The structure of studies for students admitted 2021 or later

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 the studies consists of so called general education studies and foundation studies. Common for all International Business students are courses from all specialisation areas, Introduction to Business Administration and Business Mathematics and Statistics. Students from Business Administration (Swedish) and International Business take some courses together, which makes the group dynamic and multicultural. These courses are taught in English and contribute to that you after this academic year are comfortable with expressing yourself in English both orally and in writing.

Professional studies

If you have been admitted to Arcada 2021 or later, this structure applies:

Four different specialisation module options are offered during the second year:

  • Marketing
  • Logistics
  • Tourism and Experience Management 
  • Financial Management

Three different support module options are offered during the third year:

  • Organisational Development
  • Business Insight Management
  • Service Development

Subject studies signifies that you choose an area in which you specialise in (Marketing, Logistics, Tourism and Experience Management, Financial Management). This specialisation module comprises 30 ECTS. Further specialisation in the area is achieved through practical training and degree thesis.

A support module á 30 ECTS is also included in the subject studies (Organisational Development, Business Insight Management, Service Development).

The specialisation module completed during the second year of study (Financial Management, Marketing, Logistics, Tourism and Experience Management) and the support module completed during the third year of study (Organisational Development, Business Insight Management, Service Development) all have 40 vacant student places each. In the end of the first and the second year, all students apply to the desired specialisation or support module for the next academic year. If the applications exceed 40, the selection is made as follows:

  • the students are selected to the first specialisation module (Financial Management, Marketing, Logistics, Tourism and Experience Management) on the basis of the grade in the introduction course for the specific module (Introduction to Marketing, Introduction to the Tourism Industry, Introduction to Business Logistics or Introduction to Financial Management)
  • the students are selected to the second support module (Organisational Development, Business Insight Management, Service Development) on the basis of the total mean grade of all units (20 cr also need to be completed from the specialisation module in order to be eligible to complete this module)

Many of the courses require specific advance knowledge, which means that they must be taken in a predetermined order of succession. The requirements are detailed in the description of the courses. Individual study plans are made to facilitate the course of studies in case of divergence from the set degree programme.

Development studies

The curriculum also contains development studies (30 ECTS), e.g. languages, entrepreneurship or other subject related to business administration. Development studies are recommended to be completed during the second (15 ECTS) and third year (15 ECTS) of study.

E.g. of what kind of modules that are 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

Read more about the practical training for International Business here.

Thesis and Research Methods

At the end of the studies you participate in a degree thesis module where the writing process is supported by methodology and language support. The degree thesis is often connected to a company as a commissioned work. The choice of subject for the degree thesis in combination with the chosen focus area and practical training defines your specialisation.

The degree thesis is written towards the end of the studies. The work is commenced by participating in an applied methodology course that runs during the third year of study. In the course the student makes up a plan for their degree thesis. Most degree theses are written in collaboration with external clients.