Student Handbook for the Master of Science Programs in: Business & Management pdf

Student Handbook for the Master of Science Programs in: Business & Management Specialization in Management Specialization in Marketing & Media Management Economics Specialization in

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The rules and regulations recorded in the Student Handbook have been ratified by the Faculty and Program Board The requirements specified in Appendix 4 are, however, decided by the Associate Dean of the MSc Programs as delegated by the Faculty and Program Board

This document is updated on an as-needed basis The most recent version is published by Student Services and posted on the SSE webpage (www.hhs.se) and on the SSE Portal The document history (below) lists the changes made since publication of the first version of the document

Student Handbook

for the Master of Science Programs in:

Business & Management

Specialization in Management Specialization in Marketing & Media Management

Economics

Specialization in Applied Economic Analysis Specialization in International Economics

Finance & Accounting

Specialization in Accounting & Financial Management

Specialization in Corporate Finance Specialization in Investment Management

VALID FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED FROM YEAR 2012

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DOCUMENT HISTORY

The following changes concerning rules and regulations have been made to the content since the

first version of the Student Handbook for the MSc Programs was published on 2012-08-16:

2012-10-01 Chapter 3 Decisions on exemptions from the rule about maximum period of study, postponement of the program start, formal leave of absence, as well as on study pace requirements are made from 2012-10-01 by a counselor who deals with the case

2012-12-17 Chapter 3 Updated rules of the correction and review of the course grades; updated regulations at the exam; updated graduation requirements for students in MSc-PhD parallel enrollment Changed availability of XTM during year 1

Person responsible for the document history: Natalia Antsiferova, Student Services (Natalia.Antsiferova@hhs.se)

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PREFACE

This MSc Student Handbook is a compilation of information, regulations and guidelines that are relevant to you as a student at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) It is intended for students enrolled in the Master of Science (MSc) programs in Business & Management (MBM), Economics (MECON) and Finance & Accounting (MFINA) The overall purpose is to inform you about what regulations apply and to help you prepare for, and complete your studies It contains an overview of the curriculum (Chapter 2) for each specialization and the programs' academic regulations (Chapter 3)

These academic regulations govern the relationship between SSE and you The regulations stipulate and specify the responsibilities and rights you have as a student One of your basic responsibilities is to stay informed about regulations and guidelines that are in effect during your studies

You will find information about individual courses on the SSE Portal1 The Student Supportwebsite2will also provide you with information about various services offered at the school Stockholm, August 2012

Magnus Mähring

Associate Dean, MSc programs

Person legally responsible for this document: Magnus Mähring, Associate Dean, MSc programs (Magnus.Mahring@hhs.se)

1 https://portal.hhs.se/

2 https://portal.hhs.se/StudentSupport/Pages/default.aspx

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 G ENERAL I NFORMATION A BOUT Y OUR S TUDIES AT SSE 7

1.1STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 8

1.2TEACHING AND LEARNING 8

1.3SSEPORTAL 9

1.4REGISTRATION AND WITHDRAWAL 9

1.5ASSESSMENT 10

1.6STUDENT EVALUATIONS AND SURVEYS 10

1.7SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS 11

1.8SSEALUMNI 12

1.9STUDENT ASSOCIATION (SASSE) 12

1.10STUDENT INSURANCE 12

2 O VERVIEW OF THE MS C P ROGRAMS IN B USINESS & M ANAGEMENT , E CONOMICS , AND F INANCE & A CCOUNTING 13

2.1MSC IN BUSINESS &MANAGEMENT (MBM)PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 16

2.1.1 Specialization in Management 16

2.1.2 Specialization in Marketing & Media Management 17

2.2MSC IN ECONOMICS (MECON)PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 19

2.2.1 Specialization in Applied Economic Analysis 19

2.2.2 Specialization in International Economics 20

2.3MSC IN FINANCE &ACCOUNTING (MFINA)PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 22

2.3.1 Specialization in Accounting & Financial Management 22

2.3.2 Specialization in Corporate Finance 23

2.3.3 Specialization in Investment Management 24

2.4OVERVIEW OF OPTIONAL PROGRAM/SPECIALIZATION COMPONENTS 26

2.4.1 Student Exchange Program 26

2.4.2 CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) 26

2.4.3 Executive Trainee Module (XTM) 26

3 SSE A CADEMIC R EGULATIONS 27

3.1PROGRAM RULES AND REGULATIONS 27

3.1.1 Degree Requirements 27

3.1.2 Maximum Period of Study 27

3.1.3 Transfer of Credits 28

3.1.4 Study Pace Requirements 29

3.1.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) 29

3.1.6 Tuition Fees 30

3.1.7 Academic Misconduct 30

3.1.8 Regulations for Optional Program/Specialization Components 30

3.2COURSE RULES AND REGULATIONS 33

3.2.1 Registration and Withdrawal 33

3.2.2 Rules and Regulations for Course Grading 34

3.3RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING 36

3.3.1 Rules and Regulations for Partial Examinations 36

3.3.2 Rules and Regulations for Written Examinations 37

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3.3.3 Rules and Regulations for Other Forms of Assessment 42

3.4RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE MASTER THESIS 42

3.4.1 Prerequisites 42

3.4.2 Time Period and Format 42

3.4.3 Writing the Thesis with a Student from a Different Program/Specialization or University 43

3.4.4 Writing Abroad or Having a Supervisor from another University 43

3.4.5 Supervisor and Examiner 43

3.5MSC-PHDPARALLEL ENROLLMENT 44

3.5.1 Requirements for MSc Graduation for Students in MSc-PhD Parallel Enrollment 44

3.6DEGREE CERTIFICATE 45

3.6.1 Application for a Degree 45

3.6.2 Turn-around Time 45

3.7OTHER REGULATIONS 45

A PPENDIX 1: L INKS 47

A PPENDIX 2: T RANSITION R ULES 48

A PPENDIX 3: S TUDENT P LEDGE 49

A PPENDIX 4: S PECIFIED D EGREE R EQUIREMENTS FOR EACH P ROGRAM /S PECIALIZATION FOR S TUDENTS A DMITTED 2012 50

1 S PECIFIED D EGREE R EQUIREMENTS - MS C IN B USINESS & M ANAGEMENT (MBM) 50

1.1 SPECIALIZATION IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS (CEMSMIM) 50

1.2 SPECIALIZATION IN MANAGEMENT 50

1.1.1 Specialization Courses (Mandatory Courses and Core Elective Courses) 50

1.1.2 Independent Elective Courses (Open and Advanced Electives) 51

1.1.3 Specific Guidelines for the Master Thesis 51

1.1.4 Additional Rules for Optional Program Components 51

1.1.5 Additional Degree Requirements 51

1.2SPECIALIZATION IN MARKETING &MEDIA MANAGEMENT 51

2 S PECIFIED D EGREE R EQUIREMENTS - MS C IN E CONOMICS (MECON) 52

2.1SPECIALIZATION IN APPLIED ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 52

