On this page, you will find the structure of studies if you began your studies between 2021 and 2024. 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 "Corporate Activities". This module include courses from all specialisation areas, introduction to business administration, as well as business mathematics and statistics.

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 Financial Management 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Marketing 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to the Tourism and Experience Industry 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Business Logistics 5 ECTS
  • Swedish for Beginners I 5 ECTS
  • Swedish for Beginners II 5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Research Methodology 5 ECTS

Professional studies

Four different specialisation module options (called "tracks") are offered during the second year:

  1. Marketing 30 ECTS
  2. Logistics 30 ECTS
  3. Tourism and Experience Management 30 ECTS (if there are enough applicants)
  4. Financial Management 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

Three different support module options (called "extended tracks") are offered during the third year:

  • Organisational Development 30 ECTS
  • Business Insight Management 30 ECTS
  • Service Development 30 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

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. Introduction to the Tourism and Experience Industry). 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.

You apply to your extended track in the spring semester of your second year. Each extended track has 40 vacant places. Admission is based on the total mean grade of all study attainments and at least 20 ECTS from your track studies (Marketing, Logistics, Tourism and Experience Management, Financial Management). It is therefore important to note that academic success affects future study opportunities within the degree programme.  

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
  • Sales and Customer Management - Service Management and CRM - 5 ECTS
  • Entrepreneurship (15 ECTS)
  • Sustainable Development in Logistics - 15 ECTS
  • Creative Content and Experience Insight - 15 ECTS
  • Languages - 10/15 ECTS (French, German, Russian, Spanish) - provided by Hanken School of Economics 

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. 

Thesis and Research Methods

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.