Doctoral students may choose to join the student union. The statutory and automatic membership of the student union is discontinued after completing a Master’s degree.
Doctoral students have the opportunity to join AYY immediately after being approved to complete a doctoral degree. Otherwise, one can join AYY in connection with the next registration period.
In the academic year 2018–2019, the membership fee of doctoral students is 42 euro (20 euro for the autumn term and 22 euro for the spring term).
Doctoral student’s card
After becoming a member, a doctoral student can purchase the green student card of doctoral students. Ordering and prices: www.frank.fi.
Services, benefits and rights of doctoral students
After paying the membership fee, a doctoral student is a student union member in the same way as a bachelor’s or a master’s degree student. Services and benefits for the bachelor’s and master’s degree students and doctoral students vary significantly.
What is a doctoral student entitled to?
A student union member is entitled to vote and run as a candidate in the student union elections.
A doctoral student who has joined the student union is also entitled to services and benefits offered by the student union. These include, for example, the events and activities of the student union and its associations, advocacy work, counselling, premises rental for a member price and van rental. Advocacy work focusing on Aalto University is done in collaboration with the doctoral student association Aallonhuiput.
In addition, doctoral students also have access to affordable sports services in the sports facilities of TKK and HSE and University Sports Services (at a subsidised price since 1 Jan 2010). University sports services are available at a subsidised price by presenting the doctoral student card or Aalto University’s staff card.
It is possible to apply for student financial aid for completing a doctoral degree. Further information: www.kela.fi
What is a doctoral student not entitled to?
Doctoral students are not entitled to FSHS services, the student discount of VR, Matkahuolto or YTV or the student meal subsidy. A doctoral student’s right to use the services of FSHS was discontinued on 1 August 2009. Some student restaurants, however, offer a slightly more inexpensive lunch by presenting the doctoral student card.
Doctoral students do not generally have access to student housing. However, doctoral students have the option to apply through HOAS for a few properties targeted for this purpose.
Doctoral student association Aallonhuiput
Aallonhuiput, founded in 2009, is an association which connects the doctoral students in the various schools of Aalto University. Aallonhuiput is AYY’s special status association and does advocacy work in cooperation with the student union as the expert of doctoral student issues.
The goal of the association is to promote good practices related to doctoral studies and guidance, initiate discussion on the development of doctoral studies and bring forward issues which students consider important.
Participating in the activities of the association does not require the student union membership.
Further information: www.aallonhuiput.ayy.fi