A unique Master’s degree programme around CEMS studies

‘It’s the atmosphere. It’s hard to explain, but whenever CEMS students gather, something special happens,’ describes Julianna Alanne, a Master’s degree student from the Aalto University School of Business.

‘You could almost compare it to the buzz around startups. Things happen, thoughts are exchanged. It’s a fantastic feeling when an entire support network cares about you and wants to cheers you on.’

The studies of the new Master’s Degree Programme in Global Management emphasise intensive cooperation within the CEMS MIM network. CEMS is a global alliance of 30 academic institutes, 70 international corporations and 5 social members. Together, in close cooperation, they produce the CEMS Master’s in International Management (MIM) programme.

The CEMS MIM programme is a year-long internationally renowned education programme that can be completed alongside one’s Master’s degree studies at the School of Business. Aalto is currently forming a two-year Master’s Degree programme around the the CEMS MIM programme. The studies combine high-quality teaching, students who are prized by employers, and international experiences.

The Aalto University School of Business is the only institution in Finland offering the programme. KONE and Nokia participate as Finnish partner companies.

The programme's versatile studies help students advance their careers. The CEMS partner companies provide students with consultancy-esque assignments and projects, visiting lectures, and seminars. This helps students gain experience in operating in an international environment. The companies appreciate the criticality, activity and presentational skills of CEMS participants.

Programme alumni represent 85 nationalities

Internationality is at the core of the CEMS programme. Every student participates in an exchange at one partner university during the CEMS programme. In addition, students work together with other students from around the world ‒ the programme’s alumni represent 85 nationalities in total.

Sebastian Sondermann is from Germany, and during the CEMS programme, he has studied in Sydney and Barcelona, and now he is in Finland.

‘I applied for the CEMS programme since it offered the chance to study in top universities in different countries,’ Sondermann explains. ‘Getting to know new cultures can sometimes feel a bit foreign and strange, but getting out of your comfort zone really helps you learn and grow.’

‘CEMS has offered me a lot,’ describes Sondermann. ‘However, the greatest advantage is the excellent academic training in combination with international experiences, as they teach the essential skills that one needs in the corporate world.’

The CEMS programme attracts students year after year, and the programme includes around 1000 students from around the world. Around 30 students are selected from Finland, and the goal is to grow this number in the future, so that more students are able to participate, as there are plenty of willing applicants.

‘CEMS felt like a good opportunity for combining the best aspects of both a Finnish and a completely international Master’s degree,” describes Julianna Alanne. ‘I can say from the bottom of my heart that it is a privilege to be a part of a community of such hardworking, interesting and multicultural people.’

The application period for the new programme begins in December

• The first application period for the Master's programme begins next winter. The application period for the studies starting in autumn 2017 begins in December 2016 and ends in January 2017.
• The Master’s Programme in Global Management consists of CEMS MIM studies and a specialisation track in one of the focus areas, which are accounting, corporate communications, entrepreneurship and innovation management, finance, management and international business, marketing and strategy.
• More information