On this page, you will find the structure of studies if you began your studies in 2025. Your degree comprises 210 ECTS credits and is completed over a period of 3.5 years.

The education is structured so that the student can perform 15 credits (ECTS) during a study period of ten weeks. One credit corresponds to 27 hours of studies or work. Four study periods make up an academic year, and as a student you are expected to complete 60 ECTS per academic year. The studies consist of general education studies (15 ECTS), professional studies (135 ECTS), development studies (30 ECTS) and research studies (30 ECTS). In total, the education comprises 210 ECTS.

General education studies and foundation studies

During the first year of study, general education studies (15 ECTS) and foundation studies (30 ECTS) are completed. Language studies (10 ECTS) and methodology studies (5 ECTS) are also included. The general education studies (15 ECTS) are common to all Bachelor's degree programmes at Arcada. The foundation studies consist of a study module called "Fundamentals of Business". This module include courses from all specialisation areas, introduction to business administration, business mathematics and statistics, as well as introduction to project management.

Some of the first-year courses are completed together with the students from the Swedish degree prgramme in Business Administration (Företagsekonomi). All courses are taught in English. 

The first year of study consist of the following courses:

  • Technology and Learning 5 ECTS
  • Teamwork and Innovation 5 ECTS
  • Ethical and Sustainable Societal Development 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Business Administration 5 ECTS
  • Business Mathematics and Statistics 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Accounting 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Marketing 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Project Management 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Business Logistics 5 ECTS
  • Swedish for Beginners I 5 ECTS
  • Swedish for Beginners II 5 ECTS
  • Knowledge Formation and Methodological Foundations 5 ECTS

Professional studies

Three different tracks are offered during the second year:

  1. Accounting 30 ECTS
  2. Logistics and International Trade 30 ECTS
  3. Strategic Marketing and Consumer Insights 30 ECTS

The second year of study consist of the following study attainments: 

  • Track 30 ECTS
  • Development studies 15 ECTS
  • Practical training 1, 15 ECTS

Six different extended tracks are offered during the third year:

  1. Comprehensive Accounting and Analysis 15 ECTS
  2. Advanced Financial Management and Corporate Strategy 15 ECTS
  3. Sustainable Supply Chain Management 15 ECTS
  4. Fulfillment Management and Automatisation 15 ECTS
  5. Customer-Centric Service Development 15 ECTS
  6. Data-Driven Business Development 15 ECTS

The third year of study consist of the following study attainments: 

  • Extended track 30 ECTS
  • Development studies 15 ECTS
  • Courses supporting the thesis 15 ECTS (Advanced Research Methodology, Applied Methodology and English Academic Writing)
  • Practical training 2, 15 ECTS

The extended tracks provide further specialisation within the student’s chosen track. The extended tracks are determined based on the track the student completed in their second year. Students admitted to Accounting complete Comprehensive Accounting and Analysis (Extended track I) and Advanced Financial Management and Corporate Strategy (Extended track II). Students admitted to Logistics and International Trade complete Sustainable Supply Chain Management (Extended track I) and Fulfillment Management and Automation (Extended track II). Students admitted to Strategic Marketing and Consumer Insights complete Customer-Centric Service Development (Extended track I) and Data-Driven Business Development (Extended track II).

The structure looks like this:

1. Track: Accounting (second year)

  • Extended track I: Comprehensive Accounting and Analysis (third year)
  • Extended track II: Advanced Financial Management and Corporate Strategy (third year)

2. Track: Logistics and International Trade (second year)

  • Extended track I: Sustainable Supply Chain Management (third year)
  • Extended track II: Fulfillment Management and Automatisation (third year)

3. Track: Strategic Marketing and Consumer Insights (second year)

  • Extended track I: Customer-Centric Service Development (third year)
  • Extended track II: Data-Driven Business Development (third year)

You apply to a track at the end of your first year of studies. Each track has 40 vacant places. Admission is based on the grade received in the introductory course for the specific track (Introduction to Accounting, Introduction to Logistics, Introduction to Marketing). The track you are admitted to in your second year determines your extended tracks in the third year. You have to have completed 20 ECTS from your track in order to be eligible to commence the studies within your extended tracks. Your second practical training and the topic of your thesis must also relate to the specific track completed. It is therefore important to note that academic performance affects your study options.

All tracks and extended tracks are taught entirely in English and include students from both degree programmes in Business Administration and International Business. 

Several courses require specific prerequisites, which means they must be completed in a specific order. These prerequisites are detailed in the course descriptions. To support the study progression, individual study plans may be created in certain cases where deviations from the established curriculum occur.

Development studies

The curriculum also contains development studies (30 ECTS). The development studies are recommended to be completed during the second (15 ECTS) and third year (15 ECTS) of study. E.g. of development study modules offered:

  • Finnish for Beginners 1, 2 & 3 - 15 ECTS
  • Swedish for Beginners 3 & 4 - 10 ECTS
  • Entrepreneurship - 15 ECTS
  • Creative Content and Experience Insight - 15 ECTS
  • Leadership and Organisational Development -15 ECTS
  • Additional language studies provided by Hanken School of Economics (French, German, Russian, Spanish) 

Practical training

A more detailed description of the practical trainings can be found on the programme’s practical training pages - Practical training at International Business. 

Degree thesis and methodology

In your fourth year of study (autumn semester), you will finalise your thesis. The degree thesis shall show that you as the the student has attained a certain knowledge and proficiency and developed a capacity for independent analytical thought - Degree Thesis. The choice of topic for the thesis is determined by the track you were admitted to during your second year. The writing process is supported by three courses connected to the thesis. This support package consists of the following courses and is strongly recommended to be completed during the third year:

  • Advanced Research Methodology 5 ECTS
  • Applied Methodology 5 ECTS
  • English Academic Writing 5 ECTS

The thesis writing process already begins in the course Applied Methodology.

Several theses are conducted in collaboration with external clients - Commissioned degree thesis.