The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) the degree represents level 6.

Specific admission requirements

Please see the Applicant's Guide or the website www.seamk.fi/hakeminen.

Applicant's Guide's instructions are written in Finnish for degree programmes taught in Finnish and in English for degree programmes taught in English. On the website, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are directed to the AHOT-team, i.e. to the head of the degree programme and the student counselor. For the students in the adult education group the coordinator of adult education for the degree programme is included in the team. See also the general AHOT-guidelines for Seinäjoki UAS.

The thesis, project courses (e.g. KE16D096110, KE16D085130, learning projects) and the course Learning skills are excluded from recognition of prior learning. For practical training (ETYÖHA) a limited possibility of recognition of prior learning exists; see course description for details. With the exception practical training, partial recognition for courses is generally not available.

If recognition is applied for on basis of previous studies, the said studies should be from an institution of higher education and registered after 1.1.2002. When recognition of prior learning is sought for studies in languages, accounting and financial management, business law and information technology registered prior to 31.12.2007, demonstration of skills/knowledge may be requested.

Written and oral exams, written assignments, presentations, portfolios and interviews are used in assessing prior learning. The decision for recognition of prior learning is made by the teacher or, if the course in question is taught by a visiting lecturer, by the head of the degree programme.

Qualification requirements and regulations

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Pedagogical approach

Teaching and learning in the programme involves extensive teamwork together with long-term business partners (focal enterprises). Students complete several comprehensive assignments for the focal enterprises, which enables them to perceive the links between the various areas of business right from the beginning of their academic career.

Working with partner companies and engaging in teamwork support the development of students' professional expertise and their social and mental growth into SME business managers or mature entrepreneurs. The pedagogy applied in the programme emphasises the development of readiness for the working world while studying. The period of internationalisation increases students' language skills and supports their personal growth into an independent decision-maker.

More and more, the management of business calls for skills in information acquisition and processing, ability to work in collaboration with others, problem-solving skills, constant openness to learning new things, and the ability to combine various types of information in practical work. Teaching in the Degree Programme in SME Business Management emphasises the constructivist theory of learning whereby the active role of the student and his/her world of experience play an important part in the teaching and learning process. It is the teacher's duty to act as a facilitator of learning and co-ordinator of studies.

Profile of the programme

The studies in the programme emphasise problem-solving skills and learning by doing. The point of view taken in the programme is that of a generalist, e.g. the manager of a company. Therefore, teaching emphasises the development of students' ability to see the whole picture and competence in managing multidimensional entities. Strong ties to the international environment are also a distinctive characteristic of the programme. The global business environment calls for good language skills and the ability to work successfully in multicultural settings.

A student in the degree programme prepares for varied management and development tasks in business. The students familiarize themselves with different expertise areas of doing business such as business planning, leadership, marketing, industrial management, financial management, business law and international contacts. Application of expertise in the aforementioned areas requires skills in communications, use of information technology, project planning and languages, which the students also develop in the programme. Some of the studies can be completed through customised projects ('learning projects') for example in the focal enterprise. Application of acquired expertise to practice during studies increases the students' preparedness for working life.

Students outline their area of expertise in SME business management in their Personal Study Plan. During their second year of studies, students draft their career plans and create a personal study programme according to their plans. Students may specialise for example in marketing, online business, production management, or service development. If a student plans to run a business immediately after graduation, then the necessary studies (s)he should engage in are included in their study plan.

Occupational profiles

The Degree Programme in SME Business Management prepares students for responsible job positions in the field of business with special emphasis on management and entrepreneurship in small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs). Bachelors of business administration from the programme are professionals in managing businesses, have the knowledge and skills needed to establish their own enterprise or to develop an existing enterprise in a global operations environment.

There are a number of job positions available to students graduating from the programme, e.g. entrepreneur, managing director, development manager, logistics foreman, investment manager, marketing designer, etc.

Internationality

During their third year of study, students usually spend one semester in a foreign institution of higher education where they complete 15 to 30 credits of coursework. There is a broad network of institutions in Europe, North- and South America, Australia and Asia, from which students may choose the area that best suits their interests. Students may also apply to a higher education institution not included in the network.

Students in the degree programme also have the opportunity to obtain a double degree: a UAS degree in business at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and a BBA in the Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, in Hochschule Rosenheim, in Hochschule Aschaffenburg, in University of West Hungary or in Mendel University in Brno. To receive the double degree, students complete three years of study in the Degree Programme in SME Business Management at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and one year in Hannover. The final thesis is written in English and there are two thesis supervisors. Students do their practical training in foreign countries.

Students who do not wish to complete a double degree may also do their practical training abroad. Moreover, there are courses taught in English available and visits by exchange students and foreign guest lecturers, all of which promote the internationalisation of the students.

Access to further studies

Students who have completed this programme are eligible to continue on to a university of applied sciences' master's degree programme in social sciences, business and administration. (University of applied sciences act 351/2003, in Finnish)

Course structure

Students complete a total of 60 credits of coursework each year. The total amount of credits for the entire degree programme is 210, which takes about 3.5 years to complete. The programme comprises Basic Studies and Professional Studies, language studies, internationalisation studies, and studies in entrepreneurship as agreed upon, practical training, elective studies as outlined in the Personal Study Plan, and the final thesis.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Mode of study

Full time studies except in the adult education group where studies are multiform (part-time).

Contact persons

Head of the degree programme:
Mr. Tero Turunen, tel. +358 40 830 2366, e-mail: tero.turunen(at)seamk.fi

ECTS departmental coordinator / International coordinator:
Ms Marjo Arola, tel. +358 40 830 4216, e-mail: marjo.arola(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor:
Ms Raija Rauma, tel. +358 40 830 4214, e-mail: raija.rauma(at)seamk.fi

ops.seamk.fi - Kampusranta 11, 2nd floor (Frami F), 60320 SEINÄJOKI - Puhelin: +358 20 124 5000 - Faksi: +358 20 124 5001 - opintotoimisto@seamk.fi