Table of Contents
By completing the EFMD accredited International business administration programme, you acquire a broad range of knowledge and skills to work in domestic and international businesses and/or to continue your studies.
- You can work in the field of marketing, finance, accounting and human resources in businesses of different sectors.
- You have the knowledge and skills to start your own enterprise.
- You can continue your studies at various master programmes in the area of business administration, management, accounting and finance.
- You have polished your English language skills to work or study in an international environment.
- You have an international network of contacts acquired during your studies.
Did you know?
That if someone were to simply pocket a business card handed to them by a Japanese executive or forget it into their meeting place, their mutual business would probably be over for good? Or that the United Kingdom has the longest tax code in the world and it is packed with written and unwritten laws to trip up the entrepreneur? If you have some mighty business ideas that will most likely be held back by the borders of your home country, come and study the fine nuances of International Business Administration!
Key Features
STUDY PROGRAMME
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (BA)
- Duration: 3 years
- Faculty: School of Business and Governance
- Study Load: 180 ECTS (view curriculum)
- Mode of Study: Full-time study
STUDY INFORMATION
- Language: English (view English language requirements)
- Tuition Fee: €4700 per year for EU/EEA and non-EU citizens
- Scholarships: Different options available
- Admission: General admission guidelines
Admissions
Students for TalTech international study programmes are admitted based on the admission threshold. First, all candidates are invited to take an online math test. Then, an online interview will be conducted only with the candidates who have passed the online test. The online interview is based on the information you have provided in the motivation letter. An applicant who receives a combined score (average) of minimum 60 points for the motivation letter and online interview is admitted.
Please note that although there are no formal subject prerequisites, we assume that you have passed Mathematics subject at the high school level.
Admission under a special condition will be applied if the candidate proves the participation in the corresponding international competitions and Estonian olympiads and competitions determined by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. An applicant applying under a special condition receives the maximum admissions points and does not need to fulfill programme specific admission requirements apart from the secondary education requirement. Please read about the admission under a special condition here.
Please find the programme specific admission requirements below:
In order to qualify for the studies in Tallinn University of Technology an applicant has to have at least 60% of the highest possible CGPA.
For the programme an individual motivation letter (statement of purpose) must be submitted.
Please include following:
- Describe your professional goals. Why do you want to study in Estonia and at the TalTech School of Business and Governance? How does the International Business Administration programme support your professional life and career intentions? Which of the specializations is particularly beneficial in pursuing your professional goals? (0-20 points)
- Do you study and/or work? What kind of education have you completed or are acquiring at the moment? How many years have passed since your last training course at school, university, open university, executive training, etc.? Do you have any other academic achievements, i.e. participating in contests or Olympiads? Where and for how long have you been working, and what have been your tasks? (0-20 points)
- Describe your experiences, knowledge and skills related to business. Have you taken part in any school projects, competitions, online courses, lectures or read on your own books, articles, followed newspapers and podcasts on the topic? Have you worked in family business or created your own start-up? (0-20 points)
- Describe your language skills, i.e. English and other foreign languages. How long have you studied English, to what extent and for what do you use it outside of school? Describe your international experiences. Have you studied, worked or lived abroad or travelled to foreign countries? What have you learned from these experiences, how does it contribute to studying business administration and working in business? (0-20 points)
- What are your interests and social activities? (0-20 points)
NB! It is important to properly cite and reference any sources used in your motivation letter (quotations, publications, ideas etc. that are not your own). Additionally, AI-generated text is not acceptable as the purpose of the motivation letter is to show the applicant’s genuine motivation. Neglecting the aforementioned principles will result in the disqualification of your application.
There are numerous guidelines and examples of how to write a motivation letter, what is expected here is, however, a narrative from your individual perspective of what has led you to apply to the International Business Administration programme, and how this education is helpful in your future career.
Grading scale: 0-100
Positive result 60-100 points:
- The candidate has an interest in learning International Business Administration and is able to elaborate his/her career choice intentions and explain the reasons behind it based on personal interests and/or experiences. The candidate is familiar with the International Business Administration programme structure and overall content. The candidate is familiar with the TalTech and School of Business and Governance, with the overall organisation of studies and university’s profile in terms of size and academic fields, its international activities, and campus.
