High quality of education, genuinely international
Over 1 400 students have graduated from the English degree programme since it first began in 1989. The survey was taken by 307 graduates of the degree programme. As many as 98% of the respondents said that the programme was of a high standard of quality and genuinely international.
The entire programme is centred around internationalism. Each year, dozens of top foreign and Finnish minds visit the programme as guest lecturers. The degree programme has an extensive network of internationally prestigious partner universities all over the world. In addition to this, the programme includes a foreign exchange as part of studies.
Beginning in the autumn of 2013, the BScBA programme will be Finland's only Bachelor's degree programme in business given entirely in English. It will then be the second Aalto University School of Business Bachelor's degree programme along with the Bachelor's programme in Helsinki. The International Business Bachelor's degree programme is not included in the national joint application period - it has its own separate admissions process.
Degree programme alumni, Senior Managing Consultant Timo Pantsari and Chief Marketing Officer Sari Barndik praise Mikkeli's close-knit student community.
’Mikkeli's students are a very tight group. We worked very closely with each other.’
Outstanding tools for succeeding in the workplace
Each year, 80 new students from all over the world are admitted to the degree programme. The students are only given the right to pursue a degree for bachelor's level studies. A majority of the students continue their studies for master's or other post-graduate degrees through separate applications. Respondents said that the Mikkeli programme prepared them well for taking on post-graduate studies.
According to the survey, 95% of the respondents are currently employed. In addition to Finnish employer organisations, degree programme alumni have found positions in 18 countries all over the world.
According to the survey, graduates who did not continue their studies at Mikkeli after earning their degree enjoyed a rate of employment almost equal to that of those who completed their post-graduate studies. Just as many of the alumni completing only the bachelor's degree programme or earning a degree at Mikkeli have landed executive positions as those completing their post-graduate studies. Completion of the bachelor's level programme or earning a Bachelor's degree in Mikkeli provided the graduates with outstanding tools to succeed in the workplace.
A great deal of attention is given in instruction to strong group work and presentation skills, problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment. Three-week intensive courses provide students with a boost in their studies.
’Modular, intensive study really prepares you for the workplace,’ says survey project co-ordinator Anna Reponen.
The alumni reinforce this view from the employer's point of view:
’We are interested in recruiting graduates of the BScBA programme, because they have excellent workplace skills. Thanks to the demanding, intensive study pace, they do quite well in fast-paced business routines,’ explains Pantsari, who graduated from the programme in 2002.
New degree structure to take effect next autumn
Next autumn, a new degree structure will be introduced to the programme. The programme will continue to maintain a high international standard, by further developing its network of partner universities and top-flight faculty.
’Based on the feedback we have received from students and alumni, entrepreneurship will be emphasised even more. The new degree structure will have a compulsory course on entrepreneurship, and we will be placing an emphasis on, among other things, developing computer skills using various instruction methods,’ explains planner Mari Syväoja.
Survey:http://biz.aalto.fi/en/studies/mikkeli/after_graduation/mikkeli_alumni_survey/
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BScBA DEGREE PROGRAMME
- Language of instruction: English
- Instruction given in three-week intensive courses
- Degree earned in three years
- Foreign study exchange part of studies
- Close-knit student community
- 920 applicants in 2012
- 54 nationalities from 49 different countries
- 80 new students admitted each year
- Network of 46 exchange universities
- 60 exchange students admitted each year