Customer Reference
"Studying at Aalto EE was rewarding. Johtaminen terveydenhuollossa provided a com...”
Lotta Joutsi-Korhonen
Aalto EMBA in Helsinki
Passion to Lead
Aalto Executive MBA (EMBA) is one of Europe's leading Executive MBA programs. It holds the 'Triple Crown' of accreditations, the three most respected international accreditations – AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS – which are granted to only around 1% of the world's business schools, and is ranked among the top 100 programs worldwide.
The Aalto EMBA is for individuals with significant professional work experience who want to succeed further in senior leadership roles. The program helps you widen your professional network, renew your knowledge, and drive transformational growth in your organization.
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. A dialogue between sustainability, radical creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset – the core of Aalto University’s strategy – is present throughout the program.
The program’s diploma is granted by Aalto University School of Business.
Most Satisfied Participants in the Nordic Countries
The overall satisfaction of Aalto EMBA program participants is the highest among programs in Nordic countries, among the top 10 in Europe, and 25th globally.
Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2024
Outstanding Participant Experience
The grade given by our EMBA participants for the support and customer service of the program team is 5.9 out of 6.0. The premises at Aalto University Töölö also provide an inspiring learning environment.
Graduate on Schedule
Our graduation rate is 99%. The flexible yet structured program design, together with strong support from the EMBA team and peers, enables you to successfully combine highly demanding career responsibilities with intensive studies.
Among the Best in the World
Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking
In 2024, the Aalto Executive MBA was ranked 48th among European programs and 88th overall in the prestigious Financial Times’ annual global ranking. The overall satisfaction of Aalto EMBA program participants is the highest among programs in Nordic countries, 10th in Europe, and 25th globally (score 9.33/10).
Approximately 4,000 EMBA programs are offered around the world, with only the top 100 making it into the Financial Times ranking. 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.
The Financial Times has published the Executive MBA ranking since 2006. Over the years, 202 different programs have been featured in the ranking, but only 22 have been included every year – Aalto's program is proud to be one of these. The Aalto EMBA is also the only program offered by a Finnish university that has successfully entered the ranking.
QS Global EMBA Ranking
In 2023, Aalto Executive MBA was ranked 28th in Europe and 66th overall in the QS Global EMBA Rankings. QS Global EMBA Rankings is provided by Quacquarelli Symonds and has been published annually since 2017. In 2023, around 200 programs were included, with only the top 100 making it into the ranking.
The QS EMBA Rankings combine input from thought leaders in business and management, alongside the perceptions of global employers who recruit from the world’s best EMBA programs, and is further enhanced by program-specific indicators.
A Journey of Leadership Transformation
Transformation is at the heart of the Aalto EMBA program, seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the experience. The program is designed to enhance the participants’ personal skills and competencies as leaders and individuals. The modules also further strengthen the participants’ strategic thinking, thus increasing their understanding of why businesses need to transform and how they themselves can become drivers of organizational change.
From Latest Knowledge to Practical Skills
The Aalto Executive MBA program modules are prepared and presented by world-class faculty from Aalto University and renowned business schools around 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 of the latest business and management theories with their professional experience in organizations and to reflect upon their own views and practices.
The Aalto Way of Learning
The Aalto EMBA is designed to maximize interaction and participation. The teaching approach focuses on the integration of theory and practice and takes into account differences in learning styles and preferences. A variety of teaching methods facilitate learning, including lectures, cases, presentations, group discussions and projects, simulations, and encounters with business leaders. Activities draw upon the wide international experience of participants, who represent different industries, functions, and backgrounds. Each module includes assignments designed to help participants immediately apply the learnings in their own work and organization.
Experience True Internationality
In addition to the extensive international network through our global EMBA programs and partner schools, globally relevant content, and international faculty, the Aalto EMBA provides participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of different business cultures and gain new perspectives on global business. Elective study tours abroad, e.g., to Yale and Harvard, as well as international elective exchange opportunities with our partner universities, such as Esade (Spain) and KEDGE Business School (France), contribute to the development of cross-cultural competencies.
The Aalto Executive MBA program has been offered in multiple international locations over the years. Currently, in addition to Helsinki, it is running in Seoul and Taipei. Notably, our Aalto EMBA program in Seoul has cultivated a robust network of close to 5,000 EMBA alumni in South Korea alone. Our programs are also highly esteemed among international companies such as LG, to whom we have provided annual customized Aalto EMBA programs in Seoul since 1997.
Our Impact
The Aalto EMBA is first and foremost built on and driven by the impact it has – on our participants, their organizations, the academic community, and society at large. Our participants and their organizations will benefit from our goal-oriented and comprehensive learning experience with proven impact. Aalto University professors with multidisciplinary approaches, humane teaching styles, and conversational learning methodologies ensure that content is discussed, learned, and applied.
We help nurture and develop our participants’ knowledge and skills, foster self-confidence, and build individual learning paths. In a curated, diverse group of highly experienced participants, a sustainable and prestigious peer network and life-long friendships are born. Multifaceted and seasoned participants offer a platform to exchange ideas and insights, fostering an environment of openness, curiosity, and mutual respect.
Benefits
The Aalto EMBA program is designed to enhance the participants’ personal skills and leadership competencies. Through its comprehensive modules, the program not only sharpens strategic thinking, but also empowers participants to understand the imperative of business transformation, inspiring them to become catalysts for change in their organizations.
Feed your mind for growth to reach your highest potential.