2.2SPECIALIZATION IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS 56

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2.2.1 Specialization Courses (Mandatory Courses and Core Elective

Courses) 57

3 S PECIFIED D EGREE R EQUIREMENTS - MS C IN F INANCE & A CCOUNTING (MFINA) 58

3.1SPECIALIZATION IN ACCOUNTING &FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 58

3.2SPECIALIZATION IN CORPORATE FINANCE 60

3.3SPECIALIZATION IN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT 64

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1 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR STUDIES AT SSE

“The aim of the Stockholm School of Economics is to promote the advancement of business in Sweden through academic education and research” (SSE Charter section 1, §1 1909)

More than 100 years have passed since the first students began their studies at SSE, and this aim has remained intact and continues to guide the School's activities and priorities However, the internationalization of Swedish economic life, globalization in general and the internationalization

of higher education have led SSE to extend its outlook, reach and its activities well beyond the borders of Sweden

SSE offers the following degree programs:

 Three-year Bachelor of Science Program in Business & Economics (Stockholm)

 Three-year Bachelor of Science Program in Retail Management (Norrtälje)

 Two-year Master of Science Program in Business & Management (Stockholm)

 Two-year Master of Science Program in Finance & Accounting (Stockholm)

 Two-year Master of Science Program in Economics (Stockholm)

 Two-year Master of Science Program in General Management (Stockholm)

 Two-year Master of Science Program in Business & Economics (Stockholm, intake 2011)

2009- Two-year MBA Program in Executive Format (Stockholm, St Petersburg, Riga)

 Four-year PhD Program in Business Administration (Stockholm)

 Four-year PhD Program in Economics (Stockholm)

 Four-year PhD Program in Finance (Stockholm)

 A variety of executive education programs (Stockholm, St Petersburg, Riga)

SSE also offers three double-degree programs at the master's level:

 CEMS Master in International Management (CEMS MIM) together with CEMS3, the Global Alliance in Management Education

 Double-degree program in Finance together with Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Italy

 Double-degree program in Economics with the University of St Gallen (HSG), Switzerland

SSE works in close collaboration with the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga), where a BSc program in Economics & Business and executive education programs are offered The Bachelor of Science programs are intended mainly for those who are recent secondary school graduates with outstanding grades and with limited or no work experience The Master of Science programs provide an advanced-level education and are intended for students who already hold a bachelor degree

3 CEMS is a global alliance of leading business schools and multinational companies, see also http://www.cems.org/

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In addition to its bachelor and master, SSE has doctoral programs for students with a university degree in one of the economic disciplines as well as executive education programs for students with relevant professional experience SSE also runs educational programs in St Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, and Riga, Latvia (executive education)

1.1 STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The programs of the Stockholm School of Economics are characterized by an open atmosphere with an emphasis on student attendance and active participation Students are represented in all decision-making and some advisory bodies Through your student representatives, you can convey your views on matters, such as program design You can also convey your views directly

to the teachers or the Program directors and the Heads of the specializations You are obliged to evaluate each course you attend using a web-based evaluation tool

You have rights, but you also have responsibilities as a student SSE expects that you follow SSE's code of conduct embodied in a number of policies and governing ordinances This means that you show respect for other students, faculty, staff and SSE guests and that you act towards others in such a way as to uphold and promote the reputation of the Stockholm School of Economics SSE's policy states that everyone should be treated equally regardless of religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, social background, disability etc 4

The Faculty and Program Board at SSE handles matters of discrimination, harassment or grave misconduct You must be aware of the regulations that apply to studies and examinations as well

as the guidelines for being on SSE's premises For more information about the academic

regulations see Chapter 3 When you are admitted to the Stockholm School of Economics, you sign a pledge by which you acknowledge and accept these regulations and SSE's rights to modify them and make decisions based on them (Appendix 3)

1.2 TEACHING AND LEARNING

The academic year is divided into four teaching periods, period 1 and 2 in the fall and period 3 and 4 in the spring Each period ends with an exam period The fall semester takes place between August and January and the spring semester between January and June

Teaching takes the form of lectures, seminars, projects and other assignments Group instruction, projects, and written assignments are common and may be assigned to individuals or groups While you can book a place in one of the SSE's computer rooms, it is good to have access to your own computer There is a wireless network at SSE so you can work anywhere

A cornerstone of the pedagogical approach for all MSc programs is attendance and interaction The learning process is based on close interaction among students and between students and faculty, both of which require substantial presence on the SSE premises

4 For further information please see the Equal Treatment of Students Policy 2011, available at

http://www.hhs.se/se/About/Jamlikhet/Documents/Equal%20Treatment%20of%20Students%20Policy%202011 pdf

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Studies at SSE proceed on a full-time basis and require that you set aside the time needed It is not recommended to work or pursue other studies at the same time, so these are not acceptable grounds for missing compulsory parts of a program, nor are other voluntary activities, including those within the Student Association (SASSE) In a course that carries 7.5 ECTS credits5 (1.5 ECTS credits are equal to one week of full-time studies) there may be 2-3 in-class teaching sessions a week A teaching session usually consists of two lectures or seminars (45 minutes each) Generally, students study two courses in parallel, which means that the scheduled instruction is 4-6 lectures or seminars per week (8-12 hours) In addition to this, time should be spent on preparation, group work and the student's individual studying of course material, which together with formal instruction in total is about 40 hours a week

