Study Guide

Descriptions

Study objectives:

The Master's Degree Programme in Construction is part of Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) Master School. TUAS Master School brings together all TUAS Master’s degree programmes in the fields of Business, Culture, Healthcare and Social Services, and Technology. It gives the students an excellent opportunity to create new networks with other experts beyond fields, both in Finland and globally. The School of Leadership Excellence students study and acquire skills and competences needed as a business leader and manager, whereas in the School of Professional Excellence the focus is on developing into a specialist in the selected discipline.

More about the language of instruction:

The primary tuition language is Finnish, but some of the optional courses are conducted in English. The operating environment is international and many courses and projects are also attended by the students of the English degree programmes and exchange students.

Structure of studies:

The extent of the degree programme is 60 ECTS credits. The studies can be completed within 1.5 to 2 years while working full-time and from anywhere in Finland.

Studies consists of
• advanced studies (core competence) 20 cr
• elective studies (expanding competence) 10 cr
• Master's thesis 30 cr.

Advanced studies consist of methodological studies and professional studies extending the student’s previous studies in the areas of the Master’s degree programmes in Business Development, Project Management and Technology Knowledge Management. The scope of an advanced study course is 5 ECTS and it is typically accompanied by two contact days.

Final project:

The thesis is implemented as a development project with a clear research focus and a close connection to the practical work. The thesis is mostly carried out as a development or research work in the student's own organisation. If a student does not have a development task based on actual training needs or does not have an employment relationship, Turku University of Applied Sciences research groups offer subjects suitable for the thesis.

Qualification:

The Master's degree awarded by a university of applied sciences is a university degree that gives the same eligibility for public positions as a Master’s degree awarded by a university.

Internationalization:

The student’s own needs and the requirements of his/her work determine how the student develops his/her international competence. An international perspective can be linked with the thesis, for example by participating in an international conference or seminar in the field. An international perspective also contributes to the development of language skills. A significant part of the source material for studies and learning assignments comes from international academic and professional sources.

Co-operation with other parties:

The Master's degree programme in Distributed Energy Systems is planned and implemented together with working life. The working life connection is primarily made up between the student, the student's workplace and the degree programme. The interaction between the students working in different positions plays an important role in the development of professional skills and in the creation of collaborative networks. A central part of the Master's 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 a possibility to enhance his/her skills in leading teams and work groups.

Within the framework of flexible studies, the student can participate, for example, in the courses organised by the University of Turku or Åbo Akademi University and include them in his/her degree. The student can also take advantage of CampusOnline, which offers the selection of joint online courses by Finnish universities of applied sciences.

Postgraduate study opportunities:

A Master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences provides eligibility for further academic studies (Licentiate, Doctor) as well as for applying for professional teacher education. However, the receiving faculty always determines its own admission criteria and may require e.g. supplementary studies. Their purpose is to ensure that the student's starting level meets the requirements specifically from the point of view of academic research.

Objective

After completing the programme, the student is able to:
· develop his / her expertise in expert and managerial positions
· promote critical thinking, creative problem solving
· take initiative in teamwork and networking
· take on new challenges in a changing environment
· deepen his/her knowledge in the subject areas of the research target groups studies
· conduct independent expert work and to apply research data and use appropriate methods to deal with working life problems solution.

Development

It is possible to complete the studies while working full-time. The studies are multidisciplinary and contain both contact and distance learning. Solving community-based learning and development tasks by independent work or in small teams plays a significant role in the studies.

The pedagogical approach of the programme is based on adult pedagogy. Part of the studies are conducted online using e-pedagogical methods and in multidisciplinary environments. On average, there are two contact days per month.

Further information

The objectives for skill levels in a master’s degree are based on the legislation concerning universities of applied sciences and the European Qualification Framework (EQF). The level corresponding to a master’s degree is level 7. The study evaluation criteria are described in the implementation plan of each course. Criteria are varying depending on different objectives, contents, and implementation models.