Technically, the studies in the Global Management (incl. CEMS) programme are broken into

• Programme studies 84 ECTS credits,
  • Including Master's thesis 30 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:

1. ‘Specialisation area studies’ (24 ECTS of course work, Master’s thesis and the thesis seminar) and
2. 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 2018 will be in their MIM year in the academic year 2019–2020. 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

Code: BIZ224
Credits: 84 ECTS cr
Responsible Professors: Professor of Practice, Rita Järventie-Thesleff

Degree requirements 120 cr

1. Programme studies 84 cr

Mandatory for all students:

^{1) completed at Aalto or another CEMS school}

Mandatory for all students:

²⁾ course codes and timing of thesis seminar depend on the supervising focus 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 provides students with in-depth expertise in issues concerning the production and use of financial information of business firms and other organizations.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 1 course from the following:

^{1) by Programme Director’s approval
2) This course replaces course 22E25000 Accounting for Management Control. Only one of the courses can be completed.}

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 1 course from the following:

¹⁾ by Programme Director’s approval

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. 

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 2 courses from the following:

^{*) Not lectured 2018-20
1) 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
2) Replaces courses 26E03301 Institutions, Partnerships and Responsible Business and 26E03300 Operating in Different Cultural Context
3) Replaces course 26E05000 Game Industry: Born Global innovative and digital
4) by Programme Director’s approval}

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.

Mandatory for all students:

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

^{1) by Programme Director’s approval
*) Not lectured 2019–2020}

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:

^{1) by Programme Director’s approval}

3. Additional programme studies 12 cr

CEMS elective courses at Aalto or another CEMS school. Certain timing restrictions may apply.

Master’s thesis and thesis seminar

The programme study module includes a 30-credit thesis with a 6-credit seminar. The thesis must demonstrate readiness for scientific thinking, command of research methods, conversance with the topic of the thesis, and ability for scientific communication.

The student takes also part in a thesis seminar, which is designed to help the students to prepare their thesis work. The seminar commonly consists of meetings, completing thesis, presenting the research topic to the seminar group and acting as an opponent for a fellow student’s thesis. Seminar lasts usually the whole semester, and it is organised during both autumn and spring semesters.

Seminar practices vary depending on the degree programme: please see the instructions for each programme in Sisu or MyCourses. For instructions on writing and handing in the thesis please see the page Completing your master's thesis.

Technically, the studies in the Global Management (incl. CEMS) programme are broken into

• Programme studies 84 ECTS credits,
  • Including Master's thesis 30 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:

1. ‘Specialisation area studies’ (24 ECTS of course work, Master’s thesis and the thesis seminar) and
2. 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 2018 will be in their MIM year in the academic year 2019-2020. 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.

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

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

• execute effective business decision-making and change management in diverse contexts
• apply advanced management and leadership competencies developed through systematic experience of and engagement with the corporate world
• champion a holistic vision of responsible business decision-making, leadership and citizenship, informed by ethical reasoning, personal integrity, and respect for social diversity
• apply deeper knowledge in the chosen specialization area.

Code: BIZ224
Credits: 84 ECTS cr
Responsible Professors: Professor of Practice, Rita Järventie-Thesleff

Degree requirements

1. Programme studies 84 cr

Mandatory for all students:

^{1) completed at Aalto or another CEMS school}

Mandatory for all students:

^{2) course codes and timing of thesis seminar depend on the supervising focus area}

Complete 12 ECTS from the following (CEMS) elective courses 3:

^{3) courses must be CEMS accredited at the time of completion. 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 provides students with in-depth expertise in issues concerning the production and use of financial information of business firms and other organizations.

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 1 course from the following:

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 1 course 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. 

Mandatory for all students:

Choose 2 courses from the following:

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 (at least one of which must be a CEMS course):

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.

Mandatory for all students:

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

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:

3. Additional programme studies 12 cr

CEMS elective courses at Aalto or another CEMS school. Certain timing restrictions may apply.

Master’s thesis and thesis seminar

The programme study module includes a 30-credit thesis with a 6-credit seminar. The thesis must demonstrate readiness for scientific thinking, command of research methods, conversance with the topic of the thesis, and ability for scientific communication.

The student takes also part in a thesis seminar, which is designed to help the students to prepare their thesis work. The seminar consists of meetings, completing thesis, presenting the research topic to the seminar group and acting as an opponent for a fellow student’s thesis. Seminar lasts usually the whole semester, and it is organised during both autumn and spring semesters.

Registration for the seminar varies depending on the degree programme: please see the instructions for each programme in Sisu or MyCourses. For instructions on writing and handing in the thesis please see Planning your studies.

Maturity test

After completing the Master's Thesis the student has to write a maturity test in order to demonstrate their familiarity with the subject of the thesis and proficiency in Finnish or Swedish language. If a student has demonstrated their Finnish or Swedish proficiency in the Bachelor’s degree, it is not required again for the Master’s degree. In this case the maturity test will be evaluated only based on the content. However, the maturity test is still always written in Finnish or Swedish, unless the student has been exempted to write the test in some other language (see instructions below).

The maturity test is a written examination based on the Master’s thesis. The School of Business students write an executive summary which is classified as the maturity test. For further instructions regarding the maturity test, please see Planning your studies - Maturity test.

If a student has had their (high school) education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or abroad, it is possible to apply for an exemption in order to make the test in English or some other language. The application will be addressed to the Vice Dean of the School of Business. In this case the maturity test will be evaluated only based on the content.