GPA or GMAT/GRE

On this page, you will find information about the GPA or GMAT/GRE test requirement for the PhD programme.

This page applies to the application to the PhD programme in English. Applicants applying to studies in English must prove their aptitude to be eligible to apply. Check below to which Admission Group you belong to determine which requirements apply to you.

Admission Group 1: Master's degree obtained in Finland, the EU/EEA, Switzerland or at a Hanken Partner University

If your qualifying degree is obtained in Finland, the EU/EEA, Switzerland or at a Hanken Partner University for Exchange, you must fulfill the following requirements:  

  • A GPA with at least a B on a US grading scale (3.0 on a 5.0 Finnish scale) in the qualifying degree.
    • Check if your GPA meets the requirements with the WES World Education Systems online grading scale conversion tool. If there is not a conversion table for your country, Hanken will convert your GPA on a case-to-case basis.
    • Regulations for Hanken Partner Universities for Exchange:
      • For a Hanken Partner University for Exchange to be accepted, the partner agreement must be in force at the end of the application period in the Main Admission round.  
      • If one of the listed Hanken Partner Universities for Exchange is divided into several campuses/faculties/business schools, a degree from any of the subordinated schools/campuses is accepted as exempting from the GMAT/GRE requirement.

If the GPA in your qualifying degree does not meet the set requirements, you must take a GMAT/GRE test and obtain the minimum test score requirements as listed below under Group 2.

The United Kingdom belongs to group 2, regardless of when you have completed your degree in the country in question.

 

All applicants in Admission Group 1 must

  • submit an official certificate where the GPA in question is clearly stated if such a certificate can be issued by the degree awarding institution. The certificate can be either the degree certificate, transcript of records or a separate official certificate issued by the degree awarding institution.
  • state the official GPA in the application form. If the official GPA is not already stated on the educational documents, the applicant must calculate their GPA (on the grading scales used in their degree) for the degree based on which they are applying.
  • Hanken always refer to the GPA stated on the educational documents to check the GPA requirement. If you do not submit an official certificate where the GPA is clearly stated in your application, we will verify that the GPA calculated by you is correct.
  • Hanken reserves the right to decide whether you fulfill the GPA requirement or not.

Applicants who have not yet graduated must

  • must fulfil the GPA requirement both when applying and when they have graduated.
  • calculate the GPA for the degree based on which they are applying for the courses which are included in the transcript of records submitted with the application.
  • If you are unsure if your final GPA after graduation will meet the GPA requirement, it is advisable to complete the GMAT or GRE aptitude test as well to ensure that you meet the requirements.

Admissions Group 2: Master's degree obtained outside of the EU/EEA 

If you do not hold a degree obtained within the EU/EEA or at a Hanken Partner University, you need to apply based on a GMAT/GRE test score and fulfil the following criteria:

Hanken also accepts GMAT™ Online exam and GRE® General Test at home. The GRE Subject Test is not accepted.

The listed test result requirements are indicative and not a definite score result limit. An applicant who shows considerable evidence of their propensity to conduct doctoral studies and research, may be considered for admission also holding a test result below the set total score. The tests consist of different sections, and only some of them are included in the total score. Please note that Hanken still assess the total score and take all parts of the test into consideration, also the parts which are not included in the total score. The writing sections are scored separately and both the scores and the essay answers are visible on the official test result. 

Hanken must be able to verify the test results with the test provider for the test result to be accepted.

Read more below on what the tests are and how to take the tests.

 

  • GMAT and GRE are standardized admission aptitude tests that are widely used by Business Schools and Graduate Schools in admissions to Master and Doctoral programmes. 

  • The GMAT and GRE tests are designed to measure the skills shown to help graduate business students succeed in the challenging curriculum. The tests assess analytical, verbal, quantitative and data insight skills.

  • On the test organizers webpages, you can find a lot of useful material and information on how to prepare for the test.

  • It is worthwhile to study before you take the test, that way you can prepare yourself for how the tests are structured, what kind of questions you might expect and how you should use your test time.

When should I take the aptitude test?

  • Register for a test as early as possible so that you can submit a copy of your test result in your application. It can take up to 10 working days to receive some test results.
  • You are responsible for finding out the test dates and closing dates for registration for the aptitude tests.
  • If you already have a sufficient test result, check the validity of your result and, if needed, arrange for a new test well in advance.
  • Find the test center closest to you by visiting mba.com (GMAT) and ets.org (GRE). In Helsinki, applicants can take GRE at the NUEVO MUNDOO and GMAT at CertyHub Espoo (LGF).

How long is the test valid?

  • Hanken accepts test results which are no older than 5 years. 
  • Your GMAT/GRE test result must be valid on the final application deadline for the test to be accepted.

How do I share my results?

  • The institutional GMAT programme code for Hanken is NRC-QZ-38. Use this code when registering for the test for the results to be sent to Hanken.
  • For GRE the institutional reporting code for Hanken is 8433. Applicants taking GRE General Exam should use this code when registering for the test to send the results to Hanken.