Teachers and administrative staff are willing to provide help and support, but you are the one responsible for ensuring that your studies are successful If you experience some problems following the study pace of the program or have difficulty developing good study routines, you may contact a study counselor at Student Services

1.3 SSE PORTAL

Through SSE Portal6 you can conduct functions such as viewing important course and program announcements, registering for courses, checking your schedule, accessing e-mail, and ordering transcripts or letters of enrolment To access the SSE Portal, please use your SSE registration number as your username The SSE Portal is the most important information channel at SSE and all important information is uploaded to the Portal

1.4 REGISTRATION AND WITHDRAWAL

Students have to register for all courses, seminar groups, and exams and give notification of

withdrawal from any of these on the SSE Portal (login is required) Read more in Section 3.2.1

Registering for a course is done on the My upcoming courses page on the SSE Portal or on the

course's website during the registration period, which takes place in the term prior to the course being given – usually in April/May for fall courses and November/December for spring courses You will find the exact dates for each registration period on the Student Support7 website, which can be accessed via the SSE Portal (login is required)

5 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System credits; hereinafter referred to as ECTS credits or credits

6 See https://portal.hhs.se/

7 See https://portal.hhs.se/StudentSupport/Pages/default.aspx

Academic requirements are described in Chapter 3 and in Appendix 4

You will be automatically registered for some courses, but you have to register for other courses on your own See the academic regulations in Section 3.2.1 Read what regulations apply for registering for exams in Section 3.3.2

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1.5 ASSESSMENT

Teachers may assess your performance in a course in various ways and by combining different forms of assessment such as written examinations, written assignments, projects, presentations and in some cases formal oral examinations On the basis of these assessments you receive a grade for each course Courses are graded on a scale where A, B, C, D, E represent passing grades (with A being the highest grade) and Fx and F represent failing grades Please see Section 3.2.2 for more information

Assessment at SSE is based upon explicit Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) These are formulated for each course and included in each course description They describe in specific terms what you should know after completing a course In order to earn a passing grade in a course, you must attain all learning outcomes for that course

In order to ensure fairness and academic integrity, all student performance on assessments is governed by the SSE Disciplinary Regulations.8 All instances of academic misconduct will be reported and investigated, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken Read more in Section 3.1.7

1.6 STUDENT EVALUATIONS AND SURVEYS

Course Evaluations

All SSE courses are evaluated After you have participated in a course, you are obliged to complete an evaluation of the course where all participants can express their opinions anonymously This is an important tool for maintaining high quality and continuously improving the courses, as well as one factor among others that determines teacher salaries and employment conditions It also means that students and the teacher in charge can make relevant comparisons between courses and follow developments over time Course evaluations are posted on the relevant website, as well as compiled quarterly in the quality reports, regardless of the form (or combination of forms) the evaluation has taken

Other Evaluations

As SSE continuously improves its programs and services, it is also necessary to conduct a range

of other evaluations during and after programs The aim of these evaluations is to align the programs and services with the SSE vision and with student needs For these reasons, it is of a great importance that SSE receives student input in order to further develop its programs

Alumni Surveys

As an alumna/alumnus you will also receive surveys from SSE, such as the Placement Report survey, surveys for program rankings and surveys for long-term program development The Placement Report presents data on SSE's alumni's career paths and is a service to students and prospective students interested in the career potential provided by SSE programs SSE also

8 Available at https://portal.hhs.se/StudentSupport/Documents/DisciplinaryRegulations.pdf (login is required in order to access the document)

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conducts surveys as a basis for school and program rankings, which are important for SSE's competitive positioning and for prospective students when they choose schools Surveys intended for program development purposes may also be distributed, for example to examine the relative importance and usefulness of different program components in a long-term career perspective

Responding to our surveys is an important way to support SSE and ensure the quality of its future offerings and graduates

1.7 SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS

Student Services (StS)

The Student Services department offers services and performs functions that assist you in the

course of your studies at SSE The StS department provides inter alia student counseling, formal

grade transcripts, assistance in resolving student-health issues and housing services

For further information about StS, please see the Student Support9 homepage on the SSE Portal For career services, please see the SSE Careers Blog10

SSE Library

The SSE Library functions as the principal information resource for SSE students, offering a vast array of printed and digital resources within business and economics Apart from a major collection of printed books and journals, the library offers printed textbooks and reference collections, electronic books and journals, some 60 databases, reference management tools, and interlibrary loans from other libraries All students writing their Master thesis can contact the library to arrange the time for individual instruction in the use of the library resources For more information, please see the Library website11

IT Services

The IT Support group is available to support you in all IT related issues You can contact them

by phone, email or visit them outside the computer labs at Saltmätargatan, 13-17 For contact information and a list of IT-related services available for you as a student, please see the IT Support12 page on the SSE Portal You can also have your laptop configured such that you can access Eduroam, the worldwide internet service for university students, researchers and staff

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1.8 SSE ALUMNI

SSE alumni have access to a unique network that is useful both in your personal and professional life SSE Alumni Office handles alumni affairs and you are most welcome to contact us with your thoughts and ideas at alumninet@hhs.se

1.9 STUDENT ASSOCIATION (SASSE)

The Student Association at SSE (SASSE) is a non-political, non-religious organization that has about 2000 members from the BSc, MSc, and PhD programs SASSE exists thanks to the strong drive and commitment among the students and their wish to have fun and develop as a community The purpose of SASSE is fundamentally to care for the joint interests of the students, which roughly can be summarized in educational coverage, extracurricular activities, and career services Please refer to the Master Guide (is sent out to the new students) and the SASSE website13 for more information

1.10 STUDENT INSURANCE

SSE students are insured by the Student Association (SASSE) The insurance covers medical treatment and travel due to medical treatment for accidents that occur during SSE and SASSE

activities The insurance does not cover accidents outside the SSE premises Before traveling,

students are encouraged to study the conditions for their home and/or travel insurance Upon arrival students may apply for the personal number at the Swedish Tax Agency and obtain the

registration within the Swedish Social Insurance Agency

13 See www.sasse.se

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2 OVERVIEW OF THE MSC PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT,

