Article
Choosing the Right Program for You – the MBA or EMBA
, Joanna Sinclair
Aalto Executive MBA (EMBA) is one of Europe's leading Executive MBA programs. It holds the 'Triple Crown' of accreditations – the three most respected university accreditations, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, granted to only 0.5% of the world's business schools – and is ranked among the top 100 programs in the world by the Financial Times.
The Aalto EMBA program is designed around the four major areas of strategy, leadership, finance and marketing, with a special emphasis on strategy and leadership in a global context. Strategy is approached from a variety of perspectives with an emphasis on inventive strategies and novel business models. Leadership covers a range of themes from self-leadership to leading and inspiring others.
Starting
Among the Best in the World
Aalto EMBA is among the top 100 in the Financial Times Executive MBA ranking. Aalto EMBA is the only FT ranked EMBA program offered in Finland.
Graduation Rate 98 %
Flexible but structured program design together with strong support from EMBA staff enables you to succesfully combine highly demanding career responsibilities with intensive studies.
100% of participants* would recommend the program
The Aalto EMBA program truly expands one’s understanding of the business world, and the new insights are highly applicable.
*respondents of program feedback questionnaire
In 2018, Aalto Executive MBA was again the only Finnish program to hold onto its place among the top 100 in the Financial Times’ annual global ranking. Aalto EE’s EMBA program ranks 46th in Europe and 93rd overall.
More than 3,000 EMBA programs are currently offered around the world, with only the top 100 making it into the Financial Times' ranking. The Aalto EMBA is the only program offered by a Finnish university to have successfully entered the ranking.
The Financial Times ranking assesses 16 categories, including the versatility of the program, teacher qualifications, students' career progress, salaries, and achievement of personal goals. The ranking is based on assessments and information collected from students and statistical data provided by the schools. The ranking survey is sent to EMBA program participants three years after their graduation.
The Aalto Executive Master of Business Administration program modules are prepared and presented by a world-class faculty of professors from Aalto University and renowned business schools across the world. In addition to their academic qualifications, our professors are both excellent teachers and have significant business experience in various organizations. Presentations and assignments encourage participants to link the academic input on the latest business and management theories with their professional experience in organizations and to reflect upon their own views and practices.
The essence of Aalto Executive MBA is transformation. The program is designed to enhance the participants’ personal skills and competencies as leaders and individuals. The modules also strengthen the participants’ strategic thinking thus increasing their understanding of why businesses need to transform and how they themselves can become drivers of organizational transformation.
In addition to globally relevant content, the Aalto EMBA provides participants with an opportunity to expand their cultural knowledge and skills. Two elective Aalto Executive Summits and elective study tours abroad contribute further to developing cross-cultural competence. Aalto Executive MBA students also benefit from the elective module offering from our partner schools’ EMBA programs at ESADE in Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Gothenburg University School of Executive Education in Sweden, and for Russian speaking participants at the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg University in Russia.
The Aalto EMBA is designed to maximize interaction and participation. The approach focuses on integration of theory and practice and is adjusted to take differences in learning styles and preferences into account. A variety of methods facilitate learning, including presentations, group debates, casework, quizzes, role plays, lectures, real-life case studies, and encounters with business leaders.
Activities draw upon the wide experience of participants, who represent different industries, functions, and educational backgrounds.
Each module includes assignments designed to help participants and faculty see whether they have achieved the learning objectives.
We are first and foremost driven by the impact we can have through our programs – on participants, their organizations, the academic community, and society at large
Our customers benefit from a goal-oriented and comprehensive learning experience with proven impact on both the individual and the organization. We nurture and develop the knowledge and skills of individuals, foster self-confidence, and build individual learning paths and meaningful careers. We also do our utmost to ensure that our participants create the best sustainable business networks.
The program is designed to enhance the participants’ personal skills and leadership competencies. The modules also strengthen the participants’ strategic thinking thus increasing their understanding of why businesses need to transform and how they themselves can become drivers of organizational transformation. You will acquire a multidisciplinary perspective on business, and develop globally relevant competencies with an emphasis on strategy and leadership.
