Study options

Global Management, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

The Master’s programme in Global Management prepares students to operate responsibly and successfully in influential decision-maker positions in a globalized environment. The programme develops students’ knowledge and skills in strategy, business development, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding. The programme incorporates CEMS Master’s in International Management (MIM) in the second year.
Two business students on the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi

Degree:

Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

Application period:

28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Business and Economics

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Business

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes
HOW TO APPLY

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Description

The Master’s programme in Global Management prepares students to operate responsibly and successfully in influential decision-maker positions in a globalized environment. The programme develops students’ knowledge and skills in strategy, business development, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding. Students have the opportunity to acquire two highly prestigious qualifications: an MSc in Economics and Business Administration granted by Aalto University School of Business and the CEMS Master’s in International Management (MIM) granted by CEMS, the Global Alliance in Management Education.

CEMS MIM is an internationally recognized and highly valued management programme. Aalto University ranks 1st in Finland in Financial Times’ European Business Schools 2020 ranking. Both research and teaching are state-of-the-art, and involve intensive corporate collaboration. This ensures that upon graduating from the Global Management programme, graduates will have:

Extensive knowledge about responsible business decision-making. Graduates possess invaluable knowledge and skills in global strategy, analytical thinking, leadership, cooperation, and teamwork in a sustainable business environment.

A holistic approach to global management and leadership. Graduates are able to work in a fast-paced, diverse, and ever-globalizing business environment.

Two highly respected qualifications. Graduates are double-qualified, as the programme consists of MSc in Economics and Business Administration (Aalto University) and the CEMS Master’s in International Management (MIM) granted by CEMS.

A deep connection with the international CEMS community. Worldwide ca. 1.300 CEMS students start in the CEMS MIM programme annually and they form local CEMS Clubs like CEMS Club Helsinki. Graduates become a part of the unique and tight-knit global community that consists of 33 academic members, ca. 80 multinational companies and NGOs, and more than 20.000 alumni worldwide. This provides the graduates with a life-long network of friends and collaborators.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 15 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

Overall, the Master’s programme in Global Management comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits completed in two consecutive academic years, where the second year is the CEMS MIM year. The programme consists of:

  • Programme studies (88 ECTS) including CEMS term abroad and CEMS business project
  • Master’s thesis (20 ECTS)
  • Electives (12 ECTS)

Master's Programme in Global Management courses and curriculum

Study methods

At Aalto, we provide the students with high-class teaching, utilizing a great variety of student-friendly methods in teaching and supervision. While this also enables flexible methods in conducting coursework, including but not limited to distance attendance at class in many courses if necessary, the programme as such cannot be conducted overseas and it requires consistent physical presence in Finland. Thereby we can ensure the highest impact of teaching and create a strong community between students (and the staff) that also enables shared learning and socially rewarding student-life for everybody.

Master's Programme in Global Management
Courses and curriculum

Specialisations

In the first year of studies, students will develop a solid foundation in e.g. international strategy, political economy, business analytics, and financial management. Students also write their 20 ECTS Master’s thesis in the first year. The possibility to write the thesis in pairs facilitates on-time completion and provides valuable project management skills. The second year of the programme focuses on CEMS MIM (Master’s in International Management) studies. During the CEMS MIM year the students will learn about global strategy and global leadership, and complete the CEMS business project. The students can also widen their knowledge through elective CEMS studies.

Students spend either fall or spring term of the second year in another CEMS school. The second year of studies follows the common CEMS MIM curricular content in place in all CEMS member schools.

The programme is not about learning theories by heart but applying them to real-life settings.

Ben Laszlo, student

Internationalisation

Global CEMS network, courses in collaboration with global businesses, CEMS term abroad, international internship, and two internationally recognized qualifications reflect the programme’s international core.

Aalto University as a whole 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. Active tutoring programs and support services work hard to help international students integrate into the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.

Further study opportunities

The Master's programme in Global Management at Aalto is considered a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.

Career opportunities

Programme graduates are highly valued in working life. The programme provides graduates with the skills, knowledge and connections to pursue careers in many different areas of activity, such as consulting, business analytics, finance and sustainable business strategy.

CEMS Alliance offers extensive career support, such as global Career Web, CEMS Career Forum and other career events. Many CEMS graduates start their careers outside their home country.

Aalto University has well-established career services through which you can get employed in Finland and elsewhere. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon their graduation. An active entrepreneurship community is also present at Aalto, which can help as a springboard for founding your company.

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 Management Studies website: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-management-studies

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.

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Evaluation Criteria 2025

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.

The applications to Master’s Programme in Global Management are evaluated based on the following criteria.

Admission group 1: Bachelor’s degree from a university in Finland

Admission group 2: Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied science in Finland or from a higher education institution abroad

Required application documents

See detailed application criteria below in PHASE I.

