Bachelor of Business Administration, International Business

Name of the Degree Programme

Bachelor of Business Administration, Degree Programme in International Business

Field of study

Business, administration and law
The classification of the educational field is based on the international ISCED classification used by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Specialisations

In the professional studies the student can choose between seven tracks: Global Trade, Industrial Management, International Marketing, Sustainable Management, Digital Business or Sport and eSport Management. More specialisation opportunities are offered in project, mobility and elective studies.

Qualification awarded

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

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.
The description of the level of the Degree is included in the Statute, at
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2017/20170120

Specific admission requirements

Eligibility for studies at a university of applied sciences is stipulated in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014.
The selection criteria are specified in the data of the Degree Programme at www.opintopolku.fi and www.seamk.fi/haku

Qualification requirements and regulations (incl. graduation requirements)

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

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

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

Structure of the studies

In accordance with the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, the studies of a Degree Programme consist of basic studies, professional studies, practical training promoting professional skills, free elective studies, and a final project/thesis. The extent of the studies is 60 credits a year.
The programme consists of the following elements:
Basic studies
- Basic studies common to all in SeAMK
- Programme-specific basic studies
Professional studies
- Professional studies common to all
- Professional studies: alternative tracks
- Developing research and professional skills
- Professional studies based on the personal curriculum
- Language studies
Elective studies
Practical training:
Bachelor's thesis
The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.
- The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
- The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies.
- The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
- The Sustainable Development seam makes the student aware of social responsibility and helps them understand the diversity of sustainable development as a working life skill.
- The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.
Students have the opportunity to include multidisciplinary, working life-oriented project studies in their personal curricula (FramiPro).

Learning outcomes

Bachelors of Business Administration that have graduated from the Degree Programme in International Business have an overall picture of business operations and know business processes especially in the field of international business. They have initiative as well as good teamwork, communication and interaction skills in multicultural contexts. They are able to look for and analyse information needed in business. They can apply their theoretical knowledge and develop business operations. They know how to take profitability into consideration in their work. They are able to operate as independent entrepreneurs and in tasks of business expertise.

Profile of the programme

The objective of the Degree Programme in International Business, which is taught in English, is to prepare students for specialised tasks in international business and marketing. The students get an overall picture of business management and will focus on the international operations of companies and organisations.
The operational environment of today's enterprises is based on international networks to an increasing extent. The students will be competent in international business operations, marketing and management. Students will engage in practical training to reinforce the theoretical knowledge they have learned in these areas during their studies.
The degree programme is based on well-founded understanding of entrepreneurship and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Students also acquire good practical language skills. At the final stage of their studies, students are given an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the business and culture of a target area of their choice or a specific field of international business in connection with their practical training and thesis work.
In addition to the above-mentioned competencies, students may engage in the following:
- Y-Zone - Business Incubator provides students with the opportunity to develop their own business idea and competence as an entrepreneur while they study.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in multi-field project studies in which commissioned projects are conducted in interdisciplinary student teams.
- Students have the opportunity to complete a double degree, one in SeAMK and one in a partner institution abroad.

Generic and subject specifc competences

Competencies are extensive knowledge entities, or combinations of the individual’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes. They describe qualifications, performance potential, and the ability to cope with professional duties.
Common/general competencies are fields of know-how common to different Degree Programmes, but their special characteristics and importance may vary between professions and work assignments. General competencies form the basis for professional activities, cooperation, and the development of expertise. According to Arene’s (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) recommendations, general competencies include learning skills, ethical competence, cooperation skills, innovation skills, and internationalization skills. In addition to the above-mentioned competencies, entrepreneurial skills and quality management skills are emphasized in the degree studies of SeAMK as competencies common to all.
Degree programme-specific competencies form the basis for the development of the student’s professional expertise.
Programme-specific competences:
1. International Business Awareness
A Bachelor of Business Administration:
- is able to outline and evaluate the key patterns and trends in international business activity, the different approaches to internationalisation, the influence of increasing globalisation, international trade systems and financial relations and the role of several principal institutions (e.g. WTO, EU, IMF, World Bank) in international business
- is able to evaluate the impact of trends in the international business environment on one's own activities and on business policy.
2. Intercultural Adaptability
A Bachelor of Business Administration:
- is able to evaluate the differences between national, organisational and occupational cultures and to outline strategies for adapting to these differences in e.g. human resources management, marketing and intercultural communication
- is able to identify the relevant dimensions of cultures and develop self-awareness with regard to one's own cultural background
- is able to adapt one's behaviour to the standards of other cultures and to maintain an international network essential to one's duties.
3. International Operations Management
A Bachelor of Business Administration is able to evaluate processes and make decisions involved in developing international export/import operations, for example, and focusing on supply-chain management and to explain the meaning and application of key logistical concepts.
4. International Marketing Management
A Bachelor of Business Administration:
- is able to carry out a country analysis on the macro-, micro- and industrial levels and to conduct an international market survey for evaluating foreign market opportunities and competition
- is able to formulate market-entry strategies, draft an international marketing plan and to implement, co-ordinate and manage an international marketing (and sales) scheme and project
- is able to create, develop and maintain profitable customer relationships.
5. International Strategic Management
A Bachelor of Business Administration:
- is able to utilise the conceptual and visionary skills to contribute to the development, evaluation and implementation of the internationalisation strategy of a company
- is able to pro-actively seek and commercially evaluate business opportunities for both new and existing products; understands risk-taking as a way to optimise business profit
- is able to compile and defend a business plan for a (start-up) company
- is able to perform a variety of cost and revenue calculations and to transform these data into information needed for decision-making and budgeting
- is able to contribute to and evaluate key accounting summaries and investment opportunities.
6. Organisational Development
A Bachelor of Business Administration is able to research and analyse relevant international business problems, to propose policy objectives and to prepare alternative solutions to optimise business and human resource processes for strengthening the synergy between strategic, structural and cultural aspects of an organisation.