- The candidate is able to discuss his/her studies and/or work history by comparing different experiences and lessons learned. Participating successfully in contests or Olympiads adds extra points. The candidate is also able to give an overview of his/her language skills, how these were developed and to what extent foreign languages (esp. English) are practiced every day.
- The candidate is able to demonstrate and analyse his/her previous experiences, knowledge and skills in the area of business. These might range from visiting business-related lectures and reading books and newspapers to practical experiences like setting up a (student) company or working for family business.
- The candidate is able to provide an overview of his/her international experiences and of lessons learned (communication skills, language skills, independence, etc.). These might include studying/working/doing sports abroad or living abroad/travelling with one’s family.
- The candidate is able to elaborate his/her interests and social activities and knowledge/skills these have developed (public speaking, communication, teamwork, planning, independence and responsibility, etc.).
Negative result 0-59 points:
- The candidate has an interest in learning International Business Administration but is not able to elaborate in detail his/her career choice intentions, explain the reasons behind these and discuss the role completing the programme has in it. The candidate is only to some extent familiar with the International Business Administration programme structure and content. The candidate is little familiar with TalTech and School of Business and Governance, with the overall organisation of studies, university’s profile in terms of size and academic fields, its international activities, and campus.
- The candidate is able to list his/her studies and/or work history, but is not able to compare the different experiences and analyse the lessons learned. The candidate has not participated successfully in contests or Olympiads. The candidate is able to list foreign languages, but is not able to explain how these were acquired and to what extent foreign languages (esp. English) are practiced every day.
- The candidate is able to list his/her previous experiences, knowledge and skills in the area of business, but not compare those and explain how these have led to the decision to study international business administration.
- The candidate is able to list his/her international experiences, but not analyse the lessons learned and relate these to studying in TalTech.
- The candidate is able to list his/her interests and social activities, but not analyse the knowledge/skills these have developed and how these might be useful when studying in TalTech.
TalTech Moodle online test is to evaluate candidate's secondary school mathematics. The test covers the following themes: numbers and rules of calculation, algebraic skills, standard functions, equations and inequalities, systems of equations, calculus, probability and statistics.
You have 2.5 hours to complete the test consisting of 20 questions. It is required to collect at least 50 points out of 100 to qualify for the interview.
Recommended reading material:
- Brodie, A. (2004). Pass Your GCSE Maths: Probability and Statistics;
- Fisher, R. W. (2011). No-Nonsense Algebra: Part of the Mastering Essential Math Skills. Math Essentials;
- Li, R. (2018). A Quick Guide to Derivatives;
- Mergens, J. K. (2011). Learn Math Fast System Volume II: Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages (Volume 2);
- Stewart, J., Redlin, L., Watson, S. (2015). Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 7th edition. Cengage Learning;
- Stewart, J., Redlin, L., Watson, S. Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 6 th edition;
You can practice solving exercises at: https://www.symbolab.com
Only applicants who have successfully passed the online test will be invited to the interview.
The online interview is based on the information submitted in the motivation letter. During the interview the following aspects will be evaluated:
- Motivation and reasons for choosing the university and programme, future career plans, Erasmus studies, master studies. Ability to discuss, create connections, analyse one’s intentions and behaviour, strengths and weaknesses (0-20 points);
- Academic background, work experience, volunteering, business-related activities, teamwork experiences, achievements and interests (0-20 points);
- Knowledge of TalTech, TVTB programme and Estonia (0-20 points);
- Knowledge, skills and practice in mathematics and English (0-20 points);
- It is preferred to demonstrate related skills by SAT test (if available, upload Score Report in your application). This would be regarded as an asset during the admission interview.
- International, mainly educational, experiences, e.g., student exchange, language camps, international projects, etc. (0-20 points).
The duration of the interview is approximately 20 minutes.
Grading scale: 0-100
Positive result 60-100 points:
- The candidate is able to explain the reasons for choosing the International business administration programme and TalTech based on his/her interests and previously acquired competencies. The candidate has a detailed understanding of his/her future career and how the programme he/she is applying for contributes to the career choice intentions.
- The candidate is familiar with the International business administration programme, its structure, incl specialisations, and content. The candidate is able to discuss the essence of the specialisations and area-specific employment opportunities, the benefits of choosing one of the specialisations and relate it to his/her career choice intentions.
