Bachelor of Engineering, Information Technology

Name of the Degree Programme

Degree Programme in Information Technology

Field of study

Information and Communication Technologies
The classification of the educational field is based on the international ISCED classification used by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Qualification awarded

Bachelor of Engineering

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

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

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

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.

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. Training is 30 ECTS and thesis is 15 ECTS.

Learning outcomes

The competence objectives of the Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering are defined in detail in the description of the content of the degree program and in the competence description specific to the degree program.

Profile of the programme

Basic studies provide the necessary foundation for degree-level studies, including language and communication skills, entrepreneurship, and the mathematics and physics required for professional competence.

Professional studies build strong core expertise for information and computer science: for example in digital technology and computer architecture, programming paradigms, databases, telecommunications, and user interfaces. Students become familiar with modern software development and engineering, including the construction of Internet-based systems, requirements engineering, system design, test automation, version control, cloud platforms, virtual machines, and the use of artificial intelligence as part of the software development workflow. Professional studies also include modules on the Industrial Internet, business operations, and networking.

In the Network Engineering track, the emphasis is on server environment administration, the design and implementation of IP networks, and the utilization of commercial cloud services in network systems.

In the Software Engineering track, students focus on web and mobile application development, distributed systems and network programming, real-time systems, containerization and deployment technologies used in contemporary software production, and machine learning.

Through elective professional studies, students may further specialise in areas such as game programming, business and entrepreneurship, virtual technologies, electronics, or generative AI.

Work-based project courses form a central part of the studies. In the first year, students complete an IoT project involving embedded systems, electronics, telecommunications, and web-based systems. In the second year, a software project is implemented using agile development methods and role structures. In the third year, students deliver a full ICT project for an actual company—from initial client consultation to testing and quality assurance.

The spring semester of the third year and the autumn semester of the fourth year are dedicated to internships in positions aligned with the work of an ICT engineer. At the end of the studies, students complete an independent thesis project focused on developing solutions for real company needs.

Generic and subject specifc competences

The programme’s competence structure consists of general and professional competences.
General competences form the basis for professional work, collaboration, and the development of expertise. In accordance with the recommendation of the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, these include lifelong learning, workplace competence, ethics, sustainable development, internationalization and multiculturalism, and anticipatory development. SEAMK also emphasises entrepreneurial competence within its degree programmes.

Programme-specific competences form the foundation for students’ professional expertise. In Information Technology at SEAMK, these comprise: mathematical and scientific competence, hardware and technical competence, software engineering competence, ICT business competence, and ICT design skills.

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

A variety of teaching methods are used in the programmes to support students' professional development. Students work in small groups, listen to lectures by experts, work in the laboratory, do assignments, work in projects and obtain practical experience in real work environments.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The RPL procedure (OT in finnish)) 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 Head of the Degree Programme, the Student Counsellor, and when necessary, the teacher of the course in question are responsible for RPL. Their task is 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.

Project studies and the final thesis are not observed in RPL.

According to the degree regulation, prior learning of a subject expires in ten years.

Assessment is course-specific, defined by the teacher in question. Assessment methods are an exam (written or oral), practical assignment, a laboratory test, a field test or equivalent.

Work-based learning and work placements

Training is 30 ECTS.

Occupational profiles

Engineers in information technology work in key positions in the technology industry and information technology software and service enterprises. Typical job titles for IT engineers include software developer, electronics developer and network specialist. Many IT engineers also work in sales and customer service.

Internationalization

Internationalization is reflected in the degree program in many ways. Lectures can be either in Finnish or in English, depending on whether the lectures involve foreign students or whether the lecturer comes from an international partnership network. This improves students' language skills, which encourages them to go abroad for exchange studies.

Access to further studies

After two years of work experience, the student will be eligible for further studies for a Master’s Degree in the field in question.

Graduation requirements

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

Mode of study

Young students study full-time in this programme.

Head of degree programme

Mr. Tommi Ylimäki, +358 50 3967 692, tommi.ylimaki@seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Jorma Mettälä, 040 830 7481, jorma.mettala(at)seamk.fi

Coordination of Practical Training

In the practical training period named persons will be responsible for the quiding of students. The head of degree progran has main responsibility

Coordination of international mobility

Ms Tiina Välimäki, +358 40-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi.Outgoing student mobilities to Europe
Ms Maria Loukola, +358 40-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi.Incoming and outgoing mobilities outside Europe
Ms Tiina Ojanperä, +358 40 6807100, tiina.ojanpera(a)seamk.fi. Incoming student mobilities from Europe

Student services

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