Structure of Studies

Basic Studies (60 cr)

Basic studies are compulsory studies that must be completed during the first year of study. These courses include basic courses in business activities, operational environments, methodological studies, and communication studies.

Professional Studies (90 cr)

These courses are carried out from the second year onwards and they include special study modules covering different areas of international business activities. The aim of professional studies is to equip students with both the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to function in international business and marketing arenas. The studies emphasise the framework and strategies of international business, international marketing, economics, finance, international management and communication skills.

The professional studies also include 50 credits of Specialisation Studies. The aim of the module is to deepen and widen the knowledge related to the professional studies. Studies completed during the student exchange should ideally fit into this module.

Free-choice Studies (15 cr)

The studies include a minimum of 15 credits of free-choice studies. The aim of the free-choice studies is to provide the student with the opportunity to deepen and widen knowledge related to one’s own professional field. These can be chosen from the degree programme or from another degree programme in the same UAS or from another UAS, university or elsewhere by prior agreement.

Practical Training (30 cr)

An essential part of the studies is a five-month-long practical training period, which takes place during the spring semester of the 3rd study year. It is recommended that practical training is accomplished in a foreign country, but it can also be done locally. Before starting practical training the student must have a minimum of 150 credits and the practical training place must be approved by the Practical Training Coordinator. The purpose of practical training is to offer students the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge acquired from their professional studies by carrying out practical expert tasks in companies.
Thesis (15 cr)

The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate the student’s ability to adapt knowledge and skills acquired during professional studies. This can be accomplished in the form of project work, research work or applied research. Preparation of the thesis is accomplished towards the end of the student’s studies; a minimum of 150 credits must be accomplished before starting work on the thesis. It can also be multi-disciplinary. The thesis also includes a maturity test which demonstrates the student’s language skills and how familiar he or she is with the chosen subject of the thesis. Finnish students write the test in Finnish and foreign students in English. The test is taken under supervision with titles provided by the thesis supervisor.


Foreign Studies

For Finnish students it is recommended that the 2nd year autumn semester is spent in a foreign university or university of applied sciences. Foreign students may choose not to go abroad. To apply for foreign studies the student must have achieved a minimum of 45 credits per academic year. In addition it is required that the students have good language skills (good skills in English and at least basics in the target country’s language if possible) and good grades. Students who do not have any international experience will be given first priority when decisions concerning exchange places are made.

Exchange opportunities will be presented in information meetings. More information can also be found from KAMK internet pages (www.kamk.fi). Kajaani UAS’s partner institutions in different countries offer studies in English or in other languages. Each student makes a personal study plan with the school’s international co-ordinator for the period of foreign studies. Studies completed abroad are approved as part of the degree programme within either specialization studies or free-choice studies.

Language Studies

The Degree Programme in International Business includes 23 credits of compulsory language study. English is the language of teaching in the degree programme. However, all students must also acquire a minimum of 8 credits in English language studies. Foreign students must also accomplish 15 credits of Finnish language within their compulsory language studies. Finnish students study both Finnish and Swedish as compulsory languages. Language studies are therefore structured as follows in the Degree Programme in International Business:

Finnish Students
English 8 cr
Finnish 10 cr
Swedish 5 cr

Foreign Students
English 8 cr
Finnish 15 cr

In addition to compulsory language courses, students can choose other foreign languages. The language studies offered are French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese and German. It is recommended that foreign students concentrate on studying the Finnish language during the first study year and do not start another new language during their first year.