The Aalto Executive MBA program is designed for individuals with significant professional work experience, typically 14 years or more.
We look for talented women and men with strong management experience, leadership potential, steady career progression, and curiosity to learn more. The Aalto EMBA program is particularly useful for candidates for promotion to a high-level management position.
Profile of Aalto EMBA in Helsinki 2015-2018 Participants
Educational Background
241
Participants
Gender
41
Average Age
14 years
Average Work Experience
14
Different Nationalities
To fulfill the requirements for the Aalto Executive MBA degree, participants must successfully complete studies worth of 90 European credits (EC). Studies include 12 core modules (52 EC in total), two compulsory projects (the Business Strategy Project worth 11 EC and the Self Development Process worth 4.5 EC), and elective modules worth a total of 22.5 EC (typically, one elective module is equivalent to 4.5 EC).
The Aalto Executive MBA in Helsinki program can be completed in 21–24 months. The program has a modular structure and follows a six-week learning cycle.
Modules are typically run once a month with in-class sessions on Thursday from 10:00 to 18:00, Friday from 8:30 to 17:00 and Saturday from 8:30 to 16:00. Each module contains a pre-assignment and a written exam.
Pre-module period of 2–3 weeks
Individual preparation
Three-day module
Intensive face-to-face session with instructor and peers
Post-module period of 2–3 weeks
Written exam
Aalto EMBA program includes 12 core modules:
Aalto EMBA participants can choose from a variety of elective modules:
The Orientation and Capstone Module outlines the program objectives and personal learning goals of participants at the beginning of the program, and assesses learning outcomes and benefits of the studies at the end. This core module strengthens the program’s emphasis on strategy and challenges participants to integrate learning from different areas of the program at the end of their studies.
The Aalto EMBA program includes a Business Strategy Project (BSP) carried out in a team with the final aim of developing an analytical solution or tool for a concrete strategic business problem faced by a company. The project aims to utilize the insights gained during the program, with project groups organized to maximize use of the individual competencies of their members. Skilled academic tutors from Aalto University help the teams develop an update on the state-of-the-art in academic research related to the project topic.
The Self Development Process (SDP) is a fundamental part of the Aalto EMBA; it supports you in the process of personal development as a leader and as an individual throughout your studies and way beyond. It includes self-steered studying and peer coaching, as well as facilitated group meetings and one-to-one coaching with the support of a professional instructor.
The annual Aalto Executive Summit brings together Aalto EMBA participants and alumni from all program locations. During the Summit you will complete one elective while enjoying a unique opportunity to meet business leaders and network with EMBA participants. The location alternates between Helsinki and Singapore.
Although optional, international study tours are an important part of the Aalto Executive MBA program. An Aalto EMBA study tour is designed to offer in-depth understanding of the local business environment and typically involves a five-day study period abroad.
World-class faculty from, for example, Stanford and Harvard are guaranteed to provide interesting academic instruction. Other components of a study tour such as company visits and campus tours, as well as fun extracurricular activities, bring the finishing touch for a comprehensively superb experience.
Aalto EMBA graduates agree that the program develops strategic thinking by providing new knowledge and tools that can be applied immediately in practice. Just as important, you will gain insights into becoming a world-class leader – skills that never lose their relevance and which will be extremely valuable along your future path.
All graduates automatically become members of the Aalto EE and Aalto University alumni community. Aalto EE and Aalto University continuously arrange events, company visits and meetings with fellow alumni. With more than 15,000 alumni worldwide, Aalto EE provides a valuable network for you to connect with your fellow alumni. We offer you access to the latest knowledge and an extensive global business network. We build lifelong partnerships by providing development opportunities, quality services and benefits.
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If you are not sure about meeting some of the requirements, please contact the Aalto-ESADE MBA for Executives team.
Start your Aalto Executive MBA application process by completing a short preliminary application. After completing the form, our program team will contact you to provide more information about the program and guide you in the application process.