Hanken School of Economics

Last Updated on: May 30, 2025 by
Sridhar Kongara

Established in 1909, Hanken School of Economics is an elite business university in Finland with campuses in Helsinki and Vaasa. One of the Nordic region’s oldest business schools, it is also among the top one percent of such institutions worldwide holding the triple crown accreditation–EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA. A base of around 2,500 students, Hanken is a globally recognized name in business and economics, promoting international collaboration in research.

Established Year: 1909

Institution Type: Public

Address: Arkadiankatu 22, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

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Courses Offered

Offers 0 Courses

** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise

Why Choose this Hanken School of Economics

Internationally Recognized and Accredited

Its programmes are globally accredited and benchmarked against international business courses.
The degrees are internationally recognized by employers and universities.
Hanken regularly appears in international rankings such as by the Financial Times and QS by Subject.

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Global Learning Opportunities

All program of study include a compulsory part of overseas study, e.g. exchange program.
Hanken has over 120 partner universities in more than 40 countries and ensures study abroad opportunities are within reach.
Students can also participate in double degree programs with institutions in France, Germany and Italy.
The diversity of the classroom environment helps to enhance intercultural communications and makes the employability stronger internationally.

Industry Exposure and Integration

Hanken has deep connections with worldwide companies and local enterprises in Finland.
Students also participate in real-world projects, case studies and workshops sponsored by business partners.
During their studies, students are encouraged to participate in internships and research in close cooperation with companies.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are fostered through initiatives such as the Hanken Business Lab and Venture Studio.
Graduates are practical in nature and equipped with skills aligned with the trends and expectations in the marketplace.

Community and Alumni Network for Life

Hanken’s alumni network is active across the world, offering mentoring, internship leads and job offers.
Alumni also like to return to contribute to student academic program, provide guest lectures or contribute to recruiting events.
The community is tight and this sense of community flows over into professional life as well, helping with career progression.
Alumni have gone on to lead multinational firms, startups and public institutions.

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Campus Facilities at Hanken School of Economics

Helsinki and Vaasa dual campus configuration

Hanken has two campuses in Helsinki and Vaasa, with state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments.
The campus in Helsinki is located centrally at Arkadiankatu 22 and is easily accessible by public transport.
The campuses are both designed around modern architecture, including plenty of collaborative spaces and student areas.
Campus is updated regularly with emergency and safety plans for Helsinki and Vaasa locations under each building.

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Departmental and Research Facilities

Within each department, there are specific research centres, such as CERS, HUMLOG, and the Centre for Corporate Responsibility.
Labs and learning spaces like the Teaching Lab are intended to promote hands-on learning and interactive teaching methods.
Even students studying economics, finance, and marketing are also benefited by using simulation tools, software, and real-world datasets.
Research output is entwined with industry needs, especially via centres such as EPCE and GODDESS.

Language and communication

Courses the Centre for Languages and Business Communication offers include Swedish, Finnish, English, Russian, German, Spanish and French.
Language studies is a degree field found in many programs, preparing students for roles and exchange opportunities abroad.
These communication labs are multilingual and can support pronunciation, presentation, and writing skills.
The customized and elective language courses offer support to beginners and advanced learners alike.
These centers not only promote academic growth but also develop students’ ability to adapt to various cultural environments, improving their employability on a global scale.

Learning Infrastructure and Digital Access

Digital boards, interactive projectors, and Wi-Fi access around the campus are provided in the classrooms.
Hanken’s library and online databases provide a broad range of books, journals, and research articles.
The uninterrupted off-campus availability of e-resources provides the opportunity for the learning process to continue.

Campus Amenities and Student Services

Each campus features both dining services, student lounges, lockers, and printing stations for everyday academic life.
Not only are the campuses inclusive and accessible, there are elevators, ramps and adapted restrooms for differently-abled students.
Quiet Study zone, recreational space, and common area make it possible to balance academic focus with relaxation.
Maintenance and premises staff check for safety, functionality, and service to be done via service contacts.
The campuses even house Student Union offices and career counselling services for easy access.

Student Services Offered by Hanken School University of Economics

Academic and Study Services

Official transcripts, enrolment certificates and other academic documents are available through the Student Service Desk.
For students who would like guidance on how to plan the courses best suited for their future goals, the university has study counselling available to help tailor the path to the desired major.
Enrolment is also possible through the Open University system, and support is available to both degree-seeking students and Open University system enrolled.
Hanken’s academic management system, Sisu, allows students to register for courses, meet degree requirements, and manage academic records.
In the Learning Lab, students use digital tools and workshops to inspire and improve students’ learning approaches.

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International Exposure and Career Services

Career Services guides students through internships, job placement, and career planning while studying and post-study.
Events like Career Coffee and Hanken Network Day provide networking opportunities with top employers.
About International Career Counselling– For people who want to build a global career or study abroad.
Career Services offers students the opportunity to apply for grants to support internships and exchange programmes.
Hanken’s collaborations with international companies provide established recruitment channels and real-time career intelligence.

Mental Support and Health, Well-Being

A study psychologist is there to help those students with academic pressures or emotional distress.
Hanken has also provided psychotherapy services to enrolled students.
Crisis help is available for students confronting serious personal or academic challenges.
Student chaplains offer confidential spiritual and emotional support regardless of religious background.

Exchange Studies and Global Mobility

Students select the destinations and prepare for their study abroad experiences with dedicated advisors.
The university offers staff exchange and study opportunities at over 120 partner universities and regularly hold exchange fairs and info sessions.
Grants to support time outside of the country are also available for undergraduate and master’s students.
That support includes help with selecting courses for study abroad, transferring credit from the experience and integrating upon returning.
Students can explore cultural diversity and gain an international perspective.

Student Life at Hanken School University of Economics

Community Life and Student Union

The Helsinki-based Student Union of Hanken School of Economics (SHS) is the main organiser of student activities in Helsinki.
SHS and SSHV both organize events, student parties, sports tournaments, cultural activities and networking opportunities.
The prefects look after a tutor group of students, which plays a role in orienting and settling in.
This is especially helpful for international students who do not know the local culture, systems or language.

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Events, Clubs, and Activities

Club and interest-based groups include a mix of past times ranging from debate and sports to sustainability, business initiatives and more.
Under SHS, it has subject-specific associations to provide academic and career support through guest speakers and visits to companies.
Students regularly take part in national and international case competitions organized by partner universities or companies.

Understanding Multicultural Challenges and Inclusion

Around 50 nationalities are represented in Hanken, creating a diverse and open-minded campus.
Intercultural events, language cafes, and discussion forums promote inclusion at the university.
The university always includes international students in the leadership and planning committees for events.
Exchange students are integrated into the student body often instead of being separated.
Language barriers are compensated by English as the teaching medium, and many services are bilingual or multilingual.

Housing and Living Support

Hanken relieves some of the pressure by providing students with affordable housing with student housing foundations in Helsinki and Vaasa.
Shared apartments and studio units are typically available within a commuting distance to the campuses.
Housing demand is high and therefore, students are advised to apply for accommodation as early as possible.
Additional staff members and tutors help with contracts, rental terms, and moving-in formalities, especially in the case of international students.
Finland is a safe and clean place to live and the surrounding areas of both campuses are bike-friendly and well-connected.

Scholarships Offered by Hanken School of Economics

GBSN Premium Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fee waiver for two years (EUR 15,000/year) and a living allowance of EUR 9,600/year
Eligibility: Students from developing countries who are associated with GBSN member schools. They must apply for a Master’s program taught in English and possess a strong academic record and leadership potential.

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Hanken 100% Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fee waiver for the full duration of the program (EUR 15000/year)
Eligibility: To be granted to exceptionally excellent international candidates in all Bachelor’s and Master’s program taught in English. All academic requirements must be successfully met for gainful admission.

Tuition fee waiver scholarship at Hanken 50%

Eligible Amount: 50% tuition fee (EUR 7,500 yearly)
Eligibility: Awarded to students from outside Europe who are applying for either Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in English. The recipients are selected on the basis of merit as well as program evaluation criteria.

Finnish Government Scholarship (For Master’s Students)

Type of funding: 100% tuition fee waiver and EUR 5,000 relocation grant in year 1
Eligibility: This is for the top performing international students (non-EU/EEA) for Master’s studies. Available nationally from inside Finland on Finnish national funding to bring the best of the world of academia to Finnish universities.

Hanken-Scholarship-for-Developing-Economies

Value: Partial tuition fee waiver – percentage varies case by case
Who can apply: For students in countries designated as developing economies by Hanken. Applicants require strong academic records and a commitment to return and contribute to their home countries upon completion of their studies.

Internships and Placements at Hanken School of Economics

Internships for students pursuing the Bachelor’s degree

Internships may be credited towards a student’s required semester abroad at the bachelor level.
The internship must be abroad and at least 12 weeks (84 days) continuous to be eligible for credits.
They also recommend exchange studies being that in order to complete your international study requirement.
Bachelor internships are 8 ECTS and should include practical business tasks relevant to the student’s education.
It’s up to students to find their own internship placements, often through previous jobs or personal connections.

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Internship for a master’s degree

Internships for Master’s students can be done inside Finland or abroad, and they must usually take place in the student’s major subject area.
Internships of 8 weeks are equivalent to 5 ECTS and internships of 16 weeks to 10 ECTS.
Students can have multiple internship jobs from different companies that add up to the minimum length.
Internships should entail substantive, discipline-related work that provides both academic and professional growth.
Hanken advises an international internship at this stage as the professional experience helps foster a global perspective and increases employability internationally.

Internship Grants: Financial Support

You can apply for internship grants through the Mobility Online portal, Hanken has two application periods per year.
Internships between May–August must be full-time, continuous (without breaks) and have one employer to qualify for the grant.
The minimum number of days grant-eligible internships last is 90 for bachelor’s students and 60 for master’s students.
Sponsorship funding can be provided for a maximum of 12 weeks, irrespective of internship length and funding is available on a first-come basis.
Especially in regard to the mandatory study abroad component, priority is placed on degree-requirement internships
Internship listings are available for students through the Career Services portals at Hanken which these portals regularly update with internship opportunities worldwide.
For students with Finnish residency, Hanken is part of the EDUFI traineeship (supported by the Finnish National Agency for Education).
Furthermore, EUIPO and EPO partner with Hanken as well to offer its students the Pan-European Seal (PES) traineeship program.
These internships provide experience in such fields as: intellectual property, legal affairs, innovation management and more.
Such program prepare an employable workforce while providing students with a first-hand knowledge of work with prestigious organizations at an international level.

Post Internship Support and Career Services

All degree students can access Career Services for CV writing, interview preparation and job search strategies.
To supplement students in interacting with potential employers, Hanken runs events like Hanken Network Day, Career Coffee and Subject Expos.
They are also part of internships that lead to job offers or thesis collaborations that connect studies with a job.
SISU allows students to reflect on and report their internships, and earn academic credit and track progress.
International Talent initiatives help non-Finnish students enter the Finnish job market after graduation.

Entry Requirements for Hanken School of Economics

Bachelor’s Degree (Undergraduate) Admission

It is a requirement that three subjects are at the upper secondary level and that the applicant holds an upper secondary school certificate or high school diploma (or equivalent) that qualifies the applicant for university studies in the country where the applicant completed the secondary education.
Bachelor’s degree in English is a 3-year course (180 ECTS credits) leading to a B.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration.
Admissions require SAT or ACT scores; 1100 SAT or 22 ACT is required.

Admission for Postgraduate (Master’s Degree)

At least 25 ECTS in relevant subjects (30 for the MSc in Economics) must have been completed by the applicant.
A high GPA and strong academic performance is necessary to attend and students with good grades earn favour.
Depending on the programme or the applicant background, GRE or GMAT scores may be required.
Applications must include a full CV in English and academic transcripts.

Requirements for English Language Proficiency

If a previous degree was not taught in English, applicants must prove English language proficiency.
Accepted test scores are: IELTS with a required minimum score of 6.5, TOEFL iBT with a minimum of 92, and PTE with no less than 62.
Or, a pass in English as a first or second language in the International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate.
Exemptions may be granted to successful applicants who have completed their entire secondary or higher education in English in an accepted country.

Notes on Special Admission and Appeal

- It is highly competitive for admission, and most of them are merit-based, particularly where seats are limited and are offered a scholarship.
- Students placed on the waiting list may be invited to attend if selected students decline offers.
- There are only scholarships available for applicants with the highest rankings, and these cannot be transferred between programmes.
- If an applicant believes an error was made during selection, appeals can be filed through the regular process.
- Language requirements are strict, document formats are scrutinized, and deadlines are unyielding — and if an application is incomplete, it is rejected.

