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 (TUAS) 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 internationalising business.

The general goal of the Master's degree at TUAS 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 carried out as a working life-oriented development project.

The studies are realised 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 tuition language in the Master´s Degree Programme in Master of Business Administration, Business Development is mainly Finnish.

Study contents:

The studies in the Master´s Degree Programme in Master of Business Administration, Business Development consist of Core and Complementary Competence Studies (40 ECTS) and elective studies (20 ECTS) and the Master’s thesis (30 ECTS). The studies provide the student with skills and competences in the fields of leadership in smart environments, financial management, and co-creative marketing and digital networks. The programme also includes studies in research and development methods. Elective and optional studies can be taken from the offerings of other Master’s degree programmes.

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 familiarise 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 organisational 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 organisations 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 characterised 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 as well as anticipate the development trends in the field by developing his/her own expertise and the expertise of the organisation
· identify changes in the work and operational environment and find new approaches and business opportunities
· work in intelligent national and international work and operational environments
· collect, analyse 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 realised 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 realisation plan.

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.