aalto.fi > Bachelor and Master’s students > School of Business > For new degree students If you cannot attend, please take a look at the information provided for the new students at the Student Portal Into. 7 Enrolment for the academic year According to the Universities Act (L 558/2009 2) maternity, paternity or parental leave; 39 §, 43 §) a student has to register as attending or non-attending to the university each year or 3) or if the student cannot begin studies due to he/she will lose the right to study. Only students being incapacitated by personal illness or injury. who register their presence have the right to study. A non-attending student does not have the Registering as non-attending due to an illness or right to take exams, get credits registered, receive injury is counted in to the maximum period of counselling, student benefits, or any certificates. registering as absent. By Finnish law, every student has to belong to the After the first year of studies the registration as Student Union. To register as attending, you must attending and non-attending will be done online pay the Student Union membership fee. in WebOodi before the beginning of the semester. According to the Universities Act (as of 1 April If a student fails to enroll during the enrolment 2015), a first-year student may register as absent period, he/she will lose the right to pursue studies during the first academic year only for the follo- at the university.