- The candidate is able to elaborate and analyse his/her knowledge, skills and experiences (business, mathematics, English), discuss his/her strengths and weaknesses, and ways of overcoming these.
- The candidate is able to elaborate his/her international experiences, coping with stress and teamwork skills and how these might contribute or be an obstacle to studying at TalTech.
Negative result 0-59 points:
- The candidate is not able to explain the reasons for choosing International business administration programme and TalTech based on his/her interests and previously acquired competencies. The candidate has a general understanding of his/her future career and is not able to explain how the programme his/she is applying for contributes to the career choice intentions.
- The candidate is only to some extent familiar with the International business administration programme, its structure and content. The candidate is not able to explain the meaning of specialisations and area-specific employment possibilities, the benefits of choosing one of the specialisations and relate it to his/her career choice intentions.
- The candidate is not able to elaborate and analyse his/her knowledge, skills and experiences (business, mathematics, English), discuss his/her strengths and weaknesses, and ways of overcoming these.
- The candidate is not able to elaborate his/her international experiences, coping with stress and teamwork skills, and how these might contribute or be an obstacle to studying at TalTech.
An applicant who receives a combined score (average) of minimum 60 points for the motivation letter and online interview is admitted.
Overview
The Programme of International Business Administration provides students with the knowledge of essential functionalities of an international companies. All the teaching is carried out in English and comprises lectures and practical seminars. Several classes are read by visiting lecturers working in their field and bringing their practical experiences into the class-room. Students will also visit different companies, solve and discuss company case-studies, play simulation games in international marketing and investing and take part in extra-curricular activities like TalTech Satellite programme.
After acquiring fundamental business knowledge like economic theory, business research methods, IT skills, students are free to specialize in either marketing, finance, accounting and business intelligence, or entrepreneurship and management. The programme ends with graduation thesis where students demonstrate the ability of writing, presenting and discussing a small-scale original piece of research.
Curriculum outline (180 ECTS)
- General studies (18 ECTS) - cover compulsory courses such as IT foundations, and working environment and ergonomics, as well as elective courses - business English, Estonian language and culture, contemporary international relations, philosophy, personal finance, etc.
- Core studies (84 ECTS) - include courses about micro- and macroeconomics, business mathematics, statistics, logistics and inventory management, international business and ethics, etc.
- Special studies (63 ECTS) - consist of courses divided into two main specialisations: entrepreneurship and marketing, finance and accounting.
- Free choice courses (6 ECTS) - students can choose from a wide variety of courses offered at the university.
- Graduation thesis (9 ECTS) - a business administration related independent research project that allows applying theoretical knowledge for solving practical problems.
The entrepreneurship and marketing specialisation combines knowledge and skills from two fields.
- The entrepreneurship track provides insights and skills for starting a business or contributing to the management of an existing one. You'll gain an overview of startup entrepreneurship and innovation, acquire knowledge and skills in management, leadership, personnel management, knowledge management, and organizational functioning.
- In marketing lectures and seminars, you'll grasp the fundamentals of the field and become familiar with various theoretical perspectives. You'll explore how marketing can enhance the competitive advantages of an international company, delve into e-marketing and its support for achieving company goals, and learn about different approaches to marketing management and the role of a marketing manager within a company.
Upon completing this major, you'll be prepared to work as a project manager, HR specialist, office assistant, as well as a marketing specialist, social media expert, customer relationship manager, or sales specialist. You could also venture into starting your own business.
The finance and accounting specialisation is a combination of two closely related fields.
- In finance courses, you'll learn to understand business through numbers. You'll gain an understanding of how to interpret information in company financial statements to make accurate management decisions. You'll become acquainted with the principles and theories of financial management and finance, acquiring knowledge and skills in corporate finance management, investment, financial markets, and risk management.
- Accounting focuses on knowledge and skills that help companies operate successfully. You'll learn various methods for interpreting and analyzing financial data, get an overview of major software programs, and acquire knowledge and skills financial accounting, managerial and cost accounting, as well as business analytics.
Upon completing this major, you'll possess the knowledge to work as a financial analyst or as a junior auditor or auditor assistant.
