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Degree level learning outcomes

MSc degree studies consist of programme studies and elective studies. In some programmes, there is also a compulsory minor. The scope of the modules varies between programmes.

In addition to the goals stated in  (794/2004) 7 § the aim of the Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration is to provide students with

• a comprehensive understanding of the area of specialisation, including its potential to address environmental, economic and social sustainability challenges;
• the ability to identify and analyse sustainability challenges and business opportunities and creatively develop solutions;
• the ability to reflect on the ethical foundations and implications of business decision-making for different stakeholders and to act accordingly; and
• the ability to communicate effectively and to foster diversity, equity and inclusiveness in organisations.

Programme level learning outcomes

The International 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 global business challenges. The graduates will also be aware of their personal responsibility and accountability and of the ethical, institutional and cultural frameworks within which leadership is exerted.

Upon completion of the International Management (/CEMS) programme students will be able to distinguish themselves in the following areas:

1. Internationalism
   • Our graduates are knowledgeable international business practitioners, able to execute effective business decision-making in diverse contexts, understanding their potential to address environmental, economic and social sustainability challenges.
2. Business Embeddedness
   • Our graduates apply advanced management and leadership competencies developed through systematic experience of and engagement with the corporate world.
3. Responsible Citizenship
   • Our graduates champion a holistic vision of responsible business decision-making, leadership and citizenship, informed by ethical reasoning, personal integrity, and respect for sustainability social diversity.
4. Reflective Critical Thinking
   • Our graduates are confident, agile, and reflective decision-makers and problem-solvers, able to formulate and apply innovative solutions to complex business and societal challenges.
5. Comprehensive Leadership
   • Our graduates are fully aware of their personal responsibility and accountability and of the ethical and cultural frameworks in which leadership is exerted.

The academic requirements of the CEMS MIM programme are integrated in the International Management/CEMS MSc programme.

Please see the recommended study timetable for International Management. 

Students entering the International 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 IM in 2026 will be in their MIM year in the academic year 2027-2028. The first MSc year is designated for International Management programme 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 programme studies, but in order to also graduate from CEMS MIM, the students need to complete their CEMS MIM studies according to the rules and guidelines set by the CEMS alliance.

You can familiarize yourself with the CEMS MIM programme elements and graduation requirements on the website, under CEMS Master (MIM).

In order to graduate from the CEMS MIM programme, students must also complete skill seminars (2 ECTS in total), an international internship and fulfill the language proficiency requirements, in addition to finishing their MSc degree in International Management. Students are responsible for checking the course and credit requirements for the CEMS MIM programme separately.

Code: BIZ224
Scope: min. 79 ECTS
Programme director: Professor of Practice Sami Itani

^{1 This course fulfills the Capstone requirement in the International Management programme}

During the second year of the International Management programme, the ‘CEMS MIM year’, International Management students study one academic term at Aalto and the other term at another CEMS school. With this CEMS term abroad, students fulfill the requirements of the international minor (min. 24 credits) of the International Management programme.

Note that the 24 credits of studies is a minimum requirement for the International Management programme. Students may have to complete more studies during the CEMS MIM term abroad in order to fulfill the CEMS MIM programme requirements. The credit and course requirements for CEMS MIM programme must be checked separately.

Elective studies must meet the following requirements: they must be completed at a university or university of applied sciences; they must, as a rule, be a part of the degree studies of the university or university of applied sciences organizing the studies and they must meet the objectives of the degree completed at the Aalto University School of Business. Elective studies cannot overlap with other studies included in the degree in terms of content and intended learning outcomes.

Higher education institutions also offer studies outside degree education aimed at a wide audience, the suitability of which for the degree is assessed in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the degree. For example, courses that can be completed freely online and have a scope of 1-3 ECTS are generally not accepted as part of the degree.  

Elective studies are selected so that the scope of the degree of 120 ECTS is met. 

Elective studies can be used for example:

• Completing a 
• Broadening your skills and knowledge via multidisciplinary studies by
  • completing
  • completing
  • Completing studies in European
  • To complete network studies, for example, from the Hilma network of gender studies or other networks
• Acquiring entrepreneurial skills
• Deepening language and communication skills by
  • completing studies  either as individual courses or as an entire minor 
  • completing studies 
• Broadening or deepening expertise in your own field by
  • completing additional studies in your programme or major
  • completing studies or other programmes or majors
  • completing additional studies 
  • completing a Customized business project BIZ-E0100 () or Non-governmental organization project BIZ-E0110 (Read more in here)
• Acquiring working life skills by completing 
• Learning self-leadership skills, finding meaningfulness and developing study well-being 

If you have mandatory language studies in your master's degree, they are included in the elective studies module. You have received information about this at the beginning of your studies, if this applies to you. If you are uncertain whether you need to demonstrate language proficiency in the master's degree, please contact your programme's planning officer to get further information about the matter.  

• If you have completed your bachelor's degree in Finland (in Aalto or in another higher education institute), you have fulfilled the compulsory language requirements in the respective degree or received the exemption. You do not need to complete language studies in the master's degree.
• If your language of education is Finnish or Swedish and you have completed your bachelor’s degree outside of Finland, you must demonstrate proficiency in national languages by writing the maturity test in your language of education (Finnish or Swedish) and complete the language proficiency tests in the other national language. Read more about the language of education here. You may also apply for an exemption of demonstrating proficiency in national languages. See also the following bullet.
• If you have completed your bachelor’s degree outside of Finland, you must complete minimum of 3 ECTS in English including both oral and written proficiency. You can choose any course on level B2 or higher. Courses at a sufficient level and including both oral and written proficiency are marked with ‘o’ and ‘w’ in the course name. Students, whose language of education is not Finnish or Swedish, may alternatively complete an elementary course in Finnish or in Swedish. The courses in national languages can be at any level on CEFR scale.