From this page you can find the Mikkeli specific information. General information on the exchanges can be found from Exchange studies | Aalto University.

General Requirements

The completion of the BScBA Programme of the Aalto University School of Business, 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 (usually 30 ECTS). The Bachelor’s Programme in International Business has about 50 partner universities in many regions of the world. If the exchange university uses a system different from the semester system the Student Exchange Coordinator in Mikkeli should be consulted.

As a general rule you must have completed all other studies for the degree (total of 150 credits) prior to the study abroad period. The number of credits will be checked before the nominations are send to the host universities.

If you are exempted from the study abroad requirement you have to earn the required 30 credits in the Aalto Mikkeli BScBA programme. For more information on the exemption application process, please contact the Student Exchange Coordinator.

Detailed requirements and instructions related to studying abroad can be found in the documents on this page. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Exchange Coordinator ([email protected] / office 208).

Selection Criteria for Study Abroad Places

Study abroad destinations can be found in the Destination database for the School of Business.

Students are selected for exchange based on the applications submitted after the first full year of studies. Note: for total credits the formula will not take into account the credits completed during modules 9 and 11. This way the total number of credits completed during the first academic year is more equal between students with different educational background. Students are nominated to exchange universities primarily based on their study index, provided that they fulfill possible language requirements and other possible criteria given by the exchange universities (e.g. minimum GPA).

The most important selection criterion is success based on the study index. It is calculated from

• the total number of credits completed for the BScBA degree during modules 1-8, 10 and 12-15 of the first full year of studies (=> max 81 cr taken into account) and
• the Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of all completed courses in modules 1-15
• related to the study time (the number of semesters student has been present at the School of Business – 2 for the first year students).

The formula for calculating the study index is the following:

(credits * weighted GPA) / number of semesters attended

Only the studies that are part of a student's BScBA degree and completed during the official study right as a degree student at the Aalto University School of Business are taken into account. Exception to this are the Open University Track students for whom all credits completed for the Open University Track requirements for the BScBA degree will be taken into account.

The credits and GPA are calculated from courses in the approved personal study plan (HOPS) of the BScBA degree.

Progress in studies is proportioned to the number of semesters attended. The semester ongoing during the application period is not taken into account. If a student has enrolled as non-attending previously, it will not have a negative effect on the selection. An attended semester can be removed from the application only due to strong arguments, such as health issues or compulsory military service.

If two or more applicants have the same index and they are competing for the same exchange place, the overall situation of the applicants is evaluated, based on 1) the GPA of the degree studies, 2) number of credits completed for the degree, 3) language skills for the country in question and 4) the suitability of the former studies to the exchange destination. If, after that, no difference is indicated between the applicants, the decision will be made by lottery.

Application Process for Study Abroad Places

The application period for exchange period during the academic year 2023-2024 starts on Thursday, 10 November and the link is now open here. The application period is 10 November 2022 8.30 - 25 November 2022 14.00.   

In the internal application process, the students list their preferences of the university and country by giving ten (10) alternative choices in preferred order. Yet, we would like to remind that the BScBA Programme makes the final placement decisions based on the above-mentioned selection criteria.

Read the instructions here carefully (visible during application period).

Courses and Credit Transfer from Study Abroad

Course Selections for Study Abroad

You 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, economics or languages. Language studies (max 6 cr) can be accepted if you have not studied the same language for your degree in Aalto Mikkeli. A maximum of 6 credits may be in humanities, social sciences or related areas that focus on historical, cultural, political or sociological studies.

You must send your course selections beforehand to the Manager of Academic Operations for final approval by using the form Study Plan for Study Abroad below. We recommend you list more courses than what is required. This will help you choose alternative courses in case the host university informs that the course you have chosen is full, cancelled or you are otherwise not able to take it. Please leave at least a week for the staff to process your study plan.

Form: Study Plan for Study Abroad (Word document)

Credit Transfer for Study Abroad Credits

The courses done during the Study Abroad form the Minor Subject Studies of the BScBA degree (30 credits). In order to get the credits completed abroad to your Aalto transcript, you need to apply for a credit transfer on Sisu. In the Sisu credit transfer application you need to apply for inclusion. Add all the courses you have completed abroad to one application. These studies will then form your International Minor. You also need to attach the foreign transcript and previously approved Study Plan for Study Abroad Form to the application. Please note that the courses on the foreign transcript need to match with the approved study plan. Exchange studies will be graded with pass/fail.

More information on the credit transfer system and link to the credit transfer application can be found here.

Outgoing students during the academic year 2023-2024

The materials from the 3rd study abroad info on 17 April 2023:

• Study Abroad Info, April 2023 (PDF)

Documents related to study abroad period

Documents for all students studying abroad during 2023-2024:

Scholarship Commitment 2023-2024

Study Plan for Study Abroad

Documents for Erasmus students 2023-2024

Aalto Erasmus+ Grant Agreement

Erasmus+ Certificate of Attendance

Erasmus+ Student Charter

Erasmus+- Learning Agreement will be done online from the beginning of 2023 onwards. Instructions on the process will be added here in May 2023.

After the Study Abroad Period

Students who complete their Study Abroad must submit a report and an evaluation on their experience.

In the study abroad report you should talk about the university in general, courses you took, housing, traveling and expenses etc. and write a 5-page essay on your experience. Most importantly give useful information for the next students going. The deadline for the fall exchange reports is on 15 February and spring exchange reports 30 June. 

Study Abroad Report

The study abroad evaluation is an online questionnaire. Each student will get an e-mail to their Aalto e-mail address with the link to the questionnaire.

These two are required part of the study abroad and if they are not submitted, the 2nd part of the study abroad grant will not be paid.

The goal of the BScBA Ambassador Programme is to promote Aalto University and our programme among potential degree students abroad. Ambassadors mainly give presentations at high schools during their exchange period but can also attend e.g. local study fairs.

What do you do as a Student Ambassador?

Visit local high school(s) during your exchange to promote Aalto University and the BScBA Programme.

What do we offer you?

• Presentation material
• 150 € compensation for the presentation

How to become a BScBA Ambassador?

Apply to be an ambassador before or during your exchange period:

1. Send us an e-mail ([email protected]) and we will agree on the procedure.
2. We will provide you with detailed instructions and presentation material.
3. Contact the high school and arrange time for the presentation.
4. Give an inspiring presentation at the high school.

How to give the presentation?

The presentations are given at local high schools. Primarily, the target is to visit IB schools, but you can also visit other local high schools. Check out the IB schools near you here.

We have prepared a presentation for you. It includes information about Finland, Aalto University and the BScBA Programme and also about the study experience and applying and admissions. Additionally, we encourage you to tell about your own experiences about studying here.

Let’s spread the Mikkeli spirit and welcome new international students to our programme! Don’t hesitate – become a BScBA Ambassador!

To ask additional questions about the Ambassador Programme, please contact us at [email protected].