Master of Business Administration, Business Management, Part-time studies: YBINBK26

Koulutuksen kuvaus

Study objectives:
The aim of the Master’s Degree Programme in Business Management is to provide you with the competences needed in the management positions in a demanding global business environment. The core content of the programme provides competences mainly for general management positions, but also leadership skills for executive management of special functions such as sales, marketing, production, development, financial or human resources management. The context of this programme is business in private sector.

During the studies, you will learn skills in leadership and change management, knowledge of strategic thinking and management, as well as project, innovation and network management, and basics of financial management. You will also learn to think critically and to conduct and write an academic research report.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Business Management is targeted to managers or experts with several years of working experience who want to further enhance their management competences. The programme is particularly targeted at individuals who are aiming at a management position in any kind of business or other organisation. The programme can be considered as a part-time training programme for future general executives.

More about the language of instruction:
English is the teaching language, and the MBA Thesis must be written in English, but students are allowed to include some courses in other languages as well.

Study contents:
The studies common to each leadership programme include studies in research methods and in future operating environments. The rest of the compulsory studies deepen the insight specific to business management. Students may further deepen or expand their competences by choosing elective courses from the other programmes or from the other universities. The core competences consist of leadership and change management, strategic thinking and management, project, innovation and network management and basics of financial management. The studies facilitate sharing of tacit knowledge within diverse groups. The versatile student contacts acquired during the studies may be of great benefit to the student in the future.

Structure of studies:
The extent of the study programme is 90 ECTS credits. The studies are composed of:
-compulsory core competencies 40 ECTS
-elective complementary competences 20 ECTS
-thesis work 30 ECTS.

The Master's Degree studies at Turku UAS Master School are designed to be flexible and suitable for students working full-time from anywhere in Finland. The programme is built on mixed-mode studies including lectures, seminars, e-learning, teamwork and independent work. Some elective studies are offered completely virtually. There are two (2) days of contact sessions monthly. The planned length of the studies is 2 years.

Final project:
A central part of the studies is the Master's thesis. The thesis work starts already at the beginning of the studies and it is carried out as a working life oriented development project. The thesis will not only develop the student's knowledge and skills in a certain study field and specific topic but also gives the possibility to enhance skills in leading teams and workgroups. The thesis is written in English. In the thesis, students are given the freedom of choice to concentrate on those topics in business management, which are of special interest to them as well as to their present and future career plans.

Career opportunities:
Upon graduation, student has created new knowledge and reformed the working life with the Master's thesis work. The student´s network has expanded both in Finland and globally. In addition, students have developed their expertise and acquired tools to advance their careers. The Master's degree enhances and gives tools for a professional, managerial or leadership position.

Qualification:
The University of Applied Sciences Master's degree gives the qualification to a public office in Finland.

Possible job titles after graduation:
Management director, General manager, Development manager, HR manager, Management consultant

Internationalization:
Students can actively incorporate internationalization into their studies by participating in intensive weeks organized by international networks, engaging in international conferences and projects, and utilizing international professional and research literature as part of their learning materials.
We regularly invite visiting lecturers and experts from our partner network and affiliated universities to join our faculty, ensuring that the latest developments and insights are incorporated into the discussions and teachings. This diverse academic environment fosters the sharing of tacit knowledge within multicultural groups and creates exceptional opportunities for the development of unique thinking and expertise among students.

Co-operation with other parties:
The majority of the students work full-time. They bring their own work-related issues, challenges, and solutions to the study groups thus increasing the knowledge base of all the participants. These study groups form the basis for future networks. The contents and implementation concept of the Master's Degree Programme in Business Management have been planned together with working life partners, companies, and organizations. Turku University of Applied Sciences has a wide network in research and development and in educational cooperation both in Finland and abroad.

Research focus:
Studies are characterised by a research and development approach. The students are welcome to join the research and development projects running at Turku University of Applied Sciences.

Postgraduate study opportunities:
A Master's degree awarded by a university of applied sciences provides eligibility for further academic studies as well as for applying for professional teacher education. Universities may set conditions on granting rights for further studies in the form of e.g. supplementary studies.

Osaamistavoitteet

After completing the program, the student is able to:
• Develop their leadership identity towards motivating and capable executive/manager
• Lead results-oriented and diverse teams ethically through change
• Renew and develop the organisation and its functions by applying appropriate methods based on facts
• Design, lead and monitor projects
• Think strategically, plan and execute selected strategies
• Understand the basics of management accounting and finance
• Create favorable working environments and processes for innovation
• Lead and communicate skillfully with international networks, alliances and customer relationships
• Think creatively and analytically to solve managerial problems
• Develop own future career

Pedagogiset toimintatavat

The pedagogical approach applied in the leadership (MBA) studies is constructivist and problem-based learning. Master´s students study alongside their work and want to broaden and deepen their theoretical knowledge and get models to apply theory in their own work. Studying is part-time and involves both contact and distant learning. In addition to individual learning, collaborative learning in teams is applied to meet the needs of working life. Integration between studies and applied RDI activities and working life orientation play an important role in the studies. Learning takes place partly in virtual and in multi-disciplinary environments. On average, there are two (2) consecutive contact teaching days in a month. The student creates an individual study plan (ISP) at the beginning of studies, where they select studies offered in Masters programmes related to, among others, the completion of the master´s thesis. A central part of Master´s Degree in Business Management (MBA) studies is the master´s thesis in which the students not only develop their knowledge and skills in a certain study field and specific topic but also have the possibility to develop their work and workplace.

Arviointi

The objectives for skills levels in a Master’s Degree are based on the legislation on universities of applied sciences and the European Qualification Framework (EQF). The level corresponding to a Master’s Degree is level 7. The assessment criteria for each course are described in its implementation plan. Performance requirements vary depending on objectives, content and the method of implementation. The courses and the thesis are assessed on a scale of 0 to 5. Assessment focuses on competences and their development. The course assessment methods vary according to the objectives of the study module. Assessment may focus on the outcome (for instance, a report or a seminar presentation), on the process (the student’s own activity and actions during the course) or on both. Students receive regular feedback on their performance from their teachers. Peer- and self-assessment as well as client company feedback on performance are also utilized. The degree assessment framework is used as the basis for the assessment. The Degree Programme will be developed according to the principles of continuous improvement. In the development work, feedback from the students and working life as well as their initiatives have a key role. Feedback is collected with, for instance, student questionnaires and group-specific development discussions.