Master in Strategic Business Development

Are you interested in business development and strategy?

The Master's Programme in Strategic Business Development focuses on the theory and practice of strategic business development, from strategic analysis to strategic choice and strategy implementation. The areas covered by the programme encompass project management, international strategic management, and managing business networks. In addition, the programme offers students a wide range of optional studies that will enable them to deepen their knowledge in other areas such as human resource and cross-cultural management. The international EPAS accreditation is a mark of the quality of the business teaching at the University of Vaasa.

Programme outcome

The two-year programme provides skills and knowledge required at middle and upper management level in all kinds of businesses and organisations, large or small, public or private. Students graduating from the programme will have the skills necessary to understand the strategic position of organisations, how to make strategic choices, and how strategy can be turned into action to become a source of sustainable competitive advantage.

The University of Vaasa has close ties with the businesses of the region and we use actual case studies in our teaching combining theoretical knowledge with practical examples.Vaasa is the largest energy technology hub in the Nordic countries, with 140 companies and 11,000 employees in the energy industry. The employment rate in Vaasa is the best in Finland.

The programme offers students excellent opportunities to work in manufacturing and service companies, in the business consulting sector, or to pursue an academic career. The degree awarded by the programme is a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration.

To be eligible for admission to the Master's Programme in Strategic Business Development you should already have completed your Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field such as business studies, marketing or management and organisation. Candidates may apply with other than Business administration field degree if they can demonstrate a proper background in business studies as follows: minimum of 35 ECTS in business studies is required. The intake of the programme is 20 students, and the application period is around December-January annually.

There are no entrance examinations for the international Master's programmes at the University of Vaasa. Admission decisions are made on the basis of the required documents, evaluating each complete application individually and selecting those with the best qualifications. The tuition fee for the Master's Programme in Strategic Business Development is 12 000 euro annually. In addition to the tuition fee students are required to pay the Student Union membership fee of approximately 140 euro per academic year. The University of Vaasa has scholarships available for students who are required to pay tuition fees in Master's Degree Programmes.