Article
Choosing the Right Program for You – the MBA or EMBA
, Joanna Sinclair
Aalto MBA
Program for Ambitious Professionals Looking for New Challenges
Aalto MBA is a life-changing general management program for talented people who want to broaden their career prospects and challenge themselves in an innovative way.
The Aalto MBA program will strengthen your business and leadership skills and strategic thinking. Moreover, the creative problem-solving skills, abilities, insights, and tools gained through the Aalto MBA studies will be a key to success in your future career.
The Aalto MBA program holds the 'Triple Crown' of accreditations – the three most respected university accreditations, granted to only 0.5% of the world's business schools: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
Starting
January 2020
Learn from Others
Aalto MBA graduates emphasize the high level of broad expertise in each cohort. Learning from the experience of fellow participants and building a lifelong network is highly valued.
Graduation Rate 98 %
Our flexible and well-organized program structure, diverse support elements, and the program team's engagement ensure that you can concentrate on your learning goals and graduate together with your fellow students.
Ahead of the Curve
We ensure that the Aalto MBA provides you with knowledge and skills that are relevant and current in today’s business. Topics such as digital transformation and design thinking are part of the curriculum.
Part-time Structure – Full-scale Benefit
The flexible Aalto MBA program structure allows participants to work full time along with their studies. In-class sessions are held once a month within a 7-day period: classes primarily include two full days (Fri and Sat) and three evenings (Mon, Wed, and Thu). The learning process enables Aalto MBA participants to immediately apply their newly-learned knowledge in their work environment, and the flexible modular structure allows them to tailor the content to their specific learning targets.
International Faculty
Each module is taught by a professor from Aalto University or a visiting faculty member from one of the world's leading business schools, such as Emory University, San Diego State University, and the University of Cambridge. Serving as great resources and mentors, our faculty have a wide range of experience in both academia and business, a passion for interactive learning methods, and a sincere interest in their students.
Journey of Transformation
The Aalto MBA is a journey of transformation: participants improve their personal leadership skills, competencies, and strategic thinking and obtain a comprehensive understanding of business. This enables them to become change agents in their own organizations.
Personal Transformation » With the support of a business coach, the Aalto MBA participants will grow as leaders and as individuals through enhanced skills and competencies related to self-development and self-awareness.
Business and Organizational Transformation » The Aalto MBA program provides a deeper understanding of the major developments taking place in global economies and develops participants’ ability to drive and lead change in their own organizations in order to remain competitive in today’s fast changing business environment. During the program, participants apply strategic frameworks and tools in practice, working, for example, with different organizations from start-ups to listed companies to develop their business model and strategy.
Aalto EE’s Impact
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.
Benefits
The Aalto MBA program gives you a comprehensive understanding of different key areas of business, improves your personal leadership skills and competencies, and boosts your career to another level.
Broader and up-to-date general business knowledge
Immediately applicable insights and best practices
Expanded professional network and lifelong sparring partners
A platform for international networks
Confidence and credibility for new challenges
Fill in knowledge gaps and drive change within your organization
Learn from world-class international professors
Possibility of benefiting from a hands-on consultancy project by having a relevant business challenge from your organization solved by a team of experienced professionals
Individual coaching and career advisory
Personal guidance and flexible study plan tailored to your schedule and future needs ensuring timely graduation
Globally accredited diploma
For
The Aalto MBA is designed for determined and ambitious professionals. They are eager to develop themselves and have ambitions to move up the leadership ladder without putting their careers on hold while completing the MBA program.
The strategic, leadership, and tactical skills gained during the MBA program will encourage participants to think bigger and broader in terms of their future career.
Fellow MBA participants come from diverse backgrounds in terms of work and leadership experience, nationality, and studies. Many hold degrees in engineering, business administration, finance, or science and they typically have around 10 years of work experience.
Profile of Aalto MBA 2018-2019 Participants
Educational Background
63
Participants
Gender
35
Average Age
10 years
Average Work Experience
11
Different Nationalities
To fulfill the requirements for the Aalto MBA degree, participants must successfully complete studies worth of 90 European credits (EC). Studies include 11 core modules, at least 6 elective modules, the Personal Development Process (4.5 EC), and the Business Project (9 EC). One module is generally equivalent to 4.5 EC. Study tours (4.5 EC, 1 elective module), Aalto Executive Summits (4.5 EC, 1 elective module), and international exchanges are optional.
The Aalto MBA is a two-year program starting in January. The program has a modular structure and follows a six-week learning cycle. In-class sessions of each module are typically run once a month with five in-class sessions over a 7-day period. Classes primarily include two full days (Fri and Sat) and three evenings (Mon, Wed and Thu) with a total of 30 contact hours. Each module contains a pre-assignment and a take-home assignment or in-class exam.
Class sessions are highly interactive utilizing a variety of learning methods such as case studies, guided discussions, group projects, business games, and lectures. Class attendance is mandatory.
