Program Overview

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Aalto Doctoral Programme in Business, Economics and Finance

The Aalto Doctoral Programme in Business, Economics and Finance is a doctoral degree programme offered by the Aalto University School of Business.

Basic Information

• Degree title: Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
• Language of the degree: Finnish, English
• Scope of the programme: The curriculum of the programme consists of 60 ECTS credits of coursework, including studies that develop students' transferable skills, and independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
• Expected completion time: 4 years of full-time study, 8 years of part-time study
• Programme Director: Professor Johanna Moisander

Fields of Study

The programme offers doctoral training in the following fields of study:

• Accounting
• Business Law
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Information Systems Science
• International Business
• Logistics
• Management Science
• Marketing
• Organization and Management
• Organizational Communication

Objectives and Intended Learning Outcomes

The Doctoral programme in Business, Economics and Finance is designed for highly motivated and ambitious aspiring business, economics and finance scholars. The programme provides doctoral students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities that they need to succeed in demanding, high-level positions in universities, research institutions, think tanks, and other research organizations.

Structure of the Programme

The curriculum of the Doctoral Programme in Business, Economics, and Finance consists of compulsory coursework (60 ETCS credits) and independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation in the student's chosen field of study.

Program Specialization Areas

The programme has three general program specialization areas with specific degree requirements: Business, Economics, and Finance.

Content of Studies: Business

Compulsory coursework in the programme specialization area comprises required and elective courses in basic research training and in the student's chosen field of study.

General Research Studies, 18 ECTS (Business)

• Course code: MNGT-L2000, LC-L1010
• Course name: Essential Academic Skills, Research Ethics for Doctoral students D
• ECTS: 4, 2
• Period: V, II or IV

Research Field Studies, 42 ECTS (Business)

Research field studies in the programme specialization area Business are offered in the following majors:

• Accounting
• Business Law
• Entrepreneurship
• Information Systems Science
• International Business
• Logistics
• Management Science
• Marketing
• Organization and Management
• Organizational Communication

Content of Studies: Economics

Compulsory coursework in the programme specialization area comprises General Research Studies, 48 ETCS, and Research field studies, 12 ECTS.

General Research Studies, 48 ECTS (Economics)

• Course code: LC-L1010, ECON-L2100, ECON-L2200, ECON-L2300, ECON-L2400, ECON-L3100, ECON-L3200, ECON-L3300, ECON-L3400, ECON-L4100, ECON-L4200, ECON-L4300, ECON-L4400
• Course name: Research Ethics for Doctoral Students D, Advanced Microeconomics 1, Advanced Microeconomics 2, Advanced Microeconomics 3, Advanced Microeconomics 4, Advanced Macroeconomics 1, Advanced Macroeconomics 2, Advanced Macroeconomics 3, Advanced Macroeconomics 4, Advanced Econometrics 1, Advanced Econometrics 2, Advanced Econometrics 3, Advanced Econometrics 4
• ECTS: 1-2, 5
• Period: IV, I, II, III, IV, I, II, III, IV, I, II, III, IV

Research Field Studies, 12 ECTS (Economics)

Students have different options:

• GSE special courses (1-6 ECTS credits each)
• Second year research paper seminar (6 ECTS credits)
• Working papers (this requires approval from the supervisor, 6 ECTS credits)
• Book exam (3-9 ECTS credits)
• Reading group (3-6 ECTS)
• Research seminar participation (3-6 ECTS)
• E-level courses given at the School of Business by the Departments of Economics, Finance, and Management Science
• Doctoral courses at other universities

Content of Studies: Finance

Compulsory coursework in the programme specialization area comprises General Research Studies, 48 ETCS, and Research field studies, 12 ECTS.

General Research Studies, 48 ECTS (Finance)

• Course code: 28L88800, LC-L1010, ECON-L4100, ECON-L4200, 28L30111, 28L30211, 28L30311, 28L40122
• Course name: Academic Writing and Paper Presentation Clinic, Research Ethics for Doctoral Students, Advanced Econometrics 1, Advanced Econometrics 2, Theoretical Asset Pricing, Empirical Asset Pricing, Theoretical Corporate Finance, Empirical Corporate Finance
• ECTS: 2, 2, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6
• Period: , IV, I, III, I-II, TBC, III-IV, V

Research Field Studies, 12 ECTS (Finance)

Students acquire knowledge and develop expertise in the area of their own research area/interests

• Course code: 28L40222
• Course name: Special Course(s) in Finance
• ECTS: 3-6
• Period:

Doctoral Thesis

The dissertation for a Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree can be a monograph or an article- or essay-based dissertation. The dissertation is expected to advance knowledge in the student's chosen field of study. The scope and general quality requirements of doctoral dissertations are specified in the Degree Regulations on Doctoral Education decided by University Academic Affairs Committee on August 1, 2018.

Licentiate Degree

Before completing the doctoral degree, it is possible to also complete a Licentiate of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree. The degree requirements of the Licentiate degree are specified in the Degree Regulations on Doctoral Education decided by University Academic Affairs Committee on August 1, 2018.

Research Fields

• Accounting: The PhD Program in accounting at Aalto BIZ offers interdisciplinary training that develops the student's skills in conducting both financial accounting and management accounting research.
• Business Law: The main goal of postgraduate studies in Business Law at Aalto University School of Business is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of current Business Law research and research methodology.
• Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship is a multi-faceted and pronouncedly multi-disciplinary field of research for scholars from different backgrounds.
• Information Systems Science: Research of the ISS group deals with adoption, use and impacts of ICT on consumers, companies, and society at large.
• International Business: The doctoral program in International Business at Aalto BIZ focuses on content relating to the theory, research, and practice of management with a cross-border or cross-cultural dimension.
• Logistics: Logistics in Aalto University School of Business focuses on operations management and supply chain management including both theoretical and application oriented research.
• Management Science: Management Science applies mathematical models, statistical techniques, and computing technology, together with observational, experimental or simulated data, to help management make decisions in complex real-world settings.
• Marketing: The Department of Marketing is comprised of a thriving and dynamic community of international scholars offering doctoral training in five primary research domains.
• Organization and Management: The doctoral studies in organization and management equips students with an understanding of the key management theories and in-depth knowledge in their own area of expertise.
• Organizational Communication: The unit of Organizational Communication offers a dynamic and intellectually inspiring environment for pursuing a doctoral degree in the broad field of organizational communication.

Contact Information

• Accounting: Professor Lasse Niemi
• Business Law: Assistant Professor Moritz Scherleitner
• Entrepreneurship: Associate Professor Ewald Kibler
• Information Systems Science: Professor Virpi Tuunainen
• International Business: Assistant Professor Iiris Saittakari
• Logistics: Professor Markku Kuula
• Management Science: Associate Professor Pekka Malo
• Marketing: Associate Professor Henri Weijo
• Organization and Management: Assistant Professor Samuli Patala
• Organizational Communication: Assistant Professor Paula Koskinen Sandberg
• Economics: Professor Pauli Murto
• Finance: Associate Professor Elias Rantapuska