Acquire a more holistic understanding of global business management.
Develop universally relevant competencies with an emphasis on strategy and leadership.
Gain insights and further develop practical business-oriented skills that can be applied immediately in your organization.
Learn from other participants and faculty with vast and diverse experience.
Build a strong network and social capital that will serve you well in the future as a source of advice, business, recruitment, and friendship.
Give yourself time away from busy daily life for strategic thinking and reflection, both independently and with peers for mutual enrichment.
Reinforce your professional confidence to face new challenges.
Have an opportunity to propose and carry out a high-level consulting project for your own organization.
Tailor a flexible study plan to suit your schedule and competence development needs.
Feel secure in your investment; strong support from a dedicated EMBA team ensures your timely graduation.
For
The Aalto Executive MBA is designed for professionals with significant work experience. Typically, participants have 15 years of relevant work experience, ranging from 8 to 25 years.
The program is best suited to talented professionals with strong management and leadership experience 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 of business management the program offers.
Profile of Aalto EMBA in Helsinki 2021–2024 Participants
Educational background
49 pax
Average cohort size
43 years
Average age
14 years
Average work experience
21
Different nationalities
Contents and Schedule
To fulfill the requirements for the Aalto Executive MBA diploma, participants must successfully complete studies worth 90 ECTS study credits, including one international element. Studies include 13 core modules, two compulsory projects (Business Strategy Project and Self-development Process), and elective modules worth a total of 22.5 ECTS. Typically, one module is worth 4.5 ECTS credits.
The Aalto Executive MBA in Helsinki is a two-year program starting in October. 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. This allows you to easily complete the program, including from other locations or abroad. Each module contains a written pre-assignment and a take-home assignment.
Program Structure
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
Core Modules
The Aalto EMBA program includes 13 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.
- Personal and Organizational Leadership
- Financial Accounting and Analysis of Financial Statements
- Management Accounting and Control
- Economics
- Corporate Finance
- Strategic Management
- Corporate Communications
- Strategic Marketing Management
- Corporate Responsibility
- Strategic People Management
- Business Processes
- Aalto Executive Summit
- Capstone
Elective Modules
The Aalto EMBA program has the largest pool of elective modules in Finland for participants to choose from. The topic areas include leadership, strategy, finance, and entrepreneurship, among others. We also offer a range of electives abroad in the form of study tours and at our international partner universities.
The various elective modules available include, for example:
- Self-leadership
- Leading Change
- Digital Strategy and Transformation
- Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions
- Geoeconomics for Executives
- Strategic Foresight in Business Management
International Studies
Aalto EMBA participants are required to complete one international module. The options are:
- An elective module arranged by Aalto EE abroad
- A study tour abroad, or
- A module abroad at one of our partner universities
Read more about the Executive MBA program contents
Outline Your Learning Goals and Assess the Impact during the Orientation and Capstone Module
The Orientation kicks off and Capstone wraps up the EMBA studies. The program objectives and participants’ personal learning goals are outlined in the Orientation at the beginning of the program, while the learning outcomes and benefits of the studies are assessed in the Capstone module. This core module strengthens the program’s emphasis on strategy and challenges participants to integrate learnings from different areas of the program.
Turn Insight into Action during the Aalto EMBA Business Strategy Project
The Aalto EMBA program includes a Business Strategy Project (BSP), a consultancy project carried out in a small team to tackle a concrete strategic business challenge faced by a selected program participant´s organization. The project aims to use the insights gained during the program, with project groups organized to maximize the use of the individual competencies of the participants and supported by skilled academic tutors from Aalto University.
Dive Deep into Yourself in the Aalto EMBA Self-development Process
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.
Take Part in Memorable Study Tours
Although optional, international study tours are an important part of the Aalto Executive MBA program. An Aalto EMBA study tour is a certificate program designed in collaboration with world-class universities such as Harvard Division of Continuing Education and Yale School of Management, typically consisting of four full days of learning and extracurricular activities uniquely available on campus.
Benefit from the Cutting-Edge Research at Aalto University
Aalto, as a research university, ensures access to the latest state-of-the-art knowledge and insights. During the Aalto Executive Summit, you will learn about cutting-edge Aalto University research and innovations on current topics while enjoying the atmosphere of the Aalto University main campus.
The Aalto EMBA program also reflects the themes of sustainable development, radical creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset, which are at the core of Aalto University's strategy.
Gain Access to the Alumni Network
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 networking opportunities with fellow alumni. With around 20,000 alumni worldwide, we offer you access to the latest knowledge and an extensive global business network.
Flexible EMBA
The Aalto EMBA program starts in the fall, but you have the opportunity to complete some elective modules before the official start of the program. Several interesting topics are available monthly in our ongoing MBA programs for you to choose from. The completed modules and study credits will be included in your EMBA studies.
This way, you can complete some of the required modules before the official start of your program and gain flexibility in tailoring your EMBA study plan and schedule.
Admission Requirements and Fee
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Minimum five years of relevant postgraduate work experience in managerial or senior specialist positions
- Good command of written and spoken English
The application process includes:
- Submission of the required application documents
- Personal meeting
If you are not sure if you meet some of the requirements, please contact the Aalto EMBA admissions team.
Tuition Fee
Application
Application Deadlines
Start Your Application Process
Start your application process by completing the preliminary application. Please note that submitting this form is the first step in the actual application process. After submitting the form, our admissions team will contact you and guide you in the application process.