Study plan for Master's degree in business administration with awarded qualification Master of Business Administration, Tradenom (högre YH), (90 ECTS)

Overall competences

The overall achieved competence after graduating with this Master’s degree is to be able to lead a business unit. This competence is gained by a combination of knowledge and skills. The student will acquire state-of-the-art generic business knowledge and advanced practical business skills in two specialization areas through focusing on either the Nordic context or Financial Technology (Fintech). Apart from this,an important general competence is increasing the student’s communicative and social competences in English.

Profile

The IBM programme is positioned to meet future societal and working life requirements, in particular related to digitalization and the Nordic context. A key target is to educate business leaders that can lead and develop an organisation in either of these two contexts. This requires in-depth competences in not only key corporate functions and business development, but also digitalization or key characteristics of the Nordic market.

Structure of studies

Please note that Arcada UAS has the right to change names of courses listed in each module below or replace courses within modules.

Professional studies (60 ECTS)

The overall structure of studies is divided into three areas of competence. The areas include a knowledge module (30 ECTS), a skill module (15 ECTS) and a supporting module (15 ECTS). Two different options (alternative specialization areas) are offered for skill competence: The Nordic context or Financial Technology.

All courses are taught entirely in English.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (30 ECTS) - Specialised Professional Studies

Core competences

Upon completion of this module you have a broad competence in marketing, financial control, and leadership. You are able to use central and current concepts and models for structuring a business in general, and more specifically to understand the customer-oriented reality of today’s business. You are also able to analytically and critically examine, reflect, and communicate on issues central to strategic business development.

The study module consists of the following courses

Customer Relationship and Service Management 5
Digital Marketing 5
Business Development 5
Financial Analysis 5
Leadership 5
Strategic Management 5

Optional skill modules mean that the student have to choose one module á 15 ECTS from two different specialization areas.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORDIC CONTEXT (15 ECTS) - Specialised Professional Studies

Core competences

Upon completion of this module you have the necessary skills to expand your business in the Nordics. You are able to plan and execute activities for entering a new Nordic market area. You also have knowledge of the practical tools for analysing, planning, establishing, and developing the position of the company in the Nordics.

The study module consists of the following courses

Analyzing the Nordic Business Environment 5
Planning and Preparing Market Entry in a Nordic Country 5
Establishing and Developing our Market Position in a Nordic Country 5

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DIGITALISATION AND FINTECH (15 ECTS) - Specialised Professional Studies

Core competences

Upon completion of this module you have the necessary skills to formulate a digital business development strategy. You become knowledgeable in a broad range of technologies driving change, such as AI & machine learning, blockchain, digital platforms, IoT, and analytics. You can examine how these technologies are applied, for example, in the financial industry, looking at industry transition from several different points of view. In the financial industry this includes banking, legislation, start-ups, and multinational technology providers. You have the ability to understand the big picture, identify opportunities related to digital transformation, and how to apply these learnings in a wide range of corporate contexts.

The study module consists of the following courses

Fintech in the Past, Present and Future 5
Fintech for Financial Transactions 5
Fintech and Data Analytics 5

RESEARCH SUPPORT AND ELECTIVE STUDIES (15 ECTS) - Specialised Professional Studies

Core competences

Upon completion of this module you start work on your thesis. You choose a relevant topic for your master’s thesis, create a research problem, and formulate a precise purpose for your research and/or development project. You are able to write a logical and wellstructured research plan for the project. You understand the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods, and you have knowledge on the benefits and possible drawbacks with 15 different ways to conduct your research. In addition, this module allows you to select an elective course to broaden your competence in a field of interest, either within a business discipline or as a language course.

The study module consists of the following courses

Elective studies 5
Thesis workshop 5
Research Methodology 5

Research studies (30 ECTS)

THESIS WORK (30 ECTS) - Specialised Research Studies

Core competences

Upon completion of this module you can define, choose, argue for and adapt specialized concepts, methods and data related to your specialized knowledge about your own area. You can adapt and use them as the basis for your own individual 30 thinking and/or research. You can independently solve demanding problems in a creative way within research and/or innovative operations and thereby develop new knowledge and ways of working. You can apply and integrate knowledge from different areas. You can argue for and follow ethical principles in research.

The study module consists of the following studies

Master Thesis 30