Master’s Programme in Global Management (including CEMS MIM)

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Objectives of studies

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 34 academic members, ca. 70 multinational companies and NGOs, and close to 17.000 alumni worldwide. This provides the graduates with a life-long network of friends and collaborators.

Language of instruction

The Master’s Programme in Global Management is taught in English. Students from all cultural and language backgrounds are invited to study in this programme.

Structure of studies

Overall, the Master’s programme in Global Management comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

• Programme studies (88 ECTS) including exchange (25–30 ECTS) and business project (15 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis (20 ECTS)
• Electives (12 ECTS)

Content of studies

In the first year of studies, students will develop a solid foundation in e.g. political economy, business analytics, strategy, and financial management. Students also write their 20 ECTS Master’s thesis in the first year. The second year of the programme focuses on CEMS MIM (Master’s in International Management) 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 unique Global Management programme develops students’ skills and knowledge in various topics, such as:

• Political Economy
• Global Strategy
• Global Leadership
• Self-Management
• Business Analytics.

During the CEMS MIM year the students have the opportunity to widen their knowledge through elective CEMS studies.

Read more about CEMS MIM on cems.org.  

Personal Study Plan (PSP)

The Personal Study Plan (PSP) is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student's interests and programme requirements. The PSP is also a useful tool for students to keep track of their studies. It shows where students are with their studies and sets concrete milestones for them to follow.

Additionally, the Personal Development Journey module provides students with tools and frameworks to support their personal and professional development throughout their studies.

Internationalisation

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

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

Multidisciplinary opportunities

Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology, and science. The lively campus and freedom to choose elective courses across the University bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, generates enthusiasm, and creates lifelong friendships, powerful networks, and every so often, innovative startups.

Career opportunities

Programme graduates are highly valued in working life. The programme prepares graduates for careers in many different fields and roles, such as: 

• Business Analyst
• Consultant
• Associate
• Brand Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Development Manager
• Engagement Manager
• Operations Manager

CEMS Alliance provides students and graduates with extensive career support, such as the global Career Web, CEMS Career Forum and other 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 fulfilling positions with ease after graduation. Aalto also has an active entrepreneurship community, which can serve as a springboard for founding student startups.

Post graduate opportunities

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

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 2022 is from 1 December 2021 to 3 January 2022.

Here are the most important dates to remember:

• 1 December 2021 – Application period begins and online application system opens
• 3 January 2022 – Application period ends and the online application system closes
• 29 March 2022 – Admission results are published at the earliest
• 20 April 2022 – Deadline for accepting the offered study place

Programme-specific Admission Requirements

In addition to the programme-specific admission requirements listed below for admission group 1 and admission group 2, applicants must also fulfill the general admission requirements.

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)
6. Motivation video

All the above documents are mandatory for an applicant to be eligible. Documents 1-5 must be submitted in the regular application portal. Document 6, the motivation video is to be submitted via the link below during the application period.

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);

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 (7.0), (*writing 5.5)
  • TOEFL (iBT100), (*writing 22)
  • CAE (B),
  • CPE (C),
  • PTE Academic (68), (*writing 54)

Note: TOEFL iBT Home Edition test is accepted; a minimum score of 100 is required, with a score of at least 20 in each section.

* 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.

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 proficiency 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.
• 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.

Work experience in the CV should be documented by enclosing corresponding work/internship certificates. English translations of these are not required.

5) GMAT score (or comparable GRE score)

GMAT or GRE is obligatory in admission group 2 (minimum score 600 in GMAT or equivalent GRE score). 

6) Motivation video

To demonstrate their motivation for studies in the programme, applicants are required to submit a max 2-minute video in English on the topic: 'How will the Global Management programme together with CEMS MIM help me towards my professional goals?', further divided into two questions:

1. Why am I applying to this programme?
2. Why should I be selected to study in the programme and to become a member of the CEMS community?

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 28, 2022. 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.

Contact information

In case of programme-specific questions and inquiries, please contact [email protected].

If there are open questions about admissions or application instructions, you can reach out to [email protected].