Hanken Svenska handelshögskolan

Hanken Svenska handelshögskolan (Hanken School of Economics, also known simply as Hanken) is one of the top business schools (alongside CBS, BI Norwegian Business School and SSE), in the Nordic region and is globally recognized for its excellence. Hanken is one of only 129 business schools worldwide to hold the prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS), a mark of the highest standards in business education. Hanken offers bachelor’s (and master’s) programs in Swedish.

One of Hanken’s distinguishing features is its international outlook. The school collaborates with over 100 universities worldwide and offers students opportunities to participate in exchange programs and study abroad. Among other things, Hanken offers double degree programs with well-known institutions, which enable students to graduate from both Hanken and partner institutions.

The application period for studies starting in the fall of 2025 is from March 11 to April 16, 2025. Applications to Hanken are submitted through the Finnish national portal Studyinfo.fi, which opens at the start of the application period. Hanken Application Step-by-Step

When you apply to Hanken through the joint application process using your grades, you are automatically registered for the entrance exam. If you are admitted based on your grades, you will be notified via email by May 26, 2025. In all other cases, you must participate in the entrance exam, which will take place on June 4, 2025. 

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Questions with responses from Hanken:

1. What unique qualities or experiences do you look for in international applicants, particularly those from Sweden?

• Ambitious students who are interested in learning more about Finland and our Nordic role. We appreciate students that want to get the most out of their student experience. We have a special admission path for students from Sweden, called Svenska meriter. This means that one can apply directly to Hanken with Svenska gymnasiebetyg (threshold 18.00 including merit points) or Högskoleprovet (threshold 1.20).

2. How does your university’s academic approach and link to the job market differ from others in the US or Europe?

• Since Hanken is a small university, the community is very close and unique. The gap between professors and students is small and informal. Hanken is also special since we have a mandatory semester abroad, which means that all of our bachelor students either do an exchange semester abroad at one of our partner universities, or an internship abroad. Further, our alumni hold Hanken close to heart and thanks to this, and to our broad list of partner companies, our students are really sought after on the job market. Also, Hanken’s biggest programme (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) is one taught in Swedish.

3. What kind of extracurricular activities are popular among international students, and how do these activities help with integration?

• Hanken has its own student union, the student union of Hanken School of Economics (SHS, Svenska handelshögskolans studentkår). All students that start their studies at Hanken get their own tutor group and tutors. These tutors are a part of the student union’s activities, among very many other things. The student union offers a great opportunity for all Hanken students to do some extracurricular activities and get a close community and friends for life. At the moment, we see a lot of Swedish students acting as presidents or similar in committees, which proves that the student union is a great place for everyone to integrate with fellow students at Hanken.

4. How does the university help students engage with the broader local community?

• Through our extended list of activities with our partner companies, and of course the student union, Hanken offers its students a great opportunity to engage with both the local and national community.

5. How does your university assist students in transitioning from academia to the job market, particularly internationally?

• Hanken’s extraordinary Career services offers all students help and guidance with transitioning into the labor market already during their studies. Thanks to the active alumni network, our students tend to be very attractive amongst employers, both in Finland and internationally. Hanken has around 16 000 alumni working in over 70 different countries, and the employability rate is 97% within 3 months from graduation. This shows that Hanken really is a good choice for students, whether they want to work locally or internationally.

6. What scholarships or financial aid opportunities are available specifically for students from Sweden?

• All students from within EU/EEA/Switzerland studies for free in Finland. Students from Sweden has the right to CSN in the same way in Finland as if they were to study in Sweden. Also, if one would want to, one can transfer the study support from the Swedish CSN to the Finnish FPA (Folkpensionsanstalten). Hanken also offers students housing, which means that the living costs can be lowered compared to the free/public market. Finland also has an extensive support for students, for example student health services, cheap student lunches, reduced transportation fees etc.
  
  

Written by Axel Brunzell