Master’s Degree Programme in Business and Financial Management

Key learning outcomes

The degree programme develops leadership competence in organisational and financial management, emphasising leadership and strategic thinking. Masters of Business Administration who have graduated from the Degree Programme in Business and Financial Management are capable of developing and directing their own organisation in a responsible and profitable manner in an international and digital operating environment. They are capable of applying research knowledge in their area of expertise and anticipating changes in their field and in working life.

Education content and professional growth and know-how

The competence produced by the Degree Programme in Business and Financial Management consist of the Shared Master Competence (20 cr), Expert Core Competence (50 cr) and Complementary Competence (20 cr). The Shared Master Competence comprises the Research and Development module (10 cr) and the Management module (10 cr). The Expert Core Competence includes the Leadership and Management in the Digital Era module (20 cr) and, alternatively, Financial Management in the Digital Era (20 cr) and the master’s thesis (30 cr). The Complementary Competence module (20 cr) will broaden and deepen the competence.

SHARED MASTER COMPETENCE (20 cr)
Module 1
YZZZ0Z Research and Development 10 op
YZZZ0110 Research-based Development
YZZZ0120 Quantitative Research
YZZZ0130 Qualitative Research
Module 2
YZZZ1Z Management 10 op
YZWZ0210 Formulating Strategy
YZZZ0220 Leadership Dynamics
YZZZ0230 Managerial Accounting

EXPERT CORE COMPETENCE 50 op
Module 3
YHOYHZ Leadership and Management in the Digital Era 20 op
YHLYH400 Management and Organizational Behaviour
YHLYH500 Leadership as coaching
YHLH200 Management in Digital Era
YMRJ2110 Responsible Management
Module 4
YHOZ2Z Financial Management in Digital Era 20 op
YHLYH100 Ethics of Financial Management
YHYYA220 Strategic Management Accounting
YHLYH200 Business Tax Planning
YHYYA320 Management Information Systems
Module 5
YZZZZZ Master's Thesis 30 op
YZZON100 Master's Thesis
YTZZ0601 Maturity Test
Module 6

YZZT1Z COMPLEMENTARY COMPETENCE 20 op
YZZZV110 Expertise and Career Development
YHIHV3320 JAMK Leadership Programme in Silicon Valley, USA
YHIYH300 Strategic Human Resource Management
YHIHR300 Project Management
YHYY3000 Advanced Knowledge of the Blockchain Technology
Module 7
ZZC02Z CAMPUSONLINE

Flexible studies

The studies are flexibly implemented in the form of part-time studies that are mainly offered online, so studies can be successfully pursued irrespective of where you live or work. Competence-based study modules enable individual study paths and support the development of competence in accordance with the student’s personal plan and career development. Guidance and support services support the student during their studies with the aim of maintaining and strengthening their well-being.

The degree provides insight on how to utilise digital and interactive tools and social media. Online learning is suitable for self-directed students who are interested in developing their own competence. The wishes of the student group are taken into account in the implementation methods. Additionally, student groups will meet in web-based learning environments or may also independently agree on meetings if they so wish and, at their own choice, also participate in study trips subject to a separate fee.

Students have a choice of alternative or elective studies offered by partner universities in Finland and abroad, such as other universities of applied sciences (CampusOnline), universities and educational institutions involved in the EduJyväskylä collaboration (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia). The studies have been planned in such a way that they can be completed all year round by e.g. making use of the Summer School and CampusOnline course offerings and by writing the master’s thesis. The degree programme includes courses that are exclusively taught in English, and the courses involve the use of international English-language study material. Studies can be completed in our international partner institutions through student exchange, for example, or by taking a study trip of 1 to 2 weeks or participating in intensive courses arranged by JAMK. Flexibility and internationalisation are also offered in the form of Summer School course offerings in Jyväskylä.

The accreditation of existing competence and previously completed studies as part of the degree add flexibility to the studies (Degree Regulations, Section 17). At JAMK University of Applied Sciences, the recognition of prior learning is divided into accreditation of higher education studies (replacement and inclusion), identification and recognition of competence otherwise acquired, and studification at work and in project or voluntary activities. By accrediting university-level studies completed elsewhere, the student can replace entire modules or individual courses in their degree programme or include them as part of their degree. The student must have a certificate or some other document to prove that they have completed the studies. Skills acquired elsewhere can also be described and demonstrated to enable accreditation. The studies completed elsewhere must of the EQF 7 level. Further information is available in the Study Guide.

Working life oriented learning

The studies can be fully linked to the development of the student’s own work and organisation and/or completed by participating in RDI projects at JAMK. During the courses and in their thesis, the student will develop their own competence and work duties, organisation and working life. A working life development project will be implemented as part of nearly every course. A master’s degree student group, which consists of experts from different fields from different geographical areas, supports collaborative learning.

The degree enables the development of own entrepreneurship during individual courses, as part of the master’s thesis, and through the career and entrepreneurial studies at JAMK and the Startup Factory.

Career opportunities and employment

A large number of graduates have found employment in expert and supervisory positions in industry, particularly in financial management and human resource management. Almost as many of them have been employed in expert and managerial positions in the public sector. Additionally, the graduates have found employment in the field of commerce and the finance sector. Some have started new business activities or developed their existing company.

Examples of the graduates’ job titles include managing director, country manager, chief financial officer, service director, bank manager, account manager, service manager, development manager and expert.

Qualifications

A master’s degree from the university of applied sciences opens up new career opportunities as it qualifies you to apply for a public office or position to which a higher post-secondary degree is required.

Further studies

The graduate may apply to continue on to postgraduate studies in science or arts at universities (Act 558/2009, Section 37) and in the school of professional teacher education. Studies can be continued by applying for corresponding post-degree education at universities abroad, for example. A university of applied sciences also provides opportunities for continuing education in the form of specialisation studies, open studies, an online study portal (CampusOnline) and working life based continuing education.

Education planning

The Degree Programme in Business and Financial Management is developed in collaboration with partners from working life. The advisory board consisting of working life representatives supports the competitiveness of the UAS and the unit in the operating environment by, among other things, actively participating in education planning. The Advisory Board comprises key partners in the area. They provide input on developing degree-awarding education, specialisation studies, RDI activities and continuing education along with the weak signals from the labour market. At the advisory board, curricula are discussed on an annual basis in a process in which the members contribute to the identification of working life foresighting information and in the assessment of the curriculum. Master’s degree students who study alongside their work and alumni engage actively in dialogue that supports the development of education by, among other things, utilising different feedback channels. The views of master’s degree students on the competence needs of future working life have been gathered by means of interviews and a survey.

The learning objectives of the degree programme curriculum have been derived from the operating environment analysis compiled by the School of Business, JAMK's strategy, and the unit's core competence areas. In the development of a new competence-based curriculum, both national and international foresighting information has been utilised, along with the higher education evaluation materials (e.g. EPAS, FINEEC) and the joint Master’s Degree Development Forum of JAMK’s units. The anticipation of international competence takes place by comparing the contents of the education at JAMK’s partner institutions and the expertise of visiting teachers.

Contact Information

Kalliomaa Sami
Principal Lecturer, Business Administration
+358400707536
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi