LAB University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business, Lahti

Study contents

We have created the International Business program in close cooperation with businesses and other partners. This ensures that you will be well prepared to work in different international business settings and roles.

Personalized study paths

In the first year, you will develop a good foundation pertaining to different areas of business and start building your professional profile by completing core competence studies.

From the second year onwards, you have the opportunity to start personalizing your study path by doing complementary competence studies. We offer you a choice of modules in international business, marketing, financial management, logistics, entrepreneurship, digital business, and information technology. We also offer modules combining expertise from various different fields. You can also complete part of your studies in multidisciplinary development projects and learning environments (e.g. in student cooperatives and at campus radio).

Emphasis on Internationalisation

We emphasize internationalization. The program offers you a chance to become an international business expert. Our courses are delivered in a multicultural and international environment, and your studies include a student exchange or work placement period abroad. We have an extensive network of international study exchange partners. All our degree programs include elective studies that allow you to broaden and personalize your expertise.

Structure of studies

The program is divided into common core competence and complementary competence studies. The core competence studies equip you for a range of professional roles. The complementary competence studies allow you to extend your skills and specialize in an area of your interest. The complementary competence studies may consist of studies in your own field, multidisciplinary studies, or other skills supporting professional growth. Your personal tutor will support and assist you throughout your studies.

Core Competence 90 ECTS

• Common Core Competence 15 ECTS
• Professional Core Competence 75 ECTS

Complimentary Competence 75 ECTS

• Professional complementary courses 75 ECTS
• Practical Training 30 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS

Qualification

The earned qualification is an undergraduate degree (a bachelor’s degree). After earning the degree, you can apply for work in private sector businesses as well as public sector organizations that require an applicable university degree.

Choosing a main subject or field of specialization

We offer various possibilities so that you can specialize in a particular area of international business according to your own interests. Your specialization will depend on your module choices during your complimentary competence studies.

You will draw up a personal study plan with your tutor. Prior or work-based learning will be taken into account in the plan. It is also possible to accredit your current work towards your degree.

More about the language of instruction

The program is taught in English. In addition, we offer you an excellent opportunity to study foreign languages extensively. If your mother tongue is other than Finnish, you have a good opportunity to study Finnish in different ways with us.

Thesis

The bachelor’s degree program includes a 15-ECTS thesis. This can either be a research-based project or a so-called functional thesis project. The thesis project aims to broaden and deepen your professional expertise and knowledge and provide you with the expertise needed to operate in development tasks in your field. The thesis project improves information retrieval and problem-solving skills.

The thesis can be conducted as a project commissioned by an external organization or as part of a development project. The thesis project can be carried out individually, in pairs, or in a group, including a written report. At its best, the thesis project can serve as a pathway to your future career.

Internationalization

We offer you excellent opportunities to gain valuable international expertise and language skills for your future career. Future workplaces and positions require multicultural skills, language skills, and international understanding. Learning takes place in an international, multicultural environment. Our degree students come from all over the world.

Go international!

You can complete part of your studies at our partner institutions in different countries around the world or do your practical training abroad. Every year, we welcome a large number of students from different countries, so the program is genuinely international.

For example, your studies can include the following international components:

An exchange period in another country: we offer over 100 partner institutions and universities around the world (Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, South America)

• Double degree opportunities with selected higher education partners
• Practical training abroad
• International intensive courses
• Participation in international competitions as part of studies (e.g. NIBS Case Competition and NIBS Business Plan Competition)
• Participation in international projects as a student
• Tutoring international students

Co-operation with other parties

Your studies will be closely connected with the development of working-life practices, together with businesses and work communities. Multidisciplinary working-life projects and different learning environments, such as student cooperatives, will strengthen your connections with authentic working-life interactions throughout the program.

Research focus

At the LAB University of Applied Sciences, our goal is to renew the working life and ways of working. Together with our partners, we test new innovations and ways of doing things.

Our focus areas are sustainability, design, innovations, and health.

Postgraduate study opportunities

After earning a bachelor’s degree in international business and having two years of professional work experience, you are eligible to apply to the university of applied sciences (UAS) master’s degree programs. You are also eligible to apply to master’s degree programs offered by universities.

Objectives

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in International Business introduces you to the world of contemporary business in a modern, international learning environment.

The program combines theory and practice and equips you for a range of roles in international businesses and organizations. You will also gain skills and knowledge to continue your studies further towards a master’s degree.

You will develop into an international business professional with strong business management skills, communication skills, and the ability to manage in multicultural workplace environments. We will also give you the expertise needed to work as an entrepreneur.

After completing the program, you will have excellent career opportunities. You will be able to work in international expert and management roles in various types of businesses and organizations. In addition, the program prepares you to work as an entrepreneur.

Possible job titles are

• marketing manager
• marketing planner
• marketing assistant
• sales manager
• sales assistant
• supply chain manager
• logistics coordinator
• export assistant
• buyer
• procurement specialist etc.