Recognitions
- The programme is accredited by EFMD Global peer-review team for three years in 2024. Different from more general state accreditation, EFMD accredited is a field-specific accreditation in the framework of which the programmes are assessed based on business and management area requirements and the peer-review team consists of internationally renowned academics and practitioners.
Why study International Business Administration in TalTech?
Two specializations in the programme provide the possibility to continue in different career and educational tracks. Career-wise there are different positions in various business processes of international companies. There is also the possibility to continue in family business or start one’s own company. For further studies, it’s possible to continue at TalTech International business administration master programme or in master programmes elsewhere.
The student body of the programme is highly international and diverse (more than 20 nationalities). Also teachers come from diverse backgrounds. This enables to bring different view-points into the class-room, practice team-work in multi-cultural groups, and enlarge one’s social network. Good possibilities for physical and virtual student mobility (Erasmus+ programme, EuroTeQ alliance, etc.).
Connections with the world of practice in terms of good cooperation with enterprises and practitioners, and entrepreneurship experience of lecturers bring practical experiences and examples into the class-room. There is possibility to participate in extra-curricular activities (e.g. TalTech Satellite programme, start-up course Starter, Nordplus intensive week).
The programme also entails an Internship. To assist students with finding internship places, the SBG has established an Internship portal and organizes an annual Internship fair.
Academic Staff
Marianne Kallaste has been the programme director of the International Business Administration programme since 2024. Marianne has been working at the School of Business and Governance since 2004, at the beginning at the dean's office, since 2011 at the Department of Business Administration. Since 2016, she has been a lecturer in the unit of entrepreneurship and international business. Throughout her life, she has been interested in understanding the learning and teaching process which pushed her to get involved in the activities of the teaching development centre of the SBG.
Karin Jõeveer is teaching the course in Basic Finance. She is an Associate Professor at TalTech Department of Economics and Finance. She earned a PhD degree from Charles University in Prague (CERGE-EI). Before the current job at TalTech, she worked for several years in the United Kingdom – as a lecturer at the Keele University and the Queen’s University of Belfast, and as a senior research fellow at the Financial Markets Group at the London School of Economics. She has broad interests in the field of financial economics. She has studied the firms’ financing decisions and currently, she is working on the efficiency of financial institutions.
Vaiva Kiaupaite-Grušniene (PhD) is teaching Management Accounting, Principles of Financial Accounting, and Cost Accounting courses. In 2022, her Management Accounting course was awarded the E-course Quality Label of the Estonian Quality Agency for Higher and Vocational Education. She is a senior lecturer at the Department of Business Administration and has received her PhD from TalTech.
Marina Järvis is a chemical engineer, she received her PhD from TalTech School of Business and Governance, and a master's degree (M. Phil. in Occupational health science and occupational hygiene) from the University of Bergen in Norway.
Marina is an associate professor at TalTech department of business administration and teaches master’s and bachelor’s students. She has extensive experience in training and teaching, being a lecturer in the field of occupational health and safety management at TalTech as well as a teacher in many additional training courses for employers, safety managers, occupational health and safety specialists. She has more than 10 years of research experience in the working environment, occupational health and safety management, labour standards, and implementation of EU directives. She has published more than 40 scientific articles. Additionally, she has represented Estonia at the international OH&S conferences and participated in relevant EU projects. Her research interests focus on safety management systems; knowledge management in occupational health and safety; quality of working life and wellbeing; safety culture and risk assessment.
Dr Iivi Riivits-Arkonsuo teaches courses in Marketing Research and E-marketing. She supervises master’s and bachelor’s students’ theses and acts as a member of the thesis examination committee. She wrote her doctoral thesis about how a consumer becomes a brand ambassador. Her research has focused on consumer online behaviour and generations studies. In addition to her academic career, she has been working for a marketing research agency.
Kirsti Rumma is a senior lecturer in business mathematics, statistics and quantitative methods. She has been working as an upper secondary teacher, lecturer, researcher and analyst in mathematics and mathematics didactics. She has a doctoral degree from Agder University, Norway, and her research is related to mathematics, mathematics didactics and education in general.
Tarvo Niine, PhD, is an associate professor of logistics and supply chain management. He teaches the course in Logistics and Inventory Management. He is also the director of the BA programme in Business Administration. His main research areas include business, entrepreneurship and engineering education. He has supervised 60+ bachelor’s and master’s theses.
