Part-time studies

  • Study places 30
  • Location: Kouvola
  • Duration of studies: 2,5 years
  • Tuition fees for students from outside the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland is 13 500 euros/academic year. Scholarship scheme and further information www.xamk.fi/tuition-fees
  • Next application period is not available

Master School is a learning community for Master’s degree students at Xamk.

Take your career to the next level

The Master’s Degree Programme in Business Administration aims to strengthen your professional competence, providing you with skills to cope in demanding development, management and expert positions.

The International Business Management (IBM) studies focus on the aspects of international business which are of vital importance for the international strategic management and growth of companies. Xamk offers you the possibility to complete exchange studies in numerous partner institutions.

A master’s degree from a university of applied sciences guarantees the same qualification to hold a public office as a master’s degree obtained from a scientific university, for example Master of Science in Economics (KTM). At Xamk, master’s degree programmes are organised within the framework of Master School. The learning approach is based on action learning and interdisciplinary team-work between students, teachers and companies.

Master School boosts your professional competence and connects you with a vast network of professionals from different fields of study and business.

Digital Marketing | International Entrepreneurship | Innovation Management | Marketing Management |

Study contents

The scope of IBM studies is 90 ECTS credits divided into three parts: core competence (40 ECTS credits), complementary studies (20 ECTS credits) and master’s thesis (30 ECTS credits).

Core competence (40 credits)

Core competence courses are:

  • Business process development
  • Cross-border management
  • Customer intelligence
  • Innovation management in business
  • Marketing management
  • Strategic business game
  • Supply chain management and smart logistics
  • Sustainable growth

Core competence courses are mandatory for all students in the degree programme and aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills that allow them to utilize and integrate a wide range of business data necessary for the planning, implementation and development of management operations in an organization or company. The theoretical models and methods of international business management are an essential part of the core competence studies. The scope of one course is 5 ECTS credits.

Complementary competence (20 credits)

You can choose complementary competence studies from a wide range of Xamk Master School’s common studies based on your interests.  

These common studies cover courses instructed both in Finnish and English and include the following:  

  • Research and development  
  • Management, leadership and entrepreneurship  
  • International working environments  
  • Information, digital services and networks.  

You can also choose complementary competence studies from other universities provided that they are offered as master’s degree level studies. 

If you have previously completed studies at the level of EQF 7, and they match the objectives of the degree programme, they can be accredited as part of your studies.  More information is provided by the Degree Programme Coordinator.  

The language of instruction is English. Tuition, assignments, exams and master’s thesis writing process are instructed, conducted and completed in English.

Master’s thesis

The master’s thesis (30 ECTS credits) is an important part of your studies. Its topic should aim at developing your own work or the performance of a work community.  In the thesis study, you identify development needs in your professional field and plan and implement a related research or development process. You can also complete your thesis as part of Xamk’s RDI projects or as commissioned by one of the degree programme partners.  

International perspective

The Master’s programme at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences offers an authentically international study environment with students and staff members coming from over 30 countries.

The students of International Business Management degree programme can obtain international experience by going on exchange during their studies. Xamk has numerous partner institutions in a wide selection of countries.

BYOD – Bring your own device

According to Xamk’s BYOD policy, students must bring and use their own devices on campus.

More information is available on Xamk website.

Study guide

Study contents

Read more

Studyinfo

Admission and entrance exams

Read more

Study while working

How to study

The degree programme is organised on the basis of blended studies involving a great deal of project work, teamwork and independent study.

All courses are instructed in English and carried out through blended learning methods, including lectures, online studies and project-based tasks.

On average, there are three days of on-campus studies per month. Most of the studies are completed online individually or in small groups. In this respect, students are supported by online study counseling.

The on-campus lessons are normally given during weekdays, typically on Thursdays and Fridays and mainly on Kouvola Campus. The studies can be completed approximately within two years.

Learning environments

You can study either on-line or on campus where the premises are especially designed to promote learning, oyou may complete your studies in various companies and organizations and benefit from the cooperation between students, teachers and company representatives. The latter way of learning provides you with an insight into the world of work and the possibilities available around you. 

All courses, irrespective of their implementation methoduse the instruments of e-Campus (e.g. virtual learning environment Learn), which facilitates group work and document sharing. In addition, various e-materials, special systems and digital environments such as e-books, databases, office tools, financial management systems, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, business games and research work programs are widely available. Network tools, student intranet (Student) and social media channels are used to enhance communication and cooperation. 

Student stories

A new adventure of life!

Read the students story

Just do it, the perfect timing doesn’t exist!

Read the students story
Nuori mies meren rannalla.

Employers value international degree certificates!

Read the students story

Kouvola campus

Read more

All Master´s Degree Programmes

Read more

Further information on studies and applying

Admission services
admissions@xamk.fi
tel +358 50 312 5031 or +358 50 345 8602