Master's Degree in International Business Management

The English-taught Master's Degree at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary degree that welcomes graduates with at least a Bachelor's (first cycle) degree qualification.

The Master's Degree in International Business Management is aimed at staff of growth and internationalization-oriented organizations, or organizations that already engage in international operations or at persons seeking employment in such organizations. The degree’s learning objectives and contents focus on strategic management, research and development methods, global economic issues, international business, and the use of new technologies in business.

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The degree is a Master’s level (second-cycle) qualification of 90 credits in total. It takes approximately two years to complete as it is a part-time program. The degree consists of blended studies accomplished while working. All of the course assignments and the research-based development assignment (Master’s thesis) are completed on behalf of the organization that has commissioned them.

The Master's degree consists of online lectures, e-learning, independent learning, group work, discussions, and assignments. Each semester will start with an intensive week online, the studies will be completed via e-learning environments (online, distance learning). Please note that the studies do not require full-time attendance in Finland therefore the students do not need to move to Finland nor apply for residence permit.

The online lectures are delivered every or every second week, one evening per week. The assignments for each study module are based on a theoretical framework which is then applied to develop the practices and activities of your workplace/organization. A part of the studies will be completed in collaboration with our international partner universities, either in Kajaani or abroad.

Study objectives

The aim of the Master´s Degree in International Business Management is to educate experts and managers for companies and other organizations. The general objective of the degree is to provide management competencies and a deeper understanding of different aspects of business in the fast-changing global environment. The studies support personal growth for challenging management and R&D tasks. Furthermore, it brings transferable life-long learning skills and an opportunity to expand professional networks.

Study contents

The studies focus on topics such as management and leadership skills, megatrends, and business conceptualization. They include versatile business development methods as well as future-oriented perspectives on emerging technologies and intelligent solutions. The curriculum is based on the national competence framework (NQF). The competencies are learning skills, ethics, work community, innovation, and internationalization competence.

Structure of studies

The degree is worth 90 credits. It comprises part-time multi-modal studies lasting 2 years while working. The studies consist of online lectures, e-learning, independent learning, group work, discussions, and assignments. The degree is divided into management studies, research and development methods, advanced professional studies, free-choice studies, and the master´s thesis.

Eligibility

Eligibility for a Master’s degree program at KAMK is conferred by:

• a Bachelor’s degree or another appropriate higher education degree (a minimum of 20 credits of business studies accomplished in a higher education institution are required).
• at least two years of subsequent work experience in a relevant field. In order to be eligible, applicants must have 24 months (two years) of work experience in the field of business and commerce accumulated from the date of award of the final degree certificate and obtained no later than 31 July.

Sufficient English language skills are also required for degree programs conducted in English.

Work experience is given in full months. When converting part-time work (work under 35 hours per week) into its full-time equivalent, 150 hours or 20 working days lasting at least 7 hours per day correspond to one month of work. Work experience does not have to be continuous or obtained with the same employer. The amount of work experience points awarded for simultaneous employment relationships may not exceed the amount awarded for full-time employment.

Entrepreneurship will be accepted as work experience if an applicant can produce a certificate attesting that he or she is or has been covered under the statutory YEL or MYEL pension scheme. (YEL = statutory pension scheme for entrepreneurs; MYEL = statutory pension scheme for farmers, forest estate owners, fishers, and reindeer herders and their family members). Enterprising activities abroad should be substantiated with comparable official documents.

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Career opportunities

• Manager
• Head of the department
• Department manager
• Commercial manager
• Project manager
• HRM manager
• R&D manager
• Entrepreneur
• CEO
• CFO

Applying

Joint application for studies starting in autumn 2024 is on 3 - 17 January 2024.

Submit your application online through the joint application system at Studyinfo during the application period.

Tuition fee

There are tuition fees for non-EU citizens in this degree. Please read more: Tuition Fee and Scholarships - Kajaanin ammattikorkeakoulu (kamk.fi).