Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Management

Name of the Degree Programme

Degree Programme in Business Management

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

Full-time day studies:
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 the following fields of specialization:
- Financial Management
- Marketing
- Digital Business and Programming
- Management and Business Development

Part-time studies/Blended learning:
Studies consist of central business competency areas. The student can focus on a specific area of competence using his/her curriculum.

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
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.
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 degree programme is structured as follows:

BASIC STUDIES
- Basic studies common to all programmes in SeAMK
- Programme-specific basic studies (In full-time studies include business studies integrated into Virtual Enterprise Activities)

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
- Professional studies common to the degree programme
- Language studies common to the degree programme
- Alternative professional study modules
- Professional studies in accordance with personal curriculum

FREE-CHOICE STUDIES
PRACTICAL TRAINING
THESIS

Information on possibilities to diversify and complement personal learning paths is given above under the heading "Profile of the programme".
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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 (SeAMKPro).

Learning outcomes

Bachelors of Business Administration that have graduated from the Degree Programme in Business Management have an overall picture of business operations and know business processes. They have initiative as well as good teamwork, communication, and interaction skills. They can look for and analyse information needed in business. They can apply their theoretical knowledge and develop business operations. They know how to consider profitability in their work. They can communicate in at least one foreign language in professional contexts. They can operate as independent entrepreneurs and in tasks of business expertise.

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 various areas of business.
After students have completed the studies common to all, they choose between a number of specializations (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 had 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 organization. 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 utilize methods for financial planning, decision-making, and management.
The Digital Business specialist can analyze the business of an SME from a digitalization perspective. He / She is able to acquire and customize the company's information systems so that they can make business more efficient. The digital business expert has the basic skills of programming that he has the ability to further develop. He/she is able to work on a variety of information management tasks.
The specialist in Business Development is able to analyze 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 analyze, plan, implement, and develop international business operations and has competence in international business, marketing, and management.

In addition to the above-mentioned areas of expertise, students have the opportunity to direct their studies e.g. courses in the following study modules:
- Trade and entrepreneurship
- Production economics
- Tourism
- Public procurement
- Sports management
- In the Going Global study module, students develop their ability to operate in an international business environment.
- In the Y-Zone Business Hub, you can develop your own business idea and skills as an entrepreneur during the study process.


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.

Students have many opportunities to increase their international skills, experience, and understanding of cultures at different stages of their degree studies. There are e.g. courses related to internationalism and intercultural activities, as well as many opportunities to increase language skills. An extensive language program provides an opportunity to develop and expand language skills. Studies are available in Swedish, English, German, French, Spanish, and Russian, as well as Finnish as a foreign language.

Study and internship exchange periods abroad provide an opportunity to deepen experiential international competence. The student has the opportunity to complete a double degree, in which case he or she will receive a diploma from both SeAMK and a foreign partner university. Incorporating internationality into studies creates a good ability to move to an increasingly multicultural and global working life after graduation.

In addition to international mobility periods, the degree program includes opportunities for internationalization at home: experiencing and learning internationality on SeAMK's own campus. International conferences and seminars bring international interaction and opportunities for international networking to the campus. For students, the events are also an opportunity to experience different internationality and strengthen e.g. own tutoring. Acting as a tutor for international students enables international learning and offers a more comfortable and informal experience of international activities.

The implementation of sustainable development takes into account ethics and all dimensions of sustainable development. The goal of sustainable development is to help students become aware of social responsibility and to understand the multidimensional significance of sustainable development also as a working life skill. All students are offered the opportunity to participate in the optional “Sustainable Development” course.

The implementation of sustainable development takes into account ethics and all dimensions of sustainable development. The aim of sustainable development is to help students become aware of social responsibility and to understand the multidimensional significance of sustainable development also as a working life skill. All students are offered the opportunity to participate in the optional “Sustainable Development” course.

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:
1. Extensive business skills (entrepreneurial skills, work community skills, learning skills))
Bachelor of Business Administration
- identify and describe the company's core processes and understand the effects of different aspects of the business on each other
- understands the interaction between the company's operations and the business environment and adopts an entrepreneurial and entrepreneurial way of working
- understands the basics of profitable business and is able to analyze the company's operations and risks
- understands the influence of the individual on the activities of the work community and is able to act effectively
- understands the importance of communication and actively creates interactions between both internal and external stakeholders, including in a global business environment
2. In-depth business skills (learning skills, internationalization skills, entrepreneurship skills)
The Bachelor of Business Administration has in-depth knowledge of the business areas in the area of expertise according to his / her personal study plan (marketing, financial administration, management, and business development, digital business, international business).
3. Methodological competence in business administration (innovation competence, ethical competence)
Bachelor of Business Administration
- masters the basics of research and development activities necessary for the acquisition and acquisition of in-depth knowledge of business economics, taking into account ethical issues
- be able to apply applied economic mathematics and statistical methods using the necessary information systems
- have adequate skills in the application of qualitative and quantitative research methods
4. Applied competence in business administration (innovation competence, quality management competence, work community competence)
Bachelor of Business Administration
- is able to apply business theories and is able to solve problems, e.g. in an internship, project studies, and thesis
- is able to apply the latest business knowledge in the work community
- is able to develop business processes and apply quality thinking