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

In the Degree Programme in International Business teaching is implemented in accordance with the model of integrative learning. The basic components of expertise: theoretical knowledge, practical skills, self-regulation knowledge and skills and socio-cultural knowledge are tightly integrated. The implementation of the curriculum focuses on experiential learning in a multicultural environment. Learning begins from students' concrete experiences, which they analyse and reflect upon. Self-assessment contributes to the understanding of phenomena and development of new modes of action.
Basic studies involve running a virtual enterprise, and learning is based on practical tasks. During the professional studies, emphasis is placed on increasing project activities, in the international context as well. Courses can also be completed in a simulated environment with multicultural groups and in online learning environments. In the bachelor's thesis theoretical knowledge is applied to practical problem-solving and business development.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The RPL procedure means the identification and recognition of the student’s previously acquired learning. The student has the opportunity to apply for the recognition of their competencies if the competencies correspond to the learning goals of the Degree Programme. The identification process is closely connected with the preparation of the student’s personal curriculum and is updated during personal counselling discussions.
The identification and recognition practices are presented in the RPL Instruction of SeAMK. It specifies how recognition of competencies is applied for, how the application is processed, and how the student is informed of it. The instruction lists the RPL contact persons of each Degree Programme, who counsel students on matters related to the process.
In the assessment of prior learning, for example the following evidence is used:
- certificates on training programmes with similar content and other training programmes
- testimonials and further clarifications by an employer
- interviews of the student
- written and oral exams or reports
- functional or written assignments or other evidence
- presentations, portfolios
The final project/thesis and the Maturity Test cannot be submitted to the RPL procedure.
The curriculum of the degree programme 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 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.
Because of the process-based implementation of the first-year virtual enterprise courses, these studies are not ordinarily within the RPL system.
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 SeAMK's RPL Guidelines.

Work-based learning and work placements

Practical training (30 credits/20 weeks) is conducted in a company or organization that has international operations or is planning to go international. As a rule, practical training takes place in the third year of studies but other arrangements can also be agreed upon.
The student’s salaried work during their studies and the competencies achieved through it can be used in order to complete a course. This is referred to as employment-integrated learning, and it can also be related to voluntary work or hobbies. It is essential that the things learnt through working contribute to the attainment of the learning goals of the course. Learning achieved through employment-integrated learning can be verified, for instance, through skills demonstrations and assignments.

Occupational profiles

The programme prepares the student for a wide range of positions in international business. Jobs are found, for example, in the fields of export and import operations, marketing, sales, customer relations, and product or project management.

Internationalization

The language of tuition in the programme is English and the programme is planned to attract both Finnish and international students. The professional content of the programme is international business. Several courses are taught by visiting lecturers from partner institutions and in the third year a number of mobility students join the courses.The large international network of SeAMK provides a choice of doing a mobility study period or practical training abroad.
The programme contains student mobility in the form of a study period abroad and a practical training placement in an international context. Students are also encouraged to participate in intensive courses abroad arranged by SeAMK's higher education networks.
Students also have an opportunity to complete a double degree in cooperation with a number of partner higher education institutions. Double degree opportunities are available in Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Spain, Bulgaria, Russia and China.

Access to further studies

Students who have completed this programme are eligible to continue on to second-cycle higher education studies. For second-cycle studies in universities of applied sciences in Finland, three years' work experience is also required.

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and instructions for graduates at Intra

Mode of study

As a rule, students study full-time. Certain modules and courses may be completed through distance learning.

Head of degree programme

Nicolas Martinez, puh. 044 979 3206, sähköposti: nicolas.martinez(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Päivi Uitti, tel. +358 40 830 2442
email: paivi.uitti(at)seamk.fi

Coordination of Practical Training

Sari Havulehto tel. +358 40 830 3975
email: sari.havulehto@seamk.fi

Coordination of international mobility

Tiina Välimäki, 040-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi, student exchange in Europe
Maria Loukola, 040-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi, student exchange outside Europe
outgoing(at)seamk.fi

Student services

Tel. +358 20 124 5055, studentservices@seamk.fi