Study Guide

Descriptions

Study objectives:

The Master´s Degree Programme in Master of Business Administration, Business Development (90 ECTS) is part of Turku University of Applied Sciences (Turku UAS) Master School. The curriculum of the programme is working life-driven and provides the students' skills for leadership and administrative tasks requiring expertise. The programme responds to the challenges faced by the growing, changing and internationalizing business.

The general goal of the Master's degree at Turku UAS is to provide students with enough knowledge and skills required in advanced and demanding tasks in the working life. Competences in analysis and development, critical thinking, project management, and leadership are important skills in expert tasks and managerial work.

A central part of the studies in the Master of Business Administration, Business Development Programme is the Master´s thesis. The thesis work starts already at the beginning of the studies, and it is usually carried out as a working life-oriented development project.

The studies are realized as mixed-mode learning, on average, there are two days of contact sessions per month. The studies have been planned to be conducted alongside work and their duration is about 2 years, but flexible solutions also support faster completion.

More about the language of instruction:

The main tuition language is 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 composes of core competences, complementary competences, and Master’s thesis. Part of the mandatory core competence studies is common for all MBA programmes and part are specific for the Master of Business Administration, Business Development (MBA). In the common studies you will get tools for future competence need and future research. Moreover, you will develop your competencies in research and development methods such as data collection, research ethics and process modelling and analyzing.

The core competencies include analyzing business environments, managing teams effectively and responsibly, developing stakeholder collaboration and customer focus with the aim of business development. Complementary competence studies include elective studies that can be taken freely from the offerings of other Turku UAS Master’s programmes or from the Masters’ programmes of other universities. In most cases, the Master’s thesis is done as a working life development project.

Choosing a main subject or field of specialization:

The aim of individual study planning (ISP) at the beginning of the studies is that the student can choose the elective and optional studies to best support his/her own competence and career development.

Structure of studies:

Structure of the studies:
- Advanced studies (Core Competence) 40 ECTS,
- Elective studies (Complementary Competence) 20 ECTS,
- The Master´s Thesis 30 ECTS

Final project:

A central part of the Master´s Degree Programme in Master of Business Administration, Business Development studies is the Master’s thesis. The Master’s thesis is a wide research and development project focused on a topic the student wishes to deepen his/her expertise in. The Master’s thesis is typically connected to a case company’s business development project and is many times conducted for the student’s employer.

During the Master’s thesis process, the student will familiarize him/herself with the relevant theoretical knowledge and improve the skills in applying theoretical knowledge to practice in the case company studied. Through the thesis process, the student acquires a deep understanding of the topic under research. An important goal of the Master’s thesis is also to train the students to fulfill an organizational development process and implement changes.

Career opportunities:

The Master of Business Administration, Business Development (MBA) degree studies provide the student with skills and competences for developing business concepts and processes as well as managing organizations and business relationships.

Qualification:

A University of Applied Sciences Master's degree gives formal eligibility for public posts.

Internationalization:

The programme is international in every respect, not only in terms of content. Visiting teachers and experts from our partner universities are invited to join our faculty and bring the latest developments into the discussion. The students have the possibility to take exchange studies at some of our partner universities. International research and development (RDI) projects offer possibilities to the Master students to complete their thesis projects in these projects.

Co-operation with other parties:

The Master of Business Administration, Business Development Programme has been planned together with working life partners, companies and organisations. TUAS has a wide network in research and development and in educational co-operation both in Finland and abroad.

Research focus:

Studies in the Master’s degree programmes are characterized by a research and development approach. MBA degree students are active in research and development, and they are welcome to join the research and development projects running at Turku University of Applied Sciences.

Postgraduate study opportunities:

Completion of a Master’s degree at a University of Applied Sciences gives eligibility for doctoral studies at universities.

Objective

After completing the programme, the student is able to:
· renew and manage business by anticipating trends in their field
· identify changes in the work and operational environment and find new approaches and business opportunities
· work in demanding national and international work and operational environments
· collect, analyze and evaluate existing data, produce new models in the context of his/her development project and exploit them in business and as an entrepreneur
· deepen his/her financial understanding

Development

The studies are realized as multiform learning, and there are primarily two days of contact teaching per month. The studies have been planned to be conducted alongside work, and their duration is about 2 years, but flexible solutions also support faster completion. In the early stages of studying, the student drafts a personal ISP and a thesis realization plan.

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 the 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. The students receive regular feedback on their performance from their teachers. Peer- and self-assessment, as well as client company feedback on performance, are utilized. The degree assessment framework is used as the basis for the assessment.

The Degree programme is developed according to the principles of continuous improvement. In the development work, feedback from the students and working life, as well as their initiatives, play a key role. Feedback is collected with, for instance, student questionnaires and group development discussions.