ECONOMICS, AND FINANCE & ACCOUNTING

SSE provides a range of Master of Science programs Described here are the MSc in Business & Management (MBM), the MSc in Economics (MECON) and the MSc in Finance & Accounting (MFINA)

Figure 1: Overview of Program Specializations for the MBM, MECON, and MFINA Programs (2012)

Introduction to the SSE MSc Programs

An overall aim of the MSc in Business & Management (MBM), the MSc in Economics (MECON) and the MSc in Finance & Accounting (MFINA) programs is to provide individuals who have earned a bachelor degree with advanced knowledge, skills and abilities within a specific subject area, as well as a solid foundation for assuming general management positions The programs combine a strong theoretical base with a high level of practical application

Graduates will be highly qualified to assume advanced early-career positions in the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the public sector and to immediately contribute to value creation in these positions The programs also provide an excellent basis for pursuing PhD studies at SSE or other institutions The language of instruction is English

Each SSE MSc program consists of two years of full-time studies (120 ECTS credits14) In the MBM, MECON, and MFINA programs, students deepen their knowledge in the main subject of their chosen program/specialization (60 ECTS credits); either specialize further or broaden their understanding through independent elective courses (30 ECTS credits) and write a Master thesis within their specialization (30 ECTS credits) It is also possible to participate in the SSE Student

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Exchange Program, CEMS Program or the Executive Trainee Module (see Section 2.4.3) For some of the programs/specializations an international component is mandatory Double degree offerings are also available

The Master thesis is a project with a scope of 30 ECTS credits (i.e the equivalent of 20 weeks full-time work) where a student must show that he/she can independently identify and analyze a problem and then present and defend a thesis that adheres to the relevant academic conventions The thesis should pose a theoretical, methodological and/or empirical challenge, illustrating the student's ability to think systematically and critically while also showing an ability to collect, interpret and discuss data and literature The format will vary across specializations but a common feature is academic rigor

Students interested in pursuing PhD studies at SSE may apply for admission to the PhD program during their first year of the MSc program and may combine the final year of their MSc studies with the first PhD year, so called MSc-PhD parallel enrollment (see Section 3.5)

Since studies are full-time, you must ensure that any other commitments you might have will not interfere with your fulfilling your academic obligations, including (but not limited to) individual studies, exams, class sessions, group work and team-based projects

All programs begin with orientation days The orientation days are intended not only to welcome new students, but also to provide newcomers with an overview of SSE as an institution of higher education and to help all students to understand what to expect from their studies, learn more about their opportunities for the future, and to understand better what SSE expects of them Here you will learn more about the program and about routines and regulations at SSE The orientation days are arranged jointly by SSE and the Student Association at SSE (SASSE)

Governance of SSE MSc Programs

The governance and management of SSE MSc Programs are conducted primarily through the following decision-making bodies and positions:

Faculty & Program Board (FPB)

The Faculty & Program Board consists of the following delegates:

 The President (chair)

 All SSE Heads of department

 Two student representatives

 The Associate Dean for each of the following four program levels: BSc, MSc, MBA (including GM), and PhD

 Two faculty representatives appointed by the Faculty Forum

 Anyone coopted to the meeting by the President (e.g the Academic Vice President, Senior Executive Vice President, Director of Communications, HR Director, Director of Student Services, CEO of IFL)

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The Faculty and Program Board decides on the following matters: education issues, recruitment and promotion issues, equality issues, and scholarship and award issues

Associate Dean, MSc Programs

The Associate Dean is responsible for the overall quality, content and development of the MBM, MECON and MFINA programs

MSc Joint Program Committee

The MSc Joint Program Committee consists of the following delegates:

 The Associate Dean, MSc Program

 Program directors for MBM, MECON and MFINA

 One representative from each institution

 Two student representatives

 The Director of Student Services (coopted)

The MSc Joint Program Committee advises the MSc Associate Dean and Program directors It also serves to coordinate and consolidate decisions taken on policies within and across the MSc Programs

Program Directors and Heads of the Specialization

Program directors are responsible for educational programs on any of the school's program levels Within the framework provided by the Faculty and Program Board, program directors are responsible for the content, quality and budget of their programs

For the MBM, MECON and MFINA programs, program directors are usually selected amongst the heads of the specialization, and have a specific responsibility to coordinate between specializations within a program

Heads of the specializations are responsible for one or more specializations within an MSc program, including design and development of specialization structure and content, as well as delivery of the specialization

Student Influence

The Student Association at SSE (SASSE) is represented in all decision-taking bodies at SSE

In addition there is also a focus group for each cohort They consist of two students for each program/specialization and normally meet twice per semester

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2.1 MSC IN BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT (MBM) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The two year Master of Science program in Business & Management (120 ECTS credits) offers specializations in Management and in Marketing & Media Management.15

The program is based on a unique live pedagogy, where much of the learning takes place in real projects, solving problems for real clients who expect real results By continuously connecting theory and practice, the program ensures that you not only learn about creating, developing, running and leading businesses, but also to develop as an individual and refine your management capabilities

Figure 2: Overview of the MBM Program (2012)

2.1.1 Specialization in Management

The specialization's aim is to enable you to translate new ideas into direct action and make better decisions Through live innovation projects, consulting projects, and change projects you will be expected to act as a professional consultant and deliver concrete results In addition, the specialization will deepen your knowledge in the area of management and develop you as a leader with analytical and creative problem-solving skills

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Upon completion of the program, students are expected to possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

 To translate theoretical and research-based knowledge and models into business value

 To understand and deal with the complexities of working in an advisory/consulting role

15 Starting in 2013, a specialization in International Business (combined with the CEMS Master in International Management) will also be offered

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 To demonstrate an elaborate understanding of contemporary theories and approaches to leadership and be able to identify and analyze management and leadership issues with the help of these theories

Specialization Overview

Year 1: Students deepen their knowledge in the main subjects in the specialization Management

