Aalto EMBA in Sustainability
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, granted to around 1% 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 a special emphasis on strategy, and leadership in a global context.
Focus on Sustainability
The sustainability perspective is integrated holistically across the curriculum, which deepens your understanding of responsibility and sustainability in business and how these issues impact business strategies, decision-making, and value creation. You will gain the tools and insights needed to transform your organization into a sustainable business.
The program diploma is awarded by Aalto University School of Business.
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Aalto EE Scholarships
Aalto EE scholarships are available to apply for.
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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 the program feedback questionnaire
Most Satisfied Participants in the Nordic Countries
Aalto EMBA program participants’ overall satisfaction is the highest among programs in the Nordics, 5th in Europe, and 21st globally.
Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2022
Graduation Rate 99%
The flexible yet structured program design, together with strong support from the EMBA team, enables you to successfully combine highly demanding career responsibilities with intensive studies.
Among the Best in the World
Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking
In 2022, the Aalto Executive MBA ranked 49th in Europe and 88th in the prestigious Financial Times’ annual global ranking.
Aalto EMBA program participants’ overall satisfaction is the highest among programs in the Nordics, 5th in Europe, and 21st globally. Around 4,000 EMBA programs are 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, faculty qualifications, participants' 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.
The Financial Times has published the FT Executive MBA ranking since 2006, with only minor modifications made to the ranking criteria during this period. Alumni salary and salary development have always been weighted significantly heavier than other criteria. Over the years, 200 different programs have been featured in the ranking, but only 22 have been included every year since 2006 – Aalto EE's program is proud to be one of these.
QS Global EMBA Ranking
In 2022, Aalto Executive MBA was ranked 26th in Europe and 67th overall in the QS Global EMBA Rankings. 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 2022, 220 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
The essence of Aalto's Executive MBA is transformation. The program is designed to enhance the participant’s 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.
From Latest Knowledge to Practical Skills
The Aalto Executive MBA program modules are prepared and presented by a world-class 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.
Our Learning Philosophy
The Aalto EMBA is designed to maximize interaction and participation. The approach focuses on the 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, simulations, 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.
Experience True Internationality
In addition to globally relevant content, the Aalto EMBA provides participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of different business cultures, gain new perspectives on global commerce, and expand their international network. Elective study tours abroad contribute to developing cross-cultural competence. Aalto Executive MBA participants also benefit from the elective study module offered by our international partner schools’ EMBA programs.
Aalto EE’s Impact
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. The participants benefit from a goal-oriented and comprehensive learning experience with a 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.
Benefits
The program is designed to enhance the participant’s personal skills and leadership competencies from a sustainable angle. The modules also strengthen the participant's strategic thinking thus increasing their understanding of why businesses need to transform and how they themselves can become drivers of organizational transformation.
For
The Aalto Executive MBA in Sustainability is designed for professionals with significant professional work experience – typically 5-8 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.
Contents and Schedule
To fulfill the requirements for the Aalto Executive MBA diploma, participants must successfully complete studies worth 90 ECTS credits, including some international elements. Studies include 12 core modules (52 ECTS in total), one compulsory Business Strategy Project (11 ECTS), and elective modules worth a total of 27 ECTS (typically, one elective module is worth 4.5 ECTS).
The Aalto Executive MBA in Sustainability program can be completed in around two years. The program has a modular structure and follows a six-week learning cycle.
Modules are typically run once a month on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 13:30 to 21:30 (UTC+8). 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
Take-home assignment
Core Modules
The 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.
- Personal and Organizational Leadership
- Financial Accounting and Analysis of Financial Statements
- Management Accounting and Control
- Economics
- Finance
- Strategic Management
- Communications
- Marketing
- Fundamentals of Corporate Sustainability
- People Management
- Leading with Impact
- Capstone
Elective Modules
Aalto EMBA participants can choose from a wide variety of elective modules:
- Elective modules under the Aalto Executive MBA program, the Aalto MBA program, and the Global Leader program in Helsinki
- Range of electives in the form of study tours and in EMBA programs at our international partner universities
- Several elective modules in the form of open executive programs
Aalto EMBA participants who are taking the concentration in sustainability, are required to complete the following sustainability elective modules:
- Sustainable Supply Chain Management
- Social and Digital Sustainability
- Sustainability Reporting
Read more about the Executive MBA program's contents
Outline Your Learning Goals and Assess the Impact during the Orientation and Capstone Module
The Orientation and Capstone Module kicks off and 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. 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 individually with the final aim of developing an analytical solution or tool for a concrete strategic business challenge faced by an organization. The project aims to utilize the insights gained during the program and maximize the use of the individual’s competencies. Skilled academic tutors from Aalto University help individuals to develop an update on the state-of-the-art academic research related to the project topic.
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 designed to offer an in-depth understanding of a chosen theme relevant to the local environment and typically involves a five-day study period abroad.
World-class faculty from, for example, Stanford 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.
Witness Your Own Progress as a Leader
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.
Explore Cutting-Edge Research at Aalto Executive Summit
The annual Aalto Executive Summit brings together Aalto EMBA and MBA participants and alumni from around the world. During the Summit, you will learn about cutting-edge Aalto University research and innovations on current topics while enjoying a unique opportunity to meet business leaders and network with Summit participants.
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 meetings with fellow alumni. With more than 18,000 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.
Entry Requirements and Fee
Entry Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Minimum five years of relevant postgraduate work experience in a managerial or senior specialist position
- Good command of written and spoken English
- Recommendation letter
- Personal meeting
If you are not sure about meeting some of the requirements, please contact the Aalto EMBA in Sustainability admissions team.
Tuition Fee
The fee for the Aalto Executive MBA in Sustainability is SGD 60,000 (prevailing GST if applicable). Materials needed for the studies are included in the fee.
The fee does not include costs for the optional study tours abroad.
Application
Application Deadlines
The next Aalto EMBA in Sustainability program is starting in year 2025. Contact us for more details.
Start Your Application Process
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.
Application Stages
Personal meeting
We will meet all applicants personally as part of the application process. In the meeting, we will discuss the Aalto EMBA in Sustainability program, your career development plans, and your motivation to study in the program.
Complete Application
The complete application includes
- a completed online pre-application form,
- a comprehensive resumé (curriculum vitae, CV) in English,
- four short essays written in English (topics provided by the EMBA admissions team),
- certified copies of the applicant's academic degrees and transcripts (original documents can be presented in the personal meeting), and
- a letter of recommendation (form provided by EMBA admissions team).
Board of Studies Approval
The Aalto MBA Board of Studies takes the final decision on admission. Applicants will be informed of admission or non-acceptance. Accepted applicants need to confirm their participation in the Aalto MBA program by signing the binding confirmation form.
Sustainable Business Stand-Alone Modules
You can start your Executive MBA journey from the Sustainable Business stand-alone modules and transfer up to 18 ECTS study credits within four years of completing the credits.
