Bachelor of Business Administration, SME Business Management

Name of the Degree Programme

Degree Programme in SME 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

There are no lines of specialization in this degree programme. The student can plan his/her personal curriculum to focus on a particular area of business competence

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.
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 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 SME Business Management have an overall picture of business operations and know business processes. They have the competences required for starting and running a business enterprise. They have initiative as well as good teamwork, communication and interaction skills. 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 can communicate in at least one foreign language in professional contexts. They are able to operate as independent entrepreneurs and in tasks of business expertise.

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.

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'). 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. 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.

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 SME Business Management
- 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 SME Business Management 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 SME Business Management
- 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 SME Business Management
- 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 and learning of the degree program are based on the so-called Flipped Classroom (Flipped Learning) model: course content and assignments can be studied online in advance and the next contact classes will be used for interactive learning and assignments. To support studies, study groups will be established in the area if a sufficient number of students register for them.

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.

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 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.

*
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. See also the general AHOT-guidelines for Seinäjoki UAS.

The thesis, project courses and the course Study and working life skills are excluded from recognition of prior learning. For practical training 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.

Work-based learning and work placements

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 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.
After completing the vocational language studies the student is able to 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, 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 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. Practical training can be conducted 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

Graduation requirements

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

Mode of study

Multimodal learning

Head of degree programme

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

Student counsellor

Ms Riikka Muurimäki, tel. +358 40 830 2204, email: riikka.muurimaki(at)seamk.fi

Coordination of Practical Training

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

Coordination of international mobility

Tiina Välimäki, 040-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Outgoing student exchanges to Europe
Maria Loukola, 040-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Incoming and outgoing student exchanges outside Europe

Student services

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