The 12-month MBA helps you reach top leadership in one year.
Do you want to complete your MBA in 24 months? For more information click here.
MBA studies Full-time
The fastest path to the C-suite
Fast pace
MBA learners graduate exceptionally fast, thanks to the intensive study pace. After just one year of studies, you can move forward in the direction you choose – with time to spare.
Return on investment
The 12-month MBA is a cost-effective investment for both learners and employers. It saves both time and money while fostering the growth of rising stars and ambitious leaders.
Efficiency
The 12-month MBA is an effective and goal-oriented learning experience. No unnecessary breaks; just the essential skills and networks to help you rise through the ranks.
One year can change everything – including the direction of your career.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a management degree designed for ambitious leaders, decision-makers, and other business professionals. It can be completed as full-time studies in one calendar year, or part-time in two years.
The 12-month MBA is an intensive programme that requires excellent time-management skills as well as efficient and goal-oriented work. The fast pace forces you to focus on the essentials: the diverse aspects of business and the practical skills they demand. This programme is especially well suited for experienced professionals with clear career goals.
The degree accelerates learners’ growth as leaders and increases their chances to advance into executive roles – all within a motivated community and an expanding international network. Over the years, countless CEOs, marketing managers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals have earned their MBA at HELBUS.
Who can apply?
HELBUS welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds whose experience supports their studies and their future success as leaders and business professionals. To be eligible, applicants need to meet one of the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field from a university or university of applied sciences (180 credits), or
- A bachelor’s degree in a different field with a strong interest in business, management and/or entrepreneurship, or
- Over 10 years of experience in leadership or managerial roles. If you’re applying based on work experience, please include a detailed CV in English. CV.
How to complete the 12-month MBA:
The full-time MBA programme is designed for learners who have the opportunity to dedicate time to studying several days a week. Studies may require up to 30 hours a week but the actual time commitment depends on the learner’s time management and study skills. The 12-month MBA is completed as follows:
- The taught sessions are concentrated in the first half of the semester. On average, there are 1–3 days of on-site or remote classes per week (usually Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays). On-site sessions are held at HELBUS's facilities in Töölö.
- In addition to attending sessions, learners should set aside approximately 5–15 hours per week for independent work. It consists of preparing assessments, research, reading academic articles, and reflection.
HELBUS success stories
Antti Kauppi
Viivi Villa-Nuottajärvi
Sari Ritamies
Mika Laakkonen
MBA course content
Modules
During their MBA studies, learners deepen their critical thinking, develop their problem-solving skills, and grow as leaders. The degree includes assessed assignments, case studies, reports, and presentations by incorporating collaborative and interactive methods.
Below, you’ll find the modules included in the MBA programme. The timing of each module depends on when you begin your studies.
Autumn term
Academic and Digital Skills for Professionals
This module equips learners with skills and confidence to successfully navigate the demands of both Master’s level study and future careers in the digital era. Through reflection, learners will analyse and critique previous experiences, situating these in the context of relevant academic literature and real-life case studies.
People Development and Leadership
This module will enable learners to critically evaluate and develop strategic people development and leadership skills. Application of these skills will enable learners to understand individual/collective behavioural dynamics and its influence on organisational goals. Learners will have the opportunity to develop self-reflection through reflective practice and models of professional development.
Marketing Innovation
This module aims to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial principles, focusing on their application in various business scenarios and emphasising the importance of creativity as a catalyst for innovation and transformation in any business environment.
Spring semester
Sustainable and Transformative Operations Management
The purpose of this module is to expose learners to concepts and strategies associated with sustainably managing the business operations associated with transforming goods and services from the point of origin to the final customer.
Strategy and Decision Making
You will be equipped with applied knowledge of strategic management and economic principles that underpin decision making in organisations. You will be analysing how the dynamic business environment influences organisational strategy formulation, and how sustained competitive advantage and growth are achieved through astute decision making.
Practical Data Analysis for Business
The purpose of this module is to enable learners to effectively utilise secondary data to inform organisational proposals and decisions. Learners will be equipped with the skills required to acquire, manage, analyse and apply qualitative and quantitative secondary data sets in a business management context.
Summer semester
Financial Management for Organisational Performance
This module explores the role of Accounting and Finance in organisations, enabling learners to understand and analyse financial information for strategic decision-making. It examines inter-relationships between business functions, processes, and their impact on organisational performance.
