Study Guide

Descriptions

Study objectives:
The Master's Degree Programme in Service Design is for you if you want to expand your knowledge of service design and service management. During your studies, you will learn how to use different service design methods and tools and how to develop and manage services.

In the Service Design programme, the learning assignments and the Master’s thesis can be directly related to your own work. This means that your employer organization will also benefit from your studies. The service design approach always involves teamwork, which is why you will apply co-creation methods and tools in practice-based learning assignments.

The needs of design, business and working life have been taken into account when designing the content of the training, which is based on design thinking and management. The main focus of the studies is on service development and management, including a variety of activities both internal and external to the company. In addition to service design, you will learn the principles of service business management and acquire the skills to work in service and process management.

The planned duration of the studies is two (2) years and they are designed to be completed alongside work. On average, the student will have two days of face-to-face teaching per month, otherwise the learning will take place mainly online. In addition to individual assignments, group work plays an important role in the studies.

More about the language of instruction:
The main tuition language Finnish, but some of the studies are conducted in English and English-language learning materials are used. Students have the opportunity to participate in international research, development and innovation (RDI) projects where the working language is English.

Study contents:
The Master’s degree consists of core competences, complementary competences, and the Master’s thesis. Part of the mandatory core competence studies is common for all MBA programmes and part are specific for the Degree Programme in Service design and management. In core competence courses, you will learn, for example, about design thinking and management, service development, strategic thinking and future research.

Complementary competence studies include elective studies that can be taken freely from the other Turku UAS Master’s programmes or from the Master’s programmes of other universities. The Master’s thesis can be done as a working life development project.

Choosing a main subject or field of specialization:
At the beginning of the studies, the student has an Individual Study Plan (ISP) discussion with the tutor teacher, in which the thematic focus of the studies is agreed, for example in relation to the topic of the thesis. Specialization will be achieved through the elective studies (20 credits) and Master’s thesis of (30 credits).

Structure of studies:
The extent of the study programme is 90 ECTS.
The studies consist of
• Compulsory core competences 40 ECTS
• Elective complementary competences 20 ECTS
• Master’s thesis 30 ECTS.

The core competences include studies in research methods and in future operating environments. In addition, the core competence includes studies in service design and service management. Students may further deepen or expand their competences by choosing elective courses from other programmes. Your thesis is usually practice-based and will also develop your skills in management.

At Turku UAS Master School the students study in a flexible way. The studies can be completed while working full-time. The programme is built on mixed-mode studies including lectures, e-learning, teamwork, and independent work. The planned length of the studies is 2 years.

Final project:
A central part of the studies is the Master’s thesis that serves the development needs of working life, combining theory, practice and the production and application of new knowledge. The thesis will develop your expertise. It emphasizes the development of your working life or organization and your ability to work independently and with a high level of expertise. In the thesis, you will demonstrate your mastery of methods of knowledge acquisition, research and development, and your analytical and critical application of research knowledge.

Turku University of Applied Sciences' RDI projects (research, development and innovation) offer one opportunity to commission a thesis. The thesis in the projects gives the student the skills to plan and implement a large-scale development project. In addition, students will learn how to use research methods and knowledge, as well as research reporting methods.

Career opportunities:
The studies will give you the skills to work in management or service design. You can also use your studies to start or develop your own business. The studies provide a broad knowledge base and tools for working life. Job profiles may include service process developer, customer experience manager, innovation and change manager, consultant, service designer, development manager or expert.

Qualification:
A Master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences provides the same eligibility for public posts as a degree awarded by a university. The education provides general competence for management and development tasks. Extensive development and expertise in the field make national and international mobility possible. The education follows the European Qualification Framework (EQF) proficiency level descriptions and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) proficiency descriptions. The level corresponding to the Master’s degree is 7.

Internationalization:
Internationalization starts with the student's own needs and interests. Turku University of Applied Sciences is an international higher education institution with dozens of partner universities, with whom we develop our courses. Master students can participate in international exchange programmes and other international study opportunities. Students also have the opportunity to participate in international research and development projects as part of their studies.

Much of the source material for courses and learning assignments is from international professional and scientific sources. Some of the teaching can be carried out in English.

Co-operation with other parties:
The programme is designed and implemented in collaboration with working life. The working life connection is primarily built around the student, the student's workplace, networks, and education. The interaction between the students working in different positions plays an important role in the development of professional skills and the creation of collaborative networks.

Research focus:
Studies including different tasks, projects, and Master's thesis are characterized by a research and development approach and collaboration with working life. The students are welcome to join the research and development projects running at Turku University of Applied Sciences.

The most important element of the degree is the Master’s thesis, which is usually done as a development project that serves the working life. The thesis increases the student's professional skills and competence and serves the development needs of working life. Local, national and international actors are also involved in the research and development activities.

Students can apply for courses at other higher education institutions and include these in their degree. Students can also take advantage of the joint online study offering at CampusOnline provided by the Finnish universities of applied sciences. The industry participates in the development of the education.

Postgraduate study opportunities:
The studies provide eligibility for further academic studies. Universities may set conditions on granting rights for further studies in the form of, for instance, supplementary transitional studies. The degree qualifies you to apply for professional teacher education.

Objective

After completing the studies, the student is able to:
• apply design thinking principles to the development of services and processes
• use different service design methods and tools in the development of services
• master the principles of service and service business management
• analyze and develop service processes and manage the development of services in a user-centered and participatory way
• apply future research methods in the design and development
• implement service design as a strategic tool for sustainable change in business and society

Development

The pedagogical approach applied in the leadership programmes is Innovation pedagogy that refers to an approach of constructivist and problem-based learning. Master's students study alongside their work, broadening and deepening their theoretical knowledge and gaining models for applying theory in their own work. Studying is part time and involves both contact and distance learning. In addition to individual learning, collaborative learning in teams is applied to meet the needs of working life. Learning takes place partly in virtual and in multi-disciplinary environments. Integration between studies and applied RDI activities and working life orientation play an important role in the studies.

Further information

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 competence and its 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.