(60 ECTS credits) Students may also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester), and successful applicants must take 30 ECTS credits in the main subject during year 2 instead

Year 2: Students take independent elective courses (30 ECTS credits) and write a Master thesis

(30 ECTS credits) Students can apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS Program and take independent elective courses at one of SSE's partner institutions Students may also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester)

You can find more information about individual courses on the courses' websites, which can be accessed via the SSE Portal16 and the SSE's external website17

2.1.2 Specialization in Marketing & Media Management

The specialization comprises mandatory courses in creative business development, brand management, marketing communications, and the management of challenges facing media corporations face today Along with this you also learn how to integrate different functions in the firm, and how to ensure that market orientation permeates the entire organization The mandatory courses are designed to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial execution and to provide tools that help you deal with important business and marketing challenges facing corporations in today's highly dynamic markets Using research findings to solve real-life business problems – in projects, live cases and internships – is a cornerstone of the learning experience

The specialization intends to prepare you for positions such as product manager, marketing director, business development manager or, sales manager, and to give you the necessary foundation for assuming top executive positions later in your career

17 www.hhs.se/Education/MSc/MScBE/Pages/default.aspx

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The student should be able to demonstrate profound knowledge, skills and abilities both theoretically and practically in the following areas:

 Techniques and methods for identifying and acting upon opportunities to create customer value in different types of markets

 Ways in which different functions in a firm can contribute to creating customer value

 Processes by which the different functions in a firm can be integrated to ensure that the

entire organization strives in the same, customer value creating direction, and thereby

achieve the goals of the organization

Year 1: Students deepen their knowledge in the main subjects in the specialization Marketing &

Media Management (60 ECTS credits) Students may also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester), and successful applicants must take 30 ECTS credits in the main subject during year 2 instead

(30 ECTS credits) Students can apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS Program and take independent elective courses at one of SSE's partner institutions Students may also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester)

You can find more information about individual courses on the courses' websites, which can be accessed via SSE Portal18 and SSE's external website19

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2.2 MSC IN ECONOMICS (MECON) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The two year Master Program in Economics (120 ECTS credits) offers specializations in International Economics and Applied Economic Analysis Students choose a specialization by complying with the course requirements set for that specialization For detailed information see Appendix 4

The program combines a rigorous theoretical approach with extensive real-world applications in order to teach you how to solve complex problems in many areas of economics The program provides a general analytical approach: a way of thinking rather than detailed knowledge about narrowly-defined issues

The objectives of the MSc in Economics are to give you a deep understanding of economics, and

to equip you to address challenging economic problems You will learn how to use economic theory and quantitative methods in solving complex problems on micro, macro and international levels This will be accomplished through a structured learning environment where a solid theoretical understanding will be acquired during the first part of the program, and where a practically oriented problem-solving ability will be the focus of the second part of the program

Figure 3: Overview of the MECON Program (2012)

2.2.1 Specialization in Applied Economic Analysis

The specialization puts an emphasis on acquiring theoretical and empirical problem-solving skills that can be applied in a wide variety of settings The analysis of complex real-world problems increasingly requires the use of solid economic analysis combined with quantitative empirical methods Thus, the overall objective of the specialization is for students to learn how to use economic theory and quantitative methods in solving complex problems in many areas of economics

 To be able to use advanced economic theory and quantitative methods in solving complex economic problems

 To be able to identify the suitable methods to address such problems

 To have a critical understanding of current debates and issues in economics

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Year 1: Students deepen their knowledge in the main subjects in the specialization Applied

Economic Analysis (60 ECTS credits)

(30 ECTS credits) Students can apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS Program and take independent elective courses at one of SSE's partner institutions They can also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester)

Specialization Courses Independent Electives (may be fulfilled through an optional program component)

Master Thesis Student Exchange Program (optional) CEMS MIM Program (optional) Executive Trainee Module (optional) Double Degree Program (optional)

2.2.2 Specialization in International Economics

The international specialization focuses attention on the implications of interactions between countries such as international trade and factor movements as well as the reasons why some countries experience more favorable development trajectories than other countries

The Specialization in International Economics (IE) combines a rigorous theoretical approach with extensive real-world applications You will learn how to use economic theory and quantitative methods in solving complex problems in many areas of economics

One of the requirements of the IE specialization is that students need to fulfill an International Program Component, which may be done either by being accepted and successfully participating

in the SSE Exchange Program, or by carrying out an internship abroad (8 weeks) For detailed requirements see Appendix 4

 To be able to use advanced economic theory and quantitative methods in solving complex economic problems

 To be able to identify the suitable methods to address such problems

 To have a critical understanding of current debates and issues in international economics

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Year 1: Students deepen their knowledge in the main subjects in the specialization International

Economics (60 ECTS credits)

Year 2: Students take independent elective courses (30 ECTS credits) and write a Master thesis in

International Economics (30 ECTS credits) Students can apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS Program and take independent elective courses at one of SSE's partner institutions They can also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester)

*) Can be fulfilled also during year 2 or during the summer

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2.3 MSC IN FINANCE & ACCOUNTING (MFINA) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The two-year Master Program in Finance & Accounting (120 ECTS credits) offers three specializations: Accounting & Financial Management, Corporate Finance, and Investment Management The program combines a rigorous theoretical approach with extensive real-world applications It is a highly international program where students have access to the SSE student exchange program as well as a wide variety of elective courses

When applying, prospective students must choose whether they want to be considered for the Accounting & Financial Management Specialization or for the two specializations Corporate Finance and Investment Management For students enrolled in Corporate Finance (CF) and Investment Management (IM) combined intake, the choice of specialization is made at the end of the first semester of the program and students select their specialization through the appropriate choice of courses along designated pathways See Appendix 4 for detailed requirements

Figure 4: Overview of the MFINA Program (2012)

2.3.1 Specialization in Accounting & Financial Management

The specialization adopts an international, corporate perspective on the primary subjects: financial accounting, management control and financial analysis Company examples are used

extensively in order to identify relevant issues and to illustrate the use of theory and models in practice