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

SeAMK's current strategy is implemented in the study of the degree program in business administration. Learning aims at the development of applied competence in expertise and information is produced from reliable sources based on research data, both from practical contexts and theoretical starting points. Competence can be demonstrated in many ways and competence-based assessment is applied in competence assessment.

Learning takes into account the learner's previous knowledge and interpretations and helps him/her to connect the new learning subject to his / her previous knowledge and experience base (socio-constructivism). This view of learning emphasizes social interaction and the importance of authentic tasks and environments in knowledge construction. According to it, it is important and essential to developing the student’s understanding of their own learning skills and self-assessment skills (metacognitive skills). The student’s knowledge (theoretical knowledge), doing (practical knowledge), and being (identity work) are constructed through reflection. Using appropriate learning methods, the student is helped to reflect and see the connections between these three areas.

Connectivism based on socio-constructivist learning utilizes online environments in learning. At its heart is the constant updating of information and the learner’s awareness that reality and knowledge are constantly changing.

The teaching of the degree program in Business Administration emphasizes collaboration with companies, as virtual entrepreneurship plays a key role in first-year studies, with students working in teams doing business in a virtual environment, and each internship company aims to have sponsorship.

Within the framework of the diversification of studies, various projects for working life are increasingly being carried out. Some students complete professional studies in multidisciplinary SeAMKPro projects.

During the third year of study, students complete an internship in a company or other organization, in which analytical and reflective assignments are prepared, as well as before, during, and after the internship. In the fourth year, students do their thesis as an assignment.

Learning diaries and portfolios, self-assessments, and group peer reviews are used as learning tasks that promote integration.

According to the personal curriculum, studies can be completed in business co-operation projects or business space activities by developing one's own business idea.

The courses can also be completed as virtual studies, in which case it is possible to deviate from the implementations presented in the study guide.

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 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.
Programme-specific RPL regulations:
Courses included and not included in the RPL process:
Because of the process implementation of courses linked with virtual enterprise studies and courses in the study module on 'Developing and expanding of business', these are outside the scope of RPL. However, RPL can be applied in individual assignments whenever it is meaningful also in these studies.
Finnish students must complete at least one Swedish course.
To receive recognition for language studies requires that students demonstrate adequate skills in field-specific language.

Work-based learning and work placements

Practical training (30 ECTS/20 weeks) is as a rule completed in a single period in the third year of studies. Student-specific arrangements can be made about splitting practical training and applying RPL based on prior work experience. More information can be found in practical training regulations.
The student’s salaried work during their studies and the competencies achieved through it can be used 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 Degree Programme in Business Management prepares students for a wide range of tasks in business and the public sector.
Following competency 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
- Digital Business Specialist:: Web Designer, ICT Expert, Internet Marketing Specialist, IT Support Person, Programmer, Application Developer
- 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
By choosing different options students may obtain further career opportunities.
After completing the vocational language studies the student can communicate in spoken and written situations related to his field of study. He can search for information and follow the development of his professional field in the target language.

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 and in other continents, 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 bachelor's degree in one of the double degree partner universities. To receive a double degree, students complete one year of studies in the partner university. The final thesis is written in English and supervised or assessed jointly by the two universities.

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, two years' work experience is also required

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and instructions for graduates in the intranet.

Mode of study

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

Head of degree programme

Mr. Nicolas Martinez, tel. +358 44 979 3206,
email: nicolas.martinez(at)seamk.fi

Persons responsible for specialisations:
- Financial Management: Tuulia Potka-Soininen, 040 830 4205, tuulia.potka-soininen(at)seamk.fi
- Marketing: Terhi Anttila, 040 830 3972, terhi.anttila(at)seamk.fi
- Digital Business and Programming: Raija Kangassalo,040 830 1251, raija.kangassalo(a)seamk.fi
- Human Resource Management and Business Development : Johanna Koivula, 040 830 2400, johanna.koivula(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Ms Johanna Koivula, +358 40 830 2400, johanna.koivula(at)seamk.fi

Coordination of Practical Training

Ms Sari Havulehto, tel. +358 40 830 3975, email: sari havulehto (at)seamk.fi

Coordination of international mobility

Tiina Välimäki, +358 40 830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi, student exchange in Europe
Maria Loukola, +358 40 830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi, student exchange outside Europe
outgoing(at)seamk.fi

Student services

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