Open University is an excellent route to the School of Business

Anni Johansson is a newly graduated Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration and is now continuing her studies at the Master’s level. She had originally failed to get a study place at the School of Business after attending the entrance exam a few years back but decided to take business courses at the Aalto’s Open University to see if a career in business would even be right the right move.

“I didn't go to the Open University to get into Aalto's Business School initially as I was just thinking of reading courses in economics and accounting as they would have been quite useful in the entrance examinations.”

As time went on, Anni Johansson realised that her Open University studies could also be a way to get into the School of Business, “By then, I knew that studying business was the right path,” she says.

Within the academic year, she ended up with the requisite 60 credits but still didn’t manage to get into the School of Business on the second attempt as her grade average was slightly below the required average. However, she still wasn’t discouraged from trying again, determined young woman that she is!

“During the following year, I completed additional courses at Open University and improved the grades of the courses that I had previously completed, so by that Spring, I was accepted into the School of Business!” she says proudly.

Excellent route to School of Business

As Anni Johansson points out, she was already off to a flying start to her degree studies with several completed courses, “When I started as a degree student, my courses at Open University were accepted as part of my bachelor’s degree, so I was able to start my degree studies directly with second-year specialisation studies”. Based on her studies at Open University, she knew that business was the right field to pursue.

The Open University courses that Johansson was doing were also very helpful in finding a business-related job soon after commencing as a degree student, "I have worked at a consultation agency throughout my degree studies, and I enjoy combining my studies and work”.

More useful than cram school

Most of the new students are today enrolled in the School of Business based on their diploma grades, but the entrance exam is still an important route to the School. So many participate in expensive cram schools which help them prepare for entrance exams.  

 “Studies at Open University are not free either, but the price is reasonable. And when you complete the 60 credits, you already have a good understanding of the field of business and economics, and of university studies in general. And if you get in as a degree student, the courses you have completed at Open University are also accepted as part of your Bachelor’s degree. This saves time and effort during degree studies”, Anni Johansson explains.

Economics and Business Analytics

Anni Johansson's specialisation area in her Bachelor's degree was economics, but she eventually chose business analytics at the Department of Information and Service Management as the major subject of her Master's degree.

"I got an excellent knowledge base in economics in my Bachelor’s studies, and I also took several minors. However, in my Master's studies, I want to develop my ability to solve practical problems in the business world, utilising modern technology. I still can't say what kind of job I would like to have in the future, but I’m always up for trying new and surprising things”, she concludes.

So, warm congratulations to our new Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration, and all the best for the future!

For all those who didn't get into the School of Business this year, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with studies at the Aalto University Open University which offers one route towards degree studies at the School of Business for the Spring of 2020.

More information available in Opintopolku (in Finnish): https://opintopolku.fi/app/#!/korkeakoulu/1.2.246.562.17.91182069335

The information currently available applies to the spring 2019 admissions. Information for the spring 2020 admissions will be published in Opintopolku in October 2019.