Degree Programme in Business Management, 210 ECTS credits

Specialisations

Upon completion of the studies common to all, students choose in total 65 ECTS credits of specialization studies. A student may choose individual modules or concentrate on one of four fields of specialization:

- Financial Management
- Marketing
- Business Operations Development
- International Business

Qualification awarded

Bachelor of Business Administration

Level of qualification

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) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the degree represents level 6.

Specific admission requirements

Please see the website www.seamk.fi/hakeminen

On the website, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The degree programme's curriculum and students' active role in their learning provide the basis of recognition of prior learning (RPL). Students assess their own competencies in relation to the goals of the course in question, consider the competencies they wish to have recognised based on self-assessment, apply for recognition and provide the necessary demonstration of their skills. It is the task of the student counsellor (full-time students) and the adult education coordinator (part-time students in adult education) to inform students of the recognition and assessment process, to discuss students' Personal Study Plan and to guide students in the demonstration of prior learning.

The teacher of the course in question determines whether or not a student can receive credit for the entire course or part of it through demonstration of his/her existing skills. If this is possible, the teacher will compile the required type of demonstration, inform the student of what (s)he needs to do, how extensive the task will be, how it will be assessed and the schedule in which time the task must be completed. The student then completes the required task. The teacher accepts and assesses the work. The teacher or head of degree programme makes the official decision concerning the matter (recognition).


RPL staff and their duties in the degree programme:

It is the task of the student counsellor/adult education coordinator to inform students of the recognition and assessment process, to discuss students' Personal Study Plan and to guide students in the demonstration of prior learning.

The course teacher determines whether or not a student's prior learning can be recognised, compiles the required type of demonstration, informs the student of what (s)he needs to do, how extensive the task will be, how it will be assessed and the schedule in which time the task must be completed. The student submits the task to the teacher in question who assesses it.

The head of degree programme decides whether or not a student's previously completed studies can be recognised.


Courses included and not included in the RPL process:

Studies leading to degree qualifications (degree certificate) are not accepted as part of the studies in the university of applied sciences as such. If, however, part of the studies is accepted, demonstration of the acquired competencies is required.

At least 12 credits of the Intermediate Studies must be completed in the Degree Programme in Business Management.

Finnish students must complete at least one Swedish course.


Field-specific requirements for competence:

To receive recognition for language studies requires that students demonstrate adequate skills in field-specific language.


Programme-specific regulations pertaining to the recognition of prior competence, assessment practices:

There are various course-specific methods used in the Degree Programme in International Business to recognise previously learned competence. A list of these methods can be found Seinäjoki UAS's RPL Guidelines.

Qualification requirements and regulations

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

Pedagogical approach

The implementation of the curriculum focuses on experiential learning. In the learning process theoretical information is processed on the basis of concrete learning experiences. Self-evaluation is used to understand various phenomena and develop new ways of doing things.

The basic studies in business are integrated with the running of an enterprise, and learning is based on practical tasks. The professional studies involve planning and research assignments commissioned by a company, case studies and projects.

The basic studies in business are integrated with the running of a virtual enterprise, and learning is based on practical tasks. The professional studies involve planning and research assignments commissioned by a company, case studies and projects.

Studies are flexible and may be conducted as part of a project in accordance with student's personal curriculum. It is also possible for students to integrate their studies in the development of their own enterprise. Students may also complete some studies online, in which case the requirements for completing a course may differ from those described in the Study Guide.

The final thesis enables students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned during their studies to practical problem-solving situations and the business development.

Profile of the programme

The purpose of the degree programme is that students know the content, meaning and different areas of business operations. They are able to apply their knowledge and skills in practical business tasks and they are also able to assess and develop business operations.

During their first and second years of study, students learn about the foundations of business management and acquire skills to work in the various areas of business.

After students have completed the studies common to all, they choose between a number of specialisations (see below), which provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to work as experts in a specific area of business in Finland and abroad. Expertise can be described as competence profiles that students have having completed their studies. The student may combine studies from different specializations in accordance with his/her personal career objectives.

The Marketing specialist is able to plan, implement and develop marketing in a business or public organisation. The student is an expert in marketing communication, customer service, product management and customer relationship management.

The Accounting specialist has the knowledge and skills required in different tasks of financial management. They are able to maintain and develop information systems that support management and decision-making. They are also able to utilise methods for financial planning, decision-making and management.

The specialist in Business Development is able to analyse and assess the current state of SME businesses and develop strategic plans for a business. He/she knows the meaning of innovative business ideas, networking and continuous development as a success factor in a changing operational environment. In addition, he/she is able to use foresight information when creating new business operations or developing the existing ones. He/she has the knowledge and skills to run an enterprise.