  1. Transcript of records
  2. Proof of proficiency in English
  3. Proof of proficiency in language 2
  4. CV
  5. GMAT or GRE results (Admission group 2 only)

All the above documents are mandatory for an applicant to be eligible.

Student selection criteria

Applicants' suitability for the programme will be assessed based on the following CEMS-wide selection criteria:

Intellectual potential & knowledge

  • Intellectual potential
  • Academic excellence
  • Prior knowledge in the business field

Attitude & soft skills

  • Desire to achieve
  • Interpersonal competences
  • Integrity
  • Critical thinking
  • Motivation for the MIM program

International orientation

  • Language skills
  • International openness and cross-cultural aptitudes

PHASE I: Evaluation based on application documents

1) Academic background (as documented by transcript of records)

  • 60 ECTS of business related studies. The applicant must have completed at least 60 ECTS of business related studies (corresponding to one year of full-time studies at university level).
  • Academic performance
    • Admission group 1: Applicants must demonstrate good academic performance. Applicants with a weighted GPA of previous degree lower than 3.50 (Finnish ECTS evaluation) are not eligible for admission. 
    • Admission group 2: Applicants must demonstrate good academic performance (evaluation is based on the GPA of the previous degree).

2) Language requirements: English (Language 1)

Proficiency in English is an eligibility requirement for the programme. Proof of proficiency is required from both Admission group 1 and group 2 applicants. Acceptable proof of proficiency:

  • Bachelor's or Master's level university degree completed entirely in English
    • at an institution physically located in: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, while residing in that country; or
    • in a CEMS / Equis / AACSB accredited institution in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland, or South Africa, while residing in that country (e.g. Aalto University School of Business);

The official language of such degree must have been English, and this must be clearly stated on the degree certificate.

or

  • One of the following language tests (minimum score):
    • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS Indicator (Academic) (7.0), (*writing 6.0)
    • TOEFL (iBT100), (*writing 22)
    • CAE (B),
    • CPE (C),
    • PTE Academic (68), (*writing 54)

Note! The following online tests are also accepted

  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition test; a minimum score of 100, with a score of at least 20 in each section.
  • IELTS Online (Academic) Test: a minimum score of 7.0

* Additional writing section minimum required by Aalto University. Please check the general Aalto eligibility rules to see if this additional requirement applies to you: https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes.

The language requirements have been updated 30 Oct 2024

3) Language requirements: Language 2

Good proficiency (CEFR level B1 or above) in a language other than English is required from all applicants. Acceptable proof of language proficiency (not nationality) must be included with the application and may consist of e.g.:

  • School certificate of primary/secondary education completed entirely in the specified language.
  • Bachelor’s degree from a programme in which the official language of instruction was other than English. The official language must be clearly stated on the degree certificate or confirmed with a separate statement from the institution.
  • Certificate from a language test or course(s) in which the level of proficiency is clearly indicated.
  • If no such clear proof of proficiency level is available, certificate of mother tongue issued by official authorities can be used (e.g. Digital and Population Data Services Agency in Finland).

4) CV in English

The comprehensive CV evaluation takes into account relevant education, work experience, and extracurricular activities, as well as international orientation as demonstrated by e.g. work, studies, or extracurricular activities abroad, participation in various international or inter-cultural activities in home country, and knowledge of and interest in learning foreign languages.

Please be prepared to provide corresponding work/internship certificates if requested.

5) GMAT score (or comparable GRE score)

GMAT or GRE is obligatory in admission group 2 (minimum score 600 in GMAT, 555 in GMAT Focus edition or GRE score of 157 verbal reasoning - 158 quantitative reasoning). 

PHASE II: Interview and further assessment

Based on the evaluation in phase I, the best applicants are allotted a time for an interview and further assessment, including a short oral presentation on a pre-assigned topic. Invitations to phase II are sent per email by February 29, 2024. The assessments take place virtually in early March.

The selection of applicants into the programme is based on phases I and II described above. In case of a tie, phase II scores are used as the basis for evaluation.

Get to know us better!

CEMS Graduation 2018_Photo: CEMS official

CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) at Aalto University

Study international management in the highly regarded, world's most international MIM programme at Aalto University School of Business. CEMS is a global alliance of academic and corporate institutions and NGOs, dedicated to educating and preparing future generations of international business leaders. At Aalto, you can study CEMS MIM as an Add-on CEMS MIM programme or as an integrated part of the Global Management programme. It includes an exchange term, business project, skills seminars and exclusive and elective courses.

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Contact information

School of Business

In case of programme-specific questions and inquiries, please contact the School of Business.

[email protected]

Aalto University Admission Services

If you have any questions regarding the application process, application documents or language tests, please contact Aalto University Admission Services

[email protected]

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