Program Structure: A Six-week Learning Cycle
Pre-module period of 2–3 weeks
Individual preparation and pre-assignment
Module: Five classes within a 7-day period
Face-to-face learning with instructor and peers
Post-module period 2–3 weeks
Individual take-home assignment or in-class exam
Core Modules
The eleven core modules are designed to provide participants with a wide understanding of the different key areas of business. They are the building blocks of management education and help participants to integrate knowledge in the various management disciplines with hands-on practice.
- Business Simulation
- Corporate Responsibility
- Financial Accounting
- Foundations of Finance
- Human Resource Management
- International Macroeconomics
- Managerial Accounting
- Marketing Management
- Operations Management
- Roadmap to General Management
- Strategic Management
Elective Modules
The Aalto MBA program includes a range of elective modules in addition to the core modules offered during the first year. The second year of studies focuses on the elective modules. Participants can select electives in three areas of concentration: Applied Finance and Accounting, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Renewal and Transformation. The Aalto MBA participants can also undertake some of the modules as exchange students at one of our top international partner universities. Additional options are study tours and Aalto Executive Summits together with Aalto Executive MBA participants. Elective studies enable participants to acquire knowledge that matches their individual interests.
Read more about the program contents
Concentration: Applied Finance and Accounting
The Applied Finance and Accounting concentration is targeted towards participants who want to increase their knowledge of complex international finance issues as well as apply finance and accounting theory to real-world decision-making.
Concentration: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration exposes participants to the environment of entrepreneurial activity in both start-up and corporate environments. The modules offer tangible tools and knowledge as well as inspiration for people aspiring to start their own business. In addition, they explore corporate entrepreneurship and the benefits of an entrepreneurial spirit to large-scale enterprises, and discuss the challenges of becoming an entrepreneurial leader.
Concentration: Renewal and Transformation
In the spirit of Aalto University, the Renewal and Transformation concentration examines the world of business from a multidisciplinary perspective and provides knowledge and tools to lead successful change. Participants are encouraged to challenge conventional management thinking and examine it from new perspectives.
MBA Study Tours
Participants may participate in Aalto MBA Study Tours as a part of the program. Designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the international business environment, a study tour typically involves a five-day study period abroad with a well-planned combination of lectures, open discussions, and case discussions. The Study Tours have a different theme and destination every year and are open to all Executive MBA and MBA participants in all Aalto E/MBA programs, including those at international locations such as Singapore, Taiwan, and Poland. A Study Tour is equal to one elective module and is not mandatory. The Study Tour fee and expenses are not included in the Aalto MBA program tuition fee.
MBA Business Project – Challenge Your Newly Learned Knowledge
Participants are expected to work on an MBA Business Project towards the end of the program. Working in groups, the projects allow participants to apply what they have learned to a real-life business situation. The topic of the business project is based on the interests of the participants and can be from a participant's company. In this exciting context, you will mobilize the frameworks and analytical tools learned in class to blend knowledge with judgement and initiative.
Business Simulation – Linking the Skills Together
Completed at the end of the studies, the Business Simulation integrates learning from different areas of the program in an innovative and inspiring way. It challenges participants to link together the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program and apply them in practice to a complex business situation.
Personal Development Process
The Personal Development Process supports participants' learning and personal development throughout their MBA studies. The process is designed around guided steps that will allow participants to explore personal leadership, self-management, and wellbeing philosophies and practices. The process supports participants in building a sustainable base for continuous self-development.
International Exchange for Current Aalto MBA Participants
In addition to the Aalto MBA modules in Helsinki, participants can attend an exchange program at one of the Aalto MBA program's partner universities around the world. Program length can vary from one week to four months. This option is tailored to each individual.
Aalto MBA exchange partners include some of the best business universities in the world.
Travel, accommodation, and living costs of the exchange program are not included in the Aalto MBA tuition fee.
Incoming MBA Exchange Participants
Incoming MBA Exchange Participants
We welcome international exchange students from our partner schools at any time throughout the year.
Aalto MBA Program Structure
The Aalto MBA program has a modular structure that allows participants to focus on their specific learning objectives one at a time in individual courses. The program has a modular structure and follows a six-week learning cycle. In-class sessions of each module are typically run once a month with five in-class sessions over a 7-day period. Classes primarily include two full days (Fri and Sat) and three evenings (Mon, Wed and Thu) with a total of 30 contact hours. Please note that attendance at the sessions is mandatory. Each module is completed by taking an in-class exam or submitting a take-home assignment.
Aalto MBA modules have 30 contact hours (without the in-class exam). One Aalto MBA module is equivalent to 4.5 ECTS.
There are three concentration areas to choose from:
- Applied Finance and Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Managing Innovation and Renewal
For further information please contact your own school’s International Office or Aalto EE’s International Exchange Program Coordinator Ms. Yulia Lobanova: yulia.lobanova@aaltoee.fi.
MBA Visitor Program or Global Leader as a Springboard to MBA Studies
Entry Requirements and Fee
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor's degree or equivalent
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Minimum three years of relevant postgraduate work experience
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Good command of written and spoken English
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Two recommendation letters
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Personal meeting
If you are not sure about meeting some of the requirements, please contact the Aalto MBA team.
Tuition Fee
Application
Start Your Application Process
Start your Aalto 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.