In addition to the goals stated in Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) 7 § the main goal of the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business offered at the Aalto Mikkeli Campus is to produce graduates who are successful in international business. The purpose of the BScBA degree is to give students a broad background in business and economics as well as the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of expertise. The studies are designed to develop both academic as well as working life competences and introduce multidisciplinary perspectives. In the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business at the Mikkeli Campus, students belong to a tight-knit, multicultural learning community, working alongside faculty and students from around the world. The fast-paced curriculum prepares students to meet grand challenges in the global business environment, such as sustainability; engage in ethical decision-making, and begin a journey of life-wide learning.

The specific goals and objectives of the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business are listed below.

• Business knowledge
  • Good knowledge of the basics in business and economics, very good knowledge of the field of international business, and good knowledge of subjects taken in minor studies.
    • Programme Learning Objectives; By graduation, students will demonstrate the ability to:
      • understand the core subjects comprising business and economics;
      • apply key theories, concepts and frameworks to international business;
      • analyse grand challenges in the global business environment; and
      • formulate and critically develop international business strategies and business models.
• Management competences
  • Good abilities to analyse and develop the operations of companies and other organizations, considering ethical, economic, societal and global sustainability aspects. Very good abilities to navigate various international business contexts.
    • Programme Learning Objectives; By graduation, students will demonstrate the ability to:
      • develop cultural competences;
      • compile, analyse and visualise data for effective decision-making;
      • cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset; and
      • address global sustainability challenges and develop creative responses to them.
• Communication and teamwork competence
  • Good competences in these areas: communication and interaction; project management; self-management. Very good competences in multicultural teamwork.
    • Programme Learning Objectives; By graduation, students will demonstrate the ability to:
      • engage in clear and analytic oral and written communication;
      • demonstrate good communication skills in English and other languages; and
      • foster inclusion and work collaboratively in multicultural teams.
• Scientific thinking
  • Good competences in scientific thinking and working methods.
    • Programme Learning Objectives; By graduation students will demonstrate the ability to:
      • understand and use key research methods in the field of international business;
      • analyse qualitative and quantitative data for research purposes; and
      • strengthen the skills needed for further studies and life-wide learning.

The educational philosophy of the program includes a distinctive and unique approach to the study of international business. Three fundamental components underscore all facets of the programme: a strong intellectual foundation in the field of international business, the cultivation of professional development skills, and an academic climate that facilitates an appreciation of the professional work environment.

The completion of the Bachelor’s programme offered at the Mikkeli Campus requires students to spend their last semester abroad. This is done in a foreign university, where students take a semester of undergraduate level courses equivalent to the usual workload expected in the specific institution during the term.

Students must complete 30 credits (ECTS) during the study abroad period. A minimum of 24 of the study abroad credits must be in the field of business. Six (6) of the study abroad credits may be in humanities, social sciences or related areas that focus on historical, cultural, political or sociological studies. Language studies can be accepted, if you have not studied the same language for your degree in Aalto Mikkeli.

If you are exempted from the study abroad requirement you have to earn the required 30 credits by studying the optional courses of the International Business major to complete an Individual Minor. For more information on the exemption application process, please contact the Student Exchange Coordinator.

* Finnish Business Communication is required of those who have had Finnish or Swedish as their language of education in comprehensive (grades 1–9) and/or upper secondary (grades 10–12) school in Finland.  The other students are required to complete the course Finnish for Foreigners 1.

** Swedish Business Communication is required of those who have had Finnish as their language of education in comprehensive (grades 1–9) and upper secondary (grades 10–12) school in Finland.

• Those who have had Swedish as their language of education in comprehensive and upper secondary school in Finland, will complete a special advanced course in Swedish language (please contact Mari Syväoja for more information).
• For others, the missing 3 cr can be earned by taking other language and communication courses. 

*** Students may choose Finnish for Foreigners, if Finnish is a foreign language for them, i.e. Finnish-speaking students cannot choose Finnish for Foreigners.

Examples of options to be considered:

• language studies (in addition to the required 6 ECTS) 
  • will be placed under the Language and Communication Studies on Sisu
• elective courses of the major studies
  • will be placed under the International Business Major Studies on Sisu