The specialization offers a coherent set of courses that cover valuation concepts, accounting theory, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), financial statement analysis, equity and firm valuation, financial risk, management control and capital-budgeting issues The courses cover both strategic and operational perspectives

There is a focus on the application of theory-based knowledge to important real-world issues Guest lecturers are regularly invited

After completing the program, the student will be able to demonstrate advanced abilities (prepare, describe, explain, calculate, interpret, evaluate) within the areas of valuation theory, accounting theory, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), financial statement analysis, equity and firm valuation, financial risk, management control and capital budgeting issues from both strategic and operational perspectives

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Year 1: Students deepen their knowledge in the main subjects in the specialization Accounting &

Financial Management (60 ECTS credits)

(30 ECTS credits) Students can apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS Program and take independent elective courses at one of SSE's partner institutions Students can also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester)

Specialization Courses Independent Electives (may be fulfilled through an optional program component)

Master Thesis Student Exchange Program (optional) CEMS MIM Program (optional) Executive Trainee Module (optional)

The specialization provides students with a thorough understanding of corporate finance, while

at the same time allowing flexibility to design a personal curriculum that broadens the perspective

The program is designed to teach students how to apply theoretical tools to real life finance problems This entails helping students understand how the financial markets function, why different instruments and institutions exist and what the basis and consequences of corporate financial decisions are

To prepare students for a career in investment banking, private equity, commercial banking, financial consulting, governments, international financial agencies, or PhD studies

In the first semester, a foundation is provided for the subsequent specialization through four mandatory courses that are common to the two specializations in Corporate Finance and Investment Management In the subsequent semesters, there are no mandatory courses for

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students who specialize in Corporate Finance (CF) Instead, students must select at least four courses from the list of CF core electives (30 ECTS credits) For the four remaining elective courses (30 ECTS credits), students can choose freely between further CF core elective courses,

IM core elective courses, accounting courses, or independent elective courses (open and advanced) offered by other departments

During their second year, students can also apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS MIM Program There can also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester) or the double degree program with Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi (two semesters) Students also write a Master thesis (30 ECTS credits) during the second year For further information see Appendix 4

Mandatory Courses Core Elective Courses Core Elective Courses Core Elective Courses

Independent Elective Courses

Independent Elective Courses (may be fulfilled through an optional program component)

Independent Elective Courses (may be fulfilled through an optional program component) Executive Trainee

Module (optional) Executive Trainee Module (optional) Exchange Program

(optional) Exchange Program (optional) CEMS MIM Program

(optional) CEMS MIM Program (optional) Double Degree

Program (optional) Double Degree Program (optional) Master Thesis Master Thesis

2.3.3 Specialization in Investment Management

The specialization provides students with a thorough understanding of investment management, while at the same time allowing them flexibility to design a personal curriculum that broadens their perspective

The overall ambition is to prepare students for taking an active part in strategic corporate discussions and in the development of new products and trading practices It will provide you with a solid academic and analytical foundation for practical decision making in asset management

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To prepare students for a career in portfolio management, hedge funds, trading, governments, international financial agencies, as well as PhD studies

In the first semester, the foundation is provided for the subsequent specialization through four mandatory courses that are common across the two specializations in Corporate Finance and Investment Management In subsequent semesters, there are no mandatory courses for students who specialize in Investment Management (IM) Instead, students must select at least four courses from the list of IM core electives (30 ECTS credits) For the four remaining elective courses (30 ECTS credits), students can freely choose between further IM core elective courses,

CF core elective courses, accounting courses, or independent elective courses (open and advanced) offered by other departments

During their second year, students can also apply for the Student Exchange Program or the CEMS MIM Program They can also apply for the Executive Trainee Module (one semester) or the double degree program with Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Italy (two semesters) Students also write a Master thesis (30 ECTS credits) during the second year For further information see Appendix 4

Mandatory Courses Core Elective Courses Core Elective Courses Core Elective Courses

Independent Elective Courses

Independent Elective Courses (may be fulfilled through an optional program component)

Independent Elective Courses (may be fulfilled through an optional program component) Executive Trainee

Module (optional) Executive Trainee Module (optional) Exchange Program

(optional) Exchange Program (optional) CEMS Program

(optional) CEMS Program (optional) Double Degree

Program (optional) Double Degree Program (optional) Master Thesis Master Thesis

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2.4 OVERVIEW OF OPTIONAL PROGRAM/SPECIALIZATION COMPONENTS

2.4.1 Student Exchange Program

SSE operates an extensive student exchange program with a number of top ranked universities and business schools around the world Within the program, there are approximately 80 places yearly for MSc students to go abroad to one of SSE's partner universities For more information please see the Student Support30 page on the SSE Portal

Please refer to Section 3.1.8 for rules and regulations for the Student Exchange Program

2.4.2 CEMS Master in International Management (MIM)

The CEMS MIM is a one-year joint degree program, exclusively open to the master students of the CEMS schools who meet very strict selection criteria, and go on to receive the CEMS degree

in conjunction with the degree from their home school The CEMS program consists of several compulsory elements: an initial one-week block seminar, CEMS courses, a business project, an academic semester abroad, skills seminars and two foreign languages For more information, please see the Student Support31 page on the SSE Portal and the CEMS website32

Please refer to Section 3.1.8 for rules and regulations for the CEMS program

2.4.3 Executive Trainee Module (XTM)

The SSE MSc Executive Trainee Module (XTM) is a 20-week module which replaces the independent elective courses (30 ECTS credits) in the program The module is built on two elements Firstly, students will be given the opportunity to experience a tailor-made executive trainee program in a company Secondly, students are required to write a case report on how to solve a real and complex problem of strategic importance to the company

Please refer to Section 3.1.8 for rules and regulations for the XTM module

32 http://www.cems.org/

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27

This is an unofficial English translation of the SSE academic regulations for the MSc programs MBM, MECON and MFINA The translation is for informational purposes only and has been prepared solely for the convenience of students, faculty and other interested parties who do not read Swedish The only official and binding version of the MSc programs' academic regulations is the Swedish version issued on August 16, 2012

The rights and obligations of SSE students are formulated below These rules and regulations govern the relationship between SSE and its students

