Bachelor's Programme in International Business – FAQ

BScBA stands for the Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree. Completing the programme results in Bachelor’s degree with major in International Business.

The Bachelor’s Programme in International Business is offered at the Aalto University Mikkeli Campus. Mikkeli is a town in Eastern Finland, approximately 230 kilometers northeast from Helsinki.

Yes, it is. In case you want to visit the campus and receive a tour around the school premises as well as a chance to ask questions about the programme from one of our students, please contact the campus to set a date for the visit: [email protected] or +358 50 328 3933. However, keep in mind that the study office is closed during weekdays after 4pm, on weekends and on holidays.

The BScBA Programme is a three-year programme. However, because of our intensive courses, it is possible to complete the programme even in 2,5 years. If one wishes to continue to the Master’s programmes offered in Aalto University School of Business, the combined normative duration of the studies is 5 years.

All students of the BScBA Programme have International Business as their major. International Business introduces an international aspect to the different fields of business; courses relate to for example marketing, management, accounting and finance.

Students who are not citizens of the member states of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, are required to pay tuition fees. The scholarships are granted in the form of a tuition fee waiver. The best applicants who are liable to pay fees may be granted scholarships.

More information here: https://www.aalto.fi/en/admission-services/scholarships-and-tuition-fees 

The next application period for studies starting in fall 2025 is held during 8–23 January 2025 (admission groups I-III).

All applications will be sent through the online application portal for Finnish higher education institutions. The application form can be found from studyinfo.fi (opintopolku.fi) with the search word “Aalto University Mikkeli"

You are eligible to apply for the programme if you have completed such a degree that gives you eligibility to university studies in your own home country. More details can be found from our admission criteria page. 

It does if it gives you eligibility to apply for university-level studies in your own home country. It does not matter where you come from or what is the formal title of your diploma, if you can apply to universities in your home country with the diploma, you can apply to the BScBA Programme as well.

No official proof of English skill level is required. However, because English is the language of instruction, it is essential that all participants are prepared to understand rapid, idiomatic English spoken in lectures and group discussions. The university does not offer preparatory language courses before the beginning of studies. 

The applicants in admission groups I and II need to complete the SAT or ACT test. In Admission Groups I and II the SAT or ACT test results are sufficient proof of language proficiency.

If you have completed Finnish matriculation examination diploma, IB or EB diploma or RP/DIA diploma in Finland, you may apply in groups II and/or III. Admission in group III is based on high school diploma grades and in group II on SAT or ACT test scores.

If you have not completed one of the four diplomas mentioned above, but have completed such a degree that gives you eligibility for university studies, you belong to group I where the admission is based on SAT or ACT test scores. If you have one of the high school diplomas mentioned above and you have also completed SAT or ACT test, your scores will automatically be taken into account in both admission groups II and III.

The SAT Test is organized by College Board; an American organization founded by universities and colleges. The SAT Test tests mathematical, writing and critical reading skills.

Please note, that SAT tests can be fully booked before the final registration date, so make sure to register for the test well in advance, because they are organized only a few times per year. Aalto University does not organize SAT tests or answer inquiries concerning the tests. More information on the SAT test can be found at http://www.collegeboard.org/.

The ACT test is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It can be used as an alternative for the SAT test. The ACT test tests mathematical, writing, critical reading, and science skills.

Please note that ACT tests can be fully booked before the final registration date, so make sure to register for the test well in advance, because they are organized only a few times per year. Aalto University does not organize SAT tests or answer inquiries concerning the tests. More information on the ACT test can be found at https://www.act.org/.

The SAT Test must have been taken accordingly:

• Only SAT tests taken on or after 1 January 2023 are considered
• The applicant must achieve a minimum total score of 1200 for the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections on the SAT test.

More information about taking the SAT test and the delivery of the results to Aalto University can be found at https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/admission-to-the-bachelors-programme-in-international-business-bachelor-mikkeli-and-master-otaniemi#14-information-on-the-sat-and-act-tests.  

The ACT test must have been taken accordingly:

• Only ACT tests taken on or after 1 January 2023 are considered.
• The applicant must have a minimum composite score of 25 for the Reading, English, Maths and Science sections on the ACT test.

More information about taking the ACT test and the delivery of the results to Aalto University can be found at https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/admission-to-the-bachelors-programme-in-international-business-bachelor-mikkeli-and-master-otaniemi#14-information-on-the-sat-and-act-tests.  

Lowest accepted scores 2024:

You can find admissions statistics for the previous years here.

Unfortunately, the BScBA Programme does not accept students based on Open University studies.

Unfortunately, the BscBA Programme does not accept transfer students.

Unfortunately transferring directly from a foreign university is not possible. You may, however, apply for our programme through the normal applying procedure and after admission get some of your courses transferred as a part of your studies, if their workload and content match the courses offered at Aalto University School of Business.

Unfortunately no. An Aalto University School of Business student with a right to study in one of the Aalto University School of Business bachelor’s programmes may not apply for transfer to any other bachelor's programmes in the field of business.

After acceptance, students may apply for student accommodation from MOAS, (Mikkeli Student Housing LTD) that offers affordable apartments for students in Mikkeli. The cost of housing varies between 220 € - 730 € per month based on location, size of the apartment and whether the apartment is shared or not. MOAS offers both furnished and unfurnished apartments. Details of the housing options and the application form can be found from https://www.moas.fi/en/.

You can also try to find accommodation from private markets. The prices are usually significantly higher. Private apartments can be found from www.vuokraovi.com and http://www.oikotie.fi

The orientation week for students starting their studies in the fall semester of 2025 begins on 25.8.2025. More information here: https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/bachelors-programme-in-international-business-mikkeli/starting-your-studies

All necessary information about the orientation week, events and your tutors will be sent to you by mail by our Mikkeli study office during summer. Studying beforehand is not required.

Additional information can be found from https://mikkeli.fi/en/ or https://visitmikkeli.fi/en/.

Our courses’ workload is calculated based on the ECTS credits, where 1 credit is equivalent to 27 hours of studying. The common workload for one course is 6 credits. The mandatory attendance in class accounts for 45 hours, leaving 115 hours of workload done independently.

The academic year consists of 15 three-week modules, where you study one course at a time. The three-week courses include 45 contact hours as well as individual or group work on each day. Courses continue through the first summer as well. The classes have mandatory attendance with some exceptions.

Courses include a variety of different types of assignments and ways to learn. These can include for example lectures, group discussions, essays, presentations, case studies, projects and company visits. Our professors come from all around the world and therefore have different styles of teaching.

Because international business is the major in the BScBA Programme, the Mikkeli Campus offers a vast variety of courses from all fields of business that take an international aspect on the topic.

The course curriculum for each academic year can be found from https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/bachelors-programme-in-international-business-mikkeli/recommended-timetable. Note that the schedule is subject to changes for the upcoming academic year, all courses may not be available in the future or the timings might change.

Yes, a semester-long exchange period is a mandatory part of our programme. Everyone in the BScBA Programme studies one semester in one of our partner universities. The Mikkeli Campus has over 50 partner universities in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North and South America.

You can find the partner universities of the BscBA Programme from: https://www.aalto.fi/en/other-studies/exchange-destinations

The student association of our university, Probba ry, organizes a lot of events for the students throughout the year, including the orientation week evening events. Additionally, the Mikkeli Campus has a bunch of student clubs that organize events regularly too, such as our sports club SkiBBA or culinary club Baba’s Kitchen.

Working on free time is the student’s own choice, but the studying should be kept as the priority. There are some part-time jobs suitable for students offered by the local companies. The university also hires three Finnish-speaking BScBA students each year to work for the school.