Major Project
The purpose of this module is to enable learners to devise an original research project associated with topics and themes from the MBA programme. The module provides opportunities for learners to identify, select and analyse secondary data in novel and innovative ways for applied research in business and management contexts..
Take the first step towards your career goals and apply for the MBA programme. Click here for more details on application criteria..
Tuition fees
You can find information on tuition fees and payment installments here for more details on application criteria..
Funding your MBA degree
Learners accepted into the MBA programme are officially University of Northampton learners. This makes them eligible to apply for Kela’s foreign study grants and loans for full-time studies, provided they meet the other requirements set by Kela.
Tuition fees can also be partially or fully financed through OP’s credit account, allowing for flexible monthly payments. Additionally, some employers may sponsor their employees' studies. Read more about OP’s financing options here.
Tuition fees and payment schedules for learners from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) differ from those listed on this page, as learners must meet residency permit requirements. For more information, click here.
For employers:
Why you should be invested (and invest) in your employee’s MBA degree
Recruiting a 12-month MBA student
By investing in rising stars an organisation ensures it has the expertise and skills it needs. Your organisation gains a motivated professional who’s passionate about business development and shows potential to grow into an international leadership role. The stress management and prioritisation skills of a 12-month MBA learner have already been tested during their studies.
Many MBA learners are seasoned professionals who seek more tools for career development. The degree focuses on practical case studies that mirror real-life business challenges. Interactive modules enhance strategic thinking, decision-making skills, and the ability to collaborate with ease in multicultural teams. In addition, completing the degree in English strengthens the learners’ language proficiency and ability to succeed in global business environments.
Financially supporting an employee’s 12-month MBA degree
Your organisation supports the continuous learning, career opportunities, and leadership development of your current professionals. Investing in the 12-month MBA pays off exceptionally fast as professionals apply their learnings to the real-life workplace. This, in turn, translates into increased revenue, efficient processes, and new business opportunities.
An employer’s financial support shows respect, trust, and confidence in the employee’s future. It motivates professionals to reach new heights and realise their full potential – just like HELBUS does.
Collaboration with HELBUS
HELBUS is constantly seeking partners from the business world, such as those who can share insights about their companies and operations, mentor learners, and offer short research projects.
Oletko kiinnostunut palkkaamaan HELBUSin opiskelijoita, toimimaan vierailevana luennoitsijana tai tukemaan työntekijäsi urakehitystä? Ota yhteyttä alla olevalla lomakkeella tai ole suoraan sähköpostitse yhteydessä HELBUSin rehtoriin Jussi Halliin – jussi.halli(at)helbus.fi.
Would you like to talk about the year-long MBA degree and the development it enables?
Contact us via the form below and HELBUS will be in touch as soon as possible.
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FAQ
Who is the 12-month degree suitable for?
The full-time MBA programme is designed for learners who have the opportunity to dedicate time to studying several days a week. This programme is especially well suited for experienced professionals with clear career goals.
How much time should I set aside for studying?
Lähiopetusta on keskimäärin 1–3 päivää viikossa (yleensä torstaisin, perjantaisin ja lauantaisin). On average, there are 1–3 days of on-site or remote classes per week (usually Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) at HELBUS’ premises in Töölö and online. In addition to attending lectures, learners should set aside approximately 5–15 hours per week for independent work. It consists of assessed assignments, reports, and essays.
Can I complete the 12-month MBA while working?
It depends on your personal resources, time management, and professional situation whether you can work part-time alongside your studies, for example.
The one-year MBA programme requires at least 20–30 hours per week of both remote and on-site learning. The programme is specifically designed for individuals who have the ability to dedicate time to full-time study. The modules are challenging, and success in the programme requires long-term commitment and hard work.
If you want to work full-time while pursuing your degree, consider the 24-month MBA programme! It has a slower pace, making it easier to balance studies with other aspects of life.
How do the 12-month and 24-month MBA degrees differ from one another?
The content and modules of both programmes are the same. The only difference between the two is the pace at which they are completed.
How will a 12-month MBA benefit my career?
In general, an MBA provides essential business skills that are in high demand across different industries. It develops strategic thinking, leadership abilities, and decision-making skills in dynamic business environments. Additionally, the MBA programme offers valuable networking opportunities, connecting learners with potential business partners, career prospects, and international job markets.
The 12-month programme helps learners gain the skills needed to transition into more challenging roles or even change careers more quickly than the 24-month degree. The shorter duration can also be appealing to employers: employees don’t have to take a long break from work to study but can still develop valuable skills that benefit the organisation.