3.1.1 Degree Requirements

In order to receive an SSE Master of Science (MSc) degree, students must earn 120 ECTS credits.33These credits consist of 60 credits of courses divided between mandatory courses and core elective courses as stipulated by the specified rules for each program/specialization, 30 credits of independent elective courses (open or advanced), and a 30 credits Master thesis Specified degree requirements for each program/specialization can be found in Appendix 4 to this document.34 The requirement for independent elective courses (open or advanced) can also be fulfilled through successful participation in one of the optional program components – i.e the MSc exchange program, a semester abroad within the CEMS program, or by completing the Executive Trainee Module (XTM) according to the rules in Section 3.1.8, and the specified degree requirements for each program/specialization (see Appendix 4)

Once a student has fulfilled the requirements specific to the program/specialization within which he/she is enrolled, that student can apply for the MSc degree certificate (see Section 3.6)

In addition to the credits required to meet the degree requirements (120 ECTS credits), students may earn up to a maximum of 15 credits for additional SSE MSc courses

When students with more than 120 ECTS credits apply for their degree certificate they choose which courses are used to meet the specified MSc degree requirements and which courses will

serve as complement to the MSc degree The complementary courses are not part of the MSc

degree and are not listed on the degree certificate, but they are included in a special appendix to that certificate.35

3.1.2 Maximum Period of Study

Studies in the MSc programs are full time and students are expected to fulfill the requirements of their program within 2 years The period of study is defined as starting the day the student enrolls

in a program and ending when he/she fulfills all requirements for that specific degree The

34 Student Handbook for the Master of Science Programs in Business & Management (MBM), Economics (MECON) and Finance & Accounting (MFINA), available at http://www.hhs.se/Education/Pages/Student-Handbook.aspx

35 Complementary courses are, however, included in the calculation of GPA (Grade Point Average – see Section 3.1.5)

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maximum period of study for the MSc programs is 3 years Students are exempted from this

regulation only if there are especially serious grounds.36 Applications for exemptions should be

submitted to a study counselor at Student Services, and the decisions on such applications are made by the counselor who deals with the case

Former students in the MSc programs who were deregistered without completing a degree from SSE can be readmitted in competition with other applicants provided that they meet the relevant admission requirements The credits earned by readmitted students during previous enrollment(s) will not necessarily be counted towards their degree Decisions about these transfers rest with the MSc Associate Dean

Postponement of the Program Start 37

Students can, in conjunction with their admission to SSE, apply to postpone their program start The application should be submitted to a study counselor at Student Services Postponements are approved if especially serious grounds38 exist and the decision is made the counselor who deals with the case A postponement is given for 12 months, i.e to the start of the following academic

year

Postponement means that students can reenter SSE the following year without having to compete with other applicants The year of enrollment is considered to be the year the student first registers

in the program, but the student has to follow the curriculum from the year he/she starts studying

Formal Leave of Absence

A formal leave of absence within a period of study can only be granted for a full semester or an academic year; the maximum period of study is extended with the corresponding time period A formal leave of absence is approved if especially serious grounds39 exist The application should be submitted to a study counselor at Student Services and the decision is made by the counselor who deals with the case

3.1.3 Transfer of Credits

Transfer of Course Credits – Student Exchange Program & CEMS Program

Course credits earned for studies carried out under the scope of the SSE Student Exchange Program as well as the semester abroad within the CEMS program can be used toward an MSc degree Transfer of course credits is subject to approval by SSE A maximum of 30 ECTS credits per semester can be transferred40, but no grades will be stated

36 Examples of especially serious grounds are hospital stay, death of a family member, parental leave or an illness which prevents the student over a long period from completing her or his studies Employment and the responsibilities incumbent upon the student are not considered especially serious grounds An application for exemption based on especially serious grounds must be supported by certified documents

37 The Program Start is defined as the point of time when the accepted applicant signs the SSE Registration Book

38 See note 36

39 See note 36

40 Students, who spend more than one semester abroad within the CEMS Tri-National Track, must contact Student Services to determine how a suitable credit transfer can be arranged within the framework of the regulations

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Transfer of Course Credits and Grades – SSE Programs & Partnership Programs

Transfer of course credits and grades between SSE programs at the same level need the approval

of both the Program directors concerned An SSE course (including its grade) can, however, only

be counted towards one SSE degree, and only towards a degree at the level the student was

registered in when the courses were taken (with the exception for parallel MSc-PhD enrollment – see Section 3.5)

Course credits and grades obtained through SSES (Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship) can be counted as independent electives if the course has been approved by the MSc Joint Program Committee

Information on course transfers and grade translations within the double degree programs can be found in Appendix 4

3.1.4 Study Pace Requirements

In the first year, every student is required to earn at least 30 ECTS credits in specialization courses

If no special grounds41 exist, anyone who has fewer than 30 ECTS credits after the August examination period will be deregistered from the program Applications for exemptions should be submitted to a study counselor at Student Services Decisions on such applications are made by the counselor who deals with the case

Students who have passing grades for less than 15 ECTS credits in the first semester will be contacted by the study counselor at Student Services for help in making a study plan

3.1.5 Grade Point Average (GPA)

A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for all passed courses with a letter grade (A – E) in the following way: for each course the letter grade is converted to a numeric value using A = 5.00, B = 4.00, C = 3.00, D = 2.00 and E = 1.00 Then the values are weighted by the ECTS credits for each course This is done by multiplying the value by the ECTS credits for each course and then calculating the sum of the products This sum is then divided by the sum of the ECTS credits to give the GPA as shown in the formula below:

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 There is a strict prohibition on using any unauthorized assistance during examinations and other forms of assessment It is also prohibited to conduct assessed assignments in ways that may mislead an examiner (e.g., presenting work of others as your own) Inappropriate behavior leads, with no exception, to strict disciplinary measures

 A student may not copy and use any text without making clear references to the source This is applicable to all types of submissions, reports, essays, thesis work, etc Furthermore, students should never quote anyone without making it clear that it is a quotation If a student is unsure about the correct procedure, he/she should contact the course director or consult the APA Guidelines.43