Maris Zernand-Vilson is a management lecturer. She teaches the courses in Management, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. She has received her PhD researching the implementation of new management ideas. She has been the supervisor for numerous research and graduation papers and has created and conducted executive training. She has been active in the field of schoolmasters’ development, leading the community activities and taking part in local government management. In her opinion, educational renewal is the biggest challenge in the university at the moment and implementation of new learning styles is the most exciting part of the job.
René Arvola, PhD, has been active as a lecturer at Taltech since 2001, teaching Basic Marketing, Marketing Communications, Marketing Management, Brand Management, Strategic Marketing, Master Degree Workshop and Marketing Simulation (in cooperation with Breda University of Applied Sciences). He has supervised over 100 master’s and bachelor’s theses. René Arvola is responsible for marketing Mektory Space Centre and has a long experience as an entrepreneur. His current research project (in cooperation with the European network of consumer behaviour researchers COBENET and Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies) focuses on consumer-driven product development of plant-based dairy product alternatives.
Future Career
Career prospects
In the global economy, companies become heavily interdependent in their commercial activities. Talented people, who can understand the specifics of international business and can integrate supply chain elements from different corners of the world, are in high demand.
Who will you become after graduation?
TalTech's School of Business and Governance prepares managers and specialists with extensive knowledge of economy and business for international companies and the public sector. Therefore, you will have the prerequisites to work in the field of marketing, finance, accounting and human resources of international companies all over the world. A strong international marketing background also gives you the opportunity to find a job in export management. You can, of course, start your own company and determine its development yourself. There is also always the possibility to continue business education at the master’s level and to specialise even more in your chosen field of studies.
Prospective employers
- International auditing firms: PWC, KPMG, Ernst & Young
- International organisations: WHO, IMF
- Large enterprises: ABB, Ericsson, Skype
- Banks: Swedbank, SEB, LHV, Nordea
What students say?
Studying in TVTB programme at TalTech was an opportunity for me to upgrade my previous education and receive amazing knowledge, which helped me forward in my career. The programme combines high-quality theoretical teaching with concrete technical aspects to improve your skillset ready for the work-life. The lecturers and the structure of the courses drive you to develop your expertise and create a possibility to network with students all around the world.
Emmi Puolakka (Finland).
Studying at TalTech helped me develop my international skills and language skills by creating a solid base of understanding regarding different business fields. The TVBT programme is unique as it provides a platform that allows students (who, like me, are ambitious to work across international boundaries and cultures) to continue in different fields of study and develop international business skills. The courses provide both theoretical and practical skills. The programme gives the opportunity to get to study a variety of international courses that provide a global perspective about business. I recommend the programme because it emphasizes international courses, group work, presentation skills and business language skills which, in my opinion, are especially important and useful in succeeding in a global business or pursuing an international career.
Johnny Mikombe (Democratic Republic of the Congo), graduated in 2020.
More to discover
Read articles, interviews and stories of TalTech's International Business Administration Bachelor students, professors, lecturers, alumni and more!
- Podcast with Kirsten Woods, a student of the International Business Administration programme: Drastically different, shockingly international
- COO while pursuing a full-time degree
- René Arvola: I don’t believe in teaching, I want to be there for students to help them to study
- Roman Cole: Stay curious and seize your opportunities!
Is it for me?
- The programme is suitable for candidates with an interest in the field of business and professional goals related to marketing, management, entrepreneurship, accounting, finance and logistics.
- It is a match for people-oriented candidates with previous experiences in organizing school projects, competitions, marketing events, fund-raising campaigns, representing fellow-students, founding their own (student) company or working in family-business.
- It is also suitable for more numbers-oriented people who like to delve into the depths of the logic of numbers and calculation.
- Equally important are English language skills, having taken part in international student exchange and language camps is a definite bonus.
Ask Us
TALTECH INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS OFFICE
TalTech international admissions office provides general advice to prospective Bachelor’s and Master’s degree applicants and their advisers about applying to and studying at TalTech.
Contact us via study@taltech.ee.
STUDENT COUNSELLOR AT THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE
Student counsellor at the School of Business and Governance can help you with questions about the study programme.
Piret Levertand
(372) 620 3940
piret.levertand@taltech.ee
|