The specialist in the management of Human Resources and Processes is able to operate and develop systems and processes connected with the operations of a business or organization. He/she is able to work in human resource management and development tasks.

The Specialist in International Business is able to analyse, plan, implement and develop international business operations and has competence in international business, marketing and management.

In addition to the areas of expertise mentioned above students have the following options of specialisation:

- In Electronic business studies students learn to implement and develop online business.
- By choosing the option Retail trade and entrepreneurship the student has an opportunity to participate in retail trade training organised by the K retail chain.
- In the FramiPro learning environment students from different fields of study complete projects commissioned by companies and organisations.
- Tempo studies provide an opportunity to specialise in Employment and economic development. Student choose 15 credits of studies in the field of social work and part of the studies are organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour.
- The study module on Industrial Management focuses on the basics of technological industries and industrial economics. The module is organised in cooperation with the School of Technology.
- In the study modules focused on international business contexts (LTVAKSA1, LTVAKVE1, LTVAKRU1, LTVAKEN1 ja LTVAKES1) the student develops his/her preparedness for international business operations in a specific language area.
- In the Business Pre-Incubator the student can develop their own business idea and entrepreneurial competence during the studies.
- Students have a chance to complete a Double Degree which allows them to receive a degree certificate both from Seinäjoki UAS and a foreign partner institution of higher education.

The degree programme also contains methodological studies for skills in research and development, practical training and a bachelor’s thesis. A comprehensive language programme gives an opportunity to develop and expand language skills. Studies in Swedish, English, German, French, Spanish and Russian are available. It is also possible to study Finnish as a foreign language.

Occupational profiles

The Degree Programme in Business Management prepares students for a wide range of tasks in business and in the public sector.

In accordance with competence profiles graduates can work in the following tasks, for example:

- Marketing specialist: tasks in marketing, sales, marketing communication, customer service management, market research, customer relationship management, product and brand management, liaison and communication
- Accounting specialist: tasks in bookkeeping, service counselling, investment counselling, controller, financial counselling and management, auditing, management accounting
- Specialist in business development: entrepreneur, business adviser, business trainer, business researcher, trade ombudsman, consultant
- Specialist in the management of human resources and processes: personnel assistant, personnel planning officer, personnel manager, project manager
- Specialist in international business: tasks in import and export, international sales and marketing

By choosing different options students may obtain further career opportunities.

Internationalization

The aim of the studies is that the students will be able to operate in an international environment and know how to encounter different cultures. Every student will get personal international experiences during his/her studies either in the form of student mobility or internationalization at home.

Students are encouraged to participate in student mobility. 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 one of the double degree partner schools. To receive a 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 abroad. The final thesis is written in English and there are two thesis supervisors. Double degree students do their practical training abroad.

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 business. For second-cycle studies in universities of applied sciences in Finland, three years' work experience is also required

Structure of the studies

The basic structure of the studies is described above under the heading "Pedagogical approach". In ECTS credits the programme is structured as follows:

BASIC STUDIES (55 credits)
- Basic studies common to all, 20 credits
- Business studies integrated into Virtual Enterprise Activities, 28 credits
- Other basic studies, 7 credits

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (100 credits)
- Professional studies common to the degree programme, 20 credits
- Language studies common to the degree programme, 15 credits
- Alternative professional study modules, 50 credits
- Professional studies in accordance with personal curriculum, 15 credits

FREE-CHOICE STUDIES, 10 credits
PRACTICAL TRAINING, 30 credits
THESIS, 15 credits

TOTAL, 210 credits

Information on possibilities to diversify and complement personal learning paths are given in above under the heading "Profile of the programme".

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 and instructions for graduates at Intra.

Mode of study

Full-time studies, part-time studies, e-learning

Contact persons

Head of degree programme

Mr Päivö Laine, tel. +358 40 830 4175,
e-mail: paivo.laine(at)seamk.fi

Persons responsible for specialisations:

- Financial Management: Erkki Kytönen, 040 830 0407, erkki.kytonen(at)seamk.fi
- Marketing: Terhi Anttila, 040 830 3972, terhi.anttila(at)seamk.fi(at)seamk.fi
- Business Operations Development: Tero Turunen, 040 830 2366, tero.turunen(at)seamk.fi

ECTS departmental coordinator / International coordinator

Ms Marjo Arola, tel. +358 20 124 5373, GSM +358 40 830 4216, e-mail: marjo.arola(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Ms Ulla Autio, tel. 020 124 545, GSM 040 830 6067, ulla.autio(at)seamk.fi