 If a student is not actively contributing to an academic group assignment, the student may not receive a pass on that particular part of the course In a group assignment all participants are required to contribute

Please note that the above include only a few examples SSE students are obliged to be familiar with the SSE Disciplinary Regulations44 in their entirety

See also Section 1.1 about SSE policies concerning equal treatment and conduct towards others Any form of harassment or offensive behavior will lead to strict disciplinary measures

Both academic misconduct and breaches of the rules of conduct specified in the pledge (see Appendix 3) may lead to the following sanctions: warning, suspension, or deregistration from the

program

3.1.8 Regulations for Optional Program/Specialization Components

Student Exchange Program

Students apply to the SSE MSc exchange program during their first year of studies, and it is open

to students in the MBM, MECON and MFINA programs The application deadline is usually in late January (see the SSE Portal for detailed information about the application process) The

42 https://portal.hhs.se/StudentSupport/Documents/DisciplinaryRegulations.pdf (login is required in order to access the document)

43 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

44 https://portal.hhs.se/StudentSupport/Documents/DisciplinaryRegulations.pdf (login is required in order to access the document)

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student spends one semester, or a corresponding period, at the partner university, either the fall or spring semester of the second year of studies

Students are required to study full-time during their exchange semester The maximum allowed transfer from an exchange to an SSE MSc degree is 30 ECTS credits Transfer of

credits is subject to approval by SSE (see the SSE Portal for further information), and SSE may decline transfer of course credits beyond the MSc degree requirements (see Section 3.1.3)

Grades on the courses taken within the frameworks of the Student Exchange Program are not translated into the SSE grading scale Consequently they are not included in the GPA

MSc students who have participated in the SSE student exchange on the BSc level are welcome to apply for the student exchange program on the MSc level Students enrolled in the CEMS MIM program (including all students in the specialization in International Business starting in 2013) which includes a semester of studies abroad, are not permitted to also participate in the MSc student exchange program

If a student has been absent from her/his studies during most of the first year due to especially serious grounds45, and has as a consequence of this received an exemption from the deregistration rules, he/she may apply for the exchange program during the second year That student will then

be assessed on academic results accrued during the second year only

If a student has accepted a place within the Student Exchange Program but fails to attend, an additional application to the exchange program will not be considered, unless the reason for the prior non-attendance derived from especially serious grounds46

CEMS Master in International Management (MIM)

Students in the MBM, MECON and MFINA programs apply to the CEMS MIM program during their first semester of SSE studies47 TOEFL/IELTS/CAE/BEC48 is an application requirement for all students More information about the application to CEMS MIM is available on the SSE Portal and from the CEMS Office (cems@hhs.se) Participation in the CEMS program may prolong the duration of the Master program

For CEMS core courses, CEMS electives, Block Seminars, Business Project and Skills Seminars offered as part of the CEMS MIM program at SSE, standard SSE study regulations apply Similarly, SSE's code of conduct and disciplinary regulations apply also to studies in the CEMS MIM program at SSE

Up to 30 ECTS credits from the CEMS program can be counted as independent elective courses

in the MSc program (see Section 3.1.3)

45 Examples of especially serious grounds are hospital stay, death of a family member, parental leave or an illness which prevents the student over a long period from completing her or his studies Employment and the responsibilities incumbent upon the student are not considered especially serious grounds An application for exemption based on especially serious grounds must be supported by certified documents

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Additional regulations and requirements for CEMS MIM students are described in the CEMS MIM Student Guide, which can be obtained from the SSE CEMS Office CEMS MIM students also sign a student pledge that provides guidance for professional conduct in interaction with corporate partners and in the CEMS Business Project

Specific CEMS MIM regulations include:

 Once admitted to the CEMS program, a student cannot postpone acceptance or attendance

 A minimum workload of 24 ECTS credits earned per semester is required to continue in the program

 A maximum of 15 ECTS credits of independent elective courses and skills seminars can be earned before or after the MIM year

 Graduation from the home school's MSc program is a necessary requirement for graduation from the CEMS MIM program

Executive Trainee Module (XTM)

The XTM module is open for students in the MBM, MECON and MFINA programs It is a full semester component (30 ECTS credits), in which hands-on learning at a company is integrated into traditional academic training XTM replaces the independent elective courses within a program/specialization

The module requires a general BSc-level familiarity with the basic concepts of strategy, organization, management, accounting and finance

XTM is available in the following programs/specializations and the following semesters:

MSc in Business & Economics (intake 2009-2011)

MSc in Business & Management (intake 2012-)

International Business (intake 2013-) n/a n/a n/a n/a

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MSc in Finance & Accounting (intake 2012-)

3.2.1 Registration and Withdrawal

Students must be registered for courses and seminar groups in order to take part in lectures and

seminars For examination registration, see Section 3.3.2 Registration is done on the My upcoming courses page on the SSE Portal, or on the course's website during the registration period in the

semester immediately prior to the course being given – usually in April/May for fall courses and November/December for spring courses

Students are automatically registered for the courses (but not seminar groups) in their first semester After this, every student must register for the courses he/she plans to attend

Students who wish to register for more than 15 ECTS credits within the same period must contact

a study counselor at Student Services This will be approved if the student has a good study track record i.e has taken all courses on time with grades above average

For some courses the number of participants is limited In those cases the course director is

responsible for the selection of students

Students are not allowed to register for courses for which they do not meet specified prerequisites If a student is uncertain about course prerequisites, he or she has to consult with

the course director in a timely manner

For first-year students who wish to enroll in independent elective courses, the following applies in addition to the above rules:

 Students within a specific program/specialization have priority to required courses within their program/specialization

Tiêu đề	Student Handbook for the Master of Science Programs in: Business & Management pdf
Người hướng dẫn	Magnus Mӧhring, Associate Dean
Trường học	Stockholm School of Economics
Chuyên ngành	Business & Management, Economics, Finance & Accounting
Thể loại	sổ tay sinh viên
Năm xuất bản	2012
Thành phố	Stockholm

Định dạng
Số trang	66
Dung lượng	1,29 MB