Technically, the studies in the Global Management (incl. CEMS) programme are broken into Programme studies 84 ECTS credits, Specialisation area studies 24 ECTS credits and Additional programme studies 12 ECTS credits, as described under Programme studies. However, for all practical purposes, it is logical to approach the studies as two blocks: ‘Specialisation area studies’ (24 ECTS of course work, Master’s thesis and the thesis seminar) and CEMS MIM studies.  The academic requirements of the CEMS MIM programme, 66 ECTS, are fully integrated in the GM/CEMS MSc programme.

Please see the recommended study timetable for Global Management.

Students entering the Global Management/CEMS programme are automatically granted a slot in the CEMS MIM cohort of the second year in their MSc studies, i.e. students starting in GM in 2020 will be in their MIM year in the academic year 2021-2022. The first MSc year is thus designated for Specialisation area studies. It is not possible to change this order, nor can a student choose to postpone their MIM year. There is some flexibility in the timing of the specialisation area studies, but in order to also graduate from CEMS MIM, the majority of the CEMS studies must be completed during the specified MIM year, following the regulations set by the global CEMS organization. Please don’t hesitate to contact Liisa or Arja at the CEMS office, should you have any questions about the timing of the studies.

You can familiarize yourself with the CEMS MIM programme elements and graduation requirements on the cems.org website, under curriculum.

In order to graduate from the CEMS MIM programme, students must also complete an international internship and fulfill the language proficiency requirements, in addition to finishing their MSc degree in Global Management.

The Global Management/CEMS programme fosters reflective critical thinking and grows confident and agile decision-makers that will be able to formulate and apply innovative solutions to complex business challenges. The graduates will also be aware of their personal responsibility and accountability and of the ethical and cultural frameworks within which leadership is exerted. In addition, they will possess deeper knowledge in their specialization area.

Upon completion of the Global Management/CEMS programme students will be able to:

• apply advanced management and leadership competencies developed through systematic engagement with the corporate world
• execute effective business decision-making and change management in diverse contexts
• draw on social responsibility and high ethical standards when conducting business
• apply deeper knowledge in their specialization area and in the field of the Master’s thesis

1. Programme studies 84 cr

Mandatory for all students:

^{1) completed at Aalto or another CEMS school
2) 42E00500 CEMS Business Communication Skills seminar (1 cr) can be included under this requirement.
3) This course fulfills the Capstone requirement in the Global Management programme}

Mandatory for all students:

Course codes and timing of thesis seminar depend on the supervising specialisation area

Elective courses:

Complete 12 ECTS of CEMS elective courses at Aalto University or another CEMS school. Courses must be CEMS accredited at the time of completion. An up-to-date listing of CEMS accredited courses for each academic term is available on the CEMS organization’s website: https://www.cems.org/academic-members/our-members/aalto-university-school-business#university-courses. Other timing restrictions may apply.

2. Specialization area studies 24 cr

Specialization areas are relevant business school disciplines at Aalto University. The student’s Master’s thesis is written in and supervised by the department of their specialization area.

Below are the requirements for each specialization area A-F.

A. Accounting

Accounting prepares students for producing and using financial and non-financial information to control and manage companies and other organizations in the modern highly digitalized environment.

Not available anymore starting in the academic year 2021-2022.

Mandatory for all students:

^{*) This course is organized twice a year, but it is recommended to take this course in I period in your 1st year studies.}

Choose 1 course from the following:

^{1) by Programme Director’s approval}

B. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management is about creating new ideas and implementing them in a way that generates economic and/or social value.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 2 courses from the following:

C. Finance

The Finance specialization area prepares students for jobs in the world’s most selective companies in the fields of international banking, management consultancy, and related areas. Students develop a solid scientific approach to financial problems. 

Not available anymore starting in the academic year 2021-2022.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 2 courses from the following:

^{1) 28E35700 Alternative Investments replaces the course 28E35500 Private Equity Investment (you can still include both courses 28E35700 and 28E35500 in your Finance electives). 
2) by Programme Director’s approval}

D. Management and International Business

The specialization area of Management and International Business educates open-minded and competent professionals with analytical, conceptual, communicational and cultural sensitivity skills needed to succeed in the international arena.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 3 courses from the following:

^{1) Replaces course 26E03100 Driving Global Business and 26E03101 International Strategy
2) Replaces course 26E03302 Sustainability in International Business}

E. Marketing

Marketing is a way of thinking and mode of practice quintessential to all dimensions of business. In this specialization area, you will attain an in-depth understanding of this philosophy and a solid foundation of the skills and know-how required of a top marketing specialist.

Not available anymore starting in the academic year 2021-2022.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 3 courses from the following, at least one must be CEMS elective:

One elective course can be also chosen from following:

^{1) by Programme Director’s approval}

F. Strategy

This specialization area develops the skills to diagnose business problems and to conceive and implement new strategic initiatives in business contexts ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 1 course from the following:

3. Additional programme studies 12 cr

CEMS elective courses at Aalto or another CEMS school. Certain timing restrictions may apply. Courses must be CEMS accredited at the time of completion. An up-to-date listing of CEMS accredited courses for each academic term is available on the CEMS organization’s website: https://www.cems.org/academic-members/our-members/aalto-university-school-business#university-courses.