Rankings and Awards at Hacken School of Economics

International Rankings

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 placed Hanken at #501–550 in Business and Management Studies.
Hanken’s Master in Management programme was ranked 46th in the world by the Financial Times in 2023 based on academic strength and graduate employability.
In the international influence category, Hanken is also the only Finnish representative in the Universal Business Schools Ranking, ranked #1 in Finland.
While not ranked in U.S. News Best Global Universities, if you are in Europe you will find Hanken listed for its research output.

Accreditations and Recognitions

Hanken is one of the 1% of business schools worldwide to hold the Triple Crown accreditation — EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.
EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) validates excellence in governance, academic quality.
AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) is a symbol of Hanken’s striving for continuous improvement in the teaching and learning process.
AMBA (Association of MBAs) accreditation is specifically aimed at the quality of its postgraduate business programmes.

Programme and Subject-Specific.

In Europe, the Master in Finance programme has been touted for being research-oriented and quantitative.
QTEM network consists of the best economics and management schools in the world, and Hanken is one of the participating institutions.
Hanken’s visibility in international industry and academic conferences is increased through the CERS and HUMLOG research centres.
Some of these master’s thesis projects have received awards in Nordic competitions and from Hanken’s corporate partners.

Research and Faculty Awards

The university has received personal research grants and prizes by European institutions and business networks.
Research centres like the Erling-Persson Centre for Entrepreneurship (EPCE) and GODESS have won awards for innovation and social impact.
Hanken is involved in a range of research activities that have global relevance as the university participates in European Union research projects.
Hanken’s research credentials are also bolstered by academic collaborations with the likes of University of St. Gallen, EDHEC and Bocconi.

National Awards and Institutional Recognition

In economic and business education, Hanken is consistently rated among the top universities in Finland.
It is nationally recognized for its significantly enhances employability among graduates (94 % employed in a few months after graduation).
The university is regularly recognized in national student surveys around student satisfaction and academic quality.
Hanken is also listed by Finnish Ministry of Education for its efforts in innovation, internationalization and sustainability.
The school has received accolades for its ability to connect the worlds of academia and the world of business.

Acceptance Rate

General Selectivity

Both Bachelor’s and Master’s program at Hanken School of Economics are selective.
The university has an acceptance rate of about 19–20% overall, indicating its rigorous academic standards.
The selectivity applies to all campuses Helsinki and Vaasa and to all English-taught degree program.
To be eligible for admission, applicants need to pass strict standards in advanced education, language requirements, and eligibility conditions.

Factors Influencing Admission

Admission is merit-based and determined based on academic results, language skills, and programme fit.
There are other aspects like motivation letters, CV and aptitude tests (GMAT/GRE and SAT/ACT) which have an impact on the decision in the end.
Because of the intense competition, program that also have scholarship opportunities can often have even lower acceptance rates.
If you are a non-EU/EEA applicant applying to a tuition-based program, your academic credentials will be assessed according to the same academic standards that apply to EU/EEA applicants.
As the seats available per program drops, this will make the admission process increasingly selective.

Admission to Bachelor’s Program

Graduate applicants are evaluated primarily on their undergraduate credentials along with their standardized tests results.
The university expects a minimum SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 22 for English-taught Bachelor’s programmes.
Two-thirds (66.7%) of possible spaces for applicants using a SAT or ACT route are reserved.
The increases in applications, particularly from overseas applicants, have made it more competitive every year.
Students applying through national joint admissions in Swedish also deal with competitive entry but have a different evaluation system.

Master’s Program Admission

Master’s program applicants are required to have an academic background to support their application, specifically relevant undergraduate studies (25–30 ECTS).
These program also require taking either GRE or GMAT exams, they also prefer top scorers.
Hanken will give priority to applicants who show a clear fit with the program academic profile and goals.
As such, the real acceptance rate for scholarship winners can be much lower than the general rate.

International Admissions

Thousands of students from over 50 countries apply each year.
Due to Hanken’s Triple Crown accreditation and its global reputation, Hanken continues to draw academically strong candidates.
The university continues to accept only as many students as it has qualified to maintain its quality, even with a rising interest worldwide.