Aalto University
circle Rankings
Aalto University shapes a sustainable future. We are a highly international community with a strong academic standing. We place 53rd in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking list of most international universities in the world.
The university has improved markedly in rankings specific to our fields: technology, business, and art & design.
Depending on how the figure is calculated, there are 17 000–22 000 universities in the world.
Different ranking lists use different indicators to compare universities. Most rankings evaluate research publications - their quantity and, for example, how many times they are cited. The criteria may also include external funding, an international dimension, or the university's reputation among researchers and employers. Usually, the overall score of a university is determined by combining its score on different indicators.
Some rankings are specific to a single subject or field, and these are more relevant to a university such as Aalto University which specialises in three fields. Different disciplines have different publishing practices, and comparisons which focus on a specific field enable universities to be assessed on equal terms.
Organisations that produce rankings also create special lists which take into account only one indicator or criterion, such as an international dimension, business cooperation or external financing.
The cornerstones of Aalto University research are four fundamental competence areas: Digitalisation and AI, materials and natural resources, business and economics, and arts and design. Aalto University also focuses on three integrative multidisciplinary themes: energy solutions, health and well-being, and living environments.
ShanghaiRanking / ARWU: The Academic Ranking of World Universities
travel_explore Read from aalto.fi/en on 30 Aug 2026. Check with the university before you rely on a date or a figure.