Business Analytics, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

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Description
Studying in the Master’s Programme in Business Analytics offers students a unique combination of skills in leadership, business, and technology. The programme fits industry and future needs, and graduates are innovative leaders of the digital and sustainable era. The programme provides students with in-depth knowledge in data-based decision-making and analytics and allows them to specialise in different business domains. Aalto University ranks 1st in Finland and 3rd in the Nordic countries in Financial Times’ European Business Schools 2020 ranking.
Both teaching and research are state-of-the-art, ensuring that upon graduating from the Business Analytics Programme, graduates will have:
In-depth knowledge of advanced data analytics and business intelligence. Graduates possess essential knowledge of data-driven decision-making and problem-solving.
A holistic understanding of sustainable business. As sustainability is at the core of all thriving businesses, graduates will be specialists in sustainable business decision-making.
Necessary leadership skills. Graduates are great communicators and thoughtful leaders of diverse teams.
Analytical thinking and decision-making skills. Graduates are critical thinkers who analyse business decisions based on data.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction is English.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
Structure of studies
Overall, the Business Analytics Programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
- Business Analytics studies including analytics, programming, and data management (60 ECTS), includes Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)
- Specialisation in your chosen business domain (30 ECTS)
- Electives (30 ECTS) which can include exchange studies or internship
Alena Pasynkova, studentThe world really needs solution-oriented experts who understand and explain technical details and connect analytics with business needs.
Specialisations
Specialisation is built mainly through advanced studies, where students may choose courses.
Internationalisation
About 40% of the students are international and the studies give graduates good opportunities for working in international businesses.
Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies but also via multiple free time events, activities, and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors, and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into the Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.
Further study opportunities
The Master’s programme in Business Analytics at Aalto is considered a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.
Career opportunities
The existing strong demand for analytics students with strong business knowledge will only grow in the future. Collaborative courses with companies and alumni offer opportunities to work on real-life cases and network with industry leaders. Most students do their Master’s thesis commissioned by their employer. The Master’s Programme in Business Analytics will allow students to personalise their professional profile. Possible positions immediately after graduation include:
- Business analysts and business intelligence specialists
- Analytics and M&A consultants
- Quantitative marketing analysts
- Product analysts
- Business controllers
- Data scientists
In the later career stages the ability to understand data and analytics gives a unique advantage to advance to top management positions.
Aalto University has well-established career services through which you can get employed in Finland and elsewhere. Aalto students tend to find fulfilling positions with ease after graduation. Aalto also has an active entrepreneurship community, which can serve as a springboard for founding student startups.
Research focus
The research in this programme is linked to several focus areas in the School of Business. Additional information about research related to this programme can be found at the Department of Information and Service Management website: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-information-and-service-management
Co-operation with other parties
Aalto University and the departments involved in the programme collaborate with many high-quality universities worldwide.
The student can take advantage of the studies within other Aalto University Schools, studies under the flexible study right agreement (JOO) within other universities as well as the major's international connections and student exchange possibilities.
Webinar | Business Analytics
What is it to study in Master's Programme in Business Analytics? Watch our webinar recording to learn more about the studies, career opportunities and to get answers to some of your questions.

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Admission dates
The admissions to Master's programmes at Aalto University in the field of Business and Economics are organised once a year. The application period for studies starting in autumn 2023 is from 1 December 2022 to 2 January 2023.
Here are the most important dates to remember:
- 1 December 2022 – Application period begins and online application system opens
- 2 January 2023 – Application period ends and the online application system closes
- 29 March 2023 – Admission results are published at the earliest
- 20 April 2023 – Deadline for accepting the offered study place
Programme-specific Admission Requirements
In addition to these programme-specific admission requirements, applicants must also fulfill the general admission requirements.
Admission group 1: Bachelor’s degree from a university in Finland
Relevance of previous studies | |
What is evaluated? | Previous studies |
Admission requirements |
Required previous studies To be considered for admission the applicant must have completed at least 18 ECTS credits of studies that give ability to start the advanced studies in the programme. The credits completed in the following subjects, or subjects that the Aalto University School of Business considers to be corresponding, may be considered: Analytics, Management Science, Information Systems Science, Computer Science, Business Mathematics and Statistics. Theses or internships cannot be included in these credits. The previous credits in the core area of the programme giving the ability to start the advanced studies are assessed by a representative of the programme. |
Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Academic performance | |
What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree(s) |
Admission requirements | Applicants with a weighted GPA of previous degree lower than 3.50 are not eligible for admission. |
Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Academic performance | |
What is evaluated? | Amount and weighted GPA of previous studies |
Admission requirements | Amount and weighted GPA of previous studies giving the ability to start the advanced studies. Applicants with a weighted GPA of previous studies giving the ability to start the advanced studies lower than 3.50 are not eligible for admission. |
Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Suitability | |
What is evaluated? | Motivational letter and CV |
Admission requirements | The letter is written in English and the maximum length of the letter is 4000 characters (including space characters). |
Evaluated documents | Motivation letter and CV |
Criticality | Not critical (0 points does not mean rejection.) |
Admission group 2: Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied science in Finland or from a higher education institution abroad
Relevance of previous studies | |
What is evaluated? | Previous studies |
Admission requirements |
Required previous studies To be considered for admission the applicant must have completed at least 24 ECTS credits of such studies that give ability to start the advanced studies in the programme. The credits completed in the following subjects, or subjects that the Aalto University School of Business considers to be |
Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Academic performance | |
What is evaluated? | Overall evaluation of previous studies |
Admission requirements | Applicants must demonstrate good academic performance. |
Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Academic performance | |
What is evaluated? | Amount and weighted GPA of previous studies |
Admission requirements | Amount and weighted GPA of previous studies giving the ability to start the advanced studies. Applicants with a weighted GPA of previous studies giving the ability to start the advanced studies lower than 3.50 are not eligible for admission. |
Evaluated documents | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Standardized tests | |
What is evaluated? | Analytical and quantitative skills |
Admission requirements | GMAT or GRE is obligatory in admission group 2 (minimum score 600 in GMAT or equivalent GRE score). |
Evaluated documents | GMAT/ GRE test results |
Criticality | Critical (0 points = rejection) |
Suitability | |
What is evaluated? | Motivational letter and CV |
Admission requirements | The letter is written in English and the maximum length of the letter is 4000 characters (including space characters). |
Evaluated documents | Motivation letter and CV |
Criticality | Not critical (0 points does not mean rejection.) |
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