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Medical Director Sally Järvelä’s career path: ”The EMBA studies showed me what leadership is really ...
Reetta Räty
Aalto Executive MBA (EMBA) is one of Europe's leading Executive MBA programs. It holds the 'Triple Crown' of accreditations – the three most respected university accreditations, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, granted to only 0.5% of the world's business schools – and is ranked among the top 100 programs worldwide.
The Aalto EMBA program develops a strong professional network and accelerates your career progression. It boosts the key knowledge and skills relevant for individuals with significant professional work experience to succeed further in senior leadership roles.
The program focuses on the four core business areas of strategy, leadership, finance, and marketing, with special emphasis on strategy and leadership in a global context. Strategy is approached from a variety of perspectives with an emphasis on inventive strategies and novel business models. Leadership covers a range of themes from self-leadership to leading and inspiring others.
The program diploma is awarded by Aalto University School of Business.
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100% of participants* would recommend the program
The Aalto EMBA program truly expands one’s understanding of the business world, and the new insights are highly applicable.
*respondents to program feedback questionnaire
Most Satisfied Participants in the Nordic Countries
Aalto EMBA program participants’ overall satisfaction is the highest in the Nordics, in Europe the program is in the 7th place and globally in the 14th place.
*Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2020
Graduation Rate 98 %
Flexible yet structured program design together with strong support from EMBA team enables you to successfully combine highly demanding career responsibilities with intensive studies.
Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking
In 2020, Aalto Executive MBA was again the only Finnish program to hold onto its place among the top 100 in the Financial Times’ annual global ranking. Aalto EE’s EMBA program ranks 49th in Europe and 88th overall. Aalto EMBA program participants’ overall satisfaction is the highest in the Nordics, in Europe the program is in the 7th place and globally in the 14th place.
More than 3,000 EMBA programs are currently offered around the world, with only the top 100 making it into the Financial Times' ranking. The Aalto EMBA is the only program offered by a Finnish university to have successfully entered the ranking. The Financial Times ranking assesses 16 categories, including the versatility of the program, teacher qualifications, students' career progress, salaries, and achievement of personal goals. The ranking is based on assessments and information collected from participants and statistical data provided by the schools. The ranking survey is sent to EMBA program participants three years after their graduation.
Financial Times has published the FT Executive MBA ranking since 2006, with only minor modifications having been made to the ranking criteria during this period. Over the years, 185 different business schools have featured in the ranking, but only 29 have been included every year since 2006 – Aalto EE is proud to be one of these schools.
QS Global EMBA Ranking
In 2020, Aalto Executive MBA was ranked 62nd in QS Global EMBA Ranking. QS Global EMBA Rankings is EMBA's world ranking of the best universities in the world, provided by Quacquarelli Symonds and published annually since 2017. In 2020, 161 business schools were included in the ranking.
The QS EMBA Rankings combine input from thought leaders in business & management alongside the perceptions of global employers who recruit from the world’s best EMBA programs, and is further enhanced by program-specific indicators.
The essence of Aalto Executive MBA is transformation. The program is designed to enhance the participants’ personal skills and competencies as leaders and individuals. The modules also strengthen the participants’ strategic thinking thus increasing their understanding of why businesses need to transform and how they themselves can become drivers of organizational transformation.
The Aalto Executive Master of Business Administration program modules are prepared and presented by a world-class faculty from Aalto University and renowned business schools across the world. In addition to their academic qualifications, our instructors are both excellent teachers and have significant business experience in various organizations. Presentations and assignments encourage participants to link the academic input on the latest business and management theories with their professional experience in organizations and to reflect upon their own views and practices.
The Aalto EMBA is designed to maximize interaction and participation. The approach focuses on integration of theory and practice and is adjusted to take differences in learning styles and preferences into account. A variety of methods facilitate learning, including lectures, presentations, group debates, quizzes, role plays, real-life case studies, and encounters with business leaders.
Activities draw upon the wide experience of participants, who represent different industries, functions, and educational backgrounds. Each module includes assignments designed to help participants and faculty see whether they have achieved the learning objectives.
In addition to globally relevant content, the Aalto EMBA provides participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of different business cultures, to gain new perspectives on global commerce, and to expand their international network. Elective Aalto Executive Summits and elective study tours abroad contribute to developing cross-cultural competence. Aalto Executive MBA students also benefit from the elective module offering from our partner schools’ EMBA programs in Europe and Asia.
We are first and foremost driven by the impact we can have through our programs – on participants, their organizations, the academic community, and society at large
Our customers benefit from a goal-oriented and comprehensive learning experience with proven impact on both the individual and the organization. We nurture and develop the knowledge and skills of individuals, foster self-confidence, and build individual learning paths and meaningful careers. We also do our utmost to ensure that our participants create the best sustainable business networks.
The program is designed to enhance the participants’ personal skills and leadership competencies. The modules also strengthen the participants’ strategic thinking thus increasing their understanding of why businesses need to transform and how they themselves can become drivers of organizational transformation.
The Aalto Executive MBA is designed for professionals with significant work experience – typically 15 years or more.
The program is best suited for talented professionals with strong management and leadership experience, steady career progression, and curiosity to learn more. Candidates who are looking to take their organization to the next level will find true value in the holistic overview the program offers for business management.
Profile of Aalto EMBA in Helsinki 2016-2020 Participants
Educational Background
323
Participants
Gender
42
Average Age
15 years
Average Work Experience
22
Different Nationalities
To fulfill the requirements for the Aalto Executive MBA degree, participants must successfully complete studies worth 90 ECTS credits. Studies include 12 core modules (52 ECTS in total), two compulsory projects (Business Strategy Project, 11 ECTS and Self-development Process, 4.5 ECTS), and elective modules worth a total of 22.5 ECTS (typically, one elective module is worth 4.5 ECTS).
The Aalto Executive MBA in Helsinki program can be completed in two years. The program has a modular structure and follows a six-week learning cycle. Modules are typically run once a month with contact learning sessions on Thursday from 10:00 to 18:00, Friday from 8:30 to 17:00 and Saturday from 8:30 to 16:00. Each module contains a written pre-assignment and a take-home assignment.
Covid-19 notice: Program will be delivered in a hybrid and online model that enables equal participation either on site in our training facilities or remotely.
Pre-module period of three weeks
Individual preparation
Three-day module
Intensive contact learning session with instructor and peers
Post-module period of three weeks
Take-home assignment
Aalto EMBA program includes 12 core modules. The core modules are designed to provide participants with a wide understanding of the different key areas of business, and participants acquire skills that are essential for any leader. The core modules are building blocks of the EMBA program and help participants to integrate knowledge in the various management disciplines with hands-on practice. All these topics will be approached and discussed from the point of view of leadership and strategy.
Aalto EMBA participants can choose from a variety of elective modules:
The Orientation and Capstone Module kicks off and wraps up the EMBA studies. The program objectives and personal learning goals of participants are outlined in the Orientation at the beginning of the program. During the Capstone, the learning outcomes and benefits of the studies are assessed. This core module strengthens the program’s emphasis on strategy and challenges participants to integrate learnings from different areas of the program.
The Aalto EMBA program includes a Business Strategy Project (BSP) carried out in a team with the final aim of developing an analytical solution or tool for a concrete strategic business problem faced by an organization. The project aims to utilize the insights gained during the program, with project groups organized to maximize use of the individual competencies of their members. Skilled academic tutors from Aalto University help the teams develop an update on the state-of-the-art in academic research related to the project topic.
The Self-development Process (SDP) is a fundamental part of the Aalto EMBA; it supports you in the process of personal development as a leader and as an individual throughout your studies and way beyond. It includes self-steered studying, peer coaching, facilitated group workshops, and one-to-one coaching with the support of a professional instructor.
The annual Aalto Executive Summit brings together Aalto EMBA, MBA, and Global Leader participants and alumni from around the world. During one intensive week you will study with highly renowned international guest speakers and faculty while enjoying a unique opportunity to meet business leaders and network with Summit participants. The Aalto Executive Summit location alternates between Helsinki and Singapore.
Although optional, international study tours are an important part of the Aalto Executive MBA program. An Aalto EMBA study tour is designed to offer in-depth understanding of a chosen theme relevant in the local environment and typically involves a five-day study period abroad.
World-class faculty from, for example, Harvard and Yale, are guaranteed to provide interesting academic instruction. Other components of a study tour such as company visits and campus tours, as well as fun extracurricular activities, bring the finishing touch for a comprehensively superb experience.
Aalto EMBA graduates agree that the program develops strategic thinking by providing new knowledge and tools that can be applied immediately in practice. Just as important, you will gain insights into becoming a world-class leader – skills that never lose their relevance and which will be extremely valuable along your future path.
All graduates automatically become members of the Aalto EE and Aalto University alumni community. Aalto EE and Aalto University continuously arrange events, company visits, and meetings with fellow alumni. With more than 17,000 alumni worldwide, Aalto EE provides a valuable network for you to connect with your fellow alumni. We offer you access to the latest knowledge and an extensive global business network. We build lifelong partnerships by providing development opportunities, quality services, and benefits.
We offer you the opportunity of starting your studies early in the same year that your EMBA program starts. There are a number of modules available that you can choose from between January and June in our ongoing MBA programs. The completed modules and study credits will be included in your degree.
This way, you can get a feeling for studying in our MBA program and can complete some of the required modules before the official start of your program, and you will also gain some flexibility in tailoring your Aalto EMBA study plan and schedule.
Featured Insights
If you are not sure about meeting some of the requirements, please contact the Aalto EMBA admissions team.
Start your Aalto Executive MBA application process by completing a short preliminary application. After completing the form, our program team will contact you to provide more